The Save Ellis Island NJ Field Trip Fund
Class trips are often among the most memorable experiences in a student’s education. They build community, spark curiosity, and provide hands-on learning beyond the classroom.
At Save Ellis Island, we believe these opportunities should be available to all students—regardless of their background. That belief has long been championed by our President, Janis DeLuce Calella whose vision and dedication have inspired this initiative. After many years of dreaming and planning, the goal of expanding access to the island’s powerful history is becoming a reality.
Thanks to the generosity of our Board Chair, Cathy Burke, we are proud to launch the Save Ellis Island NJ Field Trip Fund—a new program that brings this dream to life by providing two fully funded field trips each year (one in the fall and one in the spring) to schools in underserved communities across New Jersey.
These immersive experiences will invite students to explore the historic Ellis Island Hospital on the island’s lesser-known south side, where they’ll deepen their understanding of immigration, public health, and American heritage.
FIELD TRIP FUND CRITERIA
Save Ellis Island is committed to providing meaningful learning opportunities for students who may otherwise have limited access to cultural and historical resources. To ensure the Field Trip Fund supports the communities that will benefit most, the following criteria apply:
ELIGIBILITY
- Open to all public, charter, and nonprofit private schools in New Jersey.
- Field trips are available to students in grades 4 through 12.
FOCUS ON UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES
Priority will be given to schools that:
- Are designated as Title I
- Serve a high percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch
- Have limited access to field trip funding or extracurricular programming
ONE APPLICATION PER SCHOOL
- Each school may submit one application per academic year.
- Multiple applications from the same school will not be considered.
GROUP SIZE
- Each trip can accommodate a class or grade-level group of approximately 25–35 students, plus chaperones.
TRANSPORTATION
- The Fund covers the cost of the tour and educational programming.
- Schools are encouraged to indicate if they need transportation assistance, which may be available on a case-by-case basis.
COMMITMENT TO ENGAGEMENT
- Selected schools must demonstrate how the field trip connects to classroom learning.
- A post-visit reflection or related curriculum activity is required.
- Participating schools may be featured in photos, videos, and press releases.
SELECTION PROCESS
- Schools will be selected through a weighted lottery, with priority given to those meeting one or more underserved criteria.
- Applications for the 2025–2026 academic year are due by August 1, 2025.
- Selected schools for the Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 trips will be announced on August 15, 2025.
