European Reformation Trip 2026

Switzerland, Germany, and France

April 2 – 11, 2026
Grades 9 – 12

Upper School teachers will lead a 10-day Joshua Expeditions trip during Spring Break 2026.

Itinerary

Why travel?

Join our very own Dr. Rob Sorensen, a Martin Luther and Reformation expert, on a grand tour in Switzerland, France, and Germany where Reformation history was made!

The group will explore the religious and cultural heritage of central Europe as we visit John Calvin’s Geneva and Martin Luther’s Saxony. The trip includes visits to churches, museums, and historical sites—and also provides students with the opportunity to explore the rich cultures and history of these beautiful European countries. Join Dr. Sorensen as he leads you in the footsteps of the Protestant reformers.

Important travel documents, including but not limited to passports, are required and are the sole responsibility of the student.

Who is eligible to go on the trip?

All Upper School students during the 2025 – 2026 school year are eligible to participate.

Registration and Deposit:

Traveler application, $200 deposit, and $345 cancel for any reason protection plan fee due by May 15, 2025. Pricing is dependent on final number of paid travelers.

• $5185.00 for 21 paid travelers, 3 chaperones
• Expedition Number: B181

Complete Traveler Application

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Chaperones

Trip Leaders: History teachers Dr. Rob Sorensen and Brent Strobel as well as math teacher Lani Shipley

Dr. Sorensen is a noted scholar of the Reformation in addition to teaching European history at Bear Creek, He is the author of Martin Luther and the German Reformation (Anthem Books, 2016), as well as numerous articles on religious history. He is thrilled to be able to share his expertise with students on this trip. He has travelled extensively in Europe and has been leading student learning trips to Europe with Bear Creek since 2006.

Mr. Strobel is an Upper School history teacher. He currently teaches U.S. history and previously taught Medieval European history for four years. He lived in Germany for a summer in high school and studied the language for four years. Before coming to Bear Creek, Mr. Strobel was a youth pastor leading trips across the country and to Latin America. Brent is excited to utilize his experience leading trips and share his knowledge and passion for Europe and the German culture with our students. 

Mrs. Shipley is an Upper School mathematics teacher. While in high school, she had the opportunity to spend three months as an exchange student in Germany. She is thrilled to chaperone this trip, as it offers a unique opportunity to delve into the religious and cultural history of central Europe. She is particularly looking forward to sharing the excitement of visiting significant sites in Switzerland, France, and Germany with our students, alongside our expert guide, Dr. Rob Sorensen.