Student Adventure
Travel Programs

ETA’s expertly planned school adventure tours combine excitement and education, from rafting wild rivers and hiking lush forests to exploring volcanic landscapes and underground caverns. Every destination offers a hands-on approach to learning that promotes teamwork, leadership, and environmental awareness. Whether your group is studying ecology in Costa Rica, hiking through Hawaii’s volcanic terrain on the Big Island, or venturing into the mountains of Gatlinburg, these adventure tours spark curiosity and lifelong memories.

Adventure-based learning transforms how students see the world. These programs challenge students physically and mentally while connecting them to the subjects they study: geography, biology, environmental science, and cultural studies.

With ETA, student groups benefit from safe, structured itineraries designed by experienced educators and travel planners. Each adventure is crafted to blend academic enrichment with outdoor exploration, ensuring that every student returns home from their educational tour inspired and informed.

Costa Rica is one of the world’s top destinations for outdoor adventure and environmental learning. Students can hike through rainforest canopies, explore active volcanoes like Arenal, and raft the Sarapiquí River while observing diverse wildlife and ecosystems. This Central American paradise showcases sustainability in action, giving students firsthand exposure to renewable energy, conservation, and biodiversity. Costa Rica’s mix of adventure and education makes it an ideal destination for cultural immersion and experiential learning in science, geography, and culture, making it a popular choice for school trips to Costa Rica.

The island of Oahu combines adventure, geology, and culture in a tropical setting. Students can hike the iconic Diamond Head Crater, snorkel among coral reefs, and explore volcanic formations that reveal Hawaii’s dramatic geologic history. Alongside outdoor exploration, Oahu’s cultural heritage, rooted in native Hawaiian traditions, teaches students about environmental stewardship and island sustainability. With opportunities for ocean kayaking, surfing, and guided nature walks, Oahu is the perfect classroom for learning about ecology, geology, and cultural respect, making it an ideal destination for Hawaii educational tours. To expand the experience, students can journey to the Big Island to visit Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, where they can witness Kīlauea—one of the world’s most active volcanoes—and observe firsthand the power of volcanic activity shaping the Hawaiian landscape. While on the Big Island, they can also explore Kona, known for its vibrant marine life and world-famous coffee farms, stroll along the striking black sand beaches of Punaluʻu to spot endangered sea turtles, and embark on an unforgettable evening manta ray boat trip to see these gentle giants glide gracefully through the illuminated waters.

Nestled at the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg is a natural hub for adventure and discovery. Students can hike forest trails, explore underground wonders in nearby caverns, and experience white-water rafting on the Pigeon River. For a thrilling aerial perspective, they can also go ziplining through the treetops of the Smoky Mountains, soaring above lush valleys and taking in breathtaking views of Gatlinburg’s natural beauty. This region offers rich lessons in mountain ecology, conservation, and Appalachian heritage, all while providing plenty of hands-on fun in a safe, structured environment. Gatlinburg’s balance of scenic beauty and outdoor activity makes it a favorite destination for student adventure programs in the U.S., making it an ideal choice for a Gatlinburg class trip.

Few experiences build teamwork and communication like a white-water rafting trip. Students learn to paddle together, read water currents, and navigate challenges in a controlled, guided environment.

Destinations like Costa Rica, Gatlinburg, and even Charleston offer rivers suited for student rafting excursions, ranging from gentle scenic floats to mild rapids ideal for first-time adventurers. These trips can incorporate lessons in hydrology, environmental science, and outdoor safety while encouraging collaboration and leadership.

Hiking connects students directly to nature, providing a slow-paced, immersive way to learn about local ecosystems. ETA itineraries include guided hikes through volcanic craters in Oahu, cloud forests in Costa Rica, and mountain trails in Gatlinburg.

Instructors and guides emphasize flora and fauna identification, geology, and climate studies, turning each hike into a living science lab. The physical challenge also fosters resilience and appreciation for outdoor activity as part of a healthy lifestyle.

For geology and earth science students, exploring volcanoes offers an unforgettable firsthand experience. In Costa Rica, students can witness geothermal activity at Arenal or Poás Volcano, learning how tectonic forces shape the planet.

On Oahu, the volcanic landscapes of Diamond Head and Koko Crater provide insight into the Hawaiian Islands’ formation. On the Big Island Volcanoes National Park provides an opportunity to see an active volcano! These excursions teach about plate tectonics, erosion, and the balance between destruction and creation in Earth’s processes, all while providing breathtaking views and unforgettable memories.

Subterranean exploration reveals a different side of the natural world. Gatlinburg’s famous caverns and Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave region (a nearby extension for some itineraries) allow students to explore underground geology and mineral science.

Cave tours demonstrate how limestone formations develop over millions of years and highlight the importance of preserving fragile underground ecosystems. These adventures are both thrilling and educational, providing lessons in geology, hydrology, and conservation.

ETA’s adventure travel programs extend beyond the wilderness to include eco-tours in Tampa, Florida, and Charleston, South Carolina, destinations that combine education with coastal exploration.

In Tampa, students can explore mangroves and estuaries by kayak, learning about marine ecology, coastal conservation, and wetland habitats. Guided eco-tours help students understand the interdependence between land and sea and the importance of protecting coastal environments.

In Charleston, eco-tours introduce students to salt marshes, barrier islands, and local wildlife such as dolphins and shorebirds. These tours also explore the cultural history of the Lowcountry, highlighting how human settlement and environmental change have shaped the region over centuries.