2022 DSA Fringe Program

Accommodations

Premier Inn Southwark Station

Premier Inn is one of the United Kingdom’s largest hotel groups and this location is close to it all in London. Conveniently located near many metro stops and attractions south of the River Thames, the hotel also has a quiet courtyard and garden combing location, amenities and price in a great option for groups visiting London.

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Mercure Stratford upon Avon Shakespeare Hotel

The Shakespeare Hotel is a traditional 4-star hotel which sits in the heart of historic Stratford-Upon-Avon. Just a short stroll away from Shakespeare’s birthplace, the RSC theatres and local shopping, this hotel is convenient for those looking to explore and relax. Step back in time, but only a few paces off the main square in this unique accommodation.

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Murano Student Lodging in Edinburgh

Located in a quiet courtyard midway between Leith and the city centre, Murano is perfect to discover different parts of Edinburgh! Students will be staying in 4 bedroom suites that include a bathroom in each bedroom and a shared kitchen and living room area. There are a variety of shared amenities including laundry, wifi and 24/7 reception.

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Group Flight

Once your flight schedule 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 staff in all destinations and 24/7 support from our headquarters in Denver, Colorado. Below you’ll find the the team members involved in the preparation, planning and execution of your program.

Gabriel Duncan

Co-Founder of Walking Tree Travel and Business Lead - Denver, CO

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Colby College – B.A. International Relations and Government

While at Colby, Gabriel spent a semester in Spain at the University of Salamanca studying contemporary Spanish politics and Spanish language. He also lettered for four-years on Colby’s lacrosse team and earned All-American honors. After graduating, Gabriel hit the road. He fished commercially in Alaska, taught in Chile and China, led programs for students in Spain and Costa Rica, and traveled to over 50 countries and all 50 states in the USA. Regardless of where Gabriel is located, he is constantly haunted by his naive faith and unconditional love for Denver sports teams.

Group Roster

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

• 1 Aaron Moore
• 2 Adison Keith
• 3 Aliya Levin
• 4 Aliya Levin
• 5 Aliya Levin
• 6 Amalia Thompson
• 7 Amelia Hoffman
• 8 Amy Silvesky
• 9 Amy Silvesky
• 10 Anabelle Wheeler
• 11 Anders Cloninger
• 12 Andre Perry
• 13 Anya Nitczynski
• 14 Armando Guardiola
• 15 Austin Golinski
• 16 Ava Frommell
• 17 Avery Boggs
• 18 Benjamin Berg
• 19 Benjamin Feldman
• 20 Brendan Rosenberg
• 21 Brianne Engel
• 22 Camden Gibbs
• 23 Casey Mehl
• 24 Charles Young
• 25 Charlotte Hearn
• 26 Chase Mackay
• 27 Christian Blackmun
• 28 Chyler Leimbach
• 29 Cynthia Brown
• 30 Daniellee Blakeslee
• 31 David Segalchik
• 32 Dawson Lear
• 33 Ean Rains
• 34 Elias Carpenter
• 35 Elias Johnson
• 36 Ella Billington
• 37 Ella Billington
• 38 Ella Harrison
• 39 Eloisa Trujillo-Carrillo
• 40 Emily McNeil
• 41 Emily McNeil
• 42 Eve Friday
• 43 Fiona Beardsley
• 44 Gabriel Dave
• 45 Gabriel Warner
• 46 GEORGE ALLEN
• 47 Grace Brodie
• 48 Graham Cox
• 49 Grayson Allensworth
• 50 Harper Sidener
• 51 Harrison Hauptman
• 52 Harrison Lyles-Smith
• 53 Hayden Pulliam
• 54 Hazel Kachline
• 55 Hudson Halverstadt
• 56 Isabella Conklin
• 57 Ivy Silvesky
• 58 Jahleil Jenkins
• 59 James Bruenger III
• 60 Jamie Moyer
• 61 Jaye Mueller
• 62 Jennifer Horn
• 63 Jennifer Horn
• 64 Jessica Amgalanbaatar
• 65 Jocasta Champion
• 66 Jocasta Champion
• 67 Jocelyn Campanaro
• 68 Joel Cooner
• 69 Joel Warner
• 70 Joel Warner
• 71 John Cunningham
• 72 John Lindstrom
• 73 Julia Rivero
• 74 Justice Warner
• 75 Kaia Love-Wilcox
• 76 Katelyn Reed
• 77 Kayla McPherson
• 78 Kylie Williams
• 79 Lange Grover
• 80 Lara Amadeo
• 81 Levi Singer
• 82 Levi Singer
• 83 Lila DeMuth
• 84 Lillian Moyer
• 85 Logan Ambroggio
• 86 Lydia Hulko
• 87 Maci Vogt
• 88 Macland Taylor
• 89 Madeline Barr
• 90 Margaret Brennan
• 91 Marilyn Wilcox
• 92 Marina Leo
• 93 Maya Eisbart
• 94 Michael Kratzer
• 95 Millicent Ambroggio
• 96 Miranda Popp
• 97 Nancy Berg
• 98 Nancy Berg
• 99 Nathan Gauthier
• 100 Nicholas Benak
• 101 Nicole Siegler
• 102 Nora Engel
• 103 Nora Engel
• 104 Nora Rhodes
• 105 Olive McClellan
• 106 Oliver Goertzel
• 107 Oliver Strubbe
• 108 Patricia Lindstrom
• 109 Patricia Lindstrom
• 110 Rachael Faulkes
• 111 Ruth Bird
• 112 Sam Charney
• 113 Sam Charney
• 114 Sarah Harmon
• 115 Shawn Hann
• 116 Skylar Daniels
• 117 Sloan Nelson
• 118 Spencer Henry
• 119 Tessa DeCecco
• 120 Tessa Maruyama
• 121 Tihun Hann
• 122 Todd Singer
• 123 Tristan Regini
• 124 Tyler Fruhwirth
• 125 Violet Knostman
• 126 Vivian Kenney
• 127 Walter Silvesky II
• 128 William Spaur
• 129 Willow Nuss
• 130 Xavier Elie
• 131 Zoe Wilcox

Blog and Communication

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

Assuming your school allows the use of cell phones, most destinations are wired enough to allow participants access WiFi at different moments in the program, allowing them to communicate directly with home. Ask your Walking Tree representative about the degree of connectivity on your program.

GLC Curriculum

Standards of Behavior

In order to run a safe and successful program, it is vital that travelers are prepared to be on their best behavior and bring enthusiasm and interest to each and every day. A communal atmosphere of trust and mutual respect is the foundational.  As such, all individuals participating on a Walking Tree program are required to take responsibility for their actions and adhere to a high standard of personal conduct.

IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL

1. Possessing, consuming or distributing alcohol or illegal drugs.
2. Associating with participants while they are in possession of alcohol or illegal drugs.
3. Behaving in a way that consistently damages the group dynamic or jeopardizes personal or group safety. 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

Insurance

While we work hard to ensure the safest experience possible for our travelers on program, experience teaches that travel can be unpredictable. For this reason, we recommend that all travelers consider a travel insurance policy with a Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) provision. Detailed explanations of plan options can be found via the link below.

To provide travelers and 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 that includes CFAR, you must purchase the plan within 14-21 days of your first payment to Walking Tree. Be careful when you read the tenets of the policy to ensure you understand the required timeframe for purchase. You must also insure 100% of your trip cost, so program tuition + flight. Please reach out to us with questions.