FAQ

We recommend that when organizing a trip you have as much assistance as possible from others. They may help with fund-raising, communicating with parents, or collecting money. However, there should be one person who is selected as the Head chaperon to oversee all the details, and that person is the one who communicates with the MPO Staff. This ensures that MPO receives all the necessary information to make your trip a success.

The role of the Head chaperon is to be a link between the MPO Staff and the other teachers or chaperons. This is to avoid having too many people calling in and only receiving part of the information that may be crucial to the trip. It is very important that whomever is selected as the head chaperon must go on the trip. If ever there is an issue on the trip, the chaperons should communicate with the head chaperon. Most issues involves the school and should not involve the MPO staff. But if it does involve the trip, it is important that the head chaperon be aware of the situation and that he or she communicate the information to the MPO Staff. Then the head chaperon and the MPO Staff can find a solution to the problem.

The role of a chaperon is to supervise the students during the trip, which includes supervision at the hotel or lodging, while crossing street, on the bus, getting on and off the bus, walking from one activity to another, during activities, etc.. The chaperon is responsible for the discipline of the students and also ensures that the rules and regulations of the school, teachers and MPO staff is maintained.

To enjoy themselves, to learn, experience something new, and always make sure that they are listening to all the rules and directions of their chaperons, head chaperon and the MPO Staff.

For students under 12 years of age, a ratio of 1 chaperone per every 6 to 8 student should suffice, and for students 12 years and older, one chaperone for every 10 to 12 students. The ratio of chaperones to student may vary, depending on the behavior of the students or according to your school board requirements .

An MPO Tour Guide's function during the trip is to bring the group to its different venues, to be a consultant to the head chaperon, to troubleshoot any situation and to make sure the travel part of the trip runs smoothly. The tour guides are not responsible for any discipline, safety, and property of the students or participants. Those must be taken care of by the Head chaperone, chaperones and proper owners. In some cases, the MPO guide may also act as a local guide.

They are very useful if you are planning to have a trip without any hassle, especially if it is to somewhere you've never been to before, and they ensure that things run smoothly. They relieve the Head chaperone from being responsible to check in at each location, they ensure that you arrive on time, and they make sure you don't get lost.

If your group is very large, if you have older or disruptive students, or if you want a good night sleep, having an MPO guard at night is recommended. A night guard is very helpful to ensure that the students do not get too loud or disturb other guests at the hotel. It also allows the chaperons to be well rested for the next day.

We ask that all itineraries be finalized within 30 days before the date of departure. Note that this is only for minor changes. Any major changes, such as dates, hotels, transportation, should be made a minimum of 60 days prior to departure date. Changes are subject to availability and may modify the overall cost of your trip. Your itinerary can not be modified once you are on the trip.

We strongly recommend that travelers take an insurance that covers all risks usually associated with trips, especially one that covers emergency medical fees and/or one that covers cancellation or delay. We can include insurance in the price of the trip if requested. Click here for insurance options.

We recommend that you prepare your students for such conditions, and in the case of extremely bad weather, contact our personnel (or your MPO Tour Guide if you have one) and we will offer other suggestions. i.e. walking tour of downtown Montreal replaced by walking tour of underground mall (27 km long).

Yes, given that we are properly notified of the situation of specific needs beforehand. (see Medical Information Sheet)

Travel by Air Documents You Will Need to Enter the United States All persons including citizens of the United States traveling by air between the U.S., Canada (Passport Canada), Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda will have to present a passport, Merchant Mariner Document (presented by U.S. citizen merchant mariners traveling on official business) or NEXUS Card, NEXUS enrollment is limited to citizens of the United States and Canada, and lawful permanent residents of the United States and Canada. Children will be required to present their own passport. Beginning June 1, 2009, ages 16 and older will be required to present documents from one of the options below when entering the United States at land or sea ports of entry. Children under may present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Naturalization Certificate. One of the following documents may be presented to prove both identity and citizenship: U.S. Passport; U.S. Passport Card;* Trusted Traveler Cards (NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST);* State issued Enhanced Driver’s License (when available this secure driver’s license will denote identity and citizenship);* Enhanced Tribal Cards (when available);* U.S. Military identification with Military Travel Orders; U.S. Merchant Marine document; Form I-872 American Indian Card. See samples documents click here. Frequent Land Border Crossers: To expedite processing into the United States, U.S. Customs and Border Protection recommends using one of the above asterisked documents. We are not responsible for any changes to this information. For updated or further information on United States policy, check directly with the US State Department at www.state.gov. Travel by Land On June 1, 2009, U.S. citizens returning home from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda, by land or sea, will be required to present one of the travel documents listed below. Many of these documents are already available, and obtaining one now will ensure that you are ready on June 1, 2009, when they will be required. U.S. Passport – This is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies a person’s identity and nationality. It is accepted for travel by air, land and sea. U.S. Passport Card – This is a new, limited-use travel document that fits in your wallet and costs less than a U.S. Passport. It is only valid for travel by land and sea. Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) – Several states and Canadian provinces/territories are issuing this driver’s license or identification document that denotes identity and citizenship. It is specifically designed for cross-border travel into the U.S. by land or sea. Trusted Traveler Program Cards – NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST enrollment cards can speed your entry into the U.S. and are issued only to pre-approved, low-risk travelers. The cards are valid for use at land or sea; the NEXUS card can be used in airports with a NEXUS kiosk. Note: Beginning June 1, 2009, U.S. and Canadian citizen children under age 16 arriving by land or sea from contiguous territory may also present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a Naturalization Certificate, or a Canadian Citizenship Card. Beginning June 1, 2009, U.S. and Canadian citizen children under age 19 arriving by land or sea from contiguous territory and traveling with a school group, religious group, social or cultural organization, or sports team, may also present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a Naturalization Certificate, or a Canadian Citizenship Card. The group should be prepared to present a letter on organizational letterhead with the following information: The name of the group and supervising adult; A list of the children on the trip, and the primary address, phone number, date of birth, place of birth, and name of at least one parent or legal guardian for each child; and A written and signed statement of the supervising adult certifying that he or she has obtained parental or legal guardian consent for each participating child. See samples documents click here. We are not responsible for any changes to this information. For updated or further information on United States policy, check directly with the US State Department at www.state.gov.

