FEATURED STORY

The DeVos
Learning Center

K-12 Initiatives

The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation’s first purpose is education—to inspire and equip those in the West Michigan community and beyond with the values exemplified by President and Mrs. Ford and skills necessary to become active citizens. This mission was invigorated through the opening of the 7,300-square-foot DeVos Learning Center (“DVLC”) in 2016 to expand the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum’s capacity to offer more robust educational experiences to elementary, middle, and high school students. 

The DVLC’s construction was supported by the Foundation and, upon completion, it was given to the National Archives and Records Administration. Part of the Foundation’s gift was a commitment to develop new curricula and programs for students, and provide staff to operate these programs for school groups and other youth visiting the Museum. 

Today, the DVLC is a gateway into America’s federal government and public service exemplified by the lives of President and Mrs. Ford for:

School groups in West Michigan that are studying civics or character education.
Scouts who are earning their citizenship merit badges to earn the rank of Eagle Scout, or are completing the President Ford Historic Trail.
Girl Scouts who are learning about the life and legacy of First Lady Betty Ford.
Other youth groups seeking meaningful character-based learning experiences.

Unlike other student destinations in the area, admissions and programs are free of charge for students. Each program is part of a continuum of educational initiatives that include programs for college students and young professionals, and public lectures and events for lifelong learners. The Secchia-Allen Transportation Fund also offsets busing costs, making this a low-cost, high-impact option for in-person civics education field trips. 

Michigan Crossroads Council Troop 8228
Michigan Crossroads Council Troop 8228 canoed and hiked the President Ford Historic Trail in August 2025.
Students at the Museum
Students during a field trip to the Museum.
Student Participation in DVLC Programs
1,303
Scout Participation in Merit Badge Classes or President Ford Historic Trail
377
Girl Scout Participation in Betty Ford Patch Classes
143
Other Youth Participation
233
Guided Tours for School Groups (NARA)
362
Self-Guided Visits from School Groups (NARA)
1,174
Total Youth Participation
3,592

K-12 Student Activity at the DVLC and the Museum, 2024-25 School Year

TABLE 1

What Teachers are Saying: Responses to the Educator Experience Survey, 2024-25 School Year

TABLE 2

54% Response Rate

Somewhat or Strongly Agree
I felt welcomed at the Museum.
100%
The educational program matched my expectation.
100%
The educational program was appropriate for my students’ grade level.
95%
The educational program was engaging.
95%
My students have a better understanding of civics education.
89%
My students have a better understanding of civic values.
89%
My students have a better understanding of the importance of character.
89%
My students have a better understanding of Gerald Ford.
100%
My students have a better understanding of Betty Ford.
84%

“Our annual field trip to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum brings civics to life for my students. While there, my class learns not only about the three branches of government through the life and public service of Gerald R. Ford, but also how the values that President Ford learned here in West Michigan prepared him to answer the nation’s call to service. Instructors at the Museum make the lessons fun, with plenty of hands-on activities to keep students engaged. These lessons are the perfect match for what’s taught in my classroom at school. Because of this, I am confident that my students are being prepared for the responsibilities of citizenship.”

– Joline Andrews, M.Ed.


5th Grade Bilingual Teacher,
Southwest Elementary Academia Bilingue,
Grand Rapids Public Schools

Top DVLC Field Trips

In the 2024-25 school year, a total of 60 classrooms of students participated in DVLC field trip programs. The three most popular field trip programs were:

In this foundational lesson, fourth and fifth grade students learn about each of branch of government—legislative, executive, and judicial—and their knowledge about each is strengthen by exploring Gerald Ford’s impact in each during his career.

Three branches of Government (19 classrooms)

Grounded in President Ford’s 1976 campaign, middle school students learn about the characteristics of great leaders and how to communicate these characteristics when running for office.

Campaigning with Character (11 classrooms)

A very special guide, the Ford family’s cherished dog Liberty, helps pre-K and kindergarten students learn about having good character through the examples of President Gerald R. Ford.

Liberty’s Lessons of Character (7 classrooms)

Ford and Scouting

As the only Eagle Scout to become President, Gerald Ford was involved in Scouting throughout his entire life— first, as a Scout in his youth, and later as a champion for Scouting. The Foundation continues President Ford’s legacy in Scouting by offering citizenship-based merit badge classes and other activities.

In July 2024, in recognition of the centennial year of Ford joining Scouts, the Foundation, in partnership with Scouting America’s Michigan Crossroads Council, relaunched the President Ford Historic Trail in Grand Rapids. This trail includes an eight-mile canoe or kayak trip down the Grand River, a three-mile urban hike, and a special visit to the Museum. Scouts and Scouters who complete the entire trail earn a trial medal and patch. Those who only complete the urban hike and Museum visit earn a patch. Since its relaunch through the end of 2025:

448 Scouts and Scouters (adult volunteers or leaders) completed the trail
389 earned both the trail medal and the patch by completing the canoe trip, hike, and Museum visit.
59 participants earned a patch by completing the hike and Museum visit.
Scouts and Scouters canoed approximately 3,112 miles down the Grand River.
Scouts and Scouters hiked approximately 1,344 miles on the urban trail.

What Scouters are Saying: Responses to the Scouting America Merit Badge Classes Survey, 2024-25

TABLE 3

59% Response Rate

Somewhat or Strongly Agree
My Scout felt welcomed at the Museum.
97%
The merit badge program matched my expectation.
99%
The merit badge program was appropriate for my Scout.
98%
The merit badge program was engaging.
100%
My Scout has a better understanding of civics education.
100%
My Scout has a better understanding of civic values.
100%
My Scout has a better understanding of the importance of character.
100%
My Scout has a better understanding of Gerald Ford.
96%
My Scount has a better understanding of Betty Ford.
86%

In January 2025, a one-of-a-kind, trailblazing Girl Scout program was launched to honor the legacy and impact of Grand Rapids native and former First Lady Betty Ford. Developed in collaboration with the Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, and the Elizabeth B. Ford Charitable Trust, the Betty Ford Patch Program bridges history with the present, inspiring the next generation of change-makers.

The Betty Ford Patch can be earned at the DVLC by Girl Scouts nationwide and at no cost. The program, which incorporates museum exhibits and interactive activities, guides participants through the steps of Discover, Connect, and Take Action – three key components of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. However, each Girl Scout’s journey to earning the patch is unique, as they can select from a range of activities tailored to their grade level.

In this program’s inaugural year in 2025, 143 Girl Scouts earned this special patch.

Betty Ford and Girl Scouts

Other 2025 DVLC Highlights

Hosted the 2025 MiCivics Summit for approximately 40 educators and civics education champions from across Michigan.
In partnership with the Bill of Rights Institute, hosted a special reception for more than 150 teachers after Susan Ford Bales’s keynote address at the 2025 Michigan Council for the Social Studies conference.
Welcomed the Michigan American Legion’s Boys State to the Museum for its 2025 political night.
Calvin Davis works toward his Eagle Scout rank at the DeVos Learning Center.
Calvin Davis works toward his Eagle Scout rank at the DeVos Learning Center.

“My Scouts look forward to their time at the DeVos Learning Center. The citizenship merit badge classes are well-run, well-attended, and lots of fun. Classes are engaging and grounded in the life of Gerald R. Ford. Scouts get plenty of time in the Museum, and each different merit badge class engages Scouts with different parts of the Museum, so they leave learning a lot about President Ford’s life and his public service.”

Parent of three West Michigan Scouts:
Hannah, Noah and Calvin. (Calvin is working to earn his Eagle Scout rank on November 11, 2027, the centennial of young Gerald R. Ford earning the same rank)

-Sharon Davis