Memorandum To: Dr. Deb Leh, Superintendent From: Brad Zilliox, Secondary Principal CC: Kelly Moran Date: 6/2/2014 Re: Costa Rica International Club Trip 2014-15 Please accept my recommendation for our International Club to sponsor a trip to Costa Rica during the 2014-15 school year, specifically March 27 to April 2. Kelly Moran is the lead advisor and has developed a trip that incorporates both educational and volunteer experiences for our students. Please see the attached information and schedule from Prometour, which contains specifics about the trip. We feel this trip will provide yet another chance for our students to travel outside of the country and utilize their foreign language skills. We are seeking approval early to begin the fundraising process as soon as possible. Thanks for your consideration and ongoing support. 1
COSTA RICA HUMANITARIAN AND BLACK HERITAGE HOMESTAY WHEATLAND CHILI 7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS TRAVEL DATES: March 27- APRIL 2, 2015
DAY 1: TRAVEL TO COSTA RICA (D) Friday, March 27, 2015 Board your flight headed to San Jose's Juan Santa Maria International Airport Your local bilingual Prométour Tour Director will greet you at the airport upon arrival Transfer to your hotel in La Guàcima de Alajuéla, a small village 18 miles northwest of San José and about ten minutes away from the airport Enjoy dinner with your group at the hotel (Rancho Lodge or similar) DAY 2: SAN JOSE / MORAVIA (B/L/D) Saturday, March 28, 2015 Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before heading to San José, the Capital of Costa Rica, for a guided city tour. You ll be able to see some of the most popular attractions such as the Plaza de la Cultura, the Plaza de Democracia and have a chance to practice your Spanish by bargaining with the local vendors Next, travel to Moravia and discover its African history Return to Alajuela for lunch This afternoon, visit a local school to discover the Costa Rican School life then lace up your shoes and challenge your new friends to a friendly futbol match Tonight you will meet your host families. Dinner and overnight accommodation with your host family DAY 3: ALAJUELA (B/L/D) Sunday, March 29, 2015 Enjoy breakfast at with your host family before doing community work at a local school Public Schools always need help to give students a better place to study! Painting some classrooms or fixing a roof can change the face of the school and give the children more motivation to study. They also appreciate any school supplies brought in by their benefactors Enjoy lunch (included) This afternoon, Experience some arts and entertainment of Costa Rica by taking part in a local dance class Return to your host families home for dinner and overnight accommodation DAY 4: PUERTO VIEJO LIMON (B/L/D) Monday, March 30, 2015 Enjoy breakfast with your host family before heading to your exciting adventure of the day Take a Canopy Tour, without a doubt a healthy release of adrenaline and an incredible immersion in nature. Have lunch in a local restaurant before taking a Black Heritage tour Check-in to your hotel and enjoy dinner and overnight accommodation (Casa de las Flores or similar)
DAY 5: PUERTO VIEJO LIMON / ALAJUELA (B/L/D) Tuesday, March 31, 2015 Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before visiting the Manzanillo Wild Refuge - A unique collaboration between local communities and the national park system, this reserve is home to rain forest, gorgeous beaches, coral reefs, and swamps. Wildlife in the refuge includes three species of dolphins, manatees, crocodiles and caiman, monkeys, sloths, snakes, and many species of birds Have lunch in a local restaurant Time to go Horse Back riding for horse-lovers and those who wish to enjoy the most fascinating scenery in the Arenal conservation Area. The horseback ride is the perfect combination to your canopy adventure Check-in to your hotel upon arrival and enjoy dinner and overnight accommodation (Rancho Lodge or similar) DAY 6: ALAJUELA POAS / ORPHANAGE VISIT (B/L/D) Wednesday, April 1, 2015 Enjoy breakfast at your hotel Transfer to Poas Volcano - considered the largest active crater in the world, is about 1.6 km wide and 320 meters deep, with frequent geyser-like eruptions. Lake Botos fills an extinct crater at the end of one trail and is home to many cloud forest birds like hummingbirds, tanagers, and the quetzal Enjoy your included lunch Transfer to the local EBAIS. This local health care teams provide integral care and services to the communities physical, social, and psychological health needs. Most often EBAIS in Costa Rica are small clinics in the communities. Their objective is to prevent the people from going to hospitals by administering primary care. These places are public but do not receive help. They need painting, reconstruction, improvement and so on Enjoy a farewell dinner with your group before sharing the stories of your travel adventures around a Camp fire DAY 7: RETURN HOME (B) Thursday, April 2, 2015 After a final breakfast, transfer to the airport Say a fond Hasta Luego to your Prométour Tour Director and board your flight home.
PRICE PER PERSON SHEET This is a privately operated tour - you will not be combined with another group! PRICE PER PERSON 23 to 27 paying participants $ 1839 18 to 22 paying participants $ 1905 13 to 17 paying participants $ 1995 Adult Activity Supplement Hotel Twin Room Guarantee Supplement Hotel Single Room Guarantee Supplement $ 70 per person $240 per person $480 per person PAYMENT SCHEDULE $500 per person June 30, 2014 $500 per person August 10, 2014 $500 per person September 10, 2014 $500 per person November 10, 2014 Balance January 10, 2015 TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR EASY ONLINE MONTHLY INSTALLMENT AVAILIBLE ONLINE NO RISK TO REGISTER! We encourage participants to register early in order to take advantage of low manageable monthly payments. All funds are placed IN TRUST until the trip has been confirmed to have reached the minimum required participation to travel and has received Board Approval. If this is not achieved payment will be 100% refunded. Only once the group is confirmed, will the regular Terms & Conditions be applied. PRICE INCLUDES: TRAVELGUARD Insurance: BASIC Group Program covering group dates of travel (Emergency Medical and Cancellation & Interruption) Roundtrip airfare* NYC / SJO / NYC Costa Rica departure tax ($30 USD) Associated ground transportation costs while in Costa Rica 2 nights multiple occupancy (2 & 3 per family) with carefully selected Costa Rican Host Families 4 nights multiple occupancy (3/4 per room with private bath) in quality hotels 6 Breakfasts / 5 Lunches / 6 Dinners (includes one beverage and a vegetarian option) All aforementioned visits, activities, tours and admissions Service of a dynamic professional Prometour Tour Director Two (2) complimentary trips for chaperones................... NOTES *AIRLINE FUEL SURCHARGE Airlines have the legal right to impose fuel surcharges to tickets even after bookings have been made. In the event of a significant change, Prometour may be required to revise the final price of your tour 60 days prior to your departure. Departure taxes and Airline fuel surcharges at time of this quote = $245 (already included in these prices) PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE: TRAVELGUARD - Optional Insurance Program Upgrade DELUXE Program ($5 per day, per person) Basic Package + additional benefit and higher coverage ULTIMATE Program ($15 per day, per person) Deluxe Package + No- Reason Cancellation & Job Loss Protection Not eligible to NY, PA & WA state residents Applicable airline baggage charges according to their policies Meals as indicated in the daily program Recommended tips for your Prometour Tour Director ($3 USD per day, per person) Recommended tips for your Bus Driver (s) ($2 USD per day, per person) Tips for hotel porter or cleaning service & local guides at activities is at your discretion Personal spending money................... Date of quote: May 30, 2014 These prices are valid until: June 30, 2014 Your Prométour Tour Project Manager: Tia Gourrier **A contribution to the Compensation Fund for Customers of Travel Agents has been included in the cost of your services as set by the Quebec Consumer Protection Office ($2/$1000) www.opc.gouv.qc.ca