FAQ
- What's included in the price of the educational tour?
- For what age groups are these educational tours appropriate?
- At what time of year do you run these educational tours?
- When is the best time to start organizing an educational tour?
- How flexible is Jumpstreet with changes to the proposed itinerary you sent me?
- Will Jumpstreet make knowledgeable suggestions about itinerary modifications?
- What is the ideal number of students to bring on an educational tour?
- What is the ideal number of adult chaperons?
- What happens if not enough students sign up and I have to cancel?
- What can I do to recruit more participants?
- If our student numbers are small can we "hook-up" with another group?
- I saw "X" in another company's brochure, can you do that for me?
- How much of the focus language will we be using on our tour to Quebec?
- What should we pack for our trip?
- What documents are required for American visitors to Canada?
- How much can I buy in Canada/US without paying duty taxes on our way home?
- How do I communicate with Jumpstreet?
- Why do you hire night security instead of making use of teachers/parents?
- What type of relationship with schools/parents group works best during the planning phase?
1. What's included in the price of the educational tour?
We're glad you asked!
- Transportation by luxury motorcoach (train or air as required)
- Accommodations as per your budget
- Breakfasts and dinners
- All activities
- Your Jumpstreet tour leader
- One complimentary trip for a teacher/chaperone for every ten students (or as required)
- Private night security guard (hall monitor)
- $25,000,000 in liability insurance
- Customized itineraries
- Jumpstreet tour planning information kit and posters
- 24 hour emergency support (while you're on tour)
- Bilingual and multilingual guides
- Your money placed in a bonded trust account
- Jumpstreet Tour Planner online
- Optional medical and/or cancellation insurance
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2. For what age groups are these educational tours appropriate?
From middle through to high school, although programs may be adapted for elementary school as well.
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3. At what time of year do you run these educational tours?
We run our tours year round, however they most commonly take place from January through June.
4. When is the best time to start organizing an educational tour?
In our experience the average tour organizer initiates the process six to nine months before the actual tour dates. However some like to have more time and some less.
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5. How flexible is Jumpstreet with changes to the proposed itinerary you sent me?
Jumpstreet has been planning customized tours for 18 years. We are very flexible and positive to the changes you wish to make to your program. Student destinations get very busy at certain times during the school year, thus supplier availability may limit our flexibility. Therefore, please review and fine-tune your itinerary early in the planning stages. Also keep in mind that the price of the tour is based on the number of participants and on the content of the program. This is another reason to make any changes to the proposal as early as possible.
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6. Will Jumpstreet make knowledgeable suggestions about itinerary modifications?
Yes! Our office staff members are active tour leaders to the destinations you will visit. They have eaten in the restaurants you will eat in, they have slept in the hotels you will sleep in, and they have tried the activities and led tours in the cities you will tour. This enables your tour consultants to give you insightful guidance throughout your tour planning stages.
7. What is the ideal number of students to bring on an educational tour?
Try to fill your motorcoach as the motorcoach is your biggest tour expense. Motorcoaches typically have either a 47 or 55 seat capacity. Remember to leave seats available for yourself, your chaperons, and the tour leader (This rule applies on a per motorcoach basis). 20 or more students should be adequate to ensure an affordable educational-tour product. With less than 20 students tour prices may become cost-prohibitive. Multiple-motorcoach movements are totally manageable and fun.
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8. What is the ideal number of adult chaperons?
One adult chaperon per ten students is totally acceptable.
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9. What happens if not enough students sign up and I have to cancel?
There are no registration fees, the only risk is our combined time and energy. If we venture naught, we gain naught.
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10. What can I do to recruit more participants?
The flexible nature of Jumpstreet allows you to pursue various options to overcome this challenge. We offer combo tours so that French and Spanish teachers can join efforts and expose their students to multicultural experiences. Make the tour available to a wider pool of participants. For example, some teachers invite parents and other community members to join in on the fun and bring the cost of the tour down for everyone.
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11. If our student numbers are small can we "hook-up" with another group?
Yes of course. However finding a compatible school may be very challenging. As these are motorcoach tours (largely), you would need to find a school from your community or a school en-route.
