Frequently Asked Questions
National Teacher Institute: July 10-13, 2025
Planning your trip to the 2025 American Battlefield Trust's In-Person National Teacher Institute
What are the dates of the event?
July 10-13, 2025.
Who can attend the American Battlefield Trust National Teacher Institute?
This event is primarily intended for K-12 educators and administrators, but we also allow the following professionals to attend:
- Full-Time K-12 educators and administrators (this does not include retired educators).
- Full-time Museum professionals (this does not include museum volunteers).
- Librarians.
- Adjunct and full-time college professors & administrators.
What is the theme of the 2025 National Teacher Institute?
"Gettysburg: The Crossroads of History."
When does registration open for the event?
December 17, 2024.
Do I have to apply to attend the event?
Yes, each participant must apply AND be selected to attend the 2025 National Teacher Institute.
Where will the 2025 National Teacher Institute be held in Gettysburg?
All lectures, breakout sessions, and meals will take place at the Adams County Historical Society.
The Adams County Historical Society is located at 625 Biglerville Rd, Gettysburg, PA 17325.
Is there a room block with reduced rates?
Yes, our room block is with the Hotel Gettysburg. The Hotel Gettysburg is located at 1 Lincoln Square, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Click here to book your room.
We have a block of rooms for participants. Accepted participants may book their rooms at the Hotel Gettysburg for $209 per night (plus tax). Be sure to mention that you are with the American Battlefield Trust National Teacher Institute to receive the group rate. You must make your reservations on or before June 18, 2025, to receive the group rate of $209 per night.
Do I need to stay at the Hotel Gettysburg to participate in the National Teacher Institute?
No. You can stay anywhere, but we highly recommend that you stay at the host hotel.
What if the American Battlefield Trust room block is sold out at the Hotel Gettysburg? What should I do about a room?
First, check with the American Battlefield Trust teacherinstitute@battlefields.org to see if the room block is indeed full. If the block is full, you will need to make reservations at another hotel. There are many in the area. Click here for more information about area hotels.
Why did the American Battlefield Trust not block more rooms at the hotel?
We have to play a guessing game as to how many participants will attend and how many will actually stay at the hotel. If we do not fill a certain number of rooms, the American Battlefield Trust is charged for those rooms not booked by participants.
Is there a parking fee at the Hotel Gettysburg?
Yes, the rate is $18.00 per day for self parking.
Where is the hotel parking garage located?
The hotel garage is adjacent to the hotel.
What are the closest airports to Gettysburg?
Baltimore-Washington, Harrisburg, and Philadelphia airports are the closest to Gettysburg.
How do I book a flight?
For those that hate to fly, but have to do so, we suggest checking Expedia, Kayak, and Southwest Airlines. These sites cover most major carriers in the United States.
Does the host hotel have a shuttle to and from the airport?
No.
Do I need to rent a car while I am in Gettysburg?
That is entirely up to you. The Trust will provide bus transportation for each of the included tours. Those buses will pick up at designated pick up and drop off locations. The town of Gettysburg is very walkable. If you'd like to visit any sites not included on the events tours , you will need to provide your own transportation.
Does the hotel have shuttles to any destinations?
No.
Does the Trust arrange my travel arrangements, including my hotel, airfare, and rental car?
No. You must make your own reservations and pay out of pocket for them. If you are a scholarship winner, be sure to keep your travel receipts for submission later.
Note: The 2025 In-Person National Teacher Institute is a different event from our 2025 Virtual Teacher Institute.
When can I apply for a travel scholarship?
We accept applications from December 17, 2024, to March 17, 2025. Click here to access the event application system. You can apply for a travel scholarship at the same time as you apply to attend the event.
How much money does the travel scholarship provide?
Travel scholarships provide up to $1,200 in travel-related reimbursements.
How do I apply for a travel scholarship?
Check our Scholarship Application Page for more details.
What do you look for on our scholarship applications?
We review each application carefully and look at a variety of criteria, including but not limited to:
- The number of scholarships received in the past.
- Distance traveled to the event.
- Quality of answers.
