THE SPROUT EXPERIENCE
Immersive Travel, Classes, and Camps
OUR MISSION: To foster a love of learning, social/emotional growth and global citizenship through programs based on science, culture and the arts. Sprout is a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDERS: We started Sprout with a simple goal: bring unforgettable, impactful educational experiences to young people. Hundreds of students, interns and leaders have experienced our life-changing programs, and the results have been EXTRAORDINARY! We forged partnerships with the Maasai in Kenya, witnessed new species in the Galapogos Islands, SCUBA dived and tagged sea turtles in the Caribbean, caught snakes on the famous Snake Road in south Illinois, and more! Join us on our next program, and GET IN ON THE EXPERIENCE!
Daniel Grigson & Julie Milkie, both experienced educators, founded The Sprout Experience in 2016, and they continue to create and personally lead a variety of unique domestic and international programs, many opportunities available exclusively through Sprout.
NEW! October 17-20, 2024: SNAKE ROAD
Work hands-on with reptiles and amphibians in Shawnee National Forest. Be there to see snakes, salamanders, and frogs migrate across Snake Road. We will catch-and-release a variety of species, learning about them and collecting important data for researchers.
CLICK TO ENLARGE
Winter 2024: SOUTH FLORIDA
Slog/hike through the Everglades. Kayak in the ocean and freshwater lakes. Snorkel in the Florida Keys
Summer 2025: TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Research and rescue sea turtles and observe them nesting under the starry night sky. Visit protected areas in Nariva Swamp to see Amazon rainforest flora and fauna. Explore Trini culture, music, and food. Snorkel in Pirates Bay and SCUBA dive pristine coral reef ecosystems. Study coral reef conservation and macrobenthic invertebrates in the rocky shoreline ecosystem.
Thank You Donors!
Julie Milkie (co-founder of Sprout) along with Board Member Jay Curtis, Program Leader Todd Milkie and alumni Anna Curtis climbed the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro this summer to raise funds for our immersive education programs!
Sprout’s “Kilimanjaro for a Cause” fundraiser raised $5,000 of our $5,895 goal!
Without YOUR support, we simply cannot continue our work
Please donate TODAY to keep the immersive education going!
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Our Programs
100% unique immersive experiences. Only Sprout goes where we go and does what we do.
Travel like a family, with 8 to 15 students and a 1:5 leader to student ratio.
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Our Partners
Researchers, scientists, dive masters, photographers and other top experts.
Community-based conservation groups and grassroots organizations. -
Our People
Founded by teachers.
Students of all backgrounds, even unique situations.
Supported by local families and businesses. -
You!
Be inspired, build self-confidence and become a Global Citizen.
80% of our alumni write about Sprout on their college application essay.
Have a life-changing experience!
Experience immersive learning with
The Sprout Experience
“It is not at all an exaggeration to say that my daughters lives were changed for the better and, through them, ours as well.”
“Words cannot describe how thankful I am that my daughter had the opportunity to travel with Sprout! Her adventures in Trinidad & Tobago will be something she will never forget.”
“This trip was not an easy vacation, but an immersion into culture and nature. We interacted with parts of nature that very few get to see: up close with massive Leatherback sea turtles and hiking through stunning rainforests.”
“My daughter was recently asked to give a speech about her life and her response was that her life BEGAN when she traveled with Sprout! It was an experience that my daughter will carry with her for the rest of her life! ”
“I was offered research positions in Tanzania and a Florida wildlife rehabilitation center. Sprout set me apart from other students and helped me be recognized, which is amazing. I truly have “sprouted” because I have the most amazing mentors EVER!”
“The Sprout Experience truly gave me a family forever and memories to last a lifetime”
“My time with Sprout affected me in ways I didn’t think possible. It made me realize that no matter what bad things happen in life and how hard it gets, we still have things to be grateful for and to look forward to. It made me want go on in this world and feel at peace.”
“The people on this journey became my family. We camped together, ate meals together, and sat around the campfire under millions of stars together. We sang together, danced together, cried together.”
Experience immersive learning with
The Sprout Experience