» Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions
What To Pack
Itinerary
Till Debit Card

Once inside the App store: 1. Search “Student Adventures trip app” 2. Download the App (SA Trip App) 3. You will get login information for using the app, as you get closer to your trip departure.

Download the Student Adventures App and click on “Not enrolled? Sign up now”. You can register and pay through the App. You can also go to www.studentadventures.org and register and pay on the website.

You can call them at 877-873-7550 or go to www.studentadventures.org.

You can pay through the app or online at www.studentadventures.org. Payments for the trip are not allowed to be made at the school.

To provide space for everyone’s luggage, limit yourself to ONE suitcase and ONE small carry-on bag.
A luggage tag must be attached to the outside of your suitcases.
Extra Faskmasks, hand sanitizer, and thermometer
Rainwear (a raincoat or jacket is often necessary for keeping warm at night or on the bus)
Personal items (shampoo, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, brush, hair dryer).
Plan on one outfit per day of the trip, it’s important to dress in layers.
VERY COMFORTABLE walking shoes for touring. No ﬂip-ﬂops or shower shoes outside of the hotel. Sandals that are secure to the foot are ﬁne.

A suggested checklist for other items to pack (perhaps in your carry-on bag):

Camera: Everyone’s camera looks the same, so put your name on yours.
Chargers for phones / cameras / etc.
Headphones will be permitted on the bus ride to and from DC. They will not be permitted on the bus while we are touring.

This is at your group leader’s discretion.

There is no set amount that is actually needed. All meals are paid for and bottle water will be provided throughout the trip. Your student can bring money for souvenirs and any extra food that they would like to purchase on the trip.

Yes, students are allowed to pack snacks and drinks to have on the bus and/or in the hotel room. If the student is on the “Nut-Free” bus, then it is the students’ job to pack snacks that are 100% free of ALL nuts.

Although meals differ from trip to trip, Student Adventures aims to provide a variety of options. Breakfasts are typically buffets with both hot and cold items. Lunch is usually a food court variety and dinner is either a sit-down buffet style or cafeteria style.

Yes. There is a section in the online registration process that will ask if your child has dietary restrictions or allergies that Student Adventures should be aware of. We then pass that information along to restaurants on the tour to assist with meal safety.

This is at your school/administration’s discretion.

In case of serious medical situation, our first response will always be to call 911. If your child is too sick to travel that day, but not sick enough to require medical attention, it is up to the group leader to have a chaperone stay with the child in the hotel for the day.

They are given a lanyard with an emergency number to call. Student Adventures will then get a hold of the sponsor.

ALL discipline issues will be handled by the teacher chaperones on your child’s bus. Any discipline will be handled on a case-by-case basis with student safety being the number one priority and school conduct in mind. Depending on the issue, parents could be called at any hour of the day and if severe enough, students will be sent home and dismissed from the trip immediately.

Safety is a top priority on every Student Adventures tour. Please read through our safety and security page for more details.

Yes, Student Adventures hires security guards to monitor the hallways each night at the hotel. Students go to their rooms after returning from touring. They have a night check by teacher group leaders and no one is allowed out of rooms after the check. Security personnel monitor and walk our hotel hallways all night.

Expensive items are your responsibility. The chaperones and/or teachers will not be responsible for lost items, jewelry, or money. Do not leave valuables unattended on the bus on in the hotel.

We are a national wholesaler for United, American, Southwest, and US Airways. Regularly scheduled flights are used for travel.

Only adults (over the age of 17) need an ID to get on the plane. If your child is under 17, we advise them to bring no ID at all to avoid confusion with nicknames on school IDs.

Everyone wants this trip to be fun! All it takes is cooperation and consideration. Please remember, this is a school function, so all school rules apply. Students must do what they are told at all times. All of the rules have been established to ensure the safety and well being of every student. That is our main concern. Our other concern is for the people around us. We want to be proud of our students who are taking part in this activity. We want to ensure that our students do not interfere with any other person’s enjoyment of our nation’s capital.

You must always ride the bus to which you have been assigned and in your assigned seat. Stay in your seat at all times. No flash or bright lights while is it dusk / dark outside. This is a distraction to the bus driver. We stop every few hours or so for restroom and lunch/dinner breaks. On the trip to and from DC, you may listen to your music with earphones or talk–as long as you are not disturbing anyone. While touring in Washington, you will not be allowed to listen to your music because you will need to listen to the chaperones and the tour guides. They give important information from place to place. Remain seated each time the bus stops until you receive directions from your chaperone. Each time you get back on the bus, be sure your chaperone knows that you are there.

You are only allowed to be in your room area and in the breakfast area in the morning; other parts of the hotel are off limits. Any other needs should be brought to the attention of your chaperone or the trip sponsor. Chaperones will make room checks. Security guards will be posted in each hall in the event an emergency arises. You must stay in your room; it is a good idea to keep the dead-bolt lock on at all times. Remember that there are other guests in the hotel, so act accordingly. Music, TV, and talking must not be too loud. You are responsible for waking up on time. Your chaperone and/or hotel may give a wake-up call.

Be polite and considerate of others. Listen to the tour guides or any other people giving you information or instructions. Always know WHERE you are supposed to be and WHEN you are supposed to be there. Use the “buddy system.” Do not wander off alone. Always stay with the group. Stopping to buy food or souvenirs on your own may separate you from the others. Be patient. Sometimes you will just have to “hurry up and wait.” Students should follow their chaperone’s instructions regarding the appropriate times and places to purchase souvenirs. Under no circumstances are students allowed to make purchases from anyone other than licensed street vendors, stores, or gift shops.

One parent should set up the account for your child’s registration. Student Adventures has an “other parent payment option” that can be utilized after registration.

