As a band mom, I’ve become something of a band festival expert. I’ve been to festivals that pack a punch, and festivals that remind me to pack Tylenol.  I’ve seen performances that leave the crowds spellbound, and those that… don’t.  What I’ve learned is that the best band festivals are a great mix of teaching, […]

Travel Insured International (TII) is the preferred travel protection partner for Kaleidoscope Adventures.  TII created this Travel Protection 101 guest post to help parents and group leaders understand how travel protection works.   The unpredictable can happen at any given time. Travel protection is a way to help safeguard your travel investments, belongings, health and […]

The world is waiting to welcome your students to its most acclaimed venues!  Here are our picks for the top 5 best international band festivals for student performances. St. Patrick’s Day Festival in Cork Lush green landscape and the strains of the bagpipes beckon you to share in the Irish revelry of St. Patrick’s Day.  […]

Generation Z and Your Class Trip The current generation of teens is far better traveled than previous ones and have different expectations for their trips.  What do teens want from the class trip?  It’s all about authentic travel and unique experiences with friends! In fact, a recent study showed that Gen Z is looking to […]

(A True Story) My high school senior’s band is planning a trip.  The usual options were tossed around at our zoom booster meeting but with no real resolution.  When we finally wrapped up without a decision, I shared a bit of the discussion with my son.  His casual response was unexpected…  “We should skip the […]

Marching bands – it’s your lucky day!  If you’ve been waiting to perform in Ireland for St. Patrick’s Day, now is the time to plan for 2026-27 and beyond! Find out how your marching band can perform in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, or Sligo for St. Patrick’s Day. Ireland for St. Patrick’s Day Lush green landscape […]

In teacher speak, the 4th of July signals the end of summer. Any teacher will tell you that once the fireworks are over, the mind jumps back into planning and prep mode for the next school year. The short summer break has refreshed and energized you, allowing for a new perspective and excitement toward the […]

Planning a student trip is a BIG job!  As a teacher, you already have a million tasks on your plate each day.  The logistics of moving kids from Point A to Point B falls somewhere around 749,000… To help make the process a lot easier, here are 5 tips you need to know when you […]

Benefits of Teen Travel Updated August 2022 We are raising our teens to take their places in an increasingly global society.  To be successful, we need to allow them to explore it!  Teens are amazingly inquisitive, responsible, and capable young adults.  Travel builds their confidence, helps them connect with people of diverse backgrounds, and positively […]

Growing up in Pittsburgh, a school trip to Washington, DC was practically a rite of passage.  It was close, inexpensive, and checked all the curricular boxes.  However, with recent closures and new requirements for visiting  (like timed-entry tickets for the Smithsonian Museums), it might be time to refresh the standard DC itinerary.  Here are 4 […]

Motorcoaches are in Short Supply If you’re planning a student trip this spring, don’t miss the bus!  Motorcoaches are in short supply for 2022.  Across the United States, there are roughly 3,000 private bus companies. Most are small, family-owned businesses that handle a variety of transportation services, including student travel.  Typically, they average annual collective […]

Each year, student groups converge in Orlando to visit its world-famous theme parks.  However, with so many groups now traveling, many are finding it harder to book time in some of them.  If you want some fun in the sun, an awesome learning experience, or a great performance venue, plan your student trip to Universal […]