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12. I saw "X" in another company's brochure, can you do that for me?
As long as you are talking about a destination that we visit, we can do anything that is available. However, as a result of our 20 years experience there may be some services which we do not recommend.
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13. How much of the focus language will we be using on our tour to Quebec?
As much or as little as you wish. It really depends upon the capacity of your students and their willingness to participate. Keep in mind that even for upper-level second language students critical info (meeting times etc.) should be delivered in their mother tongue.
Make sure you carry everything you need before the hotel check in with you on the coach! This includes your wallet, travel papers, a watch, and a copy of the final itinerary. The key to successful packing for travel in North America is to dress in layers. Your top priorities are to keep warm and dry while being comfortable! With this in mind, here is a suggested list of what to pack:
* 1 pair of jeans
* 1 pair of nicer pants/skirt for dinner
* T-shirt/long sleeve shirts
* Socks
* Underwear
* Personal toiletries (toothbrush, contact lens solution, etc.)
* A pillow for the motorcoach, especially if you are travelling overnight
* A watch so that meeting times can easily be remembered
* Camera and film
* Passport and Identification (keep travel documents in your carry-on bag!)
* Canadian/US currency
* If you are staying in a youth hostel, please bring a towel
IF YOU ARE TRAVELLING THIS WINTER:
The temperature in Quebec from December to the end of March varies between five degree Fahrenheit and 25 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 25 degrees Celsius to minus ten degrees Celsius). Bringing appropriate winter gear is essential to being safe and having fun while on tour. Please don't leave home without:
* Warm and water resistant winter boots
* Long Underwear
* Winter gear like: warm and water resistant winter coat and snow pants
* Winter stuff like hats, 1-2 pairs of gloves, scarves, wool socks, etc.
* 1 warm sweater
IF YOU ARE TRAVELLING DURING MILDER SEASONS:
* 1 raincoat/windbreaker
* Comfortable walking shoes
* Shorts and bathing suit
* Sunscreen and water bottle
* Sunglasses
PACK LIGHT!
Everything should fit in ONE BAG and you should be able to easily carry your own luggage!
Make sure you carry everything you need before the hotel check in with you on the coach! This includes your wallet, travel papers, a watch, and a copy of the final itinerary.
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15. What documents are required for American visitors to Canada?
Recent global events have encouraged immigration & customs services to be more vigilant. If your tour brings you across the Canada-US border, all students and chaperones must carry proof of citizenship AND a picture Identity card. Many students do not have a picture ID card until they are 16. Why not create some school photo ID's? With a digital photo, school letterhead and laminating paper, you can make school picture ID cards with your students! Passports are required if you are crossing an international border.
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16. How much can I buy in Canada/US without paying duty taxes on our way home?
After at least 48 hours of absence, residents of the US and Canada can return home with 200$ worth of goods purchased in the neighbouring country without paying any duties. This amount is increased to 750$ for Canadians after spending at least 7 days in the United States.
Please call us using the toll free number from anywhere in Canada and the United States: 1-800-663-4956. Email yourteam@jumpstreet.com if this more convenient for you. Our office hours are Monday to Friday beginning at 9 am and ending 5 pm (Eastern Time).
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18. Why do you hire night security instead of making use of teachers/parents?
Jumpstreet Tours were leaders in hiring private night time security and this has become an industry standard. The benefits are substantial for the students, the chaperons, the tour leader and thus, also for the parents at home. The students are instructed to stay in their room all night and the presence of the security guard enables the chaperons to get some rest. It's important that the adults get a good night's rest, because they ensure the supervision of the students during the day.
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19. What type of relationship with schools/parents group works best during the planning phase?
Jumpstreet is very flexible and will shape the tour planning relationship to your needs. Our experience has been that the best type of relationship is one where there is only one contact person from your group which handles all of the communication with our tour consultants. This contact funnels the questions, suggestions and needs of a tour planning committee at the school. Get some help! Many teachers have benefited from delegating to and accepting the help of dedicated colleagues, parents and students.