Whitman-Hanson Costa Rica Trip Feb 2018

Transcription

1 Whitman-Hanson Costa Rica Trip Feb 2018

2 1) It supports our curriculum 2) It s at the core of our mission 3) Global Awareness Program 4) IT S FUN! Why Travel? MISSION STATEMENT Whitman-Hanson Regional High School provides all students with a high-quality education in order to develop reflective, concerned citizens and contributing members of the global community.

3 The Chaperones Who are we? Bob Davidson History Director Joe Chismar History Teacher Cara Dempsey Spanish Teacher Brian Dukeman Science Teacher Dan Moriarty Science Teacher Amanda Reagan Spanish Teacher Carol Stephansky R.N., New England Medical Center, Floating Hospital Mark Stephansky Science Director Kristen Thomas Foreign Language Director Brian Walsh History Teacher

4 North America Country Number Canada 7 Mexico 7 Caribbean Country Number Bahamas 3 Cuba 1 Central/South America Country Number Peru 4 Argentina 2 Chile 1 Africa Morocco 1 Where have we traveled? Asia Country Number China 4 Japan 1 Singapore 1 South Korea 1 Thailand 1 Cambodia 1 Vietnam 1 Europe Country Number Great Britain 8 Italy 8 Germany 7 Switzerland 7 Austria 7 France 6 Czech Republic 6 Poland 5 Spain 5 Greece 2 Iceland 2 Portugal 2 Turkey 2 Ireland 1 Belgium 1 Hungary 1 Monaco 1 Luxembourg 1 Netherlands 1 Russia 1 Slovakia 1

5 Day 1 Fly to Costa Rica

6 Day 2 Coffee tour in the morning Poás Volcano Arrive in Arenal region in the afternoon Guided hike through the jungle

7 Day 3 Kayaking along Lake Arenal Hike La Fortuna waterfall Arenal Volcano Local exchange

8 Day 4 Monteverde - Green Mountain region Flora & Fauna in 6 ecological zones

9 Day 4 continued: Visit a local farm

10 Day 5 Monteverde Santa Elena Cloud Forest Plant a tree AND

11 Zip line through the rainforest!

12 Day 6 Central Pacific Coast Rainforest Adventures Park aerial tram, hiking, butterfly sanctuary Crocodile boat cruise

13 Day 7 Manuel Antonio National Park Tropical plants and wildlife Rainforest, white-sand beaches and coral reefs Swimming half-day

14 Day 8 Leave Central Pacific Coast Head to San José via Sarchi Optional Excursion: attend a folklore evening *Must sign-up for this before departure.

15 Day 9 Sarapiquí River White water rafting Day 10 Return home

16 COSTS Included in the cost of the trip are the following: Overnight stays in: - San José (3) - Monteverde (2) - Arenal Region(2) - Central Pacific Coast(2) Sightseeing tours lead by our Tour Directors Entrances to the following sites: - Coffee tour - Canopy tour - Guided hike - Aerial tram - Hot springs - Crocodile River tour - Lake Arenal kayaking - Manuel Antonio National Park - Local exchange - Whitewater rafting - Santa Elena Cloud Forest - - La Fortuna waterfall

17 COSTS, cont d Included in the cost of the trip are the following: Three meals per day Airfare Hotel Accommodations Tour Directors (24 hrs) Bus transportation inside Costa Rica NOT included in the cost of the trip are the following: Tips (for tour director, bus driver(s), local guides bus from WH to airport) Spending money & Incidentals Optional Excursions (and transportation to/from) Tip Amount: $122 Consider tipping if you go to the Folklore Evening (approximately $2)

18 A world of support Two full-time EF Staff with us the entire trip 24 hour emergency service

19 Safety and Security EF s Peace of Mind Program What if something happens right before my tour or while we re on tour? Our top priority at all times is the safety and security of our travelers. Our extensive network of offices around the world means we re prepared to handle anything that might affect our tours, no matter how big or small. Please rest assured that we are able to make adjustments to your itinerary until the day you depart or even on-tour. In the past, EF has adjusted in this way: When volcanic ash grounded all European airline travel in 2010 EF extended itineraries for multiple days until flights resumed (including WH) EF has changed hotel locations and itineraries to avoid demonstrations in places like central Athens; even here in the U.S. EF has had to reorganize groups to avoid riots in Baltimore. One group in 2011 was scheduled to go to Egypt when Arab Spring demonstrations erupted. They canceled and scheduled a last minute trip to Japan. While at a layover in Detroit the Tsunami hit Japan. During the layover, they rescheduled AGAIN to France. EF set up all of the hotels, guides, meals, etc. They did everything.

