2020 Kent Denver United Kingdom Program

Dear Families, Friends, and Travelers – Welcome to the 2020 Kent Denver United Kingdom Program!  We have created two webpages dedicated to this once in a lifetime experience so that travelers are as informed as possible throughout the process. The first page, Pre-Enrollment, is meant to share exciting details, highlights, and pertinent info, that participants will want to know before enrolling. Once enrolled, the Post-Enrollment page is intended to prepare travelers for participation on the adventure ahead. Please be sure to review the information on the appropriate page thoroughly and get excited for the UK!
Travel Dates: June 6, 2020 - June 15, 2020
Group Organizer(s):
WTT Contact:
Program Tuition: $5,150 USD

What to Expect

Please read through all of the information below. More details will be added as your departure draws closer.

Itinerary

We do everything possible to run safe, engaging, and immersive programs for our travelers and given the unpredictable nature of international travel we must remain flexible in our planning. Changes to a schedule are uncommon but, we reserve the right to adjust programming in the best interest of the group. 

DateDayLocationDescriptionLodging
June 6FridayUSABoard your overnight flight across the Atlantic.Airplane
June 7SaturdayUSA - LondonWelcome to London! Your Walking Tree Program Leader will pick you up at the airport. We will start your London walking tour once you are settled and explore The Strand, Trafalgar Square, the Benjamin Franklin House, the Houses of Parliament, and the River Thames. Later we'll spend the afternoon shopping around and exploring the Camden Markets, London's largest concentration of independent vendors, design-makers and shops for off-brand merchandise.Ridgemount Hotel
June 8SundayLondonToday we will start with a hearty English Breakfast in the hotel to get ready for the day. We'll take a walking tour of Westminster Abbey, Whitehall's mounted horse guards, the Prime Minister's house at 10 Downing Street, Piccadilly Circus, and Buckingham Palace. In mid-morning, we will experience the Changing of the Guard and the beauty of St. Paul's Cathedral. We'll have lunch with the locals at Borough Market, one of the oldest markets in the world - in 2014, it celebrated its 1,000th birthday! This afternoon, we will take acting classes at the Globe Theatre in Southwark, the home of Shakespeare. In the evening, we will enjoy a river cruise on the Thames.Ridgemount Hotel
June 9MondayLondonToday we will visit the Tower of London, entering through thick defensive walls and looking behind the imposing stony facade. Henry VIII banished two of his wives to this former prison, where Guy Fawkes also spent his final days. But the Tower's most famous occupants, the Crown Jewels, still reside here today. On the tour, we will behold this jaw-dropping collection of ornate rings, scepters, swords, and royal vestments. We will venture outside for a walk through the courtyard, where we can admire the four distinctive turrets rising out of the White Tower. Keep an eye out for the Tower's famous ravens: legend states that the kingdom will fall if any of the six resident ravens ever leaves the Tower Grounds. In the afternoon, we will explore Tate Modern, one of the largest art museums in the world and home to the British national collection from 1900 to the present. From there, we will cross Millennium Bridge, admire St. Paul's Cathedral, and the London School of Economics. For dinner, we’ll enjoy an authentic meal of fish and chips. Ridgemount Hotel
June 10TuesdayOxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, and the Cotswolds VillagesToday we depart London for the English countryside. We'll take a bus out to beautiful Oxford, where we'll have time to walk through the oldest university in the English-speaking world. We continue to Stratford-upon-Avon, a small market town on the River Avon, and home to Shakespeare! We'll visit his birthplace, walk through the home he grew up in, and explore town. Finally, we head to the picturesque Cotswold Villages, where we'll see the quintessential English countryside. In the evening, we return to London.Ridgemount Hotel
June 11WednesdayLondonThis morning we visit Windsor Castle, vacation home of the Royal Family. We continue onto Stonehenge, which stands alone in the vast empty tract of Salisbury plain. Its origins date back nearly 5,000 years and it has been home to pagan religion and spiritual worship, not to mention public debate ever since. Next we head to Bath and arrive in time for lunch. We'll enter the Roman Baths that were built nearly 2,000 years ago. Built on Britain's only natural hot water spring lies the magnificent Roman public bath complex and Roman temple. At the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site you can walk around the steaming pool on the Roman stone paving and admire the ancient Roman statues and architecture.ÊRidgemount Hotel
June 12ThursdayLondon - EdinburghSay goodbye to England - this morning we board a national rail train in London, and by the time we get off, we're in a whole new country: Scotland! Welcome to Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. Today we'll explore the Royal Mile, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in the afternoon, we'll head to Calton Hill and the National Monument of Scotland. From here, you can overlook all of this historic city, and out to the North Sea!Royal Mile Hotel
June 13FridayEdinburghThis morning we are in for a treat! Have breakfast at the Elephant House, where J. K. Rowling wrote the Harry Potter novels. This cafe still serves up a great meal, and you can see where she got her inspiration when you look through the windows at our next destination: Edinburgh Castle. Sitting atop a huge rock in the center of the city, Edinburgh Castle sits on land occupied since at least the Iron Age. Today, the castle and surrounding buildings date from the 12th century, and overlook the entire city to the sea. We'll see the Scottish Crown Jewels, dungeons that held American POW's from the Revolutionary War, and much more. After lunch, we will visit the National Museum of Scotland, where you'll have time to explore thousands of artifacts spanning millennia. Royal Mile Hotel
June 14SaturdayEdinburgh - LondonToday we will have sufficient free time to hang out in Edinburgh at our own pace. We will make sure to take advantage of our time in town to shop, relax and explore. We will create time to reflect upon our journey this evening after a delicious final dinner together. We'll then hop a short flight back to London ahead of our international departure the following morning. London hotel
June 15SundayLondon - USAAfter breakfast we head to the airport and depart for home. Your own bed, eventually!

