Familiarization Trips
A FAM, or familiarization trip, is a subsidized, low-cost tour designed to improve knowledge of a top student travel destination. Scholastica Travel offers independent tour leaders the opportunity to participate in FAM trips to a variety of destinations.
What Do We Do on a FAM Trip?
FAM trips typically follow an itinerary that includes many of the popular student tour sites. We take additional time at each site to discuss group tour logistics, commentary, and ideas for student engagement.
FAM trips are great learning experiences and an opportunity to exchange pointers with other travel professionals.
Washington DC FAM Trip
Scholastica Travel hosts a FAM trip to Washington DC during the last weekend in February each year. This FAM kicks off our spring student tour season. Educators interested in becoming an independent tour leader can begin their Scholastica orientation during this FAM trip.
The purpose of this FAM is three-fold:
1. Introduction: This FAM introduces new independent tour leaders to the art of student tour leading, Scholastica Travel, and Washington DC.
2. Refresher: Experienced independent tour leaders can refresh their knowledge of Washington DC, reorient themselves in the city, and preview new exhibits, memorials, and attractions.
3. Kick-off: This FAM kicks off our spring student tour season! Get the latest updates from Scholastica Travel and have fun with your travel professional colleagues.
Alternate Destination FAM Trip
Scholastica Travel hosts a FAM trip to a rotating destination (not Washington DC) every other year. This FAM is for independent tour leaders who have experience leading tours with Scholastica Travel. Most recently, Scholastica led FAM trips to New York City (2023), Williamsburg (2019), Philadelphia (2017), and New York City (2015).
The purpose of this FAM is three-fold:
1. Fun: After a busy spring tour season, this FAM serves as a way to reunite and have fun with travel professional colleagues.
2. Destination Knowledge: Learn the ins and outs of leading a successful tour in the destination city.
3. Education: This trip focuses specifically on the role of the primary tour leader. We cover in-depth the expectations and tasks that separate primary tour leaders from assistant tour leaders including tour timing, effective trip communication, hotel logistics, and more.