- The honesty of the applicant's answers.
- Time and effort put into the applicant's answers.
- Financial need demonstrated.
- The certitude of travel plans.
- The benefit to the educator's professional development.
- The benefit to the educator's students.
- Exposure of American Battlefield Trust educational materials and funding to new audiences.
- Applicant's attitude & demeanor.
Do you have any advice for scholarship applicants?
Just like you can tell with your students, we can tell when someone has put little to no effort into their scholarship application. Take the time to answer each and every question thoroughly.
Be honest. We do check your answers. Lying on your application immediately disqualifies you.
Check your email (including your spam folder), and don't miss your deadlines.
How will I be notified if I won a scholarship?
You will be notified on or before March 28, 2025, if you have been awarded a scholarship. All applicants will be notified via the email that you provided on your scholarship application. You will be required to respond to the email notifying you of your scholarship. If you do not respond by the date and time stated in the acceptance email, you automatically forfeit your scholarship, and it will be awarded to someone on our standby list. Every scholarship recipient must confirm their acceptance with the American Battlefield Trust Deputy Director of Education, no exceptions.
I was awarded a scholarship in the past, but I was a no cancel-no show. Can I still qualify for a scholarship this year?
No. Any person who accepted a scholarship in the past and no-showed is automatically disqualified from receiving scholarships, our Traveling Trunks, and History Field Trip Grants.
What do travel scholarships cover?
Travel scholarships will reimburse you for the following travel expenses: gas, tolls, cab fare/Uber's, airplane or train tickets, hotel parking, and hotel stays. These items will only be reimbursed for Teacher Institute-related travel, within a reasonable timeframe of the beginning and end of the Teacher Institute (July 7 - July 14, 2025). We will not reimburse you for hotel stays outside of the Gettysburg area.
What items do travel scholarships not cover?
Travel scholarships do not cover first-class accommodations, beach house rentals, meals, room service, hotel incidentals, event tour add-on fees, WiFi fees, airport parking, souvenirs, admission to museums, or other entertainment attractions.
The American Battlefield Trust reserves the right to revoke any scholarship for what is determined to be abusive behavior toward the use of funds, abusive behavior toward any American Battlefield Trust staff or other National Teacher Institute attendees, or inappropriate or unaccounted-for expenses.
I won a scholarship. Does the American Battlefield Trust pay for all of my travel up front?
No, you must keep your receipts and submit them with your reimbursement form and W9 after the conclusion of the Institute.
Can I use my scholarship to pay for event add-on fees?
No, you must use a credit card to secure your event add-ons.
Does my scholarship cover reimbursements for other attendees?
No. You cannot pay for the travel of other using your scholarship funds. Your name must appear on any airline tickets, rental car agreements/receipts, and any hotel, AirB&B, Expedia, Hotels.com, Kayak, or other travel site service agreements.
Can I use my scholarship to buy credit card or travel credits?
No.
Can I transfer my travel scholarship to another attendee?
No. Your name must appear on travel reimbursement items such as flights, hotel stays, train tickets, etc. If your name does not appear on the above items, you must prove that the flight, hotel stay, etc. was for you and not another attendee.
Can I share my scholarship with another attendee?
No. Your name must appear on travel reimbursement items such as flights, hotel stays, train tickets, etc. If your name does not appear on the above items, you must prove that the flight, hotel stay, etc. was for you and not another attendee.
I was awarded a travel scholarship. Do I have to stay at the host hotel?
No, we strongly suggest that you stay at the host hotel, the Hotel Gettysburg. We have negotiated the room rate of $209.00 per night (plus tax) for the Institute participants. Click here to book your room.
I was awarded a travel scholarship but cannot attend. Can I transfer my scholarship to a friend?
No. There is a waiting list for travel scholarships. If you cannot attend the Teacher Institute, your scholarship will be awarded to the next person on the waiting list.
Why can’t my spouse and children join me at the event?
The Teacher Institute is designed for an adult audience; we do not cater to children at the event. Kids would be bored and out of place. Our goal is to have an environment that is conducive to teacher development, and we truly want to focus on educators.
