Connecting Maine Children to Acadia Through Field Trips


At Friends of Acadia, we’re focused on expanding access and increasing opportunities for schoolchildren to experience hands-on learning with park rangers in Acadia through field trips.

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.

Friends of Acadia knows how magical and poignant those moments can be in a child’s life. Recognizing that transportation costs may be prohibitive for some schools to plan a field trip to the park, Friends of Acadia has offered 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.

How the Yellow Bus Fund Works

Yellow Bus Fund transportation grants are for day programs at public schools and not intended for residential programs. Priority is given to public schools that demonstrate the greatest financial need, but all are welcome to apply. If you receive funding, the teacher/school is responsible for coordinating transportation to and from the park. To learn more and apply, visit Acadia National Park’s website and look for ranger-led field trip options and at the end of your field trip request e-form, you may also request to be considered for Yellow Bus Funds.

Learn More & Apply

Acadia education staff can be reached at:

Acadia National Park Education Office
P.O. Box 177 Bar Harbor, ME 04609
(207) 288-8823
Email