Everyone may have their own reasons for wanting to travel, but for me, one of the biggest reasons is the opportunity to see in person things that I've previously only read about or seen in pictures. Photos don't do justice to the magnificence of GaudÃ's Sagrada FamÃlia or Park Güell, and learning from local guides allows us to understand the places we visit in much greater depth.
There's something deeply moving about standing in front of a work of art or architecture that's existed for hundreds of years and being able to see it for yourself instead of only in pictures.
It's my hope that everyone traveling with me will have opportunities to use Spanish when we're in Spanish-speaking countries, though knowledge of Spanish is not necessary to participate. For Spanish students, travel also provides the opportunity to test out their language skills with native speakers in a much more authentic context than a classroom.
Lastly, I want to provide these opportunities because travel is fun! What's not to love about trying every heladerÃa (ice cream shop) you pass in Madrid, trying new things like flamenco dancing, shopping for souvenirs, and taking the stairs to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower? (OK, students might disagree with me on that last one. :D)
Trips are open to current Fort Calhoun students in grades 9–12 as well as Fort Calhoun graduates. Travelers under age 23 are eligible for Explorica's student price; travelers age 23 and over pay the adult price.
Parents are also welcome to travel at their own expense. Parents who travel may bring children who are younger than 9th grade, with the understanding that parents are responsible for supervising and caring for younger children at all times during the trip.
No. These trips are independent educational travel opportunities and are not sponsored by or affiliated with Fort Calhoun Community Schools.
I organize the trips independently through an educational tour company. I have personally chosen to limit participation to current and former Fort Calhoun students and their families in order to provide a comfortable, student-focused travel experience.
Travelers need a valid passport. Depending on our destination and current travel requirements, additional documentation or authorization may also be required. I will provide travelers with information about requirements specific to each tour.
Passports and any other required travel documents must be purchased separately and are not included in the tour price.
If you're considering one of our trips, check your passport status early—but don't necessarily apply years in advance. Passports issued to children under age 16 are valid for only five years, while passports issued at age 16 or older are generally valid for ten years.
For an upcoming trip:
Don't have a passport? Start the application process with plenty of time before we travel.
Already have a passport? Check the expiration date. If it will expire within six months after our travel dates, plan to get a new passport before the trip.
Thinking about traveling but haven't decided yet? If the trip is coming up within the next year or so, I recommend getting the passport process started so that waiting for a passport doesn't keep you from being able to travel.
Because children's passports are valid for only five years, I don't recommend getting one several years ahead of a possible trip just to have it.
I'll remind enrolled travelers to check their passport expiration dates well before departure.
Some expenses are not included in the advertised tour price. The exact amount will depend on the individual traveler and the specific tour, but families should budget separately for things such as:
Passport and other required travel documentation
Lunches and snacks
Drinks other than those included with meals
Spending money and souvenirs
Optional excursions or activities
Any other tour-specific expenses identified before departure
Gratuities: These are included in the price of some tours. If gratuities are not included for a particular trip, families will be notified of the expected amount before departure.
Private group rooming: I request that Fort Calhoun students be roomed only with members of our own group rather than being assigned rooms with students from other groups traveling on our tour. Explorica may charge an additional fee for this option to individual traveler accounts. I will reimburse travelers for this fee from the group travel fund.
Because Fort Calhoun is a small community with many students and organizations fundraising throughout the year, we generally do not hold large group fundraisers.
Instead, travelers who want to fundraise are encouraged to raise money individually. Explorica also provides enrolled travelers with individual fundraising pages that can be shared with friends and family.
Fundraising can help significantly with the cost of travel, but families should have realistic expectations: most travelers are unlikely to fundraise the entire cost of a $5,000+ trip. Raising $500, $1,000, or $1,500, however, can make a meaningful difference.
Visit the Fundraising page for individual fundraising information and practical ideas.
Our tour company recommends packing in a carry-on whenever possible to reduce the risk of checked luggage being delayed or lost.
I'll provide travelers with a much more detailed packing list and recommendations before departure based on our destinations, expected weather, activities, and airline requirements.
And yes, comfortable walking shoes are extremely important. We walk. A lot.
Before departure, I'll create a group WhatsApp chat for travelers and parents that we can use for communication and trip updates while we're traveling.
Students can also use their regular cell phones on Wi-Fi. I recommend checking with your wireless carrier before departure about current international calling, texting, and data options.
Parents should make sure WhatsApp is installed and working before we leave, since that will be one of our primary methods of group communication during the trip.
I'll also provide families with information before departure about how to contact me directly if they need to reach their child urgently.
Most trips will last approximately 10 days, although the exact length will vary depending on the itinerary.
There isn't one amount that's right for every traveler. Students will need money for lunches, snacks, souvenirs, and other personal expenses, and spending habits obviously vary quite a bit.
I recommend bringing only a small amount of cash and having access to additional money through a debit or credit card. Travelers can generally withdraw local currency from ATMs as needed.
Before departure, families should contact their bank or card issuer to make sure their cards will work internationally and understand any foreign transaction or ATM fees.
I'll provide more specific spending-money recommendations to travelers before each trip.
My goal is to offer an international trip every two years.
Our next trip is scheduled for 2027, and I expect to begin sharing information about a 2029 trip in early spring 2027. If 2029 sounds like a better fit for your family, feel free to email me and ask me to follow up with you when information becomes available.
Please email me at anita@fortcalhountravels.com and I'll be happy to go over any questions or concerns you might have!