Carson teacher to lead group on tour of Japan in July

Carson High School history and Advanced Placement teacher Ben Spence is a wandering soul. Next month, he’s inviting more than a few students and adult companions to go on an adventure a little outside the community with him.

Spence, leader of the Battle Born Travel Club, will lead more than 100 explorers made up primarily though not exclusively of educators and students to Japan on a 10-day journey. The group represents a “smattering” of parents and Carson community members and is not affiliated with the Carson City School District.

“Because it is not a school/district based club, we can welcome all community members,” he said. “Adults, of course, have to pass extensive background checks to travel with us. I have a team of 14 chaperones on this tour that have worked tirelessly to support these students and my mission.”

The tour to Japan will take the participants to the major sites including Fuji-Hakone-Izu, Odawara, Kyoto and Osaka and they will conclude in Hiroshima by visiting the Peace Memorial Park and Museum.

Students, parents, educators and others will have an opportunity to embrace the cultural, historical, religious and geographic wonders outside their home country.

The Battle Born Travel Club helps to encourage lifelong learning through travel, Spence said. Previous tours have been made to Egypt, Costa Rica and Vietnam and other countries.

“For the Japan tour, our group is most excited to see the many diverse sides of Japan, from rural areas and the wonders of nature like Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and Lake Ashi, to the castles of the Sengoku period to the bustling hyper-modern city that is Tokyo,” Spence told the Appeal.

Travelers to Japan will leave from Reno July 6 and return July 16.

The site includes information about future tours to Ancient Italy, Meteora and Athens Greece in April 2025, a 14-day visit through Spain in June and July 2025 and Scotland and Ireland, in July 2026.

Spence has taught in Carson City in 2016 and earned his bachelor of arts degree in history and political science and a master’s degree in education from the University of Nevada, Reno and has a social studies and Gifted and Talented Education special education license.

He co-teaches a class through Southern Utah University to assist Northern Nevada teachers to support their GATE students.

In his travels in which he has been to more than a dozen countries, Spence called it a “remarkable experience” to assist adults and students in the critical details and formulate the backup plans for transportation, entrances to sites and safety.

“Adults learn as much, if not more, than the kiddos — they bring their built-in experience and have frames of references the kids don’t,” he said. “All the students need to bring is a bit of luggage and a lot of curiosity coupled with a sense of respect and responsibility.”

For information, e-mail bspence@battleborntravelclub.com or visit www.battleborntravelclub.com.