We also strive to keep the event free of charge for educators. The average cost per person for the event is $980.00. Should we allow non-educators to attend the cost would skyrocket. Also, much of the event is paid for through the generosity of American Battlefield Trust donors. Their goal is to engage with educators.
Any non-educator spouses are also not permitted to attend the Institute proper. They are free to travel to and from the event with you but are not permitted to go to the Institute breakout sessions, tours, meals, etc. Our goal is to keep this event free to teachers while providing as many travel scholarships as possible. Also, our breakout sessions and lectures are designed for teachers. The average history buff will walk away unsatisfied from many of our sessions, as they are not geared toward them.
When will you announce the lineup of tours, lectures, and breakout sessions?
February of 2025.
What is the registration deadline?
May 20, 2025.
Is there any prep that I need to do prior to the Teacher Institute? (Required readings, prepared lesson plans, etc.)
No. We understand that you are on summer vacation and, like your students, don't want to think about assignments.
What is the dress code for the event?
We ask that you take into consideration that this is a professional development event. Business casual is suggested for our breakout sessions and lectures. For tour dress, you should lean towards casual-comfortable a hat, closed-toed shoes, and long pants are suggested for battlefield tours.
Can I change my tour selection once I get to the Institute?
You may update your tour selection in our CVENT online registration system at any time. Some tours are more popular than others and may already be full. If you wish to change your tour selection, you MUST do so through the CVENT registration portal.
Do I need to sign up for any breakout sessions or lectures before registration?
Yes, you'll be asked to do so in our CVENT registration system. All you need to do is indicate that you want to attend a breakout session in CVENT. Then, at the event, you enter the room hosting the session you wish to attend. For breakouts, we offer between 3-4 offerings per session. We will scan you in, marking your attendance. And you're all set. You'll receive a confirmation email updating you each time you change your schedule.
Do I have to pay extra for the tours, and do I need a car to get there?
No, we pay your entrance fees and bus you to and from the tour locations on Saturday and Sunday.
What are event add-ons?
Event add-ons are special dinners, special access lectures, or special access tours. While your registration covers the traditional tours, the add-ons do cost you an additional fee to participate. These are optional sessions; you DO NOT have to participate in tour add-ons, but if you do, you must pay the additional fee.
Will my event add-on payments be reimbursed at the end of the event?
No, we must pay additional fees to set up these experiences, and the American Battlefield Trust will retain the fees associated with add-ons.
Do I have to participate in an event add-on?
No. Add-ons are entirely voluntary.
Why the add-on experiences and additional fees?
Participants at the 2022 & 2023 National Teacher Institute asked for more experiences, but these experiences come at a cost to the members of the American Battlefield Trust. We offer you these optional experiences but at a fraction of their cost. The Trust is picking up half of the bill, and you are picking up the other half.
Can I drive myself to the Saturday and Sunday tour locations and meet the group there?
No. You must be on the bus to access all sites and to access all museums and ticketed attractions.
What time will the events end on Sunday?
No later than 1:00 PM
What does my $150 deposit cover?
Your deposit ensures you a spot at the National Teacher Institute and allows you access to all of the breakout sessions at the hotel, the hotel keynote sessions, the all-day tours on Saturday, the half-day tours on Sunday, the hotel lunches on Thursday and Friday, and the hotel breakfast on Saturday and Sunday morning. Your deposit DOES NOT cover event add-on fees.
Why do I have to put down a deposit?
You must make a deposit to reserve your spot at the National Teacher Institute. We also ask for a deposit so that we keep the number of no-shows down. If we did not ask for a deposit, many people would sign up for the event and never attend (which has happened to us in the past). The deposit helps to ensure folks attend while also giving us an accurate number for tour entrance fees, caterers, and breakout session space.
Can I place my deposit at the door?
No, all deposits must be placed with the American Battlefield on or before May 20, 2025. Failure to place your deposit on or before said date will result in the forfeiture of your event registration.
Can I get my deposit back?
