Global Pathways Spring Program
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Culver’s Global Pathways Spring Program (GPS) provides students, faculty, staff and patrons from the Culver Academies service-learning, educational and culture exchange opportunities for those who desire to learn about another culture and to live responsibly as global citizens.
The purpose of these trips is for Culver Academies students to connect with the local community by providing meaningful service or by learning about the local culture/history and to provide Culver students opportunities to live, learn and lead globally.
GPS trips have traveled to 34 countries, 15 States, the District of Columbia and one US Territory, Puerto Rico.
Students are asked to apply for the GPS 2026 Program by completing a brief application (accessible from a school laptop on campus) indicating their top choices, what they can contribute to the trip, and that they have discussed with their parents (including the financial cost).
Some key dates:
GPS Early Application: September 2-11, 2025
GPS General Application: September 12-29, 2025
GPS Scholarship Application: Deadline: September 29, 2025
Final 2026 GPS Deadline: Friday, October 24, 2025
2026 Trips
GPS Blog
From Mexico and Spain to Ireland and India, our students have traveled and served all over the globe though the Global Pathways Spring Program. Read firsthand accounts on the program's student-run travel blog.
NOTICE – GPS Participants and Parents: Please read carefully
The US Passport Office states that standard passport processing can take up to 6 weeks, expedited processing, up to 3 weeks. Students who need to apply for or renew their passport need to do this no later than Thanksgiving Break. Passports must be valid until at least October 2026.
Culver Academies has the full intention of moving forward with the scheduled 2026 GPS trips. However, if COVID-19 or unforeseen circumstances cause us or our travel partners to cancel a trip(s), Culver will be unable to refund payments for these trips. Parents are highly encouraged to consider trip insurance for GPS trips. You should consider Cancel for Any Reason Trip (CFAR) Insurance. Some options to consider are Travel Guard insurance at www.travelguard.com, Insure My Trip (www.insuremytrip.com), Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) www.culturalinsurance.com), and Allianz Travel Insurance www.allianztravelinsurance.com. It is recommended that parents purchase trip insurance for a GPS trip as you could have an unexpected need to cancel your student’s trip due to family emergencies, medical illness, etc.
The $600 non-refundable deposit is what holds a student’s place on a Culver Academies GPS trip. A deposit link will be shared with applicants invited to a team in September and will open for any remaining spots at the end of October.
After November 7, 2025, students or parents cancelling their student’s participation in a GPS trip will be responsible for the entire cost of the trip.
The remaining balance for the GPS trip is due Friday, January 30, 2026.
We are reserving spots on each of the trips for the GPS Scholarship winners as we have several partial scholarships available (based on financial need, prior travel, and leadership). The GPS Scholarship Application is open to students through September 29. The link will be shared on Schoology and can also be found on the student portal (at the bottom). Students should not submit a deposit if they can only travel on a GPS trip if they are awarded a GPS scholarship.
Please note that all 2026 GPS trips end before the conclusion of Culver’s Spring Break, which ends on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at 7:00 pm. Students may travel from Chicago O’Hare to visit friends or family in the USA after their program returns.
For More information, please email the trip leader or GPS@culver.org.