Learning Happens Here Field Trip Fund
What is the Learning Happens Here Field Trip Fund?
This fund helps North Carolina public schools (including public charters) pay for field trips to over 100 educational sites managed by the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR). This includes state parks, historic sites, museums, aquariums, the NC Symphony, the Zoo, and more! Funding is provided by the State of North Carolina.
Application approval rates for this fund are 98% positive. Requests that are realistic (and not exorbitant), aligned with classroom learning goals, and meet the funding requirements as detailed in the application, are HIGHLY likely to receive funding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Trips within 1–2 hours of your school are encouraged. Research proves that local, place-based learning helps students connect to their communities and make learning more relevant and meaningful, particularly for elementary-aged students. Not sure which site(s) to visit? Reach out to us for guidance!
- Pick a DNCR site to visit (see the DNCR Field Trip Finder).
- Contact the site to confirm availability and book a date.
- Talk to your principal to confirm if the school, or county, or PTO can cover costs upfront while awaiting reimbursement of the funds.
- Create a budget (guidance available).
- Submit your application online at least 8 weeks before the trip.
Applications are reviewed as they come in, you’ll hear back within 20 business days or sooner.
Submit a simple report. Your school will be reimbursed within 30 days.
Rebecca Barefoot is the Learning Happens Here Field Trip Fund Manager and your main contact throughout the application process. She can help you with:
- Confirming if the field trip site you are interested in is managed by the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
- Confirming your eligibility
- Consulting on which DNCR location could best fit your field trip goals if you are unsure
- Technical issues or general questions about the application or review process
- Ensuring your application is complete
- Removing accessibility barriers (e.g. assisting those who are visually impaired)
- Recommending other DNCR funding opportunities (if your application is NOT selected for funding)
You can contact Rebecca Barefoot via:
- E-mail: fieldtripfund@dncr.nc.gov
- Phone: (919) 814-6647
- A 30-minute meeting through Microsoft Teams Booking Sessions.
- This is a reimbursement program; the school (or county/PTO) must first pay the costs.
- If you are a Title I school and covering a large single cost, such as a charter bus is financially impossible, contact our Field Trip Fund Manager Rebecca Barefoot to explore whether other options are available.
- Avoid charging students to cover the upfront costs unless you have plans to support families in need.
- Hotel accommodations or visits to non-DNCR sites are not eligible for funding.
- Get multiple quotes if using a charter bus.
Contact the Fund Manager before applying if you plan to request over $5,000.
The Learning Happens Here Field Trip Fund is made possible by funding from the State of North Carolina. It is managed by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources in partnership with PBS North Carolina.