Yes. If you attend the event, you will have until August 8, 2025, to request your full deposit returned to you for the 2025 National Teacher Institute.
What if I don't place a deposit?
Anyone who does not place a deposit will forfeit their spot at the National Teacher Institute. They also will not be eligible for other American Battlefield Trust programs such as our History Field Trip Grants or Traveling Trunks.
If I was awarded a scholarship, do I still have to register for the Institute and put down a deposit?
Yes. To ensure your spot at the Institute, all scholarship applicants must register and place a deposit.
How do I receive my deposit refund after the event concludes?
You will receive an exit survey within three (3) business days after the conclusion of the event. You must complete the exit survey, which will include questions about your deposit and CE certificate. If you select to have your deposit refunded, the refund will be issued to the credit card that you used to place your deposit.
How long do I have to request my deposit refund?
All deposit refund requests must be received on or by August 8, 2025.
How long will it take to receive my deposit refund after I complete the exit survey?
Please allow 21-28 business days for processing.
Can I donate my deposit to the American Battlefield Trust?
Yes, you may request that the American Battlefield Trust keep your deposit. This tax-deductible donation would be greatly appreciated.
What if I need to cancel my reservation to the 2025 National Teacher Institute?
Should you need to cancel your reservations for the event, please notify the American Battlefield as soon as possible. To receive a full refund of your deposit, any cancellation must be made on or before June 18, 2025. You will automatically forfeit your $150.00 deposit if: (1) you cancel your event reservation after June 18 OR (2) you register for the event and do not show up!
If you are a scholarship winner and you don’t attend the event, you will both forfeit your $150.00 deposit, and you will not be considered for any future Teacher Institute scholarships, History Field Trip Grants, nor will you receive our Traveling Trunk.
How do I cancel my reservation?
Simply email us at teacherinstitute@battlefields.org.
Continuing Education Certificate
How many continuing education contact hours can I earn at the event, and how do I earn the hours?
You may earn up to 24 contact hours—which equals 2 CEUs. The number of CE hours provided to each participant will be commensurate with the number of breakout sessions, tours, etc…. attended by each participant. Scanners will capture your name badge's unique QR code as you enter and leave each session. All CE certificates will be processed AFTER the event.
What constitutes one CEU?
One CEU equals ten contact hours of participation in organized continuing education classes and/or training conducted by a qualified instructor. A contact hour is equivalent to one 60-minute interaction between an instructor and the participant.
How do I receive my continuing education certificate?
- You must attend the general sessions, breakout sessions, lectures, and tours at the 2025 National Teacher Institute.
- You must scan in and out of every session that you attend at the National Teacher Institute.
- Answer yes when asked on the exit survey if you wish to receive a CEU certificate.
- If you do all of the above, the American Battlefield Trust will take care of the rest.
- Check your email inbox and spam folder for your certificate starting in mid-September of 2025.
How long do I have to wait to receive my 2025 CE certificate?
CEU certificates will be sent to the email address that you provided in your exit survey. All certificates will be emailed in early September of 2025.
Do I have to pay for my own CE certificate?
No, the American Battlefield Trust will cover the certificate's cost.
How do I know if my school district will accept the CE Certificate?
It is your responsibility to confirm with your school district if they will accept the certificate letter. The American Battlefield Trust only facilitates the issuance of the certificate. The application of the certificate is up to each individual, school, and school district.
Who provides the CE Certificate?
All certificates are paid for and provided by the American Battlefield Trust.
Are these full college credit hours?
No. This is a CE certificate, not undergraduate or graduate hours, and they cannot be applied toward a college degree program.
How long do I have to request my 2025 continuing education certificates?
You have until August 8, 2025, to request your continuing education certificate. We will not process any new CE requests for the 2025 National Teacher Institute after August 8, 2025.
Can I receive a certificate for attending both the Virtual Teacher Institute and the In-Person Teacher Institute?
No, you can only receive a certificate for attending one event or the other. You cannot receive a CEU certificate for attending both events.
If your questions were not answered by any of the above questions, please contact us at teacherinstitute@battlefields.org.