socaliforniamagistra

Posted on 8/17/09

It's nice to hear positive feedback concerning student tour
companies. I think we all need to start looking at the smaller
companies for better service and educational content.

After traveling with the three of the large companies, our school
has also found a wonderful company, (LEAD USA leaddiscoveryusa.com)
that works with our standards and my teaching plan to design
itineraries from scratch with hands-on activities. We (a public
school) were recommended to them from a local Lutheran school that
has traveled with them for a few years.

LEAD usually includes an historic character as a dinner guest and
after dinner speaker. (The past two years we have had Thomas
Jefferson join us in Williamsburg.)

In the past, we have reenactments scheduled as well as a Civil War
Adventure Camp called Pamplin Park (we chose the full day and not
the overnight). We also had an on-site archeology program in
Jamestown and an Underground Railroad program in Pennsylvania.

They make arrangements with all the places to have pre-trip
curriculum materials like 'trunks' and teaching plans sent to us.

And the food is great! We have never received coupons at food
courts, in fact, we hardly do any fast food! My kids particularly
love eating in a fine, French restaurant in Washington, DC before
we go to Ford's Theatre.

The nicest part is that the tour designer or tour guide visits our
school to conduct an introductory meeting for parents to describe
the trip as well as a meeting for parents and students a week or so
before we travel.

They also include all the fees and insurance in their price, and
although it may seem expensive to the parents at first, after
getting 'bids' from other companies and then adding in all their
extra fees, LEAD was cheaper! (My parents were royally ripped-off
by two companies that charged a lot of extra money right before we
traveled.)

They are also responsive 24/7, but as we have guide with us
throughout the trip, she always handles any 'situations'. (Our
flight was cancelled at the last minute due to weather and air
traffic problems, and our guide got us rescheduled immediately and
stayed at the airport until we took off. I didn't even have to pick
up a phone to call the office.)

So obviously, I recommend LEAD USA.

8/16/09, Carol wrote:
> As a private school Board member for 6 years, and as someone who
> has had the privilege of being part of several trips to D.C.
> organized by Class Act Tours (www.ClassActTours.com), I can
> affirm that Class Act Tours does so much more than merely "skim
> the surface." The firm's creative approach to learning is
> seamlessly integrated with times for fun and relaxation, and the
> students are able to integrate the information in the
> well-prepared trip curriculum with what they are experiencing
> each day.
>
> What I was most impressed with from Class Act Tours is the total
> accessibility that each group had with their tour coordinator.
> Being able to have 24-hour access to an attentive and responsive
> member of the Class Act Tours team (even on a holiday weekend!)
> gives 100% peace of mind to teachers and administrators on the
> trip.
>
> I'd highly recommend Class Act Tours to any group who is looking
> to ensure the maximum value, both educationally and financially,
> of a trip for their students.
>
>
>

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