Your kids could learn physics from a roller coaster
Three times now I’ve written about special events offered by Disney World under the Disney Youth Programs division: Grad Nite/Senior Class Trip, STEP Classic, and Festival Disney. So what is Disney Youth Programs itself? Its official website doesn’t have an “about” section, but perhaps that’s because the name of the department is rather self-explanatory.
Disney Youth Programs is the banner under which the Disney Parks offer a multitude of deals, discounts, and opportunities for youth groups and organizations. Youth Programs falls under four main categories: Performing Arts, Education, Celebrations, and Field Trips.
We’ve already looked at half of the major performing arts events: STEP Classic and Festival Disney. Other large events in the category include a Jazz Celebration and a Gospel Choir Festival.
We’ve also already learned about a couple of the “Celebrations,” a much smaller category containing the Senior Class Trip and Grad Nite (which still exists at Disneyland). The only other celebration listed is the Night of Joy, a Christian music concert featuring multiple artists in the genre.
The “Field Trips” section is self-explanatory as well. Youth groups from schools, churches, community centers, etc. can sign up for special discounted tickets for Disney World. They apply for any groups with members between the ages of 3 and 18.
What I’m most interested in along with the already-explored “Performing Arts” category is “Education.” The official Disney Youth Programs website describes it:
“Disney Youth Education Programs offer a unique learning experience inside Disney Theme Parks. Students gain access to Disney knowledge and park operations to better understand lessons from the classroom. Teachers and leaders will see increased comprehension through practical application and hands-on activities.”
Three sub-categories fall under “Education”: Disney Youth Education Series, Individual Enrollment Youth Education Series, and Disney Homeschool Days. The three are similar, offering many of the same events. The main difference seems to be that the first is for public/private school groups, the second for individual youth that want to sign up for an event without a group, and the last for homeschool organizations/individual homeschooled kids.
Unlike many of the other Disney Youth Programs, which are ostensibly for both domestic parks but mostly take place at Disney World (the notable exception being Grad Nite vs. Senior Class Trip), various educational opportunities occur at both parks through the Youth Education Series.
Science buffs can take physics lessons on the property of motions, observing via rides at Disneyland California Adventure or at the Magic Kingdom. Budding zoologists can head to the Animal Kingdom’s “The Seas with Nemo & Friends” to learn about marine biology. Young animators or others interested in media can take relevant courses at Disney World, and more.
The official Disney Youth Programs website contains a wealth of information on all of its events, concerts, and educational opportunities. If you have kids or are a youth group leader, you should definitely head there to learn more.
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