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Fieldtrips Chatboard

Let Me Learn English Language Camp for ESL Students!

by Let Me Learn English

Apr 29, 2009

Are you looking for a FUN way for your students to learn English?

This year Let Me Learn is proud to annouce Let Me Learn English Residential Camps in the UK!

These fun filled camps allow you to learn English while exploring tourist attractions in the UK, playing sports and meeting new friends. The camp is designed to offer the v...See More

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Explorica

by Maria

Apr 29, 2009

Hi everybody I am a Spanish teacher and I am planing a trip to Mexico for 2010 for my 8th grade students. Does anybody knows if Explorica is a good option?Please I really apreciate any feed back or comments about this company. Thank you so much Maria

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terreeteau.ca Hey Solomon,

I respectfully disagree with your suggestion that it is important to travel with a large, well-known company. If anything, this chat board makes a strong case to avoid these monoliths and their inhumane practices (see Explorica vs. EF).

In Canada, travel companies (regardless of size) are registered and hold their cl...See More

May 27, 2009

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instructours On 5/27/09, terreeteau.ca wrote: > Hey Solomon, > > I respectfully disagree with your suggestion that it is > important to travel with a large, well-known company. If > anything, this chat board makes a strong case to avoid these > monoliths and their inhumane practices (see Explorica vs. EF). > > In Canada, travel companies...See MoreOn 5/27/09, terreeteau.ca wrote: > Hey Solomon, > > I respectfully disagree with your suggestion that it is > important to travel with a large, well-known company. If > anything, this chat board makes a strong case to avoid these > monoliths and their inhumane practices (see Explorica vs. EF). > > In Canada, travel companies (regardless of size) are registered > and hold their clients' funds in trust. In the event of a > bankruptcy or fraud, the victims can be reimbursed by a separate > fund. Hopefully, in light of the recent Voyager episode, > legislation will be passed in the US to ensure no other clients > are victimized. > DT

Most school administrators, teachers, and parents don't know about the Seller of Travel Laws throughout the United States and Canada. California has one of the strictest, as well as a restitution fund. One should check to see if the tour operator or travel agency has the right to solicit business from a particular state regardless of where the office is. These seller of travel numbers should be on the tour operator's literature as well as website. Failure to display them is an punishable offense.

I have found recently that some companies (including a very large, established one)have not registered as a Seller of Travel where necessary. Others have been using out-dated numbers. Therefore they are not compliant with the laws of the respective states and provinces; simply put, they are operating in those states illegally.

Current licenses and liability insurance certificates should always be requested by the school, teachers, and parents. If the company cannot produce one, find another to travel with.

Most of the large student tour operators are self-insured or own their insurance companies, which is not in the best interest of the travelers (students)in case of catastrophic occurances i.e. September 11th.

I agree with DT that the smaller companies are much better. Their service is usually more customer responsive and of greater overall value than the large companies that are burdened with tremendous overheads requiring huge profit margins.

Jul 7, 2009

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Arrival time in Paris - Explorica

by Joe Pa

May 1, 2009

I have taken many trips with students. Both with CHA and Explorica. My last 3 with Explorica. I must say I have been pretty happy with them. My group of 49 is starting in Paris and ending in Rome. Just got our flight info and we they have us flying to Rome first then connecting to Paris. I am used to round about arrivals however by the time we get ...See More

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Teachers.Net Gazette presents educational travel column

by Kathleen - Teachers.Net

May 6, 2009

Every month in the Teachers.Net Gazette, travel specialist Josette Bonofino addresses teachers' questions about educational travel with students in her Global Travel Guru column.

May '09 topics:

Mayan Sites and Paris Easy on the Purse [link removed])

To read Bonofino's earlier column, just click on "Archive" under her ph...See More

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High School Biology Field Trips

by Biochick

May 8, 2009

I will be teaching some high school students biology for a few weeks this summer. I would appreciate some suggestions for places to go, things to do.

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carolb We have THE most extraordinary field trip for biology/marine biology. We are a group of educators that focus on the feast of flora, fauna, marine habitat of Puerto Rico. The professional studies are available through an exposure program specifically geared for high school students with the University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez. Check us out today!! Yo...See More

Apr 8, 2011

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Gail Check out Hawaii, Bay of Fundy and Costa Rica with Experiential Education. Science tab. The Hawaii program is done in collaboration with the University in Hilo. They can customize anything you want. They are also NSTA providers.

On 4/08/11, carolb wrote: > We have THE most extraordinary field trip for biology/marine > biology. We are...See More

Apr 11, 2011

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South Carolina State Parks 75th Anniversary

by Sarah Stashuk

May 9, 2009

Have you seen this site about the South Carolina State Parks 75th anniversary? There are events going on all year, offering great ideas for student field trips.