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Accommodations

In order to provide a safe and memorable experience, we follow strict guidelines when choosing program accommodations. Walking Tree partners with hotels and guest houses which are centrally located, clean and safe.  We vet and inspect the accommodations to ensure they uphold the ethos of our programs, are great values for our travelers and nice places to rest after enriching days of travel.  

Below are the accommodations we anticipate using on your trip, subject to availability. 
Ridgemount Hotel

The Russell family has owned and operated the Ridgemount Hotel since 1786. It is located in central London near the underground and popular attractions. This hotel may be small but the staff is very hospitable and welcoming. Free Wi-Fi access throughout the building keeps everyone feeling connected. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.

 

 

Hub by Premier Inn – Royal Mile Hotel

Hub by Premier Inn – Royal Mile Hotel is a clean and modern hotel around the corner from the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle. All rooms have air conditioning and free Wi-Fi.  Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.

Group Flight

Type Carrier Name Carrier Code Flight Number Departure Airport & City Departure Date and Time  Arrival Airport & City Arrival Date and Time 
Outbound
UA
27
June 6, 2020 at 5:35PM
June 7, 2020 at 9:40AM
Inbound
UA
26
June 15, 2020 at 11:25AM
June 15, 2020 at 2:05PM
Management

Once your flight has been confirmed, the itinerary will appear here.

Walking Tree will secure a seat on the group flight for each participant unless otherwise instructed.

Travelers are responsible for checked baggage fees. Please visit the airline’s baggage webpage to learn if you should expect to pay anything.

We will provide a group manifest – complete with reservation codes and ticket numbers – to the Group Organizer/s before departure, and travelers will need to check in at the airport in order to receive their boarding pass and have documents verified. We recommend arriving no later than three hours prior to the scheduled departure, but contact your Group Organizer for specific details on exactly where and when to meet on the day of departure.

FLIGHT INTERRUPTION, DELAY OR CANCELLATION 
Air travel can be unpredictable.  Regardless of proper planning, there may still be instances when a flight is delayed or cancelled due to staffing shortages, weather, mechanical problems, etc.  Please note that in such an event, Walking Tree Travel (WTT) is not financially responsible for unanticipated costs incurred by travelers en route.  Our programs officially begin and end in the destination country, and because our staff doesn’t fly with the group, Group Organizers (the traveling faculty member/s) become the front-line advocate for the group in the event of a delay. In most cases of cancellations or delays, the airline will be the one who re-books travel or possibly arranges a hotel and food the night.  Our primary role will be to  keep families updated and provide support to the Group Organizer to reach a  quick and effective resolution.

Host Community and Project Details

Packing List

What follows is a sample packing list but you know yourself better than we do so please adjust accordingly. We recommend you bring a larger piece of luggage like a roller, duffel bag, or backpack, as well as a smaller backpack that you can bring on daily outings, weekend excursions and shorter activities.

“Less is more” is a packing tip we encourage for all our travelers. The list below should cover everything you would need, but know yourself and what you are comfortable traveling with.  We suggest bringing only as much as you would be able to carry on your own.

Finally, we recommend consulting a weather forecast for your destination. 

Most importantly, be sure to remember your PASSPORT!

CLOTHES (quantities depend on your trip length) :

  • Underwear
  • Socks (a mixture of good active socks and casual socks)
  • T-shirts (some quick dry)
  • Long sleeve shirts
  • Sweaters or sweatshirts
  • Warmer jacket
  • Warm hat
  • Scarf and Warm gloves (optional)
  • Rain jacket
  • Travel/athletic shorts that are breathable and light
  • Comfortable, everyday pants
  • Nice shirt/top to be worn to more formal dinners (girls might want a skirt or something a little nicer for such occasions)
  • Durable athletic/walking shoes
  • Sandals (optional)
  • Hat

TOILETRIES: BRING THE BASIC TOILETRIES YOU NEED PLUS:

  • Sunscreen (you will use a lot)
  • Mosquito repellent
  • Band Aids and Neosporin
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Medication in properly marked original container

MISCELLANEOUS:

  • Sunglasses
  • Journal and pen
  • Book
  • Camera (digital, disposable, waterproof)
  • Power Converter
  • Alarm Clock and watch
  • Debit card/US Dollars (we recommend about $50-$150, depending on amount of desired souvenirs, extra items etc.)
  • Durable water bottle
  • 1 quick-dry towel
  • Flashlight/headlamp
  • Batteries
  • Deck of cards or other portable games
  • STUDENT ID

Support Team

At a minimum, one experienced Program Leader will travel on every trip. In addition to this full time leadership presence, Walking Tree has additional support staff in all destinations and 24/7 support from our headquarters in Denver, Colorado. Below you’ll find a list of the team members involved in the planning, organizing, and leadership of your program.

