LGCS Student Travel

Hello from Ms. Meyer! I am a teacher at Lake George Charter School. I have been teaching for 15 years and have spent the last 5 years in Lake George, CO. Throughout the years, I took on many roles at the school...now settling into the secondary Social Studies (geography, history, civics). I have had the opportunity to not only teach in the classroom but also facilitate out of the classroom experiences; such as; leading the ski and snowboard program, traveling to Washington D.C. with students and participating in many field trips. As a student I was always inspired by travel. I was fortunate to have my first study abroad experience in high school where I spent a summer in Sweden. In college, I spent a semester in India. Both of these experiences taught me about myself and gave me a broader cultural understanding. My undergraduate degree is in Anthropology and International Studies, so I have a passion for understanding and learning about the uniqueness of human experiences around the world.

I have found that my travel and academic experiences bring an enthusiasm to the classroom that inspires curiosity in my students. Being in a rural community, we have limited resources (no busses or school transportation) to experience the world around us. Summer of 2023, we were granted an amazing opportunity, where a family (via matching employer funds) supported half the cost of our Washington D.C. trip. We were able to take 18 students across our country to learn about US History and experience a large city and all that it can offer. This trip not only was impactful at the time, but it is now a reference point in many classroom discussions. The students that were able to participate, share their experience with the other students and have a real life example to relate to when studying a variety of subjects. I wish to be able to provide this beneficial experience to more students every year. The trips are expensive and any fundraising and support will lead to lasting memories for our students.

We need a scholarship fund to help support students (and their families) who cannot afford the high cost of educational travel. All funds raised can go directly to students' travel costs. We currently work with EFTours, where trips are between $2,000-$4,000 (this cost includes airfare, hotels, all meals, tour guides, museum fees, etc.). We are currently planning a trip to Montreal and Quebec City, Canada for early summer 2025. The cost is ~$3,000 a traveler. We would like to extend this opportunity to at least 10 students, and use a scholarship fund to support half of the cost. Students can submit an application for funds and address why they want to attend the excursion.

We are a small, rural school with very limited resources and opportunities to raise funds. We have few industries in our area, so our ability to fundraise is very minimal. Additionally we are considered a Title I school, meaning that over half of our families are eligible for free or reduced lunch (or lower economic status). Any additional support is greatly appreciated. Without additional funding, our students' families cannot afford these educational excursions, truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.