Terms & Conditions

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1. Payment Plans

When you enroll with World Classrooms (hereinafter referred 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. Payments may be submitted online, over the phone, or mailed to WC. Your bank or credit card statement is your receipt.

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. A secondary credit card may be submitted for backup in the event the primary cardis declined. No fee will be assessed if the secondary card is approved.

2. Release and Agreement: Independent Suppliers and Events Beyond WC’sControl

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 orownership 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 orrevolt; 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, insectsor 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.

3. Release and Waiver of Claims

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, 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, including, but not limited to, claims for negligence, breach of contract, or breach of express or implied warranties. I hereby 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 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 necessaryor advisable so as to increase the quality of the tour.

Nothing in this Release is intended to, or shall, release any party from liability for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct, or to waive any rights that cannot be waived under applicable law. This Release applies to and binds me and my minor child enrolling on tour (if applicable), along with our respective heirs, personal representatives, executors, administrators, assigns, and family members.

I understand that the trip is not a school sponsored activity. Group leaders and accompanying adults (teachers/school staff) and travelers will not be attending as representatives or employees of the school in any way.

4. Assumption of Risk

I understand that travel, both within the United States and internationally, involves inherent risks that cannot be eliminated regardless of the care taken to avoid them. These risks include, but are not limited to: transportation and traffic-related accidents; risks associated with air, motor coach, rail, and water transportation; dangers associated with recreational, physical, and water-based activities; forces of nature, severe weather, and geographic and climatic conditions; varying hygienic and sanitation standards; food-borne illness; exposure to illness, disease, epidemics, or pandemics; dangers associated with or bites from animals, insects, or pests; crime, vandalism, civil unrest, political instability, and terrorism; differing infrastructure, road, and accommodation conditions; limited availability or quality of medical care; difficulty of evacuation in the event of a medical or other emergency; and the negligent, wrongful, or intentional acts or omissions of other travelers or of third parties. I agree to review risks specific to my destination(s), including at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Travelers’ Health website (www.cdc.gov/travel) and, for international travel, the U.S. Department ofState’s travel website (travel.state.gov).

PARTICIPANT-RELATED RISKS. I understand that WC tours involve shared hotel rooms, shared transportation, and group settings, and that participants are individuals whose conduct WC does not and cannot fully control. While WC establishes and enforces conduct rules, WC cannot guarantee the prevention of every act of misconduct, negligence, or wrongful conduct by another participant or third party. I acknowledge and assume the risks arising from the acts or omissions of other participants and third parties, and I understand that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, WC is not liable for the independent acts or omissions of other travelers.

I VOLUNTARILY AND KNOWINGLY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS, whether or not specifically identified above, as a condition of my (or my child’s) participation on a WC tour, to the fullest extent permitted by law. This assumption of risk binds me, my child enrolling on tour (if applicable), and our respective heirs, personal representatives, executors, administrators, assigns, and family members.

5. Indemnification

I agree to indemnify and hold harmless WC and the other Released Parties from and against any financial liability, loss, cost, damage, or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or relating to: (a) any injury to, or damage to the personor property of, any third party or other participant that I cause or contribute to while participating on a WC tour; (b) any financial obligation I incur to any third party, including hotels, transportation providers, and attractions, during the tour; and (c) my violation of these Terms & Conditions, of WC’s rules, or of applicable law while on tour. For travelers under 18, this obligation is undertaken by the parent or legal guardian agreeing to these Terms & Conditions.

6. Limitation of Liability

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, WC’s total aggregate liability for any and all claims arising out of or relating to a WC tour or these Terms & Conditions, whether based in contract, tort, warranty, or otherwise, shall not exceed the total amount of trip fees actually paid by or on behalf of the participant to WC for the tour giving rise to the claim. In no event shall WC be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, punitive, or exemplary damages, or for lost profits, lost wages, or loss of enjoyment. This limitation does not apply to liability for gross negligence or willful misconduct, or to any liability that cannot be limited under applicable law.

7. Time Outside WC Activities; Unused Portions

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 notinclude 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.

