1) How many spots are available in each group? How many chaperones are going?

We have up to 30 spots reserved on this year's tour for students. There is 5:1 ratio for students to adult chaperones, and the first two chaperone spots are reserved for AMHS teachers. All students who are high school aged and can get a passport are eligible. All parents with passports can also sign up to go, and opt into being an additional chaperone

2) Do I have to pay for everything upfront? 

Nope! Only 90$ are required to reserve your spot, and you can pay for your tour in automatically withdrawn monthly payments or custom payments. Payment plans are flexible, and extended payment plans (so paying for the last 20% after the trip) are also available

3) What are hotel room assignments like? Can I choose who I am rooming with? What about parents who come?

Most hotel rooms will fit 3 to 4 students in a room, and all hotel rooms will have their own private bathroom in suite. We move hotels almost every other night on this trip, so who you share a room with will change throughout the trip. Ms Benyo tries to honor as many roommate requests as possible, but cannot guarantee that you will always get all of your friends every time. Parents can request a solo room, to room with another chaperone, or to share a room with just their student. 

4) What if the trip gets cancelled, or something happens on my trip?

Explorica offers trip  insurance that covers everything from severe weather, injuries on trip, cancellations due to illness or a loss in the family and many other possible scenarios. In the event that the trip is cancelled, all participants receive a refund of all money except for a 90$ administrative fee

5) Are there scholarship or fundraisers that can help me pay for this?

Yes and yes! Each student traveler receives a fundraiser page similar to "gofundme", which is directly tied to your account and can help you fundraise. Unlike a traditional "GoFundME" page though, 100% of what you raise goes directly to your trip balance. Parents can also sign up for AMHS booster club and participate in fundraising events that can be applied to their student's trip. In previous years, families participating in AMHS Booster Club activities have raised anywhere from $600 to $3,000 towards their trips. Explorica also offers scholarships (for more info, go to www.explorica.com/Benyo-2717 and search ''scholarships"). 

6) Can my friends/cousins/family from another high school also come? 

Yes, as long as there are still spots left. AMHS students get first dibs, but the trip is open to all high school students in the local area who wish to go

7) I'm in running start, can I still come?

Yup! As long as you are still high school aged, you can still come. Seniors who will graduate the same year we leave are still eligible to come (as the trip happens 1-2 weeks after graduation).