Students receive invitations to participate on the Discover America trips if they have lived up to the behavioral and academic expectations of the school covenant.  In order to develop a sense of ownership and investment in the trips, students are required to contribute $250 to the cost of the trip.  Because many families do not have easy access to this kind of money, the school provides fundraising opportunities throughout the year so that all students are able to raise the required amount.  Students work very hard in multiple ways to earn the right to participate on the trip.

Unfortunately $250 only covers a small portion of the cost of the trips.  To cover the remainder of the cost, students seek out sponsors who would be willing to contribute towards the remaining $500 cost.  Once a potential donor is identified, students write a letter requesting sponsorship.  Individuals who agree to sponsor a child anywhere from $25 to $500 become the child’s sponsor.  Sponsors receive one or two postcards from the student during the trip as well as a more in depth thank you letter once the trip has been completed.  Simply put, sponsors make it possible for St. Marcus students to receive the incredible benefits – educational, social, emotional, and spiritual – that come from traveling around this great nation. The Discover America Program could not function without the generous support of student sponsors.