Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the Lewes Education Coalition?

The Lewes Education Coalition, or LEC, is a group of educators representing the various education entities around the City of Lewes, Delaware.

2. Who is in the Lewes Education Coalition?

A lot of Lewes organizations are part of the LEC, and we are expanding out list every day! 

Our current members are: 

• Delaware Sea Grant and the UD Hugh R. Sharp Campus

• Fort Miles Historic Area at Cape Henlopen State Park

• Lewes Historical Society

• Overfalls Foundation 

• Seaside Nature Center at Cape Henlopen State Park

• Zwaanendael Museum

• Lewes Public Library 

• Lewes Junction Railroad & Bridge Association

• Cape May- Lewes Ferry

Learn more about our members by visiting our Meet the Coalition page. 

3. Why does the Lewes Education Coalition exist?

Over time, the LEC-member sites have noticed a drastic decline in the number of field trips coming to Lewes. There are several causes for this, including increased high-stakes testing (and the perceived “loss” of class time by taking a field trip), budgets that cannot handle bussing, substitute teachers, and program fees, and the attrition—via retirement—of teachers who traditionally visited our sites with their students.

Through strategic collaboration, the LEC is building multi-disciplinary, “a la carte” field trip experiences, as well as providing science and history professional development for teachers of all grade levels, in hopes of raising awareness of the tremendous value that field trips to Lewes offer.

4. I teach in the Cape Henlopen School District, so my students know all about Lewes. Isn’t our field trip time/budget better spent in Dover, Wilmington, or even Philadelphia?

No! There is SO much to learn right here in Lewes that even our locals don’t know. Don’t waste valuable time and money riding a bus; take the short trip downtown, out to Cape Henlopen State Park, or down Pilottown Road to UD-Lewes, to maximize your field trip dollar and time out of the classroom!

5. I teach in New Castle/Kent/western Sussex County, and most of my students already visit the beach during the summer, isn’t that all there is to do there?

No! While our beaches are a very popular attraction, there is so much more that Lewes offers students: experiential programs in all different disciplines, designed to supplement classroom learning.

6. So what programs do the Lewes Education Coalition sites offer?

In addition to the set programs that many of our sites already offer, the LEC educators will work with teachers to tailor a program to fit the teacher and students’ needs. By visiting a few LEC sites—all in one day—you can tackle science, technology, engineering, math, history, and even language arts standards.

7. Budgets are so tight, how can we afford to bring our students to Lewes?

Because several of our sites are publicly funded, they offer free programming. Other LEC sites have scholarship programs or grants that can partially or completely offset your costs. Just ask!

8. Field trips are hard to plan. Can the LEC help with the planning process?

Absolutely! Contact one of our LEC members, tell us what you programs/content you are interested in, grade level and number of students, and when you would like to visit, and we can take care of the rest! We aim to be a one-stop-shop, to take the pressure of busy classroom teachers.

9. Ok, you’ve convinced me! How do I book a field trip to Lewes?

Contact any of the LEC partners to get started. We look forward to hearing from you!