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 more than 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 2025, the Journey Fund welcomed more than 1,849 students and educators from 21 school districts—with 83.9% of those students qualifying for free or reduced lunches.

A special thank you to Bi-State Development, Emerson, Enterprise Bank & Trust, Great Southern Bank, Mary Ranken Jordan and Ettie A. Jordan Charitable Foundation, Regional Business Council, Sugarbaker Family Foundation, and individuals who support this program. 

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 2025, 130 elementary school students from Elsberry Elementary and Dr. Katie Harper Wright Elementary traded in their notebooks and classrooms for canoe paddles, spending a day at the Audubon Center at Riverlands.

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