Educational Adventures for Student Groups
For unique, educational and memorable student travel, Experience Reading & Berks County, Pennsylvania. Here, thoughtfully designed itineraries allow students to learn, explore, and be inspired by history, science, culture, and the natural world. While many may recognize the Reading Railroad from the Monopoly board or know Berks County as the birthplace of Taylor Swift–after all, we are talking about teenagers-a visit reveals that our region holds far more stories and opportunities to discover.
The deep roots of Pennsylvania Dutch culture and traditions offer an authentic window into the past, allowing students to see how their heritage continues to shape their daily lives. Equally important, our array of attractions encourages your scholars to think critically about their role in today’s world and the challenges of the future.
“The experience of exploring beneath the earth provides a perspective on natural history that no classroom can match.”
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is the first refuge for birds of prey and a global leader in conservation science. Its mountaintop lookouts along the Appalachian Trail are renowned as one of the best places in North America to witness the annual hawk migration. Standing on the ridge as raptors soar overhead, students gain not only a deeper appreciation of wildlife but also a tangible understanding of ecology, environmental stewardship, and the importance of protecting biodiversity.
Crystal Cave
Another unforgettable stop is Crystal Cave, discovered in the 1800s and celebrated as Pennsylvania’s first show cave. Descending into the pleasantly cool underground passages, students encounter magnificent stalactites, stalagmites and sparkling crystal formations while learning about mineral science, geology, and the cave’s role in local history. The experience of exploring beneath the earth provides a perspective on natural history that no classroom can match.
Rodale Institute
Berks County plays a vital role in the story of sustainable agriculture. At the Rodale Institute, the birthplace of organic farming, students can discover how Rodale helped pioneer the global movement toward chemical-free agriculture. Guided tours of the farm introduce them to soil health, organic practices, and the far-reaching impact of Rodale’s research and advocacy. It is an inspiring lesson in how one community’s innovation can influence farming practices worldwide and shape the future of our food systems.
Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site
History comes to life at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, a beautifully preserved 18th-and 19th-century iron plantation. Here, students learn how early industry helped build a nation, producing iron that supported Washington’s army at Valley Forge and sustained local economies. Stories of workers, families, and those who may have sought freedom from slavery in the surrounding woods reveal how industrial sites like Hopewell were woven into the nation’s larger narrative. A walkthrough its historic buildings sparks the imagination and allows students to experience first-hand the realities of early American life.
GoggleWorks Center for the Arts
Equally enriching is a visit to GoggleWorks Center for the Arts in downtown Reading. Once a goggle factory, today it is one of the largest interactive arts centers of its kind in the country. Here, students can meet working artists in their studios, watch demonstrations of glassblowing and ceramics, or participate in hands-on workshops designed to ignite creativity and self-expression. The center’s galleries, exhibitions, and programs highlight both local and international talent, making GoggleWorks a dynamic stop where art and culture come alive.
Why Reading & Berks County?
Whether standing on a mountain ridge watching raptors in flight, exploring the mysterious beauty of an underground cave, discovering the roots of sustainable farming, tracing the steps of America’s early industry, or creating art in a vibrant cultural hub, students will find that in Reading and Berks County, every stop has a story. Together, these experiences create a multi-day educational adventure that is both enriching and unforgettable.
CONTACT
- Experience Reading & Berks County
- Lisa Haggerty
- lisa@visitpaamericana.com
- https://www.visitpaamericana.com/
