Europe Trip Frequently Asked Questions

We would like to be kept up to date on any additional information that is not posted on the web.
 The Explorica web site and the CLP web site are always your best sources of information. We will contact you via email to remind you about upcoming meetings or events. Information will also be sent home with your student.

Are there any fund raisers for this trip?
Unfortunately we (the teacher chaperones) will not be planning any structured fund raisers. Some parents have come forward in the past to help organize these events and that may be the case again this year.

Is there a meeting for parents’ questions prior to the Sept 1 deadline?
September 1 isn’t exactly a deadline – its just when there is a price increase.
There will not be a meeting before September 1

My son said they would be allowed to go with a friend or two to lunch on their own, how is this supervised?
When we get into a town, we usually do a walking tour of the central area. During this walking tour we set the boundaries for lunch time. At lunch students group into triples or quads (depending on our determination of the area and the recommendation of our Explorica Tour Director). We review the boundaries that they must stay in, establish a meeting point and time, make recommendations about where to eat and tell the students where the chaperones will be eating lunch. All groups will have a walkie-talkie with them during lunch as well as the chaperone.

Who are the other sponsors besides Mr. Denise and Mr. Jewett are going?
We will have at least one and most likely two female chaperones attending the trip. These chaperones will be CLP teachers. Ms. Bredehoft has chaperoned previous trips.

Are parents allowed to go?
Parents may not go on the Explorica trip. We have had parents in Europe at the same time as their student, but we have found that it is best to have limited, if any contact with your student during the trip. We keep a very busy schedule and parents trying to go along with their students is not a good idea.

What about meeting up with parents at either end of the trip?
This a great way to spend some time with your student in Europe. If you want to meet your student at the end of the tour you will need to request a “stay behind” package at the time of your sign up. Please contact Explorica for more information on this and to make arrangements.

What is the student to sponsor ratio required/expected?
Student/chaperone ratio is usually 7 to 1, although it may be slightly more or slightly less. Since we know all the students who go first hand, we are very comfortable with this ratio. Explorica does not “require” any particular ratio, although a ratio of 9 to 1 or higher would be questioned.

What is your experience of traveling with students to Europe at this age?
This is our 4th Europe trip with CLP students. Previous trips traveled to Great Britain/Ireland (2004), Italy (2005), Spain (2006) and Germany (2007). This is our third year contracting with Explorica and we were extremely happy with this company last year.

In addition to the CLP teacher chaperones, Explorica provides a full time tour director who handles the details and local interactions throughout the whole tour. He or she travels with us during the entire trip, stays at our hotels and is available 24/7. Our Explorica tour director last year was absolutely fantastic, interacted with the kids great and was extremely experienced (he had led over 50 tours before). Our Explorica tour director is always fluent in both the local language and in English. In addition to the Tour Director we have a private bus assigned to us and a full time bus driver who is available 24/7.

Additionally Mr. Jewett and Mr. Denise have traveled extensively throughout Europe and Mr. Denise grew up in Ireland. Prior to the Europe trip Mr. Denise and Mr. Jewett chaperoned the PSD trip to Washington DC for 8th and 9th graders for a number of years.

I have traveled to Europe but when I was a senior in high school. Is there an advantage or disadvantage of going at this younger age?
Answer coming soon

Please advise regarding the deposit and do you have any idea of the cost after Aug. 31? If the deposit and sign up are complete prior to Aug. 31, does the current quote apply?
Once you have the deposit in you are locked into that price. You will not be affected by normal Explorica price increases.