“Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.”
The Youth Excursion Project
The Youth Excursion Project is dedicated to enriching the lives and expanding the minds of youth by introducing them to life outside their communities. Through educationally centered excursions and travel, we provide our participants with the opportunity to experience first-hand, the vast diversity of the cultures, customs, and ethnicities around the world.
A Bit of Background...
In my freshman high school English class, I was assigned to read the book There Are No Children Here by Alex Kotlowitz, which provided an incredibly vivid glimpse into the lives of youth living on the west side of Chicago and emphasized the importance of shedding light on the issues often faced by people marginalized by society. The story resonated with me long after my class and sparked both my interest in the education system and a feeling of duty towards creating a more just and equitable society. These values led to my decision to serve with AmeriCorps.
In doing so, I had the opportunity to work on the south side of Chicago, coordinating and implementing an after-school program. My experience at the school was extremely rewarding and further solidified my interest in the field of education. Yet, I still was not sure as to what in what area of education, I wanted to work. After thinking it over for a bit, I got the idea for this non-profit organization.
Traveling has always been my passion because it is such an amazing learning experience. Those who travel get to encounter the world first-hand, and often learn about themselves, and who they want to be, in the process. I wholeheartedly believe that travel is an incredible supplement to classroom learning, because as vivid as photos and stories can be, or as illustrative as presentations can be, experiencing such material first-hand brings it to life.
Of equal importance, when people are exposed to cultures unknown to them, they gain a better understanding of the people and struggles within those cultures, and can even find ways to identify with those individuals. Reaching such insights often leads people to appreciate others, not in spite of their differences, but because of their differences. In turn, I believe that traveling enhances an individual’s perception of the world, and is therefore, a significant component of education, rather than a luxury to be enjoyed only by those who can afford it.
— Ella Washburn (Founder)