"One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things." - Henry Miller

More than ever, it takes special navigational skills to be successful in our interconnected world.  At 5280 Explorers, we believe in creating the opportunity for young people to travel internationally on educational tours.  Only by getting beyond the textbook, and using the world as a classroom, can students develop the global perspective they need to understand the world outside their own country; and see their own nation newly illuminated. 

The outer world helps these young people develop their inner world as well.  The kids tell us that they have become more social, more confident, more independent and responsible, and more mature...and their parents agree!

 

Sorrento, Italy, Summer of 2014

Sorrento, Italy, Summer of 2014

5280 Explorers Leadership

Claudia Kean
Chief Executive Officer

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Angela LeVasseur
Chief Operating Officer

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Hayley Connely
Operations Supervisor

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Claudia is a Founder of 5280 Explorers and has taught middle school for many years. She has been our Group Leader for our tours to date. 

  • 1969-1971 student in Laos,returning for class reunions. 

  • High school students to Japan with Longmont Sister Cities
  • Professional development to China, Japan, and Cambodia. 
  • Married with two sons, and loves horses, skiing and mountain biking.

Angie is a Co-Founder of 5280 Explorers, and has been teaching for over 20 years. 

  • Student travel to Europe and Australia

  • Taken students to Japan with Aspen Sister Cities

  • Counselor and unit director, rafting and cross-country ski trips

  • MA in Experiential Education

Hayley has been teaching for over 15 years, including teaching English in China in 2005. 

  • Washington, DC trips with 8th grade
  • Chaperoned 6th graders on District Outdoor Education programs for 3 years.  
  • Studied in Rome, Italy during  undergraduate program
  • Traveled with students to Florida and Mexico
  • Masters in Literacy from the University of Colorado.

 

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Educational Travel with 5280 Explorers

 

Our System    Who Travels    Expectations        

Catch the trade winds in your sails.  Explore.  Dream.  Discover.
- Mark Twain

5280 Explorers is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit organization dedicated to international travel for middle and high school students.  

          Our System:

  • We work with EF Educational Tours, who have been designing tours worldwide for over 50 years.  They handle all overseas logistics, and their expert, kid-friendly Tour Directors are with us 24/7, for the entire tour.
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  • 5280 Explorers invites students through nomination.  At our Roll-Out Informational Meeting a year and a half before each trip, families learn about us, how to enroll, itinerary, cost, and more.
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  • After a tour is filled, we meet regularly as a group to educate about our destinations, and learn about all logistics. This includes passports, insurance, health forms, how to pack, security systems, and more. We get to have fun, too!  We all get to know each other through guided games and ice-breakers, and group discussions.

 

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  • 5280 Explorers wants to make these journeys available to all.  We will help students with financial aid as we seek out donations and grants.  We will also help facilitate parent-led fundraising.
  • Through EF, students can earn high school and/or college credit, doing a WeShare project through EF's accredited on-line program.  Our teacher staff can help students through this process.
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Who Travels

Traveling with 5280 Explorers is an earned privilege. We ask teachers to nominate those students that have the right character - that means responsible, hard working, cheerful and honest young people who can listen to instructions.  It means integrity.    Grades are important only as a reflection of those traits.  
Our teachers nominate in classes 6th grade through high school; by the time we travel, we have a range of kids from 12 to 18.  
Parents sometimes join our groups, and they are welcome!  However, our Tour company, EF, designs these trips with students in mind; It won't be The Ritz Hotel, and it's a very busy itinerary!

Expectations

We have a saying at 5280 Explorers....
You need to meet the bar.
There is the behavior bar you need to meet at home.
There is the bar you must meet at school.
And then, there is the 5280 Bar.

Cost

EF Tours offer trips of varying cost.  The tours we select can run from the low $3000s to around $5000 or more per student.  Adult costs are higher.  
5280 Explorers offers fundraising opportunities and techniques, as well as Financial Aid.  


 

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Meeting the bar means students respect the rules of the road as explained by our team.  It means a traveler tries to solve problems independently, but knows when to ask questions and get help as well.
Meeting the bar means respect for all others, and having each others' backs.  
Meeting the bar means safety first.  And finally, it means willingness to take on the opportunity for learning and adventure with an open heart, and the courage to face challenges with spirit.

 

—  Travel  —

Our Trips with EF - Past, Under Way, and How to Get Information on Future Trips

 

Currently Under Construction!  Stay Tuned!

 
 
 
 

 

 

—  Lead  —

How to take a role with 5280 Explorers as a Chaperone, or as a Group Leader on your own trip.

Currently Under Construction!  Stay Tuned.