There is no doubt that Covid-19 has impacted every single person in our world, bringing new perspectives and a new level of resilience along with it. We are proud to have successfully operated both international and domestic programs in 2022. With our tested risk management framework, we confidently plan for operations in 2023. where the safety of students, staff and local communities remains our highest priority.  We are committed to continuing our operations in a safe, responsible and sustainable way.

We anticipate being able to confirm a program is running at least 60 days prior to each session start date to allow for time to move forward with flight bookings and pre-departure requirements. This means most decisions will be made in Spring 2023

Please reach out to us with any questions that are not answered in the below FAQs:

• How is TTN responding to Covid-19?

1. 1. For the last two summers, we are proud to share that we have delivered safe and successful programming. We are continuing our regular consultations with our risk management team, in-country expert partners and a variety of global health experts and organizations including the WHO, CDC, and our partner in managing student health and safety, Cultural Insurance Services International. In addition, TTN remains in touch with peer organizations in order to share information and work collaboratively in the interest of our participants and partner communities.

• Does TTN require a Covid-19 vaccine to travel?

1. 1. An up to date Covid-19 vaccination is strongly recommended, but not required by TTN to travel on our programs. This means they have received their primary series of the Covid-19 vaccination and are up to date with any eligible boosters. We closely monitor border guidelines and some destinations may require this vaccine, in which we will as well. Staying up to date with the Covid-19 vaccine is the best way to ensure your student has as smooth of an experience as possible. *Be aware some destinations may require vaccination for entry into the country and this could change between the time of enrollment and departure.  We closely track entry requirements for U.S travelers and will keep families apprised but also strongly advise you to also monitor this and consider vaccination (especially if you live outside of the U.S.).

• What type of pre-departure requirements does TTN have?

1. 1. Limited Exposure Before Departure: For all travelers, we ask all families and staff to limit exposure and avoid non-essential contact outside of their immediate pod or family unit as best as possible 10 days prior to their program departure.  This is in preparation for their required pre-departure Covid-19 test and to avoid any exposures that could impact ability to attend the program.
   2. Negative Covid-19 Test Taken Before Departure: At this time, TTN requires a negative viral test to be obtained and submitted prior to departure. We strongly suggest that families obtain an Antigen test taken within 24 hours of departure and ideally right before travel to the airport.  *If taking an at-home antigen test we ask that student’s write their name and date of the test on the test itself and submit a photo. If the test was administered by a lab, the family will submit the test results as proof.

• How and when will TTN decide which programs are running?

1. 1. 1. Deciding when, how, and where we will run programs is a dynamic process that includes numerous considerations. We have carefully crafted guidelines that we will use as part of our foundational decision-making process when determining when and where we will run programs:
         1. Status of international travel. We will seek guidance from the U.S. State Department for travel restrictions and warnings as they apply to both our home country and the country of our program destination. All travel bans must be lifted, borders must be open, quarantine restrictions must be lifted and regularly scheduled flights must be available.

• Status of the specific country and program destination. Each country is in a different phase of managing Covid-19; as such, we will evaluate each location individually. We will consider: health infrastructure utilization, availability and access to healthcare and vaccines; location and availability of Covid-19 tests for foreigners near the program site; the stability and well-being of the local community; group gathering restrictions in place; and our abilities to provide a safe and enriching program experience.

• A specific program location may have unique logistics that allow for greater control precautions within a certain country. It is possible, for instance, that we may have a program that has 100% exclusivity in its lodging, transportation and designated activities, with limited or no interaction with the host community (animal & wildlife programs, for example). Our Local Partners on the ground will be a critical piece of this puzzle, as we will evaluate each location with their input. We will also consult trusted online resources for reliable data. We will not be able to operate programs in any locations where shelter-in-place restrictions are enacted.

• Will you consider the US State Department or CDC Travel Warnings to determine whether or not to run a program?

1. 1. We are closely following the State Department travel warnings as they are issued. We follow the State Department because it takes the CDC travel warnings into consideration and the mass majority of our students are American.

• What if I enroll now, could my program get canceled?

