Let’s journey forward, where safety comes first

WorldStrides has built a 50-year-old reputation for industry-leading commitment to health and safety. Our experienced team is leading the way now in innovating and evolving to make sure your next travel experience is safe, and full of all the fun we are missing right now. We’re committed to your health, safety, and WorldClass Flexibility—for you, for your group, and for these unprecedented times.

Safety first, and always

Adaptations we’re making for health and safety.

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Travel in 2020 and 2021

Our flexible commitments to you for tours in the 2020-2021 school year.

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2022 and beyond risk-free deposits

Secure your spot early with total flexibility for the future.

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A team approach to our new normal

WorldStrides assembled a cross-functional team we call our Back to Travel Task Force in early Spring, and we have been working to help you travel with confidence ever since. This Task Force leverages decades of experience across our company to assess the safety of the destinations we travel, stay abreast of openings/closings, understand new protocols and regulations from our partners, and create trainings and detailed safety plans to manage the risk associated with COVID-19. The Back to Travel group, led by Chief Experience, Health and Safety Officer Terri Morgoglione, is also informed by the CDC and WHO guidelines, as well as the guidance of the team at The George Washington Department of Emergency Medicine who staff our Doctors on Call program. We are also closely monitoring the evolving standards of the education community and the travel industry, and will continue to update our plans as new information on COVID-19 comes to light.

WorldStrides’ promise to you

If a member of your group is diagnosed with COVID-19 while on a WorldStrides program, we will be there every step of the way, from helping to secure the necessary care, to covering the costs associated with medically-required quarantine.

We need your help too. We will ask all participants to commit to care for your fellow participants by acknowledging any symptoms you may be experiencing prior to travel. If you are sick, stay home.

Adaptations for safety

WorldStrides will continue to rely on our deep network of safety resources, including our exclusive Doctors on Call program, 24/7 On Call center, and age-appropriate adult supervision to adapt in this changing environment. Our protocols detailed below will continue to evolve, and likely differ slightly from group to group, and city to city, because we are committed to getting it right.

Hygiene

We'll provide you with disposable masks to help you meet requirements for face coverings at sites we will visit or activities we do. We'll take breaks for frequent hand washing and provide hand sanitizer too.

Adjusted itineraries

We're in-the-know with all the museums, performance venues, sports arenas, companies and other sites we visit. We will adjust your schedule to maximize your experiences each day to account for new rules for capacity management, social distancing, masks, and more.

Safety briefing

Our staff will brief you when you first arrive (or sometimes even before!) on new safety protocols, created in consultation with our Medical Director Dr. Neal Sikka.

On the motorcoach

Our bus partners have new cleaning protocols and are establishing new guidelines, like loading and unloading procedures, to help keep drivers and participants safe.

At the hotel

Our hotel partners are deep cleaning, and modifying everything from check-in to the way you use the elevator. We're also offering affordable rooming upgrades for participants who request different room occupancy.

Meals

When we're selecting restaurants, we will use our local knowledge and strong relationships to choose spots following strict local guidelines and hygiene practices. We will work with restaurants to modify meal plans too, such as providing boxed lunches when possible.

Travel with Confidence in 2020 & 2021

Special COVID-19 Flexibility for Groups and Individuals

If closures, government regulations, or travel restrictions due to COVID-19 prevent the delivery of your tour, the group’s Program Leader can postpone or move the tour with no fees associated or choose to cancel for the group. Anyone who has to cancel will pay only a $399 cancellation fee for international tours, $289 cancellation fee for domestic air tours, or a $149 cancellation fee for domestic bus tours.

If you have purchased the Full Refund Program or Cancel for Any Reason insurance, you’ll receive the full refund available under those policies, minus the amount paid for the protection plan.

WorldClass Group Flexibility

At any time up to 45 days prior to departure for domestic tours and 60 days prior for international tours, the group’s Program Leader can work with WorldStrides to change tour dates or destinations for any reason. The group will pay no change fees, just the difference (if applicable) in the price of the new trip. This flexibility protects groups that choose to postpone their tour before it is known whether or not the tour can safely run with respect to COVID-19.

Stress-Free Individual Flexibility

We understand that individuals may want or need to make different decisions for themselves in these unusual times. Our significantly reduced cancellation fees for 2020 participants whose tours were postponed due to COVID-19 will remain in place for the rescheduled 2021 tour until 151 days (aka about 5 months) before departure. (Many of the bookings and investments we’ve made on behalf of your group become more difficult to recover at this time.) Don’t worry – if we are unable to deliver your tour, COVID-19 Flexibility outlined above remains in place with an enhanced refund even after this deadline and WorldClass Flexibility is also available for your group to postpone. The 151-day deadline is critical for individuals or groups who are unable or uncomfortable traveling no matter what, even if safe travel becomes possible.

*Please Note: These policies apply to K-12 group tour programs only. Events (festivals, bowl games, parades, graduation celebrations), sports, higher ed, and individual programs may have different options for flexibility. Consult your WorldStrides representative.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will flying be like?

If you are flying to your destination, each airline we work with has slightly different processes and protocols to respond to COVID-19, and we recommend you check the website of your airline for the most up-to-date information. Airlines are deep cleaning, and may be reducing the number of people on each plane, and requiring face coverings while on board. Additionally, food service on the plane is either not available or pre-packaged, and so we recommend packing a meal and snacks, particularly if you are flying around a meal time.

You can read more from some of our top partners here:

Will we need to wear masks?

WorldStrides will provide disposable masks for our participants, as well as reusable masks for our staff. You will need to follow any local, state, or national guidelines, and also follow any site-specific requirements for face coverings, including on the airplane and inside any cultural site or venue that requires a mask. When the group is on the bus or outside in open public areas, you may be able to make a group decision about wearing masks. For groups performing (playing musical instruments or singing), we're actively monitoring discussions in the scientific and music education communities to develop options that are appropriate for your ensemble.

Will we get our temperature checked?

For the time being, we will ask each group's leader to facilitate temperature checks each morning to ensure that all participants are feeling well. There may also be temperature checks at the airport and at certain sites prior to entry.

How will our group dynamics be impacted?

We may make adjustments to reduce each individual's daily exposure to other people and allow more flexibility in meeting COVID-19-related requirements. This could include changes to keep groups from mixing if you are traveling with other schools or communities, or adjusting the size of a group. These changes will be made on a case-by-case basis and communicated in advance.

What would happen if a student has COVID-19 symptoms while on tour?

If a participant feels ill with symptoms of COVID-19 (which include fever, chills/aches, shortness of breath, coughing), our team will immediately facilitate movement of the participant to a location where they can safely be separated from others, while simultaneously engaging our Doctors on Call or a local medical facility to consult on the next steps, testing, and treatment. We would then, as required:

Establish and coordinate communication with the participant and the family
Facilitate transportation for the participant to a local medical facility
Coordinate quarantine arrangements for the participant, in consultation with local health authorities
Arrange for transportation for a family member to join the ill traveler
Provide guidance to the group to reduce the risk of additional exposure and coordinate testing

WorldStrides will provide the resources necessary to facilitate the recommended treatment, including an isolated, chaperoned location for the participant to recover and arrangements for a new itinerary to return home.

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Let’s journey forward, where safety comes first

A team approach to our new normal

WorldStrides’ promise to you