Terms & Conditions

PAYMENT PLANS

When you enroll with World Classrooms hereinafter refer to as “WC”, there are four payment options: (1) Pay in Full, (2) Monthly Installment Plan, (3) 4-Pay Automatic Installment Plan, or (4) 4-Pay Manual Installment Plan. Installment Plans must include details of a payment method of either direct debit from your checking account or your credit/debit card. The Monthly Installment payment amount is the trip price divided by the number of monthly installments, rounded to the nearest dollar. For Pay in Full and 4-Pay Manual Installment Plan, travelers can pay with debit/credit card, direct checking account withdrawal, cash or check.

A non-refundable maximum fee of $35 will be assessed each time a checking account payment is returned or a credit/debit card transaction is declined. A grace period will be given to those whose payments fail. WC holds the right to attempt to collect any scheduled payments. WC reserves the right to reschedule uncollected payments to the final payment date or to withdraw you from the program for consecutive checking account returns, credit card declines, or patterns of missed payments. Your bank or credit card statement is your receipt. A secondary credit card may be submitted for backup in the event the primary card is declined. No fee will be assessed if the secondary card is approved. Payments may be submitted online, over the phone, or mailed to WC.

RELEASE AND AGREEMENT

I (parent or guardian if enrollee is under 18) am an enrollee for an educational tour provided by American Connections Inc. DBA “World Classrooms” or “WC.” I have read and agree to the following:

