INGDA’s Dragons on the Fly brings virtual education to life through immersive, real-world travel experiences—connecting students to new cultures, global perspectives, and lifelong lessons beyond the classroom.
At Indiana Gateway Digital Academy (INGDA), we believe that education should be more than just coursework and online discussions. While virtual education allows students to learn from anywhere, we also recognize the transformative power of real-world experiences. Through Dragons on the Fly, we offer our students the chance to step out of their comfort zones and into the world—gaining firsthand knowledge of different cultures, histories, and ways of life.
Meet the Educators Leading the Way
For Amy Hickson and Charity Woodard, the passion for travel started long before they became educators.
Mrs. Hickson, INGDA’s Lead School Counselor, discovered her love for travel in 2016 and has since explored Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Canada, and Spain. With each trip, she has gained a deeper understanding of the world beyond her experiences. “Travel teaches us lessons in resilience, adaptability, and compassion,” says Hickson. “We wanted our students to have these same transformative experiences.”
Mrs. Woodard, INGDA’s Teacher & CTE Department Lead, has been fascinated by other cultures since 1993 when she embarked on her first trip to Mexico. Since then, she has traveled to nine countries across three continents and has hosted five exchange students from Brazil, Germany, and Slovakia.
“Seeing the world firsthand changes how you view it,” says Woodard. “I want our students to realize there’s so much more out there than what they’ve known.”
As high school classmates who later became colleagues, Hickson and Woodard always dreamed of sharing their love of travel with students. When they joined INGDA, they saw an opportunity to bridge the gap between virtual education and real-world experiences. Together, they launched Dragons on the Fly, allowing INGDA students to explore the world beyond their screens.
The Power of Experience: Lessons Beyond the Classroom
At INGDA, we know that virtual education prepares students for a flexible future, but real-world learning is just as essential. Some lessons simply cannot be taught in a classroom or a virtual setting.
Our students don’t just learn about different cultures; they immerse themselves in them. They don’t just read about history; they walk through it. They don’t just study global issues; they see them firsthand and understand their impact.
“This is why we do what we do,” says Hickson. “We want students to gain an appreciation for different ways of life and realize how interconnected we all are.”
Costa Rica: The First Step into a Bigger World
The first Dragons on the Fly trip took 12 students to Costa Rica, a journey filled with adventure, discovery, and growth. Many students had never traveled before, and some had never even been on a plane. But once they arrived, the world opened up to them.
Over eight days, students:
- Explored a coffee plantation and an organic farm, extracting juice from sugar cane and making traditional tortillas by hand.
- Ziplined through the Cloud Forest, overcoming fears and experiencing the beauty of Monteverde from above.
- Encountered wildlife on a night hike, spotting sloths, toucans, and even tasting termites (yes, really!).
- Visited La Fortuna waterfall and Arenal volcano, seeing the raw power and beauty of nature up close.
- Learned traditional salsa dancing and chocolate-making, gaining a deeper appreciation for the local culture.
- Camped in the rainforest, learning to embrace the unknown and bond as a group.
“I’ll never forget watching our students’ faces light up when they saw their first sloth or tasted fresh sugar cane juice,” recalls Woodard. “It’s moments like those that make this so worthwhile.”
By the end of the trip, these students were no longer just virtual classmates—they were lifelong friends. They had learned courage, resilience, and cultural appreciation—lessons that no textbook could teach.
Belize: The Next Chapter
This month, a new group of ten INGDA students will embark on a journey to Belize. Like before, many will be traveling for the first time— meeting at the airport as strangers and returning home with lasting connections and memories.
This trip will take them deep into the heart of Belizean culture, where they will:
- Explore ancient Mayan ruins, touching history with their own hands.
- Snorkel the Belize Barrier Reef, seeing marine life they had only read about before.
- Canoe the Macal River and go cave tubing, testing their adventurous spirits.
- Experience traditional pottery, cooking, and drumming lessons, engaging in cultural traditions passed down through generations.
- Tour a chocolate farm and hot sauce factory, seeing firsthand how local industries shape communities.
“One of the most powerful things about these trips is how much students grow in confidence,” says Hickson. “They return home seeing themselves and the world differently.”
Through INGDA’s partnership with EF Tours, students can plan ahead and pay for their trips over time, making travel as accessible as possible. These experiences are not vacations—they are educational adventures that prepare students for a world beyond their own.
The Impact of Travel on Virtual Education
INGDA is committed to providing students a well-rounded education beyond the digital classroom. While virtual learning equips students with valuable academic skills, real-world experiences build character, confidence, and a lifelong curiosity for the world.
“I tell my students all the time, ‘The world is bigger than your backyard,’” says Woodard. “And the more you explore it, the more you grow as a person.”
With Dragons on the Fly, students learn about the world and become a part of it. They gain the confidence to step into unfamiliar places, the ability to adapt to new cultures, and the courage to explore beyond their comfort zones.
At INGDA, we believe that education should not just prepare students for tests—it should prepare them for life.
Interested in learning more? Follow our adventures at Dragons on the Fly and see how INGDA is transforming virtual education through global experiences! You can also connect with Mrs. Woodard at cwoodard@ingda.net and Mrs. Hickson at ahickson@k12.com.
