**Updated to add information about parents not being allowed to attend.

OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Your kid wants to go to college in Florida but visiting the campuses can get costly to make the trip.

The Ocala Recreation and Parks Department (ORPD) has launched a program that allows college-bound students to tour colleges and universities at an affordable price.

ORPD says students ages 14 to 18 will get the chance to visit up to seven schools within the Sunshine State through the new program.

“Our goal for this program is to help college-bound students make the best decision for their futures. These tours will provide valuable insights into each location, allowing students to truly understand what each college campus and city has to offer,” said David Ricks, Ocala Recreation Program Supervisor.

The cost is $25 per person for each trip and buses will depart from the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place which is located at 1821 NW 21st Ave.

Due to limited seating and to allow for the maximum number of children to attend, the city says parents are not allowed to accompany their children on the campus visits.

Here’s the tentative schedule: 

  • April 15 – Florida A&M University and Tallahassee Community College, Tallahassee
  • April 17 – Jacksonville University and University of North Florida, Jacksonville
  • April 19 – Bethune Cookman and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach
  • June 3 – University of Florida and Santa Fe College, Gainesville
  • June 17 – Webber International University, Warner University and Florida Southern College, Lakeland
  • July 8 – University of Central Florida, Full Sail University and Rollins College, Orlando
  • July 22 – University of South Florida and University of Tampa, Tampa

Buses will leave the center at 7 a.m. and return around 8 p.m.

|TRENDING: Marion County names Geometry educator its 2024 Teacher of the Year

To register for the programs, click here and then click on the green “Register for Programs” button. If you need assistance, call 352-401-6980. The city says the staff at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center will be happy to guide students and parents through the process.