1. 1.  While we feel confident in our abilities to manage travel programs amidst the backdrop of an evolving structure, we still must adhere to border and travel restrictions which are outside of our control. Yes, it is possible that your program could get canceled after you enroll for either operational risks or low enrollment. As such, your enrollment will be subject to our Terms and Conditions. From us, you can expect honest and transparent communication around our decisions. We will do everything within our power to keep programs running, but will not compromise the safety of students, staff, or the local communities in which we serve at any time. If your program does get canceled, our Peace of Mind Policy will offer you a full lifetime credit that can apply to any program we offer (both in-person or virtually), which can be transferred to another family member or friend at any time. Furthermore, your credit can be used with any of our sister organizations: Global Leadership Adventures, which operates service-learning programs for teens abroad, Discover Corps, which operates family and adult travel programs, and Summer Springboard, which operates academic programs for teens on college campuses throughout the United States.

• What processes do you have in place to minimize the risk of Covid-19 on your trips?

The safety of students, staff and local community members is our highest priority. While there is no single action that can remove the inherent risks of travel during this time, we have created an integrated risk management plan that aims to reduce the risks associated with travel during Covid-19:

• We strongly recommend that all students wear a KN95 Mask while en route to your program. Airports and airplanes are some of the most highly trafficked facilities, so it is common for people to pick up a virus while in these public spaces if not taking additional precautions.
• Upon arrival, students can remove their masks.
• Students will be guided to wear masks as locally required while on the program; this might include indoor activities or while on public transportation. We defer to the local community for this context and will guide students appropriately on the program.
• If another student in the group tests positive at any time on your program, the entire group will  be asked to wear a mask to curb the spread among the group and in the community.
• While not always required, any student is welcome to wear a mask at any time they wish during their program experience.

• Once students arrive, they will be provided a thorough orientation and will go through daily health checks with staff. While on the program, students will be asked to wear a mask if a site specific activity or service project requires it locally. For this reason, students are asked to follow the packing list closely to ensure they bring enough masks for their program. If not required for the destination or activity, wearing a mask is always an optional choice for any student.

1. If a student in the group tests positive for Covid-19, we will ask the entire group to wear a mask when around each other and community members for a quantity of time until the threat of Covid-19 spreading rapidly among the group has been eliminated. By CDC standards, this is a 5 day period, however, this timeline may vary pending the situations and logistics on the ground.
2. Program Updates: It is likely that programs will look a little different than they have in the past or may have appeared in marketing. Itinerary changes may happen at any time either before the students arrive or during the program to support the safety of our group and the local community. Even with masks on, it is likely that direct interaction with youth and adults in communities we serve will be limited or nonexistent until the entire world has equitable access to an effective vaccine.

• What happens if a student shows symptoms of Covid-19 while on a program?

1. 1. We have created a robust set of guidelines to manage potential Covid-19 exposure on our programs. Before students arrive, we work to identify testing centers and a quarantine location should a student or group of students test positive. Daily symptom checks will help us to stay up-to-date on the well-being of any participants. If a Covid-19-like symptom presents itself, this will enact Covid-19 management protocol, which includes further monitoring (pending the symptom), rapid testing if appropriate or requested, and potential isolation, and continued health consultation as needed. In the event of a positive test, we will follow isolation and quarantine protocols as listed by the health ministry of the country the program is operating in. In the absence of guidance by a local health ministry, we plan to follow guidelines as posted by the CDC for quarantine and isolation guidelines. We ask that all students bring 2 rapid antigen at home Covid-19 tests with them to their program; this is included in all packing lists. These tests will only be used if a student is symptomatic.

• What if my student tests positive for Covid-19 while on the program?