8. Participant Conduct and Standards for Success

8.1 Right to Remove a Participant

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, to retain, or to remove any participant from the tour whose conduct, behavior, intoxication, impairment, oractions are, in WC’s or the group leader’s sole discretion, disruptive, unsafe, unlawful, or detrimental to the safety, well-being, or experience of other travelers, or whose presence is dangerous to the participant or others, or who fails 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 (or, for a minor, the parents’) own expense.

8.2 Adult Traveler Conduct

Adult travelers are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the educational nature of the program. Excessive alcohol consumption, intoxication, disruptive conduct, harassment, interference with staff, or behavior that jeopardizes the safety or experience of other travelers may result in removal from activities ordismissal from the tour without refund, and return home at the adult traveler’s own expense.

8.3 Standards for Success

• Follow the rules and directions of the group leaders, the tour director, and WC staff, both prior to and during the tour;

All participants must comply with WC’s Standards for Success, which form part of these Terms & Conditions. Enrollment by a parent or legal guardian serves as the family’s agreement to the Standards for Success; no separate signature is required. By enrolling a student, the parent or legal guardian also agrees to review the Standards for Success with the student before travel. The Standards for Success require, among other things, that participants:

  • Treat everyone with respect; bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, hazing, and discrimination of any kind are not tolerated;
  • Not use or carry smoking products, e-cigarettes or vaping devices, alcohol, marijuana, illegal drugs, or any controlled substance not prescribed to them, and not bring weapons of any kind;
  • Comply with all rules and regulations of airlines, hotels, motor coach companies, attractions, and other vendors;
  • Stay with the group at all times; during any free time permitted by a group leader, stay in a group of at least three and return to the meeting point on time;
  • Not leave the hotel unless a group leader or the tour director has approved it and the participant is with the group and an authorized adult;
  • Stay in their own assigned hotel room and not enter another participant’s room unless a group leader has approved it;
  • Observe quiet hours from 10:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m.; be in their own assigned room by 10:30 p.m. and remain there until 6:30 a.m. unless the WC tour leader directs otherwise for a program event; and sleep in their own assigned room each night;
  • Leave hotel facilities in the condition in which they were found, and accept sole responsibility for any damage they cause;
  • Use technology and electronic devices responsibly, including the privacy and electronic-device rules in Section 8.4;
  • Report to a group leader, the tour director, or another trusted adult anything or anyone that makes them feel unsafe or uncomfortable; and
  • Exercise good common sense, respect, and consideration for others and their property at all times.

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If any participant violates these standards, the participant may be dismissed from the tour at the sole discretion of the WC tour director. In such cases, the parent/guardian will be contacted, the student will be sent home at the parent’s expense, and no refund of any part of the trip price will be given.

8.4 Privacy, Electronic Devices, and Social Media

Use technology and social media responsibly and respect the privacy and dignity of everyone in the group. Do not photograph, record, livestream, video chat, or otherwise capture images, audio, or video of another participant in a hotel room, bathroom, changing area, or any other location where privacy is reasonably expected. Do not share, post, transmit, forward, or ask for any image, video, or recording of another participant without that person’s permission. Any use of an electronic device that invades another participant’s privacy, is harmful, demeaning, exploitative, harassing, or threatening, or is otherwise considered inappropriate by World Classrooms staff is not allowed and may be against the law. Bullying or harassing anyone in the group, online or in person, is also prohibited. Violations may result in disciplinary action, including temporary confiscation of the device, removal from activities, dismissal from the tour at the traveler’s own expense, and, where required by law, a report to the appropriate authorities.

8.5 Conduct Between Participants

WC does not supervise, authorize, or condone romantic or sexual conduct between participants. Participants are expected to comply with rooming assignments, curfews, and all conduct rules. WC cannot guarantee the prevention of every interaction between participants; violations of rooming, curfew, or conduct rules may result in removal from the tour at the traveler’s own expense.

8.6 Compliance with Rules and Laws; Personal Charges

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 homeat 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.

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.

