Middle School Global Travel Trips 2025-2026

Join Colorado Academy in Costa Rica, France, or the United Kingdom!

At CA, we cultivate global citizens through a curriculum that weaves intellectual rigor and character development. Integral to this foundation are transformative experiences extending beyond classroom walls, inviting students to discover the world as their living laboratory.

These carefully crafted international experiences are journeys into extraordinary learning—immersive adventures that require investment beyond standard tuition. From academically rigorous expeditions to meaningful service projects, each program connects directly to our curriculum while promising to forge lasting memories and broaden intellectual horizons.

CA faculty members lead each expedition with expertise and passion, and they are supported by carefully vetted professional travel organizations. Understanding that transformative learning requires peace of mind, we make safety the cornerstone of every journey.

Want to enroll?

The application window for Middle School Global Travel is open until October 19, 2025. Apply now using this initial application. Spaces are limited. 

Trip roster notifications will go out by November 21.

Please note: all Middle School programs are technology-free.

Questions? Reach out to the trip leader or contact Taja McKinney, CA Director of Global Travel.

Have Questions About Financial Aid?

Families of students who receive need-based tuition assistance at CA may submit a Financial Aid Request Form / Solicitud para Ayuda Financiera para Viajes for school-sponsored travel. This is a separate form from the trip application. As funds are limited, CA prioritizes financial aid for students who have yet to go on a school-sponsored trip in the division where they are currently enrolled; families may still request financial aid for an additional trip, and will be considered for a financial aid waitlist if their student has already had the opportunity to experience a CA travel program.

Questions about financial aid? Contact financialaid@coloradoacademy.org. Comuníquese con Abel Ramirez al 303-914-2573 si el español es su idioma preferido.

Costa Rica Expedition: Chilamate Adventure

• Location: Chilamate, Costa Rica
• Dates: May 9–16, 2026 (MS Interim)
• Trip Leaders: Cate Dance & Abel Ramirez
• Program cost (includes $500 Interim credit): $2605
• Flights: $785
• Total cost (program and flights): $3390
• Eligibility: Grades 7 & 8 taking Spanish
• Capacity: 15–18 students
• Vendor: World Leadership School
• Read more: Detailed Itinerary (and flights)
• Initial Application Due: October 19, 2025

Experience authentic Costa Rican culture, including staying at an eco lodge in the jungle and a three-night homestay with local families. You'll share meals, daily routines, and gain genuine insights into life in Costa Rica while practicing your Spanish in real situations.

At a local school, you'll connect with Costa Rican students through cultural exchange activities. These interactions offer opportunities to practice Spanish and learn about different perspectives on life.

Explore the rainforest on an ethnobotany walk and discover how Indigenous peoples have used local plants for centuries. It's like walking through a natural pharmacy and grocery store where you'll learn about traditional plant knowledge.

Get hands-on experience at a local organic farm, where you'll tend crops, learn sustainable agriculture practices, and discover eco-friendly pest control methods. You'll harvest fresh produce for a farm-to-table meal you'll help prepare.

In our chocolate-making workshop, you'll follow the journey from bean to bar. Roast cacao beans, grind them into paste, and create your own chocolate treats while learning about chocolate's significance in Central American culture.

The adventure culminates with white water rafting through crystal-clear rivers surrounded by Costa Rica's stunning scenery. Navigate mild rapids with your classmates while spotting sloths, monkeys, and tropical birds in the trees above.

This Interim expedition combines cultural immersion, language learning, and community engagement. You'll develop a broader perspective on your role as a global citizen and the positive impact you can make.

France:

• Location: Paris, Avignon, & Nice
• Dates: Friday, May 8–Saturday, May 16, 2026 (MS Interim)
• Trip Leaders: Emmanuel Bidan & Amy Wintermeyer
• Program Total Estimated Cost (includes flights and $500 Interim credit): $4660
• Eligibility: Grades 7 & 8 taking French (or who have French-speaking ability)
• Capacity: 14–18 students
• Vendor: Atlas Workshops
• Read more: Detailed Itinerary
• Initial Application Due: October 19, 2025

Program Overview: This eight-day experiential program takes you through two distinct regions of France, beginning with Paris then in the medieval city of Avignon in Provence. You will explore the historic Palais des Papes with augmented reality technology, walk across the famous Pont d'Avignon, and take a day trip to nearby Arles to visit Roman ruins and the cutting-edge Luma Cultural Campus. The program includes a scenic hike to the ancient Roman aqueduct Pont du Gard, providing you with a hands-on learning about France's rich historical layers from medieval times through modern innovation. The second half of the program moves to Nice on the French Riviera for three nights of coastal and cultural exploration. You will hike up Castle Hill in Nice for panoramic Mediterranean views and reflection on the complete French experience. 

Cultural Immersion: Throughout the journey, you will engage in authentic French cultural experiences, including hands-on art workshops (sketching, theater, or ceramics), visits to vibrant local food markets, cooking classes featuring regional specialties, and scavenger hunts exploring daily life in Provence. Your program also includes opportunities to connect with local schools and communities, ensuring you experience France not just as tourists but as a cultural ambassador learning about French lifestyle, cuisine, and contemporary society, alongside the country's remarkable historical heritage.

London & Edinburgh:

• Location: London & Edinburgh
• Dates: June 8-15, 2026
• Trip Leaders: Nick Malick & Melissa Zaremba
• Program Total Estimated Cost (includes flights): $5820
• Eligibility: Grades 6, 7, & 8 interested in performing arts
• Capacity: 15–18 students
• Vendor: Walking Tree Travel 
• Read more: Detailed Itinerary
• Initial Application Due: October 19, 2025

London Theater Magic: Your adventure kicks off in the heart of London, where you'll dive headfirst into the world's most famous theatre scene! You'll explore the bustling Soho theatre district, step inside Shakespeare's legendary Globe Theatre for hands-on acting workshops, and experience the dazzling lights of a live West End musical performance. The Shakespeare adventure doesn't stop there—you'll take an exciting day trip to Stratford-upon-Avon to visit the actual house where Shakespeare was born, plus explore the historic university city of Oxford on your way back.

Street Art, Beatles, & Borough Market: Get ready for London's coolest cultural experiences as you hunt for famous Banksy artwork on a guided street art tour, recreate the iconic Beatles album cover at Abbey Road, and feast your way through Borough Market's incredible food stalls. You'll also explore world-class art at the Tate Modern and soak up the electric atmosphere of Covent Garden while watching amazing street performers show off their talents—from musicians to magicians and everything in between.

Scottish Castle Adventures & Ghost Stories: Your journey continues with a scenic train ride to Edinburgh, Scotland's stunning capital city. You'll explore the mighty Edinburgh Castle with its breathtaking city views and royal treasures, stroll down the famous Royal Mile, and discover incredible exhibits at the National Museum of Scotland. As darkness falls, brace yourself for a theatrical ghost tour through Edinburgh's most haunted locations—the perfect thrilling finale to your unforgettable British adventure!