At the end of July, I launched a new educational foundation called FLYTE (The Foundation for Learning and Youth Travel Education). The foundation raises money to fund overseas trips for underserved high schools so students could see the real world applications of what they were learning in school, experience the transformative power of travel and realize there was a whole world out there worth exploring!
In September, we opened applications for schools and I wanted to update you on our progress in funding our first trip!
First, we’re still waiting for our 501(c)3 tax-exempt status from the IRS. With so many people submitting requests, the process is moving a little slower than usual. It can take up to a year, but we are hoping to hear much sooner than that. We submitted in October, and I will update you as soon as we hear back.
Secondly, in disappointing news, I regret to announce that our spring program school backed out. After getting many applications for our spring program, we selected a school in Florida. The principal and school board were on board, parents were involved, and the school even started to recruit students (18 signed up!). Everyone was excited! I was just about to announce it on the website when the attack in Paris happened and the school board decided to not move forward with the trip. After weeks of discussion, they backed out. It was extremely disappointing and try as we might, we couldn’t change their minds.
We put a lot of work into and like that, months of hard work was gone. Everyone was really bummed, especially the students!
At this point, it is too late to run a spring program. There’s too much planning that would need to happen for us to send a school in the spring semester. So, we’re now opening applications for a summer program. We’re looking to send one class on a trip in the summer since this will give us plenty of time to work out the logistics with the school.
We’ve raised close to $15,000 USD already and I’m committed to using my own money to make up any shortage of funding. This trip is going to happen!
Right now, if you are a teacher and want to take your students on an overseas trip, let us at FLYTE help you! FLYTE will provide the financial backing, as well as help you plan an itinerary that enhances your curriculum. We will cover all the costs for the students, take care of the passport process, book the trips, help with itinerary, work with our local companies to organize and insurance, and make sure everything will run smoothly for when you go!
If you are a teacher in an underserved community, consider applying! You can find out our applications requirements and fill out the application on this page here.
We strongly encourage schools to apply that have already started discussing the possibility with their school boards and administrations. FLYTE is looking for teachers who are passionate about using the opportunity of travel to make their classroom come alive. We encourage you to apply. Please reach out to contact@takeflyte.org if you have any questions about the application process.
Applications are open until January 15th, at 11:59pm EST.
And if you know any teachers who would be interested in this program, please share this post with them and help us spread the word and send kids off on an amazing trip!
P.S. – If you’re interested in donating and helping us raise fund for our summer program, you can find out how to donate here.
P.P.S. – I’m hosting a meet up in Bangkok on Dec. 27th. If you’re in the city, come down and hang out!
The post Updates on FLYTE: Program Applications Open appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.
