"All Aboard the Bus" Field Trip Grant Program

The California Missions Foundation, with funding from the William H. Hannon and Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundations, enables LA County and Inland Empire Title 1 elementary schools to take 4^th graders to Missions San Gabriel and San Fernando.

Each participating class, up to four per school, also receives books and classroom materials. These aid teachers in presenting the history of the missions. They also help students complete assigned mission projects.

Applying for a Grant

Title 1 elementary schools in LA County and the Inland Empire are eligible to apply. The grant covers 80% of the estimated total cost of transportation and admission for students, teachers, and chaperons. The school must match a portion of the grant, through fund-raising or parent participation.

Only one application per school is needed to apply for all 4^th grade classes. Completed applications, including a written quote from the bus transportation company, must be submitted no later than December 17, 2010. The California Missions Foundation awards grants in January 2011.

After receiving a Grant

The California Missions Foundation sends grant checks to the schools, care of the contact person indicated on the application. At the same time, Classroom Kits are sent to each teacher (up to four per school). The school is responsible for contacting the mission and transportation company to arrange date and time of the field trip. To ensure funding is in hand, field trips should be planned between February and May.

After the field trip, each teacher is asked to submit a simple questionnaire (included in the learning kit and available online). The questionnaires are vital for continuation of the grant program and help improve contents of the Classroom Kits. Schools must return these questionnaires to remain eligible for participation the following year.

Online Application
Program Completion Questionnaire