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Safety and Security for Travelers

WorldStrides’ first priority is always the safety of our program participants. As teachers, mothers, and fathers, we understand that students’ safety is the primary concern, and that’s why we treat each student as if they were our own. Through nearly 45 years of experience, we have developed a comprehensive security network that ensures each student, chaperone, and teacher will be safe every step of the way.

Tour Central – Our Tour Central offices in Washington, D.C., Williamsburg, VA, and New York City are available 24 hours a day via phone while you are traveling. These trained professionals are prepared to answer your questions and handle emergencies that may arise at any time.

Identification Badges – All students are given a WorldStrides Identification Badge to wear while they travel. The back of the badge contains the Tour Central phone number, giving every student quick access to a WorldStrides employee in the unlikely event that he or she is separated from the group.

Behavior Contracts – All students and their parents must sign a Behavior Contract before departure allowing the Program Leader to set expectations and preventing problems from arising during the program.

On-Site Coordinator - On most WorldStrides DiscoverNow! programs, a WorldStrides staff member stays with the group at the hotel to confirm the group’s hotel preparations are in order. Rooms will be checked for cleanliness and movie request functions will be disconnected if possible. Most importantly, On-site Coordinators assist with any urgent situations that may arise during the night.

Night Chaperones – On WorldStrides DiscoverNow! programs to Washington, D.C., Williamsburg, VA, and New York City, WorldStrides employs Night Chaperones to ensure the safety and security of the students. Night Chaperones monitor the hallways from late evening to early morning, so Program Leaders and chaperones can rest peacefully knowing that their students are safe throughout the night.

Doctors on Call – WorldStrides has an exclusive partnership with The George Washington University Department of Emergency Medicine. A George Washington University doctor serves on our staff as the WorldStrides Medical Director, overseeing medical response planning for the organization and providing direct case management in the event of a medical response issue anywhere in the world. This partnership allows us to provide 24–hour in-hotel emergency care to all of our traveling students, parents, teachers, and chaperones in the Washington, D.C. area and phone consultations to all other domestic destinations.

Site Vendor - WorldStrides maintains strong relationships with each of our vendors so that every group is treated with the care and respect that they deserve.

Extensive Insurance Coverage – WorldStrides sets itself apart by offering students, educators, and chaperones extensive accident, medical, and dental insurance for all participants.

Protecting the Investments of Communities

WorldStrides takes a number of steps to secure the financial investments of students, parents, and communities. WorldStrides is backed by the financial strength of The Carlyle Group, Charlesbank Capital Partners and Silverhawk Capital Partners.

               

USTOA Travelers Assistance Program – By traveling with WorldStrides, teachers and students are protected through the $1 million USTOA Travelers Assistance Program.

Full Refund Program – Through our Full Refund Program, parents can cancel their enrollment and recover all payments (minus non-refundable fees) at any time prior to departure, for any reason. The program additionally protects against loss of employment by providing a refund, including the Full Refund Program fee, for participants who must cancel their program. The Full Refund Program is not applicable to Europe and China programs.