Experiences in Acadia can be a magical and poignant part of a young person’s life. Recognizing that transportation costs may be prohibitive for some schools to plan a field trip to the park, Friends of Acadia offers transportation scholarships via the Yellow Bus Fund.
The Yellow Bus Fund has provided support for day trips to Acadia and Saint Croix Island International Historic Site since the spring 2015.
Yellow Bus Fund grants help schools cover transportation costs to Acadia National Park so students can experience hands-on learning with park rangers during engaging field trips to the park. Learn more about Acadia’s ranger-led field trips on the park’s website. The field trip request form includes an option to be considered for Yellow Bus Funds.
Learn More1. Go to Acadia National Park’s Spring Programs page
2. Once there, scroll down and open the “FIELD TRIP REQUEST FORM”
3. While filling out the form, on question 26, indicate that you are interested in funding through the Yellow Bus Fund.
4. Once your trip is confirmed by the Acadia National Park Education Staff, Friends of Acadia will reach out to you for further steps.
Questions about Yellow Bus Fund grants? Reach out to Brian Sale at brian_sale@friendsofacadia.org or 207-370-4938
Children mimic the motions of deer during a game as part of the Wild Things ranger-led program. (Photo by Yehyun Kim/Friends of Acadia/NPS)
Our Yellow Bus Fund guidelines have changed in 2026. Please review them below, and reach out to brian_sale@friendsofacadia.org if you have any questions:
1. Yellow Bus Funds can only be used for transportation costs to/from a confirmed Acadia National Park Ranger-Led Field Trip.
2. As funding allows, public schools are eligible for 100% of transportation costs and private schools are eligible for 50% of costs.
3. Payment will happen after the field trip has occurred and will either be a reimbursement or we will pay the bus company directly.
If you are an Acadia National Park Teacher Fellow alumni outside of Maine, your guidelines are a little different, please contact us for more information.
Enthralled by crashing as waves crash on Sand Beach in Acadia National Park. (Photo by Will Newton/Friends of Acadia)
Teacher Grace McGeehan visited Acadia with her class from Piscataquis Community School in Guilford, Maine, thanks to a grant from Friends of Acadia’s Yellow Bus Fund. She shared the magical moment when one of her students descended the stairs at Sand Beach and, for the first time, stood at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. “He was saying over and over, ‘This place is so beautiful. I have never seen anything so beautiful. I am excited to see what we learn next!’” she shared with pride.
Experiences like that are a magical part of a young person’s life. Transportation costs shouldn’t prohibit some schools from planning a field trip to the park.
Friends of Acadia has provided support for day trips to Acadia and Saint Croix Island International Historic Site via the Yellow Bus Fund since the spring 2015.
Learn more about bringing your class on a ranger-led program in Acadia on the park’s website.
Acadia education staff can be reached at:
Acadia National Park Education Office
P.O. Box 177 Bar Harbor, ME 04609
207-288-8823 or acad_education_office@nps.gov
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