2026-2027 School Year

Discover Trip List

Out of State Trips

Trip sign-ups will be open to rising Seniors first, followed by rising Juniors. Rising Sophomores and Freshmen will then be allowed to register. All trips will require a $200 non-refundable and non-transferrable deposit paid when you sign-up.

Greece

Approximate Price: $4,300-$4,800

Approximate Attendees: 59 participants

Dates: March 6-15, 2027

Sponsor: Katherine Anderson, Ruth Stevenson

Follow in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul on a trip to Greece! Our tour will focus on ancient Greek sites where Paul shared the Gospel and built up the early church, including Thessaloniki, Philippi, Corinth, and Athens. As we travel, we’ll dive into the book of Acts and the letters of Paul, developing a deeper understanding of the Scriptures by experiencing its context. We’ll end our trip by enjoying the beauty of Santorini and a taste of modern Greek cuisine and culture. Trip dates are March 6-15, 2027.

New York

 Approximate Price: $2500

Approximate Attendees: 50 Max

Dates: March 7-12, 2027

Sponsor: Jill Roberts

Join Mrs. Roberts for an exciting trip to New York with a focus on the arts. After spending the first night in Roanoke, VA students will take an AMTRAK train to NYC Penn Station. In New York City, the itinerary includes choral performances at Carnegie Hall, Broadway shows and classic NY landmarks for a start. Throughout the trip, students will also experience and visit St. Patrick's Cathedral, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, the 9/11 Museum, Wall Street, the Brooklyn Bridge, Trinity Church, and much more! 

Charleston/Savannah

Approximate Price: $1,000-$1,500

Approximate Attendees: 80 Max 

Dates: March 8-11, 2027

Sponsor: Hunter Ledbetter

Come join us for a 4-day, 3-night trip to Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA.  The trip will include activities like a visit to Boone Hall plantation, a ferry ride over to Ft. Sumter, Charlestown Landing, and touring the City Market in Charleston. Then the visit will continue in Savannah with trips to the Georgia Rail Museum, River front, Mighty Air Force Museum, Ft Jackson and a possible river boat cruise in Savannah.  (The sites are possible but not confirmed yet based on past trips.) 

Estes Park, Colorado

Approximate Price: $1500 (plus travel meals)

Approximate Attendees: 13

Dates: November 8-12 

Join Mr. Peters and Mr. Almanzor for an unforgettable winter escape to the heart of the Rockies! We are heading to Estes Park, Colorado, for a five-day immersive experience in one of the country’s most stunning landscapes. This trip is designed for students who want to embrace the outdoors and experience the beauty of winter in the mountains. From Saturday to Wednesday, our small group of 13 students and two faculty leads will call a spacious mountain Airbnb home, providing a cozy setting for evening bonding after days spent in the snow. 

Trip Highlights: 

• Outdoor Exploration: Spend your days snowshoeing through pristine trails, sledding down alpine slopes, and hiking through the breathtaking terrain of the area. 
• Mountain Living: Experience life in a high-altitude mountain town, located right at the doorstep of Rocky Mountain National Park. 
• Community Building: With a small group size of only 15 people total, this trip offers a unique opportunity to build lasting friendships in a spectacular setting. 

Past Intensives

Students who do not register for a trip will select an Intensive Course, internship, or service project. These are not yet set but take a look at last school year's intensives.

Selection of intensives will open to Seniors and Juniors first and then to Sophomores and Freshmen. An email will be sent to parents when they can register their student. Fees associated with the course are due upon registration, and some courses have limited spots. Participation in Discover is mandatory. For general questions about Discover Intensive courses, internships, or service project opportunities please contact Mr. Davidhizar.

Official Intensive offerings will be a available for final selection/sign up in Fall 2025.

Intro to Private Pilot Basic Ground School Course 

Ground School is the first step in earning your private pilot’s license. Mr. Steve Persenaire, a flight instructor with Mission Aviation Fellowship, and also a PA parent, is offering students the opportunity to begin the steps of getting a private pilot’s license. This intensive will be held at school for any student who is interested or curious about becoming a private pilot. Depending on the weather and the size of the class, there may be a trip to the Elizabethton airport for a flight in a private airplane. The cost of $140 is for the Ground School manuals which can be used if a student wishes to continue their training. If the student took the class last year, there is a minimal fee to make sure the books are updated. If you are charged the $140 and this is your second year, we will refund the balance after the minimal cost is deducted. This intensive is limited to 12 students.

Intro to Spanish

Students will learn the basics of conversational Spanish.  They will practice their new listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills through activities and games.  Students will investigate the culture and geography of Spanish-speaking countries in the Western Hemisphere.  On our last day, the class will go to lunch at a local restaurant. This intensive is led by Mrs. Hollowell, and the cost is $5 and money for lunch on the last day.

Outdoor Adventure and Activities  

Do you like to spend time outdoors? Do you like to hike? This fall we will do some hiking on local trails like Laurel Falls, Beauty Spot, Rocky Fork, and/or Roan Balds. This intensive will also cover proper hiking equipment use and safety guidelines for hikers. Mr. Anderson and Mr. Peters will be leading this activity, and there will be a minimal cost of $25 to help with transportation. This intensive is limited to 16 students.