20 Safety and Security 24-hour emergency service When your students are traveling, our emergency service team is available 24-hours a day, ready to answer your call should any situation arise. Travel policies EF s policies are in accordance with the recommendations of the U.S. Department of State, Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.

21 Whitman-Hanson What do we do to ensure safety? Assigned bus Number system for attendance In tight areas, Subway Groups Chaperones have attendance lists with pictures Chaperones are always spread out when going place to place in front, middle, back At airport we take attendance getting on plane Two EF guides with us the entire trip one for each bus Free time Curfew and bed checks

22 EF/Chaperone Contacts (Primary Contacts) Emergency on-tour phones: EF Tours from the US: (follow the prompt for an emergency) EF Tours from abroad: Chaperone emergency phones: Costa Rican Universal Emergency Number: 911 (Equivalent to U.S. 911)

23 U.S. Embassy San José Calle 98 Vía 104, Pavas San José, Costa Rica Phone: (506) Fax: (506)

24 Health & Medical Issues We need to Know Food allergies we need to notify EF Tours ASAP Special diet restrictions EF must know Health issues Prescription medication Is there anything informal/undocumented that we need to know? (e.g. anxiety)

25 Health & Medical Issues You should consider Making an appointment with your PCP or the Travel Clinic Visiting the CDC website vaccine and medicine recommendations

26 Global Travel Protection EF Tours Insurance EF has emergency line to the insurer Cancellation fees if your child is unable to travel due to a medical or family emergency $50,000 of medical costs abroad, including transportation costs, such as an ambulance or a new flight home Your transportation, accommodation, and meals if there is an emergency and you need to go stay with your child Missed portions of the tour if your child must leave the tour early for a medical or family emergency Costs for hotels and meals if a flight is delayed or cancelled for more

27 Passports Must Be signed Be valid for 6 months after return Have at least three blank pages Make 3 copies of your passport One at home One in luggage One to chaperones Boston Passport Agency, (Tip O Neill bldg) Causeway St., Boston Be careful of old passports Parents please have one valid passport

28 EF Tours account information must match your passport exactly First, middle, and last name Date of birth -The information on your EF Tours account will be used to purchase your airline ticket -If the name on your ticket doesn t match your passport exactly, the airline might not let you on the plane -Any name changes made after 10/27/17 will incur a minimum $200 fee in addition to any airline charges

29 Flight Information Copa Airlines We will take two coach busses from WH to Logan meet at WH at 4:45 Pick-up will be at Logan

30 Rooming/Hotels We will do our best to accommodate all rooming requests but it is not a perfect science. Some hotels have doubles, triples or quads (or more) so rooming might vary from hotel to hotel. There is a chance that students may have to share a bed in some hotels (This is very rare but has happened. It is more likely to happen in Costa Rica)

31 Hotel Information

32 Money & Tips ATM/Debit Card Safest Best exchange rates Carry little extra cash Call your bank re: chip and travel notification Colon (1:569.15) check this! Recommendation $15 US per day Students responsible for gifts and incidentals May be unanticipated events Chaperones carry and pay all mandatory tip money (except for the optional excursion)

33 Packing 1 50-lb checked bag, with a carry-on and another personal item (e.g. purse) For more details, visit airline website: Pack for summer weather Plastic trash bag for dirty clothes No porterage on the trip Maybe one nice outfit Bathing suit, towel, Jungle Wear

34 Check with your carrier Beware of unintentional costs Maybe short term international plan Notoriously unreliable Free Wifi apps WhatsApp Viber FaceTime Skype Cell Phones/Communication

35 Follow on Twitter and WHGlobalTravel

36 A Typical Day on Tour A tour, not a vacation Get on the Bus! Structured time vs. free time Europe vs. Costa Rica A lot of FUN!

