Spark Week (formerly Week Without Walls) is a mandatory experiential learning program designed to ignite studentsā curiosity, creativity, compassion, and confidence through real-world experiences beyond the classroom.
Spark Week is a required school program with diverse offerings to ensure every student has an engaging and meaningful experience. Absences during Spark Week count toward the studentās overall attendance record and are considered unexcused.
International and local overnight trips are organized by grade level, except for Divers Down, which is open to Grades 6ā8. Non-overnight local options may include mixed grade levels.
Students select three preferred experiences and must be prepared to attend any of them. We make every effort to honor top preferences; if this isnāt possible, families will be contacted with alternative options.
Yes. We aim to accommodate all learners. Please speak with the trip coordinator to discuss suitable options. If a student has an LSA in school, an LSA may be required for the trip at the familyās expense.
Yes. Learners will be PADI-certified at the end of the week, provided they complete the required diving hours and theory test. Students who are already certified can participate in the advanced course.
Payments are made through the GEMS Connect App. Please ensure you select the correct experience before confirming payment.
All students must select three options to help us accommodate everyone fairly. Please do not choose the same option more than once, as this may affect your placement.
Students must choose three options to ensure placement on at least one.
There is a clause that says the trip cost, in part or in full, may not be refunded. What if we need to withdraw before the trip starts?
Refunds are managed directly by the trip providers. Please review the providerās terms and conditions on their website for full details.
Should you need to cancel, you must immediately notify GEMS Dubai American Academy in writing. Please note that refunds may not be available, depending on the timing and trip arrangements.
DAA does not control trip prices. Costs are determined by GEMS-approved providers who meet strict safety and quality standards. Prices reflect transportation, accommodation, guided activities, and insurance. GEMS and DAA carefully vet partners to ensure: 1) proven safety and reliability, 2) strong supervision and emergency procedures, and 3) meaningful educational and cultural experiences.
Each trip undergoes a full risk assessment reviewed by DAA and GEMS Corporate.
1 teacher per 10 students.
Yes. Each trip includes trained school chaperones who oversee student well being.
Trip leaders will share all emergency contact details at least two weeks before departure.
A WhatsApp broadcast group, managed by trip chaperones, will provide daily updates. In emergencies, parents may contact members of the DAA Middle School Leadership Team. Students are not expected to contact parents directly, as part of the experience encourages fostering independence and learning to navigate new environments away from home.
A contingency plan will be followed in line with the airlineās policy.
No. Parents are not permitted to join. DAA and our partners ensure studentsā safety and supervision throughout.
For Kenya, yellow fever vaccination and malaria tablets are recommended but not required. For all international trips, families should discuss malaria prophylaxis and general travel vaccinations with their doctor.
Parents must complete a medical form before the trip and submit any regular or prescription medication to the school nurse. Medication bags are prepared for each chaperone, and at least one first-aid-trained chaperone will ensure safe administration.
Yes. Every trip includes at least one certified first aider.
A school chaperone will remain with the student until a guardian or parent is physically present.
All UAE trips include halal options. Most international destinations also provide halal cuisine; however, in locations with limited availability, parents and students will be informed in advance.
All allergies must be communicated to the school. Dietary needs will be accommodated wherever possible.
Students may submit rooming preferences, but final room assignments are determined by trip leaders to ensure balance and safety.
Yes. Each trip leader will provide a detailed packing list tailored to the destination.
Yes. Students will have limited, supervised free time at designated locations, where they may purchase souvenirs if they wish.
Families may decide the amount. Trip leaders will provide guidance, but typically AED 500ā1000 is sufficient for personal purchases.
Local currency is preferred.
Baggage allowances will be confirmed once flights are booked and shared by the trip leader.
Students are not allowed to bring phones on any Spark Week trips. This policy ensures safety and encourages students to fully engage with their surroundings and peers.
All students must follow DAAās Code of Conduct. Chaperones monitor student behavior throughout the trip and address issues immediately. If a studentās behavior jeopardizes safety or well being, the school may require a parent to collect them early. Our priority is a safe, respectful environment for all.
Because of the nature of these trips and prior bookings involved in facilitation of group travel, Lush Escapes reserves the right to postpone a trip to a later date in case of inability to travel due to external factors such as (but not limited to) border closure, political unrest and/or acts of nature.
A change in the trip date does not constitute a āsignificant changeā as laid out in the terms and conditions and does not make any refund eligible. At times, the trip cost may change slightly due to increased taxes or changes in airline/hotel pricing for the new dates.
If Lush Escapes is unable to guarantee the trip's execution in the foreseeable future, the company will change the trip's destination to another country offering a similar experience.
All Lush Escapes itineraries and pricing are subject to GEMS Corporate approval. In the event of unavoidable changes, every effort will be made to ensure that the revised destination and experience align with Spark Week's educational objectives.
If you have any special requests, you must advise Lush Escapes at the time of booking. Although Lush Escapes will endeavor to pass on any reasonable requests to the relevant supplier, they regret they cannot guarantee that any request will be met.
Failure to meet any special request will not be considered a breach of contract on their part. Confirmation that a special request has been noted or passed on to the supplier, or its inclusion on your confirmation invoice or any other documentation, does not guarantee that the request will be met.
Unless and until specifically confirmed, all special requests are subject to availability. For your own protection, you should obtain written confirmation that a special request will be complied with (where possible) if it is important to you.
Lush Escapes regrets that they cannot accept any conditional bookingsāany booking specified to be conditional on the fulfillment of a particular request will be treated as a standard booking, subject to the above provisions on special requests.
Parents should also note that all medical, dietary, or accessibility accommodations must be disclosed at the time of booking to ensure adequate arrangements can be made prior to departure.