Education

Gateway Arch Park Foundation supports education at and around Gateway Arch National Park in a variety of ways.

Journey Fund

The Journey Fund exists to ensure that every child can experience and enjoy Gateway Arch National Park.

Since its inception in 2019, the Journey Fund has brought nearly 11,000 students and educators to the Arch grounds, subsidizing transportation, meals, and activities like Tram Rides to the Top, the “Monument to the Dream” documentary film, and riverboat excursions. The Journey Fund has also supported professional development opportunities at the park for educators.

In 2024, the Journey Fund welcomed more than 3,000 students and educators over 49 visits—with 87.5% of those students qualifying for free or reduced lunches.

Thank you to the Regional Business Council for providing the initial and continued funding to launch this program, with additional support from AT&T, Emerson, Great Southern Bank, The Mary Ranken Jordan and Ettie A. Jordan Charitable Foundation, and Bi-State Development.

Paddle Your Park

Hosted by the National Park Service alongside other community partners, Paddle Your Park serves elementary students from Title I and under-served communities. The program encourages the students to get outside to learn about biodiversity, endangered species, wetland science and the importance of caring for the environment.

With the Foundation's support, in 2024, 232 elementary school students in St. Louis and East St. Louis traded in their computers and classrooms for canoe paddles, spending a day at either George Winter Park or Riverlands in West Alton.

A special thank you to the Regional Business Council and the Mary Ranken Jordan and Ettie A. Jordan Charitable Foundation for supporting this program.