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Back to School With the Journey Fund
A visit to Gateway Arch National Park is a quintessential experience for all St. Louis schoolchildren, and Gateway Arch Park Foundation wants as many children as possible to have that opportunity. One way we make that possible is through our Journey Fund initiative. The Journey Fund provides subsidized transportation, meals, and activities like tram rides to the top, the “Monument to the Dream” documentary film, as well as riverboat excursions for those in our community who need it most.
Transportation:
Transportation to and from Gateway Arch National Park can be a big barrier to schools hoping to provide their students with a field trip to the Arch. To make the trip attainable, Gateway Arch Park Foundation reimburses the cost of local buses to bring school groups located within a two-hour radius of St. Louis to the grounds.
Meals:
In 2025, 83.9% of students served by the Journey Fund qualified for free or reduced lunches. We’re proud to ensure that every student on a Journey Fund trip receives a meal while on the Arch grounds.
Activities:
Visiting the Gateway Arch as a child is both a memorable and educational experience, especially with so much to do on the grounds! Between the iconic tram ride to the top, the “Monument to the Dream” documentary film in Tucker Theater, world-class museum exhibits, mock trials in the Old Courthouse, and riverboat excursions on the Mighty Mississippi, students have plenty of opportunities for experiential learning in an iconic setting.
“The Arch belongs to every child, regardless of the obstacles they may face; and the Journey Fund helps ensure that cost is never a barrier to experiencing this incredible national park. We are deeply committed to giving students the opportunity to learn, explore, and create lifelong memories at the Arch.” - Jason Douglas, Senior Manager of Events
Since its inception in 2019, the Journey Fund has brought almost 12,500 students and educators to the Arch grounds for an unforgettable day filled with educational experiences. The Journey Fund has also supported professional development opportunities at the park for educators.
The impact: thousands of formative memories made at our hometown national park.
Last year, we were proud to welcome 1,849 students and educators from 29 classrooms representing 21 school districts to Gateway Arch National Park through the Journey Fund. With the support of our generous sponsors and donors, we’re excited to bring even more to the grounds during the 2026-2027 school year.
You can help make more Journey Fund trips a possibility by making a gift today. Your investment in this educational program helps ensure every student, regardless of background, can connect with our shared story in a meaningful and lasting way.
Interested in bringing your students to the Arch through our program? Submit your application here.
A special thank you to Bi-State Development, BJC HealthCare, Cardinals Care, Emerson, Enterprise Bank & Trust, Great Southern Bank, Mary Ranken Jordan and Ettie A. Jordan Charitable Foundation, Regional Business Council, RGA, Sugarbaker Family Foundation, and individuals who support the Journey Fund.