Boys & Girls Clubs of the San Gorgino Pass Teen Director Shane Arch has been crushing it over on LinkedIn with his blog The Teen Success Plug. We are thrilled to share one of his posts here on ClubX today!
Let’s be real: teens are a tough crowd. If the trip doesn’t come with Wi-Fi, a celebrity sighting, or at least a good snack, you might be met with a chorus of “this is mid.” But guess what? You can take teens on meaningful, memorable trips without emptying your budget or your emotional bank account.
As our summer program comes to an end I’ve been reflecting on some of my favorite low budget excursions from this summer and seasons past. Whether you’re a youth worker, educator, or just a brave soul with a van full of teens and a dream, these low-cost field trips are giving big impact, low spend. Let’s dive into ten trips that serve vibes, connection, and a little life lesson (without blowing the budget).
Museum… But Make it Cool
Okay yes, museums can be boring, but they don’t have to be. Look for museums that serve up interactivity, weird facts, or trippy exhibits. Many spots have free days or student discounts, so don’t sleep on it.
Pro tip: Turn the trip into a meme scavenger hunt. “Find the weirdest statue and give it a name.”
Local Business Tour (aka “How Stuff Works IRL”)
Take your teens behind the scenes of a barbershop, tattoo studio (yes, really), bakery, or auto body shop. This hits different when teens see real people running businesses and maybe realize that money doesn’t just show up from the sky.
College or Trade School Vibes
Not every teen is dreaming of a 4-year college (and that’s perfectly okay). Whether it’s a welding program, culinary school, or local community college, let them see the options. Our youth can’t aspire to be something they’ve never heard of. It’s the tour version of “expand your mind, king/queen.”
Nature Walk and Talk
Low-cost and high vibes. Take your teens on a hike (even a flat trail counts, no Everest needed). Mix in some journaling, vision board prompts, or just let them rant about life under the open sky. It’s giving healing energy and main character development.
Library Glow-Up
Modern libraries are low-key elite. They’ve changed a lot since the days of a young Shane reading Choose Your Own Adventure books. From 3D printers to podcast studios to graphic novel collections, this ain’t your grandma’s “shhh” zone. Take a tour, set up a workshop, or let them explore (and yes, there will be Wi-Fi).
Clean-Up with Clapback Energy
Community clean-ups don’t sound glamorous, but throw in music, snacks, and a mini photoshoot and now we’re talking. Teens love doing good if it doesn’t feel corny. Bonus points if they get to wear matching shirts and go viral for making a difference.
Art Walk or Street Mural Tour
Find murals, snap pics, rate them, recreate them, TikTok them. Art is personal and public at the same time, and teens will absolutely vibe with that. Make it a contest: best photo caption wins a snack prize.
Animals = Instant Win
Take a trip to a farm, animal sanctuary, or wildlife rescue. Caring for animals taps into empathy (and who doesn’t want to feed a goat or pet a rescue llama?). Plus, animals don’t judge awkward teen phases, so everyone wins.
Civic Trip (Stay With Me)
Courthouse visits, city hall tours, or mock trials might sound very social studies, but teens want to know how the world works. Seeing behind-the-scenes of power structures gives them agency and whether you know it or not, they’ve got opinions.
Movie + Meaning
Field trip to the movies? Always a hit. But make it better: pick something with real themes (think “social justice,” “self-discovery,” or “friendship glow-ups”) and have a post-movie convo with snacks. Boom! Entertainment + enrichment.
Bonus Pro Tip!
Split costs with other clubs, pack your own lunch, or take that 15-passenger van life to the next level. Even better—let teens co-plan the trip. When they’re part of the process, they’re way more likely to be into it.
Field trips don’t need to cost $$$ to feel rich in impact. If the vibe is right and the kids are alright, let’s make it happen! Even the smallest trips can spark major growth and let’s face it, teens can spot fake enthusiasm a mile away, so just be real, keep it fun, and lean into the moments where they let their guard down and just enjoy being teens.
Now go forth and field trip like a BOSS.
What are your favorite field trips? How do you make them a learning experience? We want to hear! Comment below, on the BGCA Youth Development Facebook page, or email ClubXBlog@bgca.org.
About Shane Arch
Shane is a dedicated Teen Director with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the San Gorgonio Pass, where he leads programs that empower and inspire young people. With over a decade of experience in youth development, Shane is passionate about creating opportunities that help teens reach their full potential. He currently lives and works in Banning, California, where he is also active in Rotary and community service. Follow him on LinkedIn for more GREAT teen ideas!
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