Philadelphia School Day Trips: Your #1 Choice

At Pocono Valley, we have a long history of serving schools from Philadelphia that are looking for a scenic mountain setting in the Poconos. Pocono Valley is located only 90 miles from Philadelphia and is the ultimate setting for a variety of groups. We serve multiple school groups during the school year along with corporate retreats, team building events, retreats, weddings, and more.

We offer a multitude of new and exciting activities including Twin Pines Challenge Ropes Course which enables participants to build camaraderie amongst their peers. Enjoy PV’s private 40-acre lake with kayaks and pedal boats as well as swimming in our 2 Olympic size heated pools. All water activities are supervised by certified lifeguards and can be closed at your group’s request.

Outdoor School Field Trip Basics

What do you remember about your school day trips? What made you who you are? A group project, a guest speaker, or a field trip likely aided your decision. You may have done it independently after learning about a topic in school. Something in your life ignited your interest or enthusiasm. It drove you to discover more on your own.

Each student brings unique life experiences to the classroom. Learning from a variety of sources is proven to improve academic performance. To be good readers, children must connect what they read to their own lives. Diverse experiences help pupils think broadly.

School day trips are vital for instructors, but why? There are several advantages.

Applied Learning

A field trip is one of the finest tools teachers have to provide every student real-life experiences. Every journey to the grocery store, seaside park, library, museum, theater, community garden, or restaurant helps a student understand the world.

When students leave the classroom, they perceive the links between school and ‘real-world’. They begin to realize how what they learn in school may help them solve issues in the real world and shape who they become as people.

Access

Students can use technologies and surroundings not provided in school. Our setting in nature serves as a wonderful learning lab. Field visits allow students to observe a natural habitat and interact with their classmates on challenging physical activities like our ropes courses. Each encounter reinforces key academic topics.

Mental Development

Field trips make students more tolerant and sympathetic. A school day trip in nature, such as to the mountains of Pennsylvania, increases students’ empathy, tolerance, and critical thinking abilities, according to a University of Arkansas research. Studying nature allows pupils to view a topic or theme in a new light.

Experience Your Outdoor School Field Trip at Pocono Valley

Textbooks, worksheets, lectures, reports, and projects are the mainstays of the school year. Teachers and students alike work through this daily grind, day after day. Educational field trips allow a much-needed break from the daily routine and a host of other benefits to students.

By getting them out of the classroom and into the world, field trips to Pocono Valley Resort allow students to learn from experience, while teachers gain new insights on their students. Our mountain campus offers school field trips that are unique and exciting, creating lasting memories of the skills and lessons learned.

Reason #1 – Hands-on Learning in Nature

Studies have shown that children of all ages learn better when they have opportunities for physical activity. Unlike visiting a museum or performance, school field trips held outdoors, like the ones at Pocono Valley, give students the opportunity to move their bodies, engaging with their environment in a way other field trips do not allow.

With activities such as sports, games, scavenger hunts, climbing towers and even zip-lining, students will be having fun while using both fine and gross motor skills and practicing hand-eye coordination.

During school field trips, students will be outdoors observing nature and wildlife in its natural habitat. You will see children listening and responding in very different ways than they would in the classroom, as their senses are full of new sights, sounds, and smells.

This type of trip also allows educators to connect with students on a different level; finding new ways to teach that will be more effective for each individual.

Because school field trips are led by professionally trained staff, teachers are able to stand back and observe the group as a whole, as well as individual students. Without the pressure of being responsible for the tour, you can examine group dynamics, and engage with individual students knowing the trainers and guides are keeping your class entertained and active.

Reason #2 – Better Relationships Through Team Building

One of the most important skills in the workforce is knowing how to work as part of a larger team, and this instruction begins in school. School field trips that support team building will have lasting benefits for the dynamics of the classroom and for the students throughout their lives. Through guided activities, students will learn and practice important peer-to-peer development concepts such as:

• Respect

• Honesty

• Teamwork

• Group problem solving

Students will be encouraged to work in varying groups rather than just staying with their usual group of friends. This allows new friendships and comradery to develop, which will translate to the classroom and school environment. With increased understanding and respect, students can move forward from their time at Pocono Valley as a more cohesive class.

Reason #3 – A Refreshingly Different Experience

By taking the students out of the classroom and putting them in nature, they are separated from their high-tech worlds, gaining new experience and insight about the world around them.

With interactive hands-on activities, students will be fully engaged, and might not even realize they are learning skills to assist them in school and life!

At Pocono Valley, school groups are provided with professional guided tours and dedicated trained staff. By keeping group sizes small, wait times for the activities are short so that the students can gain the maximum benefits during their trip. Each student will receive personal attention, ensuring their safety, comfort, and happiness.

The goal is for each student to feel as though they have joined the Pocono Valley family, forging a group dynamic unlike any other experience.

Combining education, adventure, and nature into an unforgettable experience has provided countless students with lasting memories of their time. For many students, their trip to Pocono Valley is the highlight of the school year.

So Why Choose Pocono Valley?

Children will be encouraged to investigate, discover, work together, and learn about their surroundings, themselves, and their classmates during their time. The unmatched experience of school field trips at Pocono Valley keeps children engaged throughout their trip, learning new physical, social, and emotional skills.

Experience the Benefits

School field trips at Pocono Valley include lots of wonderful benefits like:

• Getting to spend a day in the beauty of nature

• Active and safe outdoor physical activities that are fun for all kinds of students

• Professionally trained leaders that help your day run smoothly

• Activities designed to encourage individual growth and teambuilding

• An intimate and relaxing environment that promotes good morals and family values

• And much more!

Every trip to Pocono Valley will leave you and your class refreshed and ready to tackle the rest of the school year with new-found skills and ideas.

Pocono Valley: #1 Outdoor Field Trip Location for Philadelphia Schools

90 minutes from Philadelphia, Pocono Valley is the #1 day trip location for Pennsylvania Schools.

Pocono Valley offers 5 outstanding student packages to choose from! Whether it’s a single day or overnight stay, we have a package for your school trip. Located 90 miles from New York City and Philadelphia, we offer a wide variety of fun and exciting activities geared for students of all ages. We take pride in providing a unique combination of fun and educational experiences.

Pocono Valley’s experienced staff are stationed at each activity to ensure a great time for everyone! Delicious food is served buffet-style in our beautiful dining rooms.

For more of our exciting activities visit our ACTIVITIES page.