Faith and Fitness

Are you looking for a fun, active intensive that focuses on your health and wellness? If so, this is the place for you!  1 Peter 4:9-11 says: "Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."  This intensive offers a combination of fitness classes, smoothie-making, devotional fellowship, dietary decision-making, and matters of the mind.  We will blend each piece in a “stew” that allows us to lead full, healthy lives for the Lord, joyfully working to be good stewards of His gifts and grace. This intensive is led by Mrs. Horton and Mrs. Herington. The cost is $65 for supplies and a week's membership at a local workout facility.

Robotics  

During the Robotics Discovery Intensive, students will act as computer scientists, engineers, designers, and creative thinkers—all while having fun exploring and learning about STEM ideas and concepts with VEX Robots. Students will work together to build their own “Clawbot”, solve various challenges, and develop and test winning game strategies. These activities are designed to ignite a love of STEM learning through engaging activities that blend creativity and imagination. 

Learning Targets: 

-Build and test a robot collaboratively. 

-Use VEX software to create a code to control the Clawbot successfully. 

-Collaborate to create coding and driver control strategies to score points in activities and win challenges. 

Mr. Ryan and Mr. Keefe will lead this intensive. The cost for materials is $25. This intensive is limited to 14 students.

ACT Prep

The ACT Test is the preferred college entrance exam used by universities in Tennessee for admittance, placement, and scholarship awards. Every graduate should want to make the highest score possible on this exam. In light of that, one of the intensives being offered is a preparation class to help students meet that goal. Time will be spent understanding the different types of questions in the different subject areas, learning test-taking skills, and practicing actual exams. The students will take at least 2 practice exams so they can understand the pacing of the test and get a feel for how long the test lasts.

In order to have plenty of practice and instruction, the class will meet Monday-Thursday, 11/10 – 11/13, from 8:10 – 12:10. This intensive is taught by Mrs. Boling, Mr. Schultz, and Mrs. Vines. The cost is $55 for the ACT Prep book which the students will keep.

Drawing Techniques and Fundamentals 

In this Intensive, students will build a foundation for fundamental drawing skills. The class will focus on techniques such as shading, gesture/figure sketching,

perspective, and contour line drawing. This class is designed to build confidence, explore creativity and develop basic skills. Our work will culminate with a

final art piece that we will put in a mat and prepare for display. Hope to see you there! This intensive is led by Mrs. Milburn. The cost is $10 for materials.

Choosing to Serve  

Each of you has been given a gift to use to serve others.  (1 Peter 4:10)  The goals of Choosing to Serve are to give opportunities for students to use their gifts in their community and to open doors for students to serve others in humility and love. All participants are required to secure their volunteer position with organizations in the Tri-Cities area. You should plan on volunteering for a minimum of four hours per day for 4 days, or 16 hours total, and all work must be concluded by 3:00 PM daily. Students in this program are required to provide their own transportation to and from their volunteer projects. Mr. Johnson can provide a list of organizations as suggestions. If you can not find an organization with which to serve, Mr. Ledbetter will be taking a team of students from school to serve in the community. You can either find your own service project or serve on the PA team with our service project and Mr. Ledbetter. If you choose to do your own service project, you will need to have the paperwork filled out and returned to Mr. Johnson by October 31. We will give you a document to keep track of your hours.

Stage Production and Development 

Whether a seasoned techie or brand new to the shop, students will have hands-on training on safe use of tools in deconstructing and constructing real scenic elements like platforms, drops, and walls, bringing scenic designs to life for the Providence Drama and Musical productions. Students will learn from a Technical Director and lighting and sound technicians. Participants will be recognized in the musical production program for contributing to Tuck Everlasting this Spring and possibly shadow the tech team during the production. Students will have a chance to add creativity to the set design and overall vision of the musical production while being exposed to language and skill sets which allow creative theater expression in three dimensional and practical ways. Topics for the intensive include Shop Safety, Reading Shop Drawings, Scenic Construction, and Basics of Theatrical Rigging. This intensive is led by Mrs. Grigsby, and the cost is $50 for materials.  

Internships

Internships will provide an opportunity for students to arrange a three-day program working with a professional in the Tri-Cities area. This program offers students an opportunity to join the workforce for a few days in an attempt to learn more about potential careers. Students may not intern at Providence Academy nor may they work for or with their parents. Participants are responsible for their own transportation and lunch costs.

Students need to pick up permission forms from Mr. Johnson, make all necessary arrangements with the sponsoring host, and turn in their documents to Mr. Johnson by October 31.

Varsity/JV Basketball Boys and Girls Team

All High Schoolers who are on the Boys and Girls Varsity and JV basketball teams need to sign up for this intensive, unless you have already committed to a trip. Coach Pitts has an itinerary and cost for the boys and girls basketball team intensive.

Sponsors:  Coach Pitts and Coach Silvers
Participants: Basketball team members
Cost: Determined by scheduled activities