Aside from the documents previously specified, a driver's license, birth certificate or school I.D.'s would be ideal. Also medical bracelets and documents (if applicable) should be brought along.

Duffel bag, sports bag, backpack, or suitcase with wheels on to put in clothes and other items should suffice. Something the students would be comfortable carrying, i.e. a backpack, during portions of the trip done on foot, would also be useful.

The key to successful packing is to dress in layers. The top priorities are to keep warm/cool and dry while being comfortable. During the Spring and Fall seasons the temperature may vary from 7°C (45°F) to 16°C (61°F). Those seasons are also known as the "rainy season". By bringing the appropriate outerwear, it will help to stay warm and dry during the trip. In the Summer season, the temperature may vary from 24°C (75°F) to 32°C (90°F). During the Winter season, the temperature may vary from -13°C (9°F) to -25°C (-13°F). Bringing appropriate winter gear is essential to being safe and having fun while on tour. With this in mind, here is a suggested list of what to pack.

We discourage students from bringing either, not only for fear of theft, but they might also lose such items, forget it in the airport or hotel room (which has occurred much more frequently than theft).

Once a day is ideal, either before leaving the hotel, or when you return in the evening.

The legal drinking age in the province of Quebec is 18 years, 19 in the province of Ontario, and 21 in the United States.

The transportation that we commonly use are luxury coaches. Trips can be also be planned with airfare, trains or school buses (if requested).

Yes, bring both videos and DVDs that will cover the length of the trip by bus is recommended (i.e. 1 video for the ride to Ottawa from Montreal, another video for the way back, etc.). Bus companies are currently updating their VCR's to DVD players, but not all of them have been modified yet. Therefore, we suggest to bring both types.

Not more than $10 per day unless student wishes to bring more for specific souvenirs.

Breakfast and suppers are the most common meals included in the trip. We include meals that are balanced and of very good quality. We do our best to make sure that all students can find something that they like, so most meals have a choice for the main course (such as a meat (chicken or beef), pasta, or sandwich style). If lunches are included, it could be food court type of meal and if so, it will be indicated on the itinerary. We usually include meals that come with an appetizer, drink, entree and a dessert ,or we will try to include buffet meals since they offer the most choice. We offer some fancy meals and dinner theater meals as well if you are interested in something different.

Normally, the costs will be around $6-$10 for breakfast, $8-$10 for lunch, and $10-$15 for supper.

If 30 days before departure the number of participants needing certain meals is sent to us on the Medical Information Sheet, they will be included without extra fees.

We do recommend that you include some designated shopping time for your students. As for how much time, around 1 hour for a day trip, 3-5 hours for trips that are 2 days or longer. If you visit multiple cities, we suggest 2 hours per city.

The main reasons such funds would be required would be if a student requires medical attention, or if students are missing crucial supplies that you need to buy for them. Most trips do not require any such funds. However, if you would like to prepare an emergency fund, we suggest up to $500 for trips 3 days or longer or for a 1 day trip, up to $100. Some hospitals do take credit cards.

Yes. During the day the parents can call the MPO toll free number and the MPO staff will track down the student and relay the message. During the evening, the parents can call the hotel directly to reach their child.

Visit the Health Canada web site to find all the necessary information.

Once the itinerary is signed, you will be receiving an MPO Travel Information Kit which will include your password that will allow you access to the Client Section.