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Planning a trip with Voyageur?

by Laurie F

May 11, 2009

I'm planning a tour with Voyageur for next year but haven't been able to contact them lately. Does anyone have any info as to how to contact them or have any inside info as to what might be going on?

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Nichole I'm not a teacher but was doing an internet search on Voyageur and bankruptcy. My niece's school decided to book a trip through Voyageur and I decided I wanted to spend some quality time with her and take a great trip. So...since March 2008 more than 20 of us have been making monthly/quarterly payments on a trip that costs over $3,000 per person (t...See More

May 14, 2009

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Rebecca On 5/14/09, Rebecca wrote: > On 5/14/09, P_M wrote: >> On 5/14/09, Rebecca wrote: >>> On 5/14/09, Wayne Schenk wrote: >>>> On 5/13/09, Cathryn Mezynski wrote: >>>>> On 5/13/09, P_M wrote: >>>>>> On 5/11/09, Laurie F wrote: >>>>>>> I'm planning a tour with Voyageur f...See More

May 14, 2009

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Mariden

by Ann

May 12, 2009

Be aware of the difference between Mariden USA and Mariden Canada. Expect problems if booking through Canada. They are totally disorganised and will leave you regretting you ever booked with them.

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Jean On 5/14/09, Cari wrote: > I wish I could take a survey concerning how much preparation > these complaining teachers did for their tours. How many > meetings do they have with their students and their parents? > How much do these teachers actually know about international > travel? Do these teachers & students actually know a fore...See MoreOn 5/14/09, Cari wrote: > I wish I could take a survey concerning how much preparation > these complaining teachers did for their tours. How many > meetings do they have with their students and their parents? > How much do these teachers actually know about international > travel? Do these teachers & students actually know a foreign > language?...or has the extent of their international > experience just been to Disneyworld? > I have been on some tours where football coaches were the > chaperones. On other tours, some of the teachers recruited > random students throughout the school for a "senior class > trip". Those teachers and students had no business going on > educational tours like these. These students were not > prepared one bit for what they were about to see in Europe. > They were better off going on a cruise ship vacation > somewhere in the ocean. Europe is NOT Disneyworld. Europe is > old and crowded, and American students need some proper > orientation in order to appreciate international cultures. > > My trips are called educational tours NOT SUMMER > VACATIONS. The key to a successful trip is preparation. I > spend literally years getting my students ready for these > trips. Language acquisition, videos, meetings, and research > play an important part in preparation. My students must prove > to me that they can speak the language and appreciate the > European culture for what it is, not for what they want it to > be. After all, isn't that why we travel in the first > place....to see another culture for what it truly is?! > > I alert my students, in advance, that there will be > frustrations, delays, rain, uncooperative "foreign people", > and hotels that are different from ours. And, Europeans don't > necessarily speak English. That is why it is > called "international travel"...so get over it. > > > Yes I agree but what do you do when there is no meal booked for you for dinner as has happened with Mariden or the hotels are not 3 or 4 star as advertised and you get a roll and coffee for breakfast. > > > > > > > > > > > On 5/12/09, Ann wrote: >> Be aware of the difference between Mariden USA and Mariden >> Canada. Expect problems if booking through Canada. They >> are totally disorganised and will leave you regretting you >> ever booked with them.

Jun 29, 2009

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Cari Hello Jean:

Have you ever traveled with student travel companies? yes...There are going to be bumps in the road. However, you sound as if you are not speaking from personal experience with Mariden. You sound as if you are talking about someone else's experience....I think. Your words are so general that it is difficult where you got your ...See MoreHello Jean:

Have you ever traveled with student travel companies? yes...There are going to be bumps in the road. However, you sound as if you are not speaking from personal experience with Mariden. You sound as if you are talking about someone else's experience....I think. Your words are so general that it is difficult where you got your info. About the failure to "book" a restaurant....All I am saying is that any company tour guide worth his/her salt always telephones the restaurants in advance of the meal...sometimes 12 to 24 hours notice. This practice assures everyone that the meal will be ready when the group arrives. Your vague references sound fishy to me. By the way, some travel companies are so large (EF for ex.)that they herd about three or four student groups into one restaurant every evening from 6 to 8 p.m.....then, I have heard about(and experienced) major delays in seating and eating times. In addition, there are plenty of travel companies out there who advertise that their hotels are 3 and 4 star, but sadly these hotels seem barely 2 stars. Please remember, European hotels may say 3 and 4 star, but they are NOTHING like the rating system here in the U.S. My advice to you is to go with ACIS and NETC ( the $$$$ companies), because you will be assured of better hotels and center city locations, but you will also PAY for those perks. I wish you would be more specific about your comments "as has happened"...too vague for me. Finally, a continental breakfast in Europe is exactly that...roll OR croissant,coffee,tea. Occasionally you get juice, cereal, and cold cuts/cheese. For ex., in Paris it is difficult to find "buffet" anything....the French don't eat like Americans and stuff themselves silly at every meal....it is called portion- control. Have you traveled with any of these student companies before?

