BRITISH COLUMBIA: SEA TO SKY

MIDDLE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE AND ADVENTURE PROGRAM

Activities

• Multi-Day Kayak Expedition: Around the coastline of Victoria Island

• Whitewater Raft: The Cheakamus River

• Bike: Along the sea wall of Stanley Park, Vancouver

• Rock Climb: The iconic Squamish cliffs

• Explore: Vancouver Island, Squamish, Whistler Mountain

• Cultural Education: Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre

• Hike and Gondola Ride: Blackcomb Mountain

SERVICE

A Certificate of Community Service indicating the total number of hours worked, and a group Presidential Volunteer Service Award will be issued upon successful completion of the program. Service work could include some of the following:

• Environmental service projects such as trail maintenance, erosion control, native species protection, tackling invasive species, and minimizing human impact on the landscapes. Projects vary year after year depending on demands at the time of the trip.

WHAT IS INCLUDED AND EXCLUDED IN TRIP TUITION

The trip tuition listed above includes accommodations, activities, meals, and group gear. The tuition does not include personal gear and clothing, travel insurance, spending money, and travel expenses such as airfare to and from the start and end of the program, unaccompanied minor fees, and baggage fees.

Accommodations and showering

Accommodations are tent camping for 13 nights in Squamish and Victoria Island at front country campsites. We aim for it to be 2 participants in a 3-person tent or 3 participants in a 4-person tent with luggage. Tents are divided by gender.

Bathrooms and showers can be rustic so please be prepared. In an effort to save time and conserve water resources in the areas we are traveling, participants will have access to showers every 3-4 days even when showers are readily available. Bathrooms are a mix of flush toilets, latrines, and backcountry bathrooms.

food

Participants on this trip will plan, prepare, and eat meals as a group. Split up into smaller cook crews, each crew will have the chance to prepare a meal approximately once per day. This process is supervised by staff who offer advice on nutrition, and menu planning, and ensure safe food storage, preparation, and handling.

Most meals are prepared on back-country-style camp stoves. Meals are nutritious and filling, but the back-country nature of the program often necessitates a simpler menu than a restaurant or home cook might allow. Some meals are prepared in Airbnb-style accommodations with access to a full kitchen. Some meals will be prepared by our activity partners. There may be opportunities to assist in food preparation on these days depending on the preference of the partner.

We are able to accommodate all dietary requirements and preferences.

TRAVEL

Families are individually responsible for booking their own airfare or making their own travel arrangements to get their students from home to Vancouver Airport (YVR) on the first day of the trip, and from Vancouver (YVR) to home on the last day of the trip. RLT will provide exact windows of time that we require all students to arrive and depart within. It is imperative that no one make any travel arrangements until RLT directs them to do so.

A leader-escorted round-trip flight will be available between a major US city and Vancouver (but is not required) for those travelers who wish to fly with a leader. Booking information for the escorted flight will be available after enrollment.

PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS

For all international travel, we require participants to have a passport that is valid for a minimum of 6 MONTHS past the end date of your participant's RLT trip. If your participant's passport is due to expire within those 6 months, please work on updating your participant's passport as soon as possible upon enrollment. According to the State Department, routine passport renewal will take 10-13 weeks and expedited processing, which costs an additional $60, will take 7-9 weeks. It is your responsibility to ensure your participant's passport is up to date and meets these requirements. We encourage families to familiarize themselves with the U.S. Department of State website for all up-to-date and accurate passport recommendations. 

TRAVEL INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

The Road Less Traveled does not provide its own insurance. However, we require participants to purchase travel insurance through a third party for all international programs. For additional details, please visit our FAQ page or you may contact a member of our team at info@theroadlesstraveled.com or 773-342-5200.

VACCINE & MEDICATION INFORMATION

We always encourage families to review the CDC website regarding recommended vaccinations and medications for international travel. More information will be provided to enrolled families from our Admissions Team in the Spring.

Technology

As part of the RLT experience, our trips are electronic-free. While it is encouraged to travel with cell phones, leaders will collect phones and any other personal devices after all participants arrive on the first day. It can feel tough initially to not have access to your phone, but it really helps everyone in the group to connect and have a really great trip experience. This includes phones, iPods, tablets, gaming devices, music devices, smartwatches, etc. All electronics will be held by RLT leaders, kept safe and dry for the duration of the trip, and returned at the end of the program. All cameras, go pros, etc. are acceptable and can be kept with you! If you do not have a camera, please note that leaders will also be taking photos throughout the program, and these photos will be shared through an online gallery.