UKC Launches KC Field Trips Marketplace to Expand Real World Learning Across Kansas City

Uncover KC, a Kansas City nonprofit specializing in volunteer management, civic engagement and Real World Learning programs, today announced the relaunch of its KC Field Trips marketplace, giving educators and youth leaders a more searchable, user-friendly way to find local learning experiences with nonprofit and community partners across the metro.

The relaunch is part of Uncover KC’s broader Real World Learning initiative, which provides students authentic experiences that grow their curiosity while developing skills they can use in the future. Through KC Field Trips, educators can connect students to local causes, personal passions and nonprofit career and college pathways.

“When students step outside the traditional classroom, they start to see their own futures differently,” said Brent Lager, President and Founder of Uncover KC. “That’s why our Real World Learning programs, and by extension KC Field Trips, are so important. We’re helping spark curiosity and career exploration for the next generation of Kansas City leaders, thinkers and creators.”

KC Field Trips began supporting educators in fall 2021, and its website first launched in 2024 as a resource to help teachers take students on life-changing learning experiences across Kansas City. The updated website elevates that purpose with a rebuilt marketplace featuring 63 local providers and 74 unique experiences, now operated by Uncover KC staff and local field trip experts active in the metro education ecosystem.

Through the platform, educators can browse experiences and places by category, age range, location and other planning needs; explore providers through interactive map and list views; access planning tools, funding resources, featured experiences and time-sensitive opportunities; and connect directly with local partners. Field trip providers can also add and edit their own listings in real time, including descriptions, locations, costs, parking details and other information that helps schools plan with confidence.

For many educators, planning a field trip means sorting through scattered websites, comparing costs and locations, checking age fit, coordinating logistics and identifying funding options, often with limited time and support. KC Field Trips exists to reduce that friction, make community-based learning easier to access, and help turn one-day outings into deeper learning experiences.

“Because of KC Field Trips, my students had a personal and engaging experience with the Museum of Kansas City that extended over two months,” said Danielle Agin, Arts Department Chair at Ruskin High School. “They received feedback from museum contacts and experienced what it was like to work with a real client in an arts pathway. Without Uncover KC and KC Field Trips, this wouldn’t have been possible.”

Since fall 2021, KC Field Trips has assisted 279 educators, directly impacted 6,593 students and helped plan 233 trips. Current listings include arts, culture, history and performance-based experiences from providers such as the Folly Theater, The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures, Music Theater Heritage and more.

Educators, youth-serving organizations and field trip providers can explore the relaunched site at kcfieldtrips.org. For more information or media inquiries, contact Cozetta Smith at [email protected].