Thailand

DATES: July 14 - July 28, 2024 +- 2 days

LOCATION: THAILAND

LENGTH: 14 Days

ENROLLMENT: ~14 students

ELIGIBILITY: 14 years old before departure OR special recommendation from Sprout leadership. All participants must be fully vaccinated for COVID19 prior to departure

TUITION: $4,995 + international airfare

DEPOSIT: $750.00 due at time of application

TUITION INCLUDES: domestic airfare within Thailand, airport transfers, accommodations, meals, transportation, camp sites, national park fees, conservation program fees, tips, guides, drivers, vehicles, in-country staff fees, and all trip activities

ADDITIONAL COSTS: International airfare - The Sprout Experience will complete a group booking for this flight and this cost will be in addition to the tuition. We estimate the round-trip airfare from Hopkins International Airport in Cleveland to Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok to be approximately $2,000.00. Cost of airfare may fluctuate with the market.

Required trip insurance (about $100 for students 14 to 18 years of age), souvenirs & personal items, food at airports, and any needed medicines or vaccinations (consult your doctor)

FINANCIAL AID: Limited scholarship may be available.

INTERNSHIPS: Available. Email our Internship Coordinator Paige at paige@thesproutexperirence.org

Day 1 : Depart for Cleveland from | TRAVEL DAY | Overnight on the airplane
We begin our amazing journey!

Day 2: Arrive in Bangkok, Thailand | Overnight at The Cottage Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel
The Cottage Hotel incorporates the green scenery of the suburban region through the blend of tropical and modern designs with a swimming pool situated in the heart of the hotel, offering total relaxation which will be appreciated after our long flight. An orientation to Thailand will occur after a much needed nap!

Day 3: Travel to Chiang Mai | Overnight at the Away Resort
Fly up to Chiang Mai on a mid-morning flight. Get settled into accommodation. Additional orientation followed by a half day city tour, with stops at well-known temples and finishing with a Thai cooking course.

Day 4: Chiang Mai | VISIT TO THAI SCHOOL & CULTURAL ACTIVITIES | Overnight at the Away Resort
Morning orientation on teaching in Thailand, afternoon visit to schools where students will be teaching English as a second language followed by late afternoon cultural activities.

Day 5: Chaing Mai | VISIT TO THAI SCHOOL & MUAY THAI COURSE | Overnight at the Away Resort
Morning at school teaching English and then afternoon cultural activities including a Muay Thai course.

Day 6: Chaing Mai | ELEPHANT SANCTUARY | Overnight at the Away Resort
Visit to Thai Elephant Conservation Center and Elephant Hospital followed by visit to Elephant Parade to learn about elephant conservation.

Day 7: Chiang Mai | ELEPHANT SANCTUARY | Overnight at the Karen EcoLodge (or similar)
We will spend the day volunteering at the elephant sanctuary.

Day 8: Chiang Mai | ELEPHANT SANCTUARY |
We will spend the day volunteering at the elephant sanctuary and in the evening head back to Chiang Mai to prepare for our flight back to Bangkok.

Day 9: KOH SAMET ISLAND | TRAVEL DAY | Overnight at Ao Prao Resort
Chiang Mai /Bangkok / Koh Samet Island
Fly to Bangkok in the morning, short drive to Koh Samet, and then spend the late afternoon and even relaxing in the warm waters of the Gulf of Thailand.

Day 10: KOH SAMET ISLAND | Overnight at Ao Prao Resort
We will recharge our batteries with a relaxing day snorkeling and playing on the island of Koh Samet!

Day 11: BANGKOK | Overnight at Vic3 Hotel
Head to Bangkok in the morning to settle into our hotel and then take a walking tour of Bangkok!

Day 12: BANGKOK | Overnight at Vic3 Hotel
Big Bangkok day of visiting the Grand Palace, Wat Po and City Pillar!

Day 13: BANGKOK | Overnight at Vic3 Hotel
Bangkok as a local - take a river taxi, sky train, and see the local market and central business district of Bangkok before enjoying our farewell dinner!

Day 14: DAY OF DEPARTURE | Travel Day

Day 15: ARRIVE IN CLEVELAND

What are Pre-Travel meetings?
For open enrollment programs, there are typically 4 mandatory pre-travel meetings prior to departure.

Dates of these meetings will be announced around January and attendance is expected.

Meeting 1: Parents/Guardians and student travelers
Meeting 2: Student travelers only
Meeting 3: Student travelers only
Meeting 4: Bon Voyage Gathering with parents/guardians and student travelers

How many Sprout Leaders will be on program?
We travel with a minimum of two Sprout leaders, but we typically have three.

How many students will there be?
We will accept 12-16 students for this program for an open enrollment program. For a private group or school program, the number of participants can be more or less depending on the agreement between Sprout and the group/school.

What additional paperwork is needed for minors to travel with The Sprout Experience?
All passengers under the age of 18 and traveling with an adult other than a parent/legal guardian, must provide:

(1) A written notarized consent form from the biological parents or legal guardians. The consent form will be provided to you from SPROUT.

(2) A copy of the passenger's birth certificate.

(3) A copy of their biological parent’s or legal guardian’s ID attached to the consent letter. You will need a copy of BOTH parents if there are two parents who share legal custody of the minor. In the event of the death of a parent, a copy of the death certificate is required as well.

Will Sprout supply a packing list?
At either meeting 2 or 3 a packing list will be shared. Items you may need to purchase that you may not have at home: a buff, a hat with a brim, a travel alarm clock that uses a battery, a COVID test kit. Everyone will need to pack in a soft-sided duffel.

Can you explain the arrangement for travel insurance?
The Sprout Experience partners with Arch Roam Right for our travel insurance and we require all participants (Sprout leaders and student and adult travelers) to purchase insurance with this company. It is critical when traveling with youth that we are all on the same policy.

Julie Milkie will send you information on travel insurance enrollment after meeting #1.

Departure Day
For an international departure, we will meet at the airport approximately 3-4 hours prior to our departure time. This allows for ample time to get everyone checked in at the gate, answer last minute questions, etc. Airline information and airport arrival times will be shared at a pre-travel meeting.

Arrival Home
You will be able to track our flights from home and The Sprout Experience will also be in contact with each landing and departure.

What about communication during the program?
Sprout asks that students and families use WhatsApp, which is a free app that you download to your phone. This allows Sprout to create a FAMILY CONTACT LIST which allows Sprout to send messages to every family at one time.

We also ask that families do not schedule specific check in times with your child during the program. This can lead to unnecessary worry. Cell batteries may die, or there may be no service. Remember that a Sprout leader can reach home at any time in the event of an emergency.

Remember the key is to unplug and be immersed in the culture, music, food and nature!

How can families, students and Sprout staff communicate in the event of an emergency?
Rest assured that a Sprout leader will be able to contact a family in the event of an emergency. If a family member needs to contact Sprout, they will use the cell number provided to them. Families will also be provided with an emergency contact number for a Sprout leader that is in the CLE area.

How are dietary restrictions and unique dietary needs handled?
Specific dietary needs were requested to be listed when the program application was completed and will be reviewed again at the Bon Voyage gathering. Sprout will accommodate dietary needs.

How will medication be handled during the program?
Prescribed and over the counter medication needs were requested to be listed on the program application and will be reviewed at the Bon Voyage gathering. Sprout will check in with the student guardians prior to departure to update medication needs. While on program, a Sprout leader will do medication reminders with students.

***If you have any concerns about medication needs for your child, please speak with a Sprout leader.