Group Roster

Below is a list of the travelers enrolled on the program.

  • 1 Adam Chmielewski
  • 2 Aniele Hawkins
  • 3 Anika Sud
  • 4 Bella Brinton
  • 5 Camryn Sample
  • 6 Diana Diggs
  • 7 Finnegan Wootten
  • 8 Henry Allen
  • 9 Julia Giullian
  • 10 Mirabel Levin
  • 11 paisley piepgras
  • 12 William Newton
12 Travelers

Blog and Communication

During travel we will work hard to keep families updated as frequently as possible with blogs and photos, giving you peace of mind that your traveler is safe and thriving on their program.  Students regularly contribute to these posts, giving parents a great way to vicariously track the progress of the trip. You will receive an email notification when the first blog is posted, after which we recommend you check in regularly via the black “Program Blog” button at the top of this page.

Beyond this proactive approach to communication during the trip, most destinations are wired enough to allow participants semi-regular access to WiFi so you can also expect to communicate with your traveler directly. Ask your Walking Tree representative about the degree of connectivity on your program.

 

GLC Curriculum

Walking Tree has developed a curriculum of activities meant to help travelers get the most out of their trip before departure, during travel and after they return home. These simple and engaging activities are meant to spark discussion, frame experiences, and prepare participants to travel ethically and effectively both on this trip and on future adventures.

For more information about student learning objectives and the format of the curriculum, click on the ‘learn more’ button below.

Learn More About the GLC

To view and complete the Pre-Program Activities, visit our online portal at the button below.

Pre-Program Activity Portal

Standards of Behavior

In order to run a safe and successful program, it is important that we create an environment of trust, security and respect. All individuals participating in our programs are required to take responsibility for their actions and adhere to a high standard of behavioral conduct.

ABSOLUTE DISMISSAL

  1.  Possessing, consuming or distributing alcohol or illegal drugs.
  2. Associating with participants while they are in possession of, or are consuming, or distributing alcohol or illegal drugs.
  3. Behaving in a way that consistently damages the group dynamic or jeopardizes personal or group safety.
  4. This includes consistently displaying a negative attitude, intimidating or excluding other participants, sneaking out, disobeying group leaders, and any other behavior that is not conducive to an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect.

GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL OR IN-COUNTRY CONSEQUENCE

  1. Getting a piercing or tattoo.
  2. Stealing, or deliberately damaging or defacing any personal property, buildings or materials.
  3. Threatening physical or emotional harm, or brandishing a weapon.
  4. Possessing, consuming, or distributing tobacco or nicotine, including vape pens.
  5. Riding mopeds, motorcycles, or any other type of unauthorized vehicle.
  6. Being out of designated area or accommodations after curfew.
  7. Breaking group rules.

These standards of behavior are essential for the successful completion of your program. Please take the time to review these as a family and make sure everyone understands and agrees to them.

Health and Safety

We strongly recommend visiting the CDC United Kingdom website to get the most updated information on health and vaccination considerations in your destination country. In addition, we encourage you to consult with your personal family physician so you can be as informed as possible when making important decisions about vaccinations and other necessary health-related preparations before travel.

Our in-country staff prepare meticulously for all programs. Walking Tree will register our programs and travelers with the U.S. Department of State Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) in case of emergency. In country staff also verify the safety records of our partner organizations, vendors, and transportation providers, thoroughly vet homestay families via in depth interviews and home visits, and keep up on important current events in the region.

Program Leaders are seasoned travelers who are CPR and First Aid certified, undergo thorough training in crisis management, and participate in a multi-day leadership training retreat. We do our best to prepare for any eventuality and have detailed emergency protocols for our leaders, in-country staff and U.S.-based staff.

We receive medical disclosures from all participants to ensure we are able to meet every students’ needs during the program. Please inform us immediately of any additional health issues that you did not list during your initial registration process. Program Leaders will also hold an online information session before your departure, as well as an arrival orientation in-country, in order to give participants important instructions on food safety, hygiene and preventing injury and illness. Leaders and in-country staff always respond immediately to any mental, physical or emotional health issues and follow comprehensive emergency protocols.

Insurance

While we work hard to ensure the safest experience possible for our travelers on program, experience teaches that travel is never without risk. For this reason, we recommend that all travelers consider a travel insurance policy with  two additional provisions: Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) and Bed Rest. Detailed explanations of both provisions can be found on the link below.

To provide families with a quality option, Walking Tree has partnered with Travel Insured International, one of the most respected providers in the industry.  Begin by getting a quote here.

IMPORTANT NOTE: in order to secure coverage with CFAR included, you must purchase the plan within 21 days of your deposit/first payment. You must also insure 100% of your trip cost, so program tuition + flight.

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