Passport to Adventure: The Amazing Race

Saturday, May 2

1:30PM

Friday, October 25

1:30PM - 5:00PM

Saturday, May 2, 2026
Starting Point: Daystar Academy | Downtown Chicago

Race through Chicago.
Broaden Horizons.
Inspire Change.

Embark on an unforgettable adventure as you race through the fast and flat streets of Chicago to support local learning excursions, international travel experiences, and our globally-minded approach to education from Preschool through High School. This exciting “Amazing Race”-themed fundraiser is meant to challenge your wits and Chicago wherewithal, while contributing to a one-of-a-kind program that provides all students with transformative travel experiences.

Post-race the evening will include a meal, as well as students sharing the impact domestic and international travel has had on their lives. The 2026-27 XP destinations will also be announced!

Event Highlights:

Excitement & Adventure: Create (or sponsor) a team of four and navigate through Chicago’s iconic landmarks, while completing fun, interactive challenges along the way. Families and adults are encouraged to participate.
Support a Worthy Cause: Support Daystar Academy’s globally-minded education and open doors for students to experience their city and the world firsthand.
Great Prizes: Compete for amazing prizes, including a stay in a beautiful vacation home in Breckenridge, Colorado, a $300 Southwest gift card, a personal bike tour of Chicago inspired by the 1893 World’s Fair, as well as other travel-themed rewards.
XP Trip Announcement: XP trip destinations for the 2026-2027 school year will be announced at this event. Where will we adventure?!

How it Works

Form Your Team: Gather three of your friends, family members, or colleagues to create a 4-person team. Register at the link below.
Race Through the City: Navigate challenges at various locations in Chicago while exploring new sights.
Celebrate and Connect Over Dinner: Enjoy a delicious meal post-race featuring cultural dishes from countries our students have visited or will visit.
Support Global Learning: Your registration and/or sponsorship helps fund domestic and international travel opportunities for our Preschool through High School students.

Get Involved

Ready to race? Or help make this event a success?
Here are three ways to get involved:

1) Become a Sponsor

Help us bring this event to life! Your sponsorship will directly support our students’ travel experiences and enhance the event. We offer multiple sponsorship levels, including recognition on event materials, social media shout-outs, and much more. You can also use your sponsorship to form faculty or student teams!

Pilgrim Sponsor ($15,000)
Traveler Sponsor ($10,000)
Pit Stop Partner ($5,000)
Tourist Sponsor ($2,500)
Pathfinder Partner ($1,000)
Student / Teacher Team Sponsor ($300)

See sponsorship benefits by clicking the Sponsor the Event button below.

2) Register Your Team

Form a 4-person team and race through the city to support our students.

Team Registration Fee: $300 per team (covers event participation, dinner, and donation to Daystar Academy and its globally-minded education program).
Challenge Your Friends: Make it a fun, friendly competition with teams from your family, church, workplace, or community group.

3) Donate a Prize

Help us collect travel-themed prizes and/or local experiences that align with our vision for this event. Think certificates for a weekend stay at an Airbnb, gift cards to local restaurants, vouchers for airlines, high-quality travel backpacks or carry-on luggage, gift certificates to unique experiences like local tours, hot air ballooning, cooking classes, and more.

Why it Matters

Your participation in Passport to Adventure: The Amazing Race will have a lasting impact on our students. Using the city — and the world — as our classroom enables young people to engage with different cultures and expand their worldview, resulting in more empathetic and responsible global citizens. These trips change lives and help shape the next generation of leaders who are ready to make a difference.

Event Schedule

1:30PM – Registration
2:00PM – Race begins!
4:30-5:00PM – Race concludes
5:00PM – Dinner open
5:15PM – Program and student presentations (XP trips announced!)
6:30-7:00PM – Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can participate?
Anyone! But students under 5th Grade should be accompanied by an adult. We welcome anyone interested in racing through the streets of Chicago. If you’re not interested in racing, but would like to join us for dinner and fellowship, there’s a ticket option for that too!
How do I prepare for the race?
Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. You’ll be walking, running, and solving puzzles throughout the city. T-shirts will be provided!
Can I sponsor a student or faculty team?
Yes! Any of our sponsorship levels allow you to sponsor a student or faculty team, and we would greatly appreciate the support!

Join Us on MAY 2!

Make memories, support global education, and help our students take the world by storm. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to race for a cause!

Can’t make the event? Passport expired? You can make a donation instead. Choose Passport to Adventure: The Amazing Race (2026) in the menu.

THANK YOU SPONSORS!

Pit Stop Partners

Providence Bank & Trust
Mark Pridgeon & Mackenzi Huyser

Tourist Sponsor

David & Anne VanderWeele

Pathfinder Partner

Anonymous
Anonymous
Brandsma Family Foundation
Grant and Kathleen Dragan
Ernest and Sarah Krug

Prizes

Breckenridge Home
Breckenridge Ski In/Ski Out Condo
Chicago Bike Tour
First Ascent Climbing Gym
$250 Five Iron Golf
Flossmoor Brewery
$300 Southwest Gift Card