37 Athletics

38 Etiquette

39 Have fun Be silly Be goofy BUT REMEMBER Behavior This is a school trip, and school rules apply Luggage/Carry-on subject to search Swimming (with chaperone permission only) Disregard for safety and/or inappropriate conduct (e.g. shoplifting or the use of alcohol or drugs) will get you sent home at your family s expense

40 Semester 2 is starting next week. We returned incomplete teacher permission forms when you arrived tonight. Please get the necessary signatures and return to a chaperone ASAP. All signed forms are due by Friday, January 26.

41 Laundry Electricity Gifts Journaling School on Monday This will be a great trip! Miscellaneous

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43 QUESTIONS? Tour information: EFTOURS.COM Tour #: PH

44 Q & A Will we be able to do laundry in Costa Rica? A: Don t count on it. Plan for 10 days without laundry service. Should students bring cash? A: Students can bring cash, debit/atm card, or a credit card. We suggest using an ATM card as we ve found it to be the safest way to carry/get money, and ATM machines tend to have the best exchange rates. Should we bring over the counter medications or will the nurse have them? A: The nurse will carry some over the counter medicine, but will not have enough to supply everyone. If you know you will need to take something, bring it with you. Talk to your pediatrician, especially with respect to diarrhea. Will we need a converter or adaptor? A: You will not need a converter as the voltage is the same, but you might need an adaptor. If you have a 3-prong device, you will need a 3-prong to 2-prong adaptor.

45 Q & A at pre-departure meeting 1/18/18 Are students supposed to supply list of over-the-counter medicines? Answer: Students should have already submitted medication information on the parent permission slip. Any over-the-counter medications, such Tylenol, Motrin, Imodium, creams for bug bites, Benadryl, etc should be carried by students. What time does the return flight arrive in Boston? Answer: Our return flight lands at 6:15 PM at Logan Airport. Students should be picked-up at the airport. If alternate arrangements are made, parents/guardians must write a note giving permission for the student to leave without an adult. Can students take the shuttle from Logan to Braintree? Answer: Yes, the principal has given permission for this. There must be a parent note giving permission for the student to leave the airport without an adult. Have you ever flown Copa Air? Answer: No, but EF uses them a lot.

46 Can we use American dollars in Costa Rica? Answer: It depends on the vendor. You may have to exchange with a fee. Will a debit card work in place of an ATM card? Answer: Yes, just make sure to let your bank know ahead of time that you will be travelling outside of the US. Also, some vendors may only accept cash. Do students have to know the conversion of dollar to Colones? Answer: When withdrawing money, students will be shown amounts in colones on the screen. They might have an option to see the conversion into US dollars. It is safest to do a rough conversions in their heads or have done the conversion before going to the ATM. Should tip money be in local or American currency? Answer: Tip money for optional excursions can be in colones or dollars. What kind of shoes should students wear for white water rafting? Answer: It is a good idea to pack sneakers and water shoes (or a second pair of sneakers in case the first pair gets wet. Do you have to check your bag? Answer: No, it is up to you. However, remember that we are travelling as one large group and not checking your bag will not save you any time in the airport. We move together.

47 Can students pack liquids in their carry-on? Answer: Yes, but it must not exceed the 3.4 ounce limit. For further details, please see the following: Do we have the plane to ourselves? Answer: No. This is a commercial airline with other passengers. Do we know roommates/rooms? Answer: Not yet, we will find out hotel rooming information en route to each new location and will make rooming decisions based upon the specifics provided by each hotel. Is DEET illegal in Costa Rica? Answer: No, but it is very expensive. We would recommend that you pack bug spray. Are the plugs different in Costa Rica? Answer: You will not need a converter as the voltage is the same, but you might need an adaptor. If you have a 3-prong device, you will need a 3-prong to 2-prong adaptor. Will there be bathrooms in the middle of the jungle? Answer: We won t know the location of bathrooms until we get there but there will most likely be restroom facilities because we are going to tourist areas.

48 What is security like after bed check? Answer: Chaperones stay in rooms in the same hallways as the students. There is a front desk and security at all of the hotels with which EF works. What should students write for the tour name on the luggage tag? Answer: Whitman-Hanson Should students use the EF backpack? Answer: It is up to each student if you choose to use the backpack on the trip or not.