“Field trips at TFS are an essential extension of our classroom learning, offering students meaningful experiences that deepen understanding and broaden perspective.” Principal Dawn Smith shares about how the faculty and staff at TFS work hard to intentionally design these experiences to nurture faith, academics, and connection, as well as support the whole-child experience that defines a TFS education.

Some trips strengthen our students’ faith, such as spiritual retreats at Short Journey or visits to the Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral. Others help build lasting memories and reinforce traditions, such as the much-anticipated 8th-grade trip to Washington, D.C. Many field trips are directly tied to areas of study, allowing students to see and experience concepts firsthand. Visits to Mordecai Historic Park or the Morehead Planetarium bring history and science lessons to life in a way no textbook can replicate. 

As students transition into middle school, field trips are often connected to advisory groups, encouraging relationship-building and community engagement beyond the classroom walls. Younger students also benefit from in-house field trips that bring curriculum-based activities to them in more accessible and age-appropriate ways.

A new highlight in recent years is the 5th grade’s 14-hour day trip to the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Surf City, followed by an excursion to Carolina Ocean Studies at Carolina Beach. Jennifer Davis, Dean of Curriculum and Instruction, shares, “This unique experience allows students to explore marine biomes through hands-on learning while also reflecting our Franciscan charism by teaching the importance of caring for and preserving coastal ecosystems.” Students not only engage with science, but they also see the direct impact of stewardship and compassion in action. This trip has already earned its place as a beloved tradition and is on the calendar again for this school year, with reservations booked well in advance.

Every TFS field trip helps students step into the world as learners, explorers, and caretakers, gaining knowledge, strengthening bonds, and creating memories that last a lifetime. More than just a day away from school, these experiences embody the heart of a TFS education: inspiring curiosity, deepening faith, and preparing students to carry what they’ve learned into the world with confidence, compassion, and joy.