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Georgia Civil War Commission’s Field Trip Fund

Apply for funding:
The State of Georgia has sights, sounds, and stories about the Civil War that cannot be found anywhere else. With the plethora of places to visit, the entire state is a field trip mecca; however, for many classrooms, the cost of visiting even local sites makes a trip prohibitive. The Georgia Civil War Commission’s Field Trip Fund provides funding and assistance to K-12 classes, school club students, and homeschoolers that would allow students and teachers/chaperones to visit Civil War sites within the State of Georgia.

How it works:

Rules & guidelines:

  • To apply for funding, complete a Field Trip Fund Application Form and email it to [email protected].
  • The GCWC will review your application and respond with a proposal, which could include the full amount requested or partial funding of your field trip.
  • Allow your students to learn through a hands-on approach as you enjoy your field trip. Remember to keep your receipts, take lots of photos, and record a thank-you video of the students while on the field trip. Once you return, complete a Field Trip Reimbursement Form. Email these items to the Chief of Staff of the GCWC, so your reimbursement can be mailed.
  • The GCWC Field Trip Fund is designed to bring K-12 classes, school clubs, and homeschool students to sites specifically related to the War Between the States. The field trip must involve a minimum of 12 students.
  • The Field Trip Fund can cover the following items: transportation and admission fees. 
  • The Field Trip Fund will NOT cover the following items: Visits to sites, museums, presentations, etc. that only vaguely refer to the Civil War, souvenir purchases, overnight lodgings, and luxury options.
  • Every application that is submitted will not be approved. Approved trip reimbursement will not exceed $250 per group per fiscal year.
  • The Field Trip Fund is designed to help offset field trip costs for K-12 classes, school clubs, and homeschoolers; it is not designed to fully fund a field trip’s expenses.
  • The Field Trip Fund will only fund a field trip for a class, school club, or homeschool group per school year.
  • Classes that receive a grant in the current school year may not be eligible for one in the next school year.
  • You must apply for field trip funding at least one month before the next GCWC Quarterly Meeting. 
  • All trips must be PREAPPROVED by the GCWC to receive funding.
  • The GCWC may revoke funding at any time for the following reasons (s): post-approval trip date change, post-approval destination change(s), change in the number of participants, not providing receipts in a timely and efficient manner, falsified receipts, no trip receipts, excessive fees, or class not fulfilling their required photo, video, and thank you note requirements.
  • The Field Trip Fund program requires you to submit at least seven (7) photos from your trip, a 30-second thank you video, and at least six (6) thank you notes from your students. Field trips will not be funded without such a commitment.

Our decision-making process for funding and approvals is impacted by the following and others:

  • Class, club, or homeschool co-op’s financial needs
  • Number of students participating in said field trip
  • Number of field trips funded previously for the school, club or homeschool group
  • The frequency of other approved field trips to a specific battlefield, museum, and other historic site destinations
  • Confidence in teacher’s plans
  • Civil War-centric experiences
  • Planned activities while on the field trip

Georgia Civil War Commission Field Trip Fund FAQs

Thank You’s from Previous Recipients

Who is eligible to apply for the Field Trip Fund?

  • All K-12 classes, school clubs, and homeschool groups with 12 or more students.

I want to take a school club on a field trip. Can I apply for funding?

  • Yes, we will consider field trips conducted by school clubs.

Is there a deadline for applying to the Field Trip Fund?

  • Yes, funding applications must be submitted at least one month before the next GCWC Quarterly Meeting. Contact the Chief of Staff for the next meeting date.

I don’t know the dates or locations of my field trip. Should I apply to the Field Trip Fund anyway?

  • No, we will automatically reject your application and suggest you reapply when you have the information.

I want to take a field trip to a Civil War site outside Georgia. Will my trip be funded?

  • No, only field trips within the state of Georgia will be considered.

My school received the Field Trip Fund funding over the prior 12-18 months. May we still apply?

  • Yes, please consider that the number of field trips previously funded by the GCWC for the class or homeschool co-op will be considered as we review the application.

May I apply to fund a field trip already taken?

  • No, all field trips must be approved by the GCWC.

What should I include on the application?

  • Answer all the questions honestly and completely.  We will confirm the information provided, and any false information will automatically disqualify your application.

How long will it take to receive an answer about my application?

  • All applications will be reviewed, and an answer will be provided at the next Quarterly Meeting of the GCWC.

How much funding should I expect to receive from the GCWC?

  • The reimbursement amount will not exceed $250.

I want to take my class to see a historical movie, play, or musical; will the Field Trip fund cover that?

  • No.

I want to take my class to a site associated with the World Wars; will the Georgia Civil War Commission fund a trip like that?

  • No.

I want to take my class to a non-Civil War. Will you still provide funding?

  • No, the fund aims to send students to places related to the American Civil War.

Will you provide funding for a field trip to a Civil War reenactment?

  • No, due to insurance liability issues and the use of live firearms, we will not provide funding for trips to any reenactments.

Will the Field Trip Fund pay for souvenirs, overnight hotel stays, luxury travel options, etc.?

  • No, the GCWC reserves the right to withhold reimbursement for luxury items, souvenirs, overnight hotel stays, etc.

What will the Field Trip Fund reimbursement fund?

  • The Field Trip Fund can cover the following items: transportation, admission fees, and reasonable presenter/guide fees.

How long does it take to receive my reimbursement?

  • Reimbursement is dependent on each teacher. You are responsible for submitting all necessary forms, receipts, thank you cards, etc. to the GCWC. Once we have all this information in good order, it normally takes 14 business days for you to receive your reimbursement.

We are strapped for cash. Will the GCWC provide me with funds before my field trip? 

  • No. All funds will be dispersed after you complete your field trip and submit all necessary forms, receipts, thank you cards, etc.

I didn’t get any pictures, videos, or thank you cards. Will my class still be reimbursed for our trip? 

  • No.

We went on our field trip but did not visit any of the sites the GCWC approved us to visit. Are we still eligible for reimbursement?

  • No, the GCWC expects you to visit the sites you provided on your Field Trip Fund application on the dates provided. If aspects of your trip change, please contact the GCWC as soon as possible.

Please Note: The GCWC may revoke funding at any time for the following reasons (s): post-approval trip date change, post-approval destination change, falsified receipts, excessive guide fees, or class/teacher not fulfilling their required photo, video, and thank you note requirements.