RULES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• All school rules are in effect from the moment you arrive at the airport in Vancouver to the time your parents pick you up afterwards. Failure to follow these rules may result in a suspension from school following the trip.
• Students may not go anywhere on their own but must always be in pairs or small groups. They may not leave the main group without the consent of one of the teachers.
• Curfew will be strongly enforced. Girls and boys may not go in each other’s hotel rooms at any time.
• Students are responsible for their own money, luggage & medications.
• If students become separated accidentally from the group they should stay where they are and try to contact either the hotel we are staying in or our Tour Director. You will be provided with a short list of hotel phone numbers before we leave.
• There are normal risks associated with travel – loss of luggage, motion sickness, tripping falling etc. Please be careful and try to be aware of your surroundings and follow the instructions of the teachers and Tour Director to the best of your ability. Remember that in London the traffic is on the opposite side – look right before crossing the road!
• Students are to act with respect, good manners and consideration at all times. Remember that you are ambassadors for both Balmoral and Canada – we want to leave a good impression!
PACKING ETC.
MONEY
• We recommend that students take out a small amount of currency prior to traveling then use either bank cards or pre-loaded credit cards as needed while in Europe.
• Bank-cards can’t be used in shops or restaurants but can be used at bank machines to make withdrawals.
• How much students spend depends on their normal spending habits. Generally kids budget $25-$50 a day. London is quite expensive so this translates to roughly 20-30₤ per day (2 ½ days). In France things are a bit cheaper and you should be able to get by with 15-25 €
PHONING HOME
All students/ parents should have received an email from Explorica offering a promotion on international cell phones. Phone cards can also be purchased at corner stores if kids want to phone home. Many hotels also offer internet services as well so students can send occasional emails.
BLOG
We will be doing occasional entries in a blog that parents and friends may want to follow. There will be a link on the Balmoral Website to make finding it easy.
Web address: balmoraleurope.blogspot.com/
PACKING LIST
• 1 large suitcase (less than 50lbs – pack light!) 1 carry on. Both should have name and home address/phone number clearly displayed both inside and out.
• No fluids or gels permitted in carry-on unless in the original containers and holding less than 100ml. All liquids, make-up etc should also be in zip-lock baggies. Contact lens wearers should bring solution etc or wear glasses during the trip.
• Wear something comfy but presentable for the flights. It’s a long flight – you might want to bring a clean t-shirt, toothbrush, deodorant etc in your carryon so that you can freshen up before landing.
• There will be no laundry facilities – bring lots of clean undies and plastic bags for dirty laundry.
• Bring English reading material – once in France you won’t be able to buy any
• Bring one outfit appropriate for dining out in a formal restaurant (not jeans or runners)
• 2 pairs of comfortable shoes – preferably waterproof/ water resistant.
• Waterproof jacket, hats, gloves, scarves and a warm sweater
• All cash, credit cards, and bank-cards should be carried in a money belt. Teachers will be carrying passports.
• It is not recommended that you bring expensive cameras, laptops, cam-corders – easy to have them lost or stolen.
• You may want to share with friends the cost of a set of electronic adaptors and an ipod charger – available at places like Wallmart/ BCAA or travel stores.
• Journal or scrapbook
• Zip lock baggies of varying sizes help you keep organized and stuff dry.
• Medications: Tylenol, advil, throat lozenges, cold meds, band-aids, gravol, immodium etc
• Travel alarm clock for those early mornings and a watch to be at meetings on time.
• Weather will be variable like here, plan to dress in layers!
Please remember that you need to be at the airport 3 hours prior to departure! This means 3:15 at the latest. If you want to take the Canada line with me I will be leaving on the 2pm Seabus.
