Protect The Future FieldTrip · In partnership with USA Grappling

Protect The Future

Train. Compete. Represent — starting at your school.

FieldTrip and Wonderful Foundations are partnering with USA Grappling to bring students an experiential learning program focused on grappling fundamentals, sportsmanship, resilience, and the pathway from the classroom to the world stage.

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CharacterDisciplineTeamworkSportsmanshipPhysical fitness

Why This FieldTrip Matters

Grappling, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu teach more than technique. They build confidence, respect, mental toughness, and the kind of teamwork that shows up in classrooms, friendships, and future careers.

Protect The Future gives students a safe, structured introduction to the sport — led by certified coaches and aligned with USA Grappling, the national governing body that develops athletes from youth clubs to Team USA.

Character

Learn respect, humility, and perseverance through structured mat work and coach-led reflection.

Discipline

Practice focus, effort, and follow-through in a sport that rewards consistency over shortcuts.

Teamwork

Train with partners, support classmates, and experience what it means to be part of a team.

Sportsmanship

Win with grace, lose with dignity, and compete with integrity — on and off the mat.

Confidence

Try something new, overcome hesitation, and leave with a story about what you accomplished.

Pathway

Discover youth membership, sanctioned events, and collegiate opportunities through USA Grappling.

About the Experience

An active, coach-led program that introduces students to grappling — safely and enthusiastically.

Led by USA Grappling-certified coaches and facilitators, Protect The Future combines movement, mat fundamentals, partner drills, and real stories from athletes who have represented the United States. Students experience the sport without needing prior experience or equipment beyond comfortable athletic wear.

Welcome assembly and introduction to USA Grappling
Warm-up and movement fundamentals
Safe partner drills and technique stations
Sportsmanship and respect on the mat
Team USA and collegiate pathway showcase
Student reflection and Q&A
Optional educator engagement
Follow-up impact storytelling

Meet USA Grappling

USA Grappling is the national governing body for grappling in the United States. The organization sanctions competitions nationwide, develops and certifies coaches and officials, and selects Team USA athletes who compete at world championships and international events.

Through youth membership, SafeSport-trained leadership, and the National Collegiate Grappling Association (NCGA), USA Grappling is building a pathway that connects school-age athletes to college programs and the world stage.

Watch the NCGA Promo Visit USA Grappling

What Students Learn

Mat Safety & Respect

Students learn how to train safely, listen to coaches, and treat partners with respect.

Fundamental Movement

Basic grappling positions, balance, and body control — accessible for every fitness level.

Mental Toughness

Students practice staying calm under pressure and recovering from setbacks.

Team Culture

Grappling builds community. Students experience what it feels like to belong to something bigger.

Goal Setting

From first practice to sanctioned events, students see how effort connects to opportunity.

Representing Something Greater

Team USA stories help students connect sport to pride, purpose, and representation.

From the USA Grappling Community

“Grappling, wrestling, and Jiu Jitsu are so much more than sports… they build our character and we're a family.”
Johnny Morgan, World Team Coach

“The pride I feel stepping on to the mats and the podium with the flag on my chest and the national anthem playing is something every athlete should aspire to in their career.”
Kendall Reusing, Sr. World Champion

“Being able to represent your country is the highest honor in all of sports. It's been exciting to be a part of that.”
Sam Schwartzapfel, 2× World Team Member

FieldTrip Impact

Protect The Future supports physical education, student wellness, and experiential learning that connects school to real-world pathways in sport and leadership.

Increased confidence trying new challenges

Stronger peer relationships

Improved focus and discipline

Greater appreciation for sportsmanship

Exposure to healthy competition

Awareness of youth and collegiate grappling pathways

Memorable, active learning beyond the classroom

Program Format

Pre-Visit Planning

FieldTrip works with the school to confirm space, schedule, student group size, and any PE or wellness alignment goals.
Live FieldTrip Experience

USA Grappling-certified coaches lead an interactive session with warm-ups, fundamentals, partner drills, and Team USA storytelling.
Reflection & Engagement

Students participate in guided reflection on effort, teamwork, and what they learned on the mat.
Impact Storytelling

FieldTrip captures outcomes, student reflections, and media when appropriate to help schools and sponsors understand the impact.

Collegiate & Team USA Pathway

USA Grappling supports the National Collegiate Grappling Association (NCGA), helping grow the sport at the university level and connect youth athletes to long-term opportunity.

Explore Collegiate Programs

See the Pathway in Action

Explore collegiate grappling and the community USA Grappling is building across the United States — from local mats to national competition.

NCGA Nationals Promo

Team USA Selection

Bring Protect The Future to Your School

FieldTrip helps schools access meaningful experiential learning that builds character, confidence, and connection. Protect The Future gives students a safe introduction to one of the fastest-growing sports in the country — with a pathway that can last a lifetime.