1. 1. If a student tests positive for Covid-19 while on the program, we will enact Covid-19 management protocol.  Student(s) will immediately go into isolation from the rest of the group and be moved to a different room at the existing Home Base, a Home Base nearby, or the hospital, pending their situation. Wherever they are placed, staff will be on-site and available to support them in their care. Students will never be left alone while on a program, however while in quarantine they may be alone in their room.  If several students test positive, they may isolate together *pending consultation with our Medical Director and Local Health Agency for guidance*.  For our programs in the USA, we kindly request parents / guardians to come retrieve and care for their students during any necessitated quarantine if a positive test occurs. However, if a parent or guardian is unable to do so, we will enact the Covid-19 Surcharge to provide care for them until they are cleared to return home. As outlined in the waiver, the Covid-19 Surcharge is to cover quarantine or isolation support costs. If enacted we will aim to be as reasonable as possible with these costs. For international programs, TTN insurance covers up to $1000 in expenses related to quarantine as a result of a positive Covid-19 test. However in most cases and locations a 7-10 day quarantine might have a surcharge that is slightly higher than the covered amount. As such, we highly recommend Travel Insurance with coverage cancellations including for Covid-19 Trip Disruption (Quarantine / Isolation) coverages.

• What if my child gets Covid-19 and needs to go to the hospital?

1. 1. We monitor all students’ general well-being through daily health checks. The choice to take a student to the hospital will vary pending the individual student and the specific symptoms they are showing. We work closely with parents, our medical consultant and medical insurance to take swift and appropriate action. If a student must go to the hospital for care or for general testing, they will always be accompanied by a staff member and supported every step of the way.

• What if I test positive for my pre-departure Covid-19 test or I simply do not feel comfortable traveling due to a local outbreak in my hometown or that the destination is no longer “safe”?

1. 1. We ask all families and staff to limit exposure and avoid non-essential contact outside of their immediate pod or family unit as best as possible 10 days prior to their program departure, in preparation for their required Covid-19 pre-departure test  To add an additional layer of certainty in your investment, we highly recommend Travel Insurance with coverage cancellations including for Covid-19 Trip Disruption (Quarantine / Isolation), or ideally, a Cancel For Any Reason coverage option. If reimbursement is not claimed from your travel insurance policy, upon proper verification, a credit of the full tuition amount will be honored for future participation.

• How do I get my Covid-19 test and what do I do with the results?

1. 1. To find a Covid-19 testing center near you, you can start by contacting your state or local health department or your primary care provider. At this time, TTN requires a negative viral test to be obtained and submitted prior to departure.  Once you obtain a negative test result  following the timeframe specified for your particular test type you will print a copy of it to keep in your passport and also submit a copy to TTN prior to your departure.  These results should be submitted directly to TTN via the text option provided before departure.
      1. If taking an at-home antigen test we ask that student’s write their name and date of the test on the test itself and submit a photo. If the test was administered by a lab, the family will submit the test results as proof. 

• Who is responsible for these Covid-19 test logistics and costs?

1. 1. Prior to the program, the family will be responsible to obtain the correct test, receive results in the timeframe and provide proof to TTN and the airlines.
   2. If a student needs to obtain a Covid-19 test from a facility at any point in the program, the family will be  responsible for covering that cost directly. We strongly recommend all students travel with a $200 cash emergency fund in the  event this is necessary during your program.

• I have a Covid-19 vaccine. Do I still need to get a Covid-19 test to come on the program? Yes, TTN requires all travelers to provide a negative test result prior to departure to the program.

• What if my top program choices do not get enough students? 

1. 1. Given the uncertainty of this year, we are not able to guarantee a session to run until it has met the minimum number of students. For group dynamic and infrastructure reasons, most sessions need a minimum of 8 students to run, though that number does vary by program site. As such, it is likely that we will have to consolidate some session dates to have enough students to run the program. If your selected program session does not get enough students, we will support you to find another session that is more likely to run, or already guaranteed to run, that you can move to. If none of them meet your needs, we are happy to work with you to find a solution that fits your needs.

Q: What will communication be like with Teen Travel Network?

A: The need for all parties to remain flexible is more important than ever. To that end, we are committed to transparent and open communication with you before, during, and after your program experience. We will continuously update you about your program, as situations involving COVID-19 evolve. This includes any updates to your itinerary or other changes that may impact your experience, we are here to support you as you prepare for your travel.

Furthermore, while programs are running, we also have our 24/7 emergency line available to all families. If you have any questions, we invite you to reach out to us!