Right Decision Guarantee: Within the first 30 days following the Parent Informational Meeting, you may cancel your tour and receive a full refund. If you cancel after 30 days and are not enrolled in the Trip Care Program, the standard cancellation policy terms apply.
WC and its affiliates, which shall include its officers, directors, shareholders and employees (collectively “WC”), do not own or operate any entity which provides goods or services for my tour program, including but not limited to: hotels; arrangements for or ownership or control over lodging facilities; tour guides; attractions; airline; motor coach; bus or other transportation companies; local ground operators; visa processing services; providers or organizers of optional excursions; food service or entertainment providers; etc. All such persons and entities are independent contractors. As a result, WC is not liable for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such person or entity, or of any third party.
Without limitation, WC and its affiliated schools, companies, partners, or any companies acting on its behalf, and each of their directors, officers, employees, volunteers, sponsors, leaders, independent contractors, agents, and authorized representatives are not responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to person or property; death; delay or inconvenience in connection with the provision of any goods or services occasioned by or resulting from, but not limited to: acts of God; force majeure; acts of government; acts of war or civil unrest; insurrection or revolt; strikes or other labor activities; perceived or threatened epidemics; criminal; terrorist or threatened terrorist activities of any kind; overbooking or downgrading of accommodations; structural or other defective conditions in lodging facilities (or in any heating, plumbing, electrical or structural problem therein); mechanical or other failure of airplanes or other means of transportation or for any failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart timely or safely; dangers associated with or bites from animals, insects or pests; sanitation problems; food poisoning; epidemics or the threat thereof; disease; lack of access to or quality of medical care; difficulty in evacuation in case of a medical or other emergency; any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any third party; or for any other cause beyond the direct control of WC.
I agree to release WC and my school, my school district, my school board, and my group leader (the “Released Parties”) and not to sue the Released Parties for any and all claims, of any nature related in any manner to my participation in a WC sponsored tour. I hereby unconditionally and unequivocally waive any and all claims and demands for all damages, losses, costs and expenses of any nature whatsoever (including attorneys’ fees) on account of or arising out of any and all personal injury, death, bodily injury, mental anguish, emotional distress, property, or other damage that I may suffer from any cause whatsoever related in any way to my participation in any WC sponsored tour. I understand that the trip is not a school sponsored activity. Chaperones (teachers/school staff) and travelers will not be attending as representatives or employees of the school in any way. I further agree to release the Released Parties from any and all decisions to cancel, modify, or delay the tour as a result of unforeseeable events that are beyond the reasonable control of WC or which become necessary or advisable so as to increase the quality of the tour.
I understand my tour begins when the group leaves from the designated departure location and ends upon arrival at the designated group return location.
WC shall have no liability or responsibility for me when I am absent from WC sponsored activities or during WC non-sponsored activities, such as visits to friends or relatives or during stay-ahead, stay-behind, or any optional periods or activities that do not include the services of a WC tour director. WC will not provide refunds for any unused portion of a tour once the tour begins, including if you leave a tour for any reason, miss the tour’s departure date, or have to be removed from a tour. This includes any deviations from the tour related to weather, civil strife, personal, family or medical emergencies, or any other circumstances beyond our control.
WC reserves the right to refuse or cancel my registration at its sole discretion. WC and/or the group leader reserves the right to decline to accept or to retain any traveler on the tour if that person’s presence is felt by WC or the group leader likely to be detrimental to the enjoyment of the tour by others, is dangerous to the participant or others, or for failure to abide by WC’s regulations and/or the directions of the tour director or group leader. All participants are expected to be respectful towards other tour participants. Bullying and harassment are not tolerated and individuals who engage in such behavior may be removed from tour. The use of any illegal substances is not allowed. Failure to comply is subject to disciplinary action, including dismissal from tour. Travelers who have been removed from their tour waive the right to a refund of any part of the fee. WC may send the traveler home at the traveler’s own expense.
I agree to abide by WC regulations, the directions of my group leader, my tour director and WC’s personnel during my tour. Failure to do so may result in WC terminating me from the tour immediately. I understand that to disobey such rules or directions is to waive the right to a refund of any kind, and that WC may then send me home at my own expense.
I agree to abide by all local laws while on tour. I understand that if I violate such laws, even unintentionally, I waive my right to a refund of any kind and WC may send me home at my own expense. I also understand that should local authorities be involved, I will be subject to the laws of the country or state I am visiting.
If I become ill or incapacitated, WC or my group leader may take any action deemed necessary for my safety and well-being, including securing medical treatment (at my own expense) and transporting me home. WC retains the right, in its sole discretion, to contact the participant’s parent(s) and/or guardian with regard to health issues or any matter whatsoever that relates to the participant’s tour. These rights transcend any and all privacy regulations that may apply. In the event of a medical emergency, WC will attempt to cause appropriate treatment to be administered, and the participant authorizes WC to do so. WC, however, makes no warranty that it will be able to cause effective (or any) emergency treatment to be administered. WC provides insurance to assist with medical bills when a healthy participant suffers a new injury or illness as a result of being on tour. Participants will be responsible for their own expenses if they choose to participate while ill or have an existing medical condition or childhood disease. While incidents are rare, the coverage is designed to help with co-pays, deductibles, or out of network charges by licensed medical providers. Participants are provided supplemental insurance coverage for accident, illness, and accident-related dental. Pre-existing conditions are not covered. Any charges not covered are the responsibility of the participant. Other limitations may apply. Full details are available upon request.