9. Child Safety and Staff Conduct

WC is committed to the safety of student participants and maintains the following safeguards:

  • •Staff training. All WC tour personnel including employees, interns, seasonal staff, and, volunteers receive annual training regarding student safety, professional boundaries, appropriate communications, reporting obligations, and prohibited conduct involving student participants.
  • •Communications. WC personnel may not initiate or maintain private or personal social media or electronic communication with student participants during a tour or for 12 months following a tour, except as authorized for legitimate business purposes.
  • •Zero tolerance. WC maintains a zero-tolerance policy regarding romantic, sexual, or otherwise inappropriate relationships between WC personnel and student participants. Any employee, intern, volunteer, or representative of WC who engages in, attempts to engage in, or facilitates such conduct is subject to immediate removal from the tour and termination of employment or engagement, and WC will report the conduct as required by law.

10. Injury and Emergency Authorization

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.

11. Supplemental Accident Coverage

While on tour, participants are provided with limited supplemental accident coverage under a blanket accident policy that WC maintains. This coverage applies only to accidental injury; it does NOT cover illness or sickness of any kind. It is designed to help without-of-pocket costs resulting from a covered accidental injury sustained while participating in scheduled, supervised tour activities and direct travel to and from those activities. The coverage is secondary (excess) to any other insurance the participant has and pays only after, and in excess of, the participant’s own coverage. Current benefit limits are: accident medical expense up to $5,000 per covered accident, with a $0 deductible and 100% coinsurance; and accidental death and dismemberment benefits of $15,000. Dental treatment for accidental injury to sound natural teeth is covered within the $5,000 accident medical maximum. Pre-existing conditions are not covered, and certain activities and locations may be excluded. Coverage is subject to all terms, limits, conditions, and exclusions of the master policy, which is available upon request. Participants are responsible for their own medical care and expenses for any illness or sickness, and for any charges not covered by this accident coverage.

12. Enrollment Fee and TripCare+

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.

TripCare+ is a non-insurance cancellation fee waiver and refund program offered by WC. It is not insurance and does not provide insurance benefits.

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.

13. Cancellations, Refunds, and Other Terms

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, 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; and no refund will be given for cancellations 29 days or fewer 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.

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 a designated meet point. If schools have less, WC may ask travelers to meet at a designated meet point 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 understand that WC acts on my behalf to arrange multiple travel services for my tour, such as transportation, lodging, attractions, and activities. Many of these arrangements require non-refundable deposits and payments that WC makes to third-party vendors on mybehalf, often well in advance of 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 ofreceiving 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.

14. General Provisions

14.1 Entire Agreement; Amendment; No Waiver

I have read and agree to all ofthe 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 here instated, 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.

14.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms & Conditions is held by a court or other tribunal of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, that provision shall be enforced to the maximum extent permissible and, if incapable of such enforcement, shall be deemed severed, and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect as if the severed provision had not been contained herein.

14.3 Governing Law and Venue

This agreement shall be governedin all respects, and performance here under shall be judged, by the laws of the State of South Dakota. In the event of any claim, dispute or proceeding arisingout 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 theUnited States District Court for the District of South Dakota.

14.4 Class Action and Jury Trial Waiver

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW: (a) any claim, dispute, or proceeding between the parties must be brought in the party’s individual capacity only, and not as a plaintiff or class member in any purported class, collective, consolidated, or representative proceeding; (b) no claim may be joined or consolidated with the claim of any other person; and (c) EACH PARTY KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY in any proceeding arising out of or relating to these Terms & Conditions or any WC tour. If the class action waiver is held unenforceable as to a particular claim, that claim, and only that claim, shall proceed on a class or representative basis, and the waiver shall remain enforceable as to all other claims.

15. Media Release

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.

16. Acknowledgment

By enrolling and making my deposit, I acknowledge that I have read and understood these Terms & Conditions, including the Release and Waiver (Section 3), the Assumption of Risk (Section 4), the Indemnification (Section 5), the Limitation of Liability (Section 6), and the Class Action and Jury Trial Waiver (Section 14.4), and I agree to all of their conditions on my own behalf and, if applicable, on behalf of my minor child.