On 6/29/09, Jean wrote: > On 5/14/09, Cari wrote: >> I wish I could take a survey concerning how much preparation >> these complaining teachers did for their tours. How many >> meetings do they have with their students and their parents? >> How much do these teachers actually know about international >> travel? Do these teachers & students actually know a foreign >> language?...or has the extent of their international >> experience just been to Disneyworld? >> I have been on some tours where football coaches were the >> chaperones. On other tours, some of the teachers recruited >> random students throughout the school for a "senior class >> trip". Those teachers and students had no business going on >> educational tours like these. These students were not >> prepared one bit for what they were about to see in Europe. >> They were better off going on a cruise ship vacation >> somewhere in the ocean. Europe is NOT Disneyworld. Europe is >> old and crowded, and American students need some proper >> orientation in order to appreciate international cultures. >> >> My trips are called educational tours NOT SUMMER >> VACATIONS. The key to a successful trip is preparation. I >> spend literally years getting my students ready for these >> trips. Language acquisition, videos, meetings, and research >> play an important part in preparation. My students must prove >> to me that they can speak the language and appreciate the >> European culture for what it is, not for what they want it to >> be. After all, isn't that why we travel in the first >> place....to see another culture for what it truly is?! >> >> I alert my students, in advance, that there will be >> frustrations, delays, rain, uncooperative "foreign people", >> and hotels that are different from ours. And, Europeans don't >> necessarily speak English. That is why it is >> called "international travel"...so get over it. >> >> >> Yes I agree but what do you do when there is no meal booked > for you for dinner as has happened with Mariden or the hotels > are not 3 or 4 star as advertised and you get a roll and coffee > for breakfast. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> On 5/12/09, Ann wrote: >>> Be aware of the difference between Mariden USA and Mariden >>> Canada. Expect problems if booking through Canada. They >>> are totally disorganised and will leave you regretting you >>> ever booked with them.

Jul 2, 2009

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Explorica

by John

May 13, 2009

It sounds to me that most people who complain on this web site have nothing else better to do in their lives. First of all, this is international travel you mo$%??. Things happen. As for being paired up with other groups, either suck it up or pay the extra money to go as a private tour. I have traveled with several different tour groups and this st...See More

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Cari John:

Thank you for your comments. I applaud your honesty.

I wish I could take a survey concerning how much preparation these complaining teachers did for their tours. How many meetings do they have with their students and their parents? How much do these teachers actually know about international travel? Do these teachers & ...See MoreJohn:

Thank you for your comments. I applaud your honesty.

I wish I could take a survey concerning how much preparation these complaining teachers did for their tours. How many meetings do they have with their students and their parents? How much do these teachers actually know about international travel? Do these teachers & students actually know a foreign language?...or has the extent of their international experience just been to Disneyworld? I have been on some tours where coaches were the chaperones. On other tours, some of the teachers recruited random students throughout the school for a "senior class trip". Those teachers and students had no business going on educational tours like these. These students were not prepared one bit for what they were about to see in Europe. They were better off going on a cruise ship vacation somewhere in the ocean. Europe is NOT Disneyworld. Europe is old and crowded, and American students need some proper orientation in order to appreciate international cultures.

My trips are called educational tours NOT SUMMER VACATIONS. The key to a successful trip is preparation. I spend literally years getting my students ready for these trips. Language acquisition, videos, meetings, and research play an important part in preparation. My students must prove to me that they can speak the language and appreciate the European culture for what it is, not for what they want it to be. After all, isn't that why we travel in the first place....to see another culture for what it truly is?!

I alert my students, in advance, that there will be frustrations, delays, rain, uncooperative foreign people, and hotels that are different from ours. And, Europeans don't necessarily speak English. That is why it is called "international travel"...so get over it.

On 5/13/09, John wrote: > It sounds to me that most people who complain on this web > site have nothing else better to do in their lives. First > of all, this is international travel you mo$%??. Things > happen. As for being paired up with other groups, either > suck it up or pay the extra money to go as a private tour. > I have traveled with several different tour groups and this > stands to be the best tour company, as in bang for your > buck. > Yes things may not be perfect, but if any of you > complainers have ever done any traveling, you should know > better.If not, your are just plain stupid to traveling > thinking that things are always perfect. So, in the end, > quit complaining, enjoy life and if you can't accept a few > problems while traveling, stay home and live in your bubble > and pretend you know what it is like to travel around the > world!

May 14, 2009

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Solomon Yes John, you are very right. I agree with your overall view on travel 110%. But, to equate such a wise, wordly view to a specific tour company puzzles me. Had you not mentioned any company, I would have been on your side to the end. What is good for one person isn't necessarily good for the other. Yes, complainers stay home...please!

On 5...See More

May 21, 2009

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