EF Stories from the Road: Spring Break 2026 Edition

Spring has arrived, and for Colorado charter school students, that means one thing: it's time to explore. From the streets of Washington, D.C. to the jungles of Belize, the 2025 travel season is officially underway, and the adventures are just getting started. Between now and the end of July, students from charter schools across Colorado will be trading their classrooms for cultural landmarks, natural wonders, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. EF Educational Tours and EF Explore America is proud to be along for the journey. Here's a look at what some of our earliest travelers have already discovered.

International Spotlight: Adventures in Belize with Colorado Early College Douglas County

Students from Colorado Early College Douglas County traded their spring break routines for something far more memorable this year, embarking on an unforgettable educational tour to Belize. From the very first night, the magic was already underway with karaoke bringing the group together in a way that only shared laughter can, breaking the ice and sparking friendships that would grow throughout the trip. As Ramon put it, "This is just the best spring break I've ever had. I would have been at home playing video games otherwise." For many students, it was the connections they made that stood out just as much as the destination itself. "Getting to know other kids I wouldn't talk to was the best," reflected Landon; a sentiment that speaks to the heart of what educational travel is all about.

Belize itself left students wide-eyed with wonder. Students explored the Lamanai ruins, where they traveled by boat to the New River Lagoon and then toured the site with an expert local guide. It was a powerful way to bring history and archaeology to life, connecting classroom learning to the stories of the Maya civilization in a real landscape. Ramon, accustomed to the landscapes of Colorado, was taken aback by the lush, vibrant natural world surrounding him: "The nature was incredible! Nothing like Colorado." Those awe-inspiring moments reached their peak on the water, where Micah recalled, "Having like two hundred egrets fly alongside us on the boat was amazing!" It's exactly the kind of experience that simply can't be replicated in a classroom. Their group leader summed it up beautifully: "Every student had little moments of magic" and for the students of Colorado Early College Douglas County, those moments will last a lifetime.

Domestic Spotlight: Washington, D.C.: The Capitol Tour with Liberty Tree Academy

Students from Liberty Tree Academy returned from Washington, D.C. this spring break with something no textbook could have given them, a deep, personal connection to the history that shaped a nation. Led by upper school history teacher Jeff Ballard, students arrived ready to connect their classroom learning to the places that shaped it. For Raiden, that connection hit close to home at the Vietnam Memorial, where honoring his great-grandfather's service transformed a monument into something profoundly meaningful. Tealyn arrived already fascinated by Abraham Lincoln but standing at the Lincoln Memorial made that admiration feel real in a whole new way: "I'm fascinated by Abraham Lincoln and all he did for our nation." Chelsea found her own kind of magic at National Harbor — warm weather, military statues, and ice cream ordered with a British accent.

But it was the moments of unexpected discovery that left the deepest marks. All three students were moved by the Holocaust Museum, a place that turned history into something visceral and unforgettable. "The museum was eye opening and had a way of touching the observer's hearts," reflected Tealyn, while Chelsea was struck by the haunting display of lights representing children who had lost their lives Raiden noted the city's intentional cross-shaped design, while Tealyn was surprised to learn the Japanese gifted the iconic cherry blossom trees lining the National Mall. As Raiden put it simply: "I now feel more connected to all of D.C." For the students of Liberty Tree Academy, Washington, D.C. was never just a field trip. It was the moment history became theirs.

The season is young and there are many more stories still to be written — visit www.eftours.com (international) or www.efexploreamerica.com (domestic) to start yours.