Your tour sponsor is responsible for passing along any details regarding fundraising and information on how to apply the credit to your account.

No. All of our tours are sold as packages with already discounted rates.

Late fees will be added to your account if payment is not made after a seven-day grace period. If you are unable to pay trip fees due to extenuating circumstances, please contact your group leader or call our office at 877-873-7550.

Yes. We will contact families unless your or your sponsor has contacted us about special situation.

Transportation, accommodations, attractions, activities, and meals (as specified in your itinerary), as well as access to 24-hour emergency services. For domestic tours, our Standard Cancellation Policy is included in the trip cost.

Airline baggage fees and Cancellation Super Protector are not included in tour costs.

Given the rising price of fuel, it is important to know a fuel surcharge could be assessed if the price of oil continues to increase.

Cancellation Super Protector (CSP) is our new policy that entitles parents to a 100% refund of the trip price, less the cost of the CSP and any non-refundable fees (bank NSF Fees, Late Payment fees, phoned in payments, fees for Auto-Pay declined credit card or electronic checks, and Trip Add-ons (shirts, photos, sweatshirts),. All cancellations must be in writing and made PRIOR to trip departure, submit the cancellation by emailing info@studentadventures.org. This protection excludes non-refundable airfare, theater tickets, dinner cruises, or dinner theaters if purchased on your behalf.

You will receive your refund within six weeks of your cancellation. Refunds will be issues in the same manner in which payments were received.

Yes. A copy of the itinerary is on your Student Adventures Trip App, along with supporting links that help detail your trip.

Every motor coach we use is a newer model with a wide body, DVD players, air conditioning, and restrooms. All of the motor coach companies undergo extensive audits.

The hotels are evaluated based on a checklist of safety features and amenities. We typically use hotels that include Hyatt, Hilton, Hampton Inn, Sheraton, and various Disney hotels.

Quad rooming, which is the typical option for students, is where four students are in a room with two beds. Students only room with same-gender peers. Double rooming, which is the typical option for chaperone/adults, is where two adults are in a room with two beds. Adults only room with same-gender peers.

Each school handles their waitlist differently. Please check with your group leader to find out more details.

Once a space opens and your child is added to the active roster, you will be notified. If your child is able to attend, you will then go to the website and make a payment to bring your child’s account up-to-date.

Yes, all Student Adventures Tour Directors and screened and employed by Student Adventures.

Students and adults have very different ideas of what to take on the plane. Items teens deem necessary to survival are probably not. Think in terms of basics:

Photo ID / Passport
Face covering (no longer required but always a good idea)
Sweatshirt or sweater
Snacks for the plane (check with your group leader)
Backpack with a change of clothes in the event a bag is lost
Carry-on liquids, aerosols, creams, and gels using the 3-1-1 rule (3.4 oz bottle or less; 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger)
Headphones for electronic devices like cell phones and iPads (all set to airplane mode, of course!)

There’s a LONG list of banned items for carry-on and/or checked bags by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Students may not realize items are prohibited and toss them in a purse or backpack, causing delays or even fines. Some items include:

Nail clippers with files
Pocket knife
Pepper spray
Electronic lighters, plasma lighters, arc lighters
Insect repellent

Everyone dreads the security line, but it’s necessary for the safety of all air travelers. Herding a group of students through the long and winding lines can be difficult, but a little advance prep can make it easier:

Plan to remove your shoes. Unless you are over the age of 75 or under the age of 13, you will probably be asked to take them off.

Eliminate the heavy metal. Skip the big belt buckles, heavy metallic jewelry, and keys, or be prepared to remove them all at security for screening. If you have body piercings, remove them or plan on a pat down.

Remove your laptop before passing through security. In some cases, you may be asked to remove all electronics from your bag to be scanned individually.

Quick Tips for First-Time Flyers

Do not lock luggage for easier TSA accessibility.
Discreetly label bags with identifying information
Make sure any checked bags are less than 50 LBS
Limit carry-on items to one bag and one personal item (handbag, backpack, briefcase, laptop computer, with or without bag)
NEVER leave luggage unattended
NEVER joke about bombs, firearms, or terrorism while traveling. There is no quicker way to gain unwanted attention from the TSA! All comments are considered real threats.

Before you begin to pack for your trip, remember you are allowed one suitcase and one carry-on bag. Each participant will be required to handle their own luggage. Student Adventures recommends using a lightweight suitcase with wheels. Carry-on bags must be small enough to fit under a seat or in the overhead bin of the motor coach (duffle bags or backpacks are perfect).

Know the weather for your destination! You will want to pack accordingly.

Your carry-on bag will remain with you at all times and should contain your valuables, a few essentials and, to be safe, a change of clothes for the next day. Here are a few suggestions for your carry-on

Extra Facemasks, hand sanitizer, and thermometer.
Change of clothing (you will not have access to your main luggage until the following day on all overnight travel trips)
Spending Money/Debit Card
Basic toiletries: deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, feminine hygiene products, etc.
Medications
Cell Phone/IPod with chargers
Glasses/contact lenses
Reading Materials
School ID

Your suitcase should contain your wardrobe for as many days as you will be traveling. Keep in mind that weather will play a factor so pack accordingly. Definitely take the following:

A good pair of walking shoes and a pair of flip-flops for the hotel. A pair of dress shoes if necessary.
Underwear – take one pair more than you think you need, just in case!
Jeans/Khakis (or shorts if permitted)
T-shirts, collared shirts
Sweater, sweatshirt, windbreaker

Your Itinerary will be given to you by your Teacher/Trip Sponsor and can be found on Your Trip App. Be prepared for a fun adventure! You will be on the go most of the time so be sure you are well rested and dressed accordingly.