I need help planning a trip for kids

[msprzeor]

Hello -
I have an underwater club for kids ages 10-12 at my school in Arizona. We are in our second year and I would like to add an end of the year trip to So. California. We have some kiddos who have never been to the beach or Sea World ... or an Aquarium for that matter (we don't have any in AZ). Unfortunately, we have a lot of kids who wouldn't be able to afford a trip ... so, we're looking for any type of donations. If anyone has connections with a charter bus company or hotel/motel in So. Cal ??? Or, if anyone knows how we can get discounted tickets to Sea World or Scripps.

We have about 25 kids and would have parents with us. We would like to do this trip in the end of April or beginning of May and we'd try to leave on a Friday - right after school and come home on Sunday night. Our thoughts right now are to do Sea World all day Saturday and then Sunday morning go to Scripps Aquarium and visit the La Jolla tidepools.

If anyone has any suggestions or ways to help they'd be greatly appreciated!!

For more info on our club check out this thread: Looking for help with a good scuba-related cause!

[gibson1525]

i posted earlier about fund raising. not sure if it's the sort of thing you're looking for but it's a fun way to make some money.

fundraising

[kenmendes]

Usually if you call places and tell them that you have a group they can usually give you some discounts

[diversteve]

Seaworld offers 10% off for groups over 14. Not a lot of help though with a group your size - especially since tickets are $57 - yikes...

http://commerce.4adventure.com/eStor...upTickets.aspx

[msprzeor]

Thanks for the suggestions!

[Silverlode]

Do you have access to listings of companies/foundations/goverment departments that give out grants, donations, etc to sport clubs, schools? If not try to find ways to get hold of that and see if you can apply for some funding.
The other way is to call or write to those companies (bus, motel, Seaworld etc) and see if they can offer some sort of discount for acknowledgement in the website, newsletter, posters (or whatever printed material you have) and a certificate and link to their webpage in yours (if you have one). Free advertising for them.

[msprzeor]

Silverlode, thanks for the suggestions!

We did apply for a grant through our school district that wasn't approved - so, now I need to be looking for other options.

That's a great idea about free advertising - I'll start making the phone calls and see where we get.