“The Power of Connection: Healing Trauma Across Generations"
At the core of Connecting Generations' Patriotic Travel Program is the conviction that storytelling is not just a means of education, but a powerful catalyst for healing. By bringing students into direct dialogue with veterans and eyewitnesses of war, we foster transformative intergenerational exchanges that confront the lasting emotional and psychological scars of conflict. These shared stories illuminate trauma not as a relic of the past, but as a living legacy that shapes families, communities, and nations. Through empathy, critical reflection, and human connection, students come to understand how memory and resilience forge identity—and how storytelling can become a bridge to personal and collective healing across generations and cultures.
Our Core Values
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HONOR
At Connecting Generations, we’re all about helping young people grow into thoughtful, caring leaders. To us, living with honor means being honest, doing what’s right, owning your actions, and treating everyone with kindness and respect. These values help you become the kind of leader who makes a positive difference—in school, in your community, and in life.
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COURAGE
Strength of character means having the courage to do what’s right—even when it’s difficult. It’s about being honest, standing up for your beliefs, and treating yourself and others with respect. This kind of inner strength helps you face tough situations, make wise choices, and become a leader others can trust and look up to.
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COMMIMENT
We believe every young person has the power to grow through dedication and discipline. That means working hard, staying focused, and not giving up—especially when things get tough. When students show this kind of commitment, they not only reach their goals but also learn to honor and remember the brave heroes who protected our freedom.
“This immersive journey serves as a powerful catalyst for both personal and academic growth. Students return with sharpened critical thinking skills, a renewed passion for learning, and a deepened sense of civic responsibility, human connection, and historical awareness.”
— Wilson COLWELL
Program SUMMARY
Connecting Generations’ Patriotic Travel Program is a transformative educational initiative that empowers resilient, high-potential youth through immersive journeys to Normandy, France—where the enduring legacy of World War II becomes a catalyst for learning, healing, and civic engagement. By fusing critical historical inquiry with firsthand testimonies from the last living veterans, the program confronts students with the human realities of war and sacrifice. Through these deeply personal and historically grounded experiences, participants gain a profound appreciation for the cost of freedom, develop empathy and leadership, and emerge as stewards of memory committed to building a more just and peaceful future.
Program BENEFITS
Grounded in the enduring values of honor, courage, and commitment, Connecting Generations’ character-based field learning framework draws on the ethical principles that have guided soldiers, mentors, and leaders through the crucible of combat and the challenges of post-war life. Through immersive, experiential education, this model fosters resilience, integrity, and moral clarity—nurturing personal growth while emphasizing collective responsibility and the strength of unity. By creating space for reflection, connection, and open dialogue, the program also addresses youth mental health, helping students process complex emotions, build emotional resilience, and cultivate a deep sense of purpose and belonging. In doing so, it equips young people to face adversity with compassion, conviction, and an unshakable ethical foundation.
The APPLICATION GUIDELINES
To be considered for the Connecting Generations program, each school must submit a letter of introduction authored by a nominating student currently enrolled in a history or social studies course. This unique requirement is designed to deepen student engagement in historical inquiry, civic awareness, and reflective writing—core values embedded in our mission. The letter should thoughtfully articulate why their school is an ideal candidate for our fully funded, eight-day educational immersion in Normandy, France, highlighting both the school’s academic strengths and the transformative potential of this global learning experience for its students. If selected, the school will receive grant funding for 20 students and four educators to participate in a field-based journey across historic World War II battlefields, guided by Connecting Generations’ dynamic and research-informed curriculum.
Investing into our FUTURE
Made possible by a donor-advised scholarship fund established by World War II veterans, Connecting Generations offers a fully funded, eight-day educational journey to Normandy, France for 20 students and four educators per participating school. Grounded in the conviction that all young people deserve access to transformative global experiences, the program invites students to walk in the footsteps of heroes—and to see history, the world, and themselves through a profoundly new lens.
Program Highlights Include:
Round-trip International Airfare to and from France
Historic accommodations in Normandy
Professional photo and video production teams to document the journey
Pre-tour readings and films aligned with the travel experience
Exclusive private access to the last living veterans of World War II
VIP, behind-the-scenes access to key historical sites in Normandy, France
Private, first-class, air-conditioned motor coach transportation
All entrance fees to museums, landmarks, and historical attractions
Custom commemorative rucksack, luggage tags, and name badge
Comprehensive international travel insurance for peace of mind
Important Note: Following the submission of the initial student-authored letter of introduction and contingent upon preliminary acceptance, invited schools will be asked to complete a formal application. This next phase should include a concise overview of the school and its academic profile, evidence of students’ demonstrated interest in history—such as relevant coursework, extracurricular activities, or community engagement—and a clear, thoughtful explanation of how participation in the Connecting Generations program will enrich academic development and deepen historical understanding through immersive, experiential learning. This comprehensive application process ensures alignment between the school’s educational objectives and the program’s mission to foster intergenerational dialogue, civic responsibility, and historical literacy.