Working with a local company means the best in competitive pricing! The land portion of the trip is through Elemento Natural and the air portion is through group reservation direct sales, but you pay the school only.
Once the airline's deadline to add/omit passengers has passed (usually two months after initial deposit) monies cannot be refunded. Official names on the airline roster are not due until 30 days prior to departure, so passengers may be exchanged, just not added or omitted. Participating families pay Woodlawn directly. The school does not profit from these trips and chaperones do not collect a stipend.
Cash tip money for all the local guides is also collected prior to departure and separate from the money paid to the school.
Cancellations:
If a participant has to pull out after paying a $500 deposit, $250 may be recouped if the cancellation occurs within 30 days. If the cancellation happens after the 30 day time period and the airline initial payment date, the $500 may not be refunded. If a cancellation happens 60 days prior to departure, monies cannot be refunded unless the family secures a replacement traveler. With the school's help, finding a traveler to take the place of cancelled spot is the best way to recoup money paid down on the trip.
Trip Logistics:
These trips are educational, and catered to teens and adults. They are fast paced and full of activity! Elemento Natural works with the school lead chaperone for months on itinerary details and really caters the tour to our students.
Traveling abroad is thrilling but can also be over stimulating in the best way. It's important students drink plenty of water, eat breakfast, get good sleep, and simply practice healthy habits before and during the trip in order to keep up the immune system.
While in the destination country, students are encouraged to keep a journal noting new or surprising things they have noticed or learned. As a group, we aim to have nightly meetings so that students are allowed time to reflect on the day's activities and prepare for the next day.
Some trips have a service component, school visit, or experience with an indigenous community while others have an eco-education focus with visits to coffee plantations and organic farms. No matter the adventure, Woodlawn participants are directly benefiting the local communities we visit due to our partnership with Elemento Natural!
Parents are welcome to attend and may opt in / out of daily activities at their discretion. Parent travelers have NO chaperone duties, and their child still must report to teacher chaperone.
Siblings of WL students are welcome to attend, but should still fall in the age requirements.
Student Conduct:
Positive attitude and flexibility are qualities we seek from all travelers. These trips are AUTHENTIC and fun, but busy! Students attend 3 preparation meetings leading up to departure. During this time, students are guided in expectations, packing, and daily logistics while traveling. All students sign a Behavior Contract and are expected to follow rules of conduct with SAFETY and RESPECT as non-negotiables.
Student travelers sign up with the expectation of attending all group activities each day of the trip (illness would be the only exception.) These trips are very active and fun. Most trips are open to students in grades 8-12 due to the pace and physicality of being away from home and on the move daily.
A Few Rules:
Cell phones should be left behind in the hotel rooms each day. The risk of the phone landing in water, being lost, or stolen because it was left lying around is too high. Chaperones help students to make phone calls home in the evenings. Our 24 Tour Director (Alonso) carries his cell phone with him at all times.
Computers and videogaming devices are not allowed.
Students must stay in groups of 3 at all times - even when going to the restroom.
Students must be in eyesight of a Woodlawn chaperone at all times. Students may not open the hotel room door to anyone not in the WL group. Students must stay in their rooms after curfew. Students room in groups of 2 - 4 depending upon the hotel / lodging space.
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