WC has the right to make changes and/or cancellations to tour itineraries and trip dates, and to modify transportation arrangements, including hotels and any other tour features at any time. Usually, if schools have more than 20 travelers, WC will pick travelers up at my school. If schools have less, WC may ask travelers to meet at another school or the departure airport. In the event of such changes, refunds will be given only in accordance with the provisions of WC’s Cancellation Policy.
My tour price is locked in at the time of registration. Prices are subject to change should I choose to change my rooming assignment or occupancy, request itinerary and/or flight deviation, or require additional accommodations for my tour. Occupancy chosen upon enrollment affects my trip price. I understand that if I don’t provide any specific rooming requests, WC has the right to review and adjust my occupancy based upon age and traveler type.
By enrolling on this tour, I have made the choice to travel with the group leader organizing my group, and I understand that this choice is not the responsibility of WC. I understand that my group leader is able to make decisions on my behalf, including, but not limited to, changing the group’s requested travel date. I understand that a group leader must accompany me on tour. If my group leader cancels for any reason, WC will work with the school to assign a new group leader. If I cancel at this point and choose not to travel with the replacement group leader, I will be subject to WC’s Cancellation Policy.
It is my responsibility to secure necessary travel documents (passport, visa[s], and parental authorization forms). Failure to do so does not constitute grounds for a refund.
I will be required to pay for any phone calls or incidental personal expenses that I incur at hotels, as well as for any damage I cause to hotel rooms, buses or other property.
I understand that WC acts on my behalf to make 11 to 15 reservations for my travelers journey. These reservations require non-refundable deposits which WC pays vendors on my behalf.
Upon enrollment in a tour, the first $199 paid is my enrollment fee. WC highly recommends enrollment in its TripCare+ Program. Enrollment in TripCare+ must take place upon original trip enrollment. If I enroll in TripCare+ I understand that the first payments received per traveler will be used to cover the enrollment fee and TripCare+ protection. The TripCare+ cancellation policy is as follows: 100% of all monies paid to WC for the tour less the enrollment fee will be refunded for cancellations up to 1 week prior to trip departure; 50% of all monies paid to WC for the tour less the enrollment fee will be refunded between one week and 48 hours prior to departure date for any reason; no refunds will be given to those cancellations with less than 48 hours notice from trip departure.
All cancellation notices, with or without TripCare+, must be delivered to WC in writing and be acknowledged by WC in writing. Cancellations must be submitted on the WC Cancellation Form and include all requested information in order to be eligible for any refund. Completed and signed Cancellation Forms must be emailed to [email protected] or via mail to World Classrooms, 14 S Main Street, Ste 200, Aberdeen, SD, 57401. Date of cancellation is counted as the date on which WC receives the cancellation form. Refunds will take approximately three to six weeks to process. The $199 enrollment fee, all donated funds, a $2 handling charge, fees for returned checks, fees for declined credit cards or electronic drafts, late payments, and registration fees are not refundable. WC’s standard cancellation policy is as follows: WC will retain 35% of the trip price for cancellations 180 days or more days prior to original departure date; 50% of the trip price for cancellations 179 to 90 days prior to original departure date; 75% of the trip price for cancellations 89 to 30 days prior to original departure date. Cancellations due to legal or school disciplinary actions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and may not be eligible for refunds. I have the option to transfer my trip to a new enrollee up to 180 days prior to departure.
General Information: Seller of Travel Registrations: FL ST43182 and WA 604-334-901; Seller of Travel Disclosure Statements: Oregon residents: If transportation or other services are canceled by the seller of travel, all sums paid to the seller of travel for services not performed in accordance with the contract between the seller of travel and the passenger will be refunded to the passenger or the party who contracted for the passenger within 14 days after the cancellation by the seller of travel unless mutually acceptable alternative travel arrangements are provided. Washington residents: If transportation or services are canceled by WC, all sums paid to WC for services not performed in accordance with the contract between WC and the purchaser will be refunded within 30 days of receiving the funds from the vendor with whom the services were arranged, or if the funds are not sent to the vendor, the funds will be returned within 14 days after the cancellation by WC to the purchaser unless the purchaser requests WC to apply the money to another travel product and/or date.
I have read and agree to all of the terms and conditions herein. I understand that together they constitute the entire agreement between WC and me with reference to the subject matter herein, and I do not rely upon any promises, inducements, or agreements not herein stated, including, but not limited to, any oral statements made to me by any agents or employees of WC, by my school representatives, or by my group leader. This agreement may be amended or modified only in writing signed by an officer of WC. Any waiver by WC of any provision of this agreement shall not preclude WC’s enforcement thereafter.
This agreement shall be governed in all respects, and performance hereunder shall be judged, by the laws of the State of South Dakota. In the event of any claim, dispute or proceeding arising out of my relationship with WC, or any claim which in contract, tort, or otherwise at law or in equity arises between the Released Parties, whether or not related to this agreement, the parties submit and consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the courts of the State of South Dakota and of the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota.
WC may use any film or digital likeness taken of me, including, but not exclusive to, tagged photos on Instagram and posts with our indicated hashtags. They may also use any of my comments while on a WC tour as well as any project work for future publicity without compensation to me and also use my contact information for future WC promotions.