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Whether it’s a question about airfare for your school group, curiosities about instructor certifications and training, or concerns about traveling alone for the first time, EPI is here to help.
General
General
EPI courses are academic with a strong emphasis on science, adventure, and the great outdoors. If you like to learn, are curious, open-minded, and willing to try something new, then these programs will be a good fit.
Look through the Why EPI (https://www.ecologyproject.org/why-epi)pages and the Travel Programs (https://www.ecologyproject.org/travel-programs)pages for more detailed information. If you're having a hard time deciding, or want to hear more about a specific course, don't hesitate to get in touch. We're happy to help!
There’s a lot of variety to the days on an EPI program. Most days include some amount of data collection or conservation service. There will definitely be some “classroom time,” but our classrooms are usually outside and there will be time for hiking, snorkeling, or exploring. The days are full, but also fun!
We are excited to announce that we have registration set up through the University of Montana so students can earn optional undergraduate credit on their EPI course! Participants in our Professional Development courses can opt to earn undergraduate or graduate credit. For more information, reach out to your Field Experience Coordinator.
EPI runs T(https://www.ecologyproject.org/travel-programs)ravel Programs (https://www.ecologyproject.org/travel-programs)for middle school, high school, and college-aged students as well as Professional Development programs for teachers and non-traditional educators.
No. Because you'll receive a service (a travel program), your tuition is not tax-deductible. If you decide to support a local student, however, you'll receive a letter of proof for your donation.
Yes! EPI offers need-based student financial aid and PD scholarships. Awards typically range from $300-600, so it won't cover the full cost of the program, but it can help offset tuition costs. The student financial aid application can be found h(https://form.jotform.com/223034684063856)ere (https://form.jotform.com/223034684063856)and the teacher Professional Development scholarship application can be found h(https://form.jotform.com/223036934907863)ere.(https://form.jotform.com/223036934907863)
If you're a school chaperone or travel organizer, take a look at our S(https://www.ecologyproject.org/school-grants)chool Grant Program (https://www.ecologyproject.org/school-grants)which can provide up to $8000 toward group travel during low seasons.
Need additional fundraising ideas? Check out our handy E(https://148e60d5-3ff4-435b-9247-ff333a175bf2.usrfiles.com/ugd/148e60_4ef8f73e1b914de5bfe5aa478baea73e.pdf)PI Scholarship & Fundraising Guide for students (https://148e60d5-3ff4-435b-9247-ff333a175bf2.usrfiles.com/ugd/148e60_4ef8f73e1b914de5bfe5aa478baea73e.pdf)or our F(https://9b1cf4b5-9ca4-4d23-af41-4a2a27c8fe2d.usrfiles.com/ugd/9b1cf4_e6d27eeba6c1474d81d843e40dcc7b2d.pdf)undraising Resources for Educators G(https://9b1cf4b5-9ca4-4d23-af41-4a2a27c8fe2d.usrfiles.com/ugd/9b1cf4_e6d27eeba6c1474d81d843e40dcc7b2d.pdf)u(https://9b1cf4b5-9ca4-4d23-af41-4a2a27c8fe2d.usrfiles.com/ugd/9b1cf4_e6d27eeba6c1474d81d843e40dcc7b2d.pdf)ide.(https://9b1cf4b5-9ca4-4d23-af41-4a2a27c8fe2d.usrfiles.com/ugd/9b1cf4_e6d27eeba6c1474d81d843e40dcc7b2d.pdf)
Risk Management
Risk Management
Risk Management
Safety is EPI's top priority, and while there is no way to eliminate all risks, EPI actively manages them through its comprehensive risk management processes. Every element of our programs, from program design to instructor training, is subject to rigorous risk management protocols. To learn more, visit our H(https://www.ecologyproject.org/safety)ealth & Safety (https://www.ecologyproject.org/safety)pages.
EPI instructors are required to have a bachelor's degree and Wilderness First Aid certification at minimum. They have backgrounds in science and education, with experience leading groups in outdoor settings. At our international program sites, all instructors must be bilingual, and every EPI instructor goes through an intensive site-specific risk management training.
Immunizations are not required for travel to any of EPI's program sites. We recommend that travelers meet with their personal physicians to discuss non-required vaccinations.
With their training in CPR and Wilderness First Aid, EPI instructors are equipped to handle minor ailments like headaches, blisters, sunburns, etc. If an issue is more severe, instructors will contact families and take participants to pre-approved medical clinics. At all times, EPI instructors carry phones and medical action plans, including contact information for emergency medical services.
All participants should self-monitor for symptoms of illness. If you feel unwell, consider being tested for respiratory or other illnesses so that you can receive available treatments that may lessen symptoms or lower the risk of severe illness.
You should not travel if you have been vomiting or have a fever within 24 hours of departure. If you have been ill prior to the course, you must be fever free without use of fever-reducing medication for at least 24 hours and have symptoms that are improving overall.
You should also plan to take additional precautions (such as masking, distancing, and practicing good hygiene) for another five days to prevent the spread of illness to other travelers.
EPI can accommodate a wide variety of dietary restrictions, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten intolerance, and allergies.
EPI assesses the medical needs of each individual participant--and our ability to deliver on those needs—as part of the required paperwork and medical review process. If you'd like to discuss a particular issue or concern prior to enrollment, please contact us.
As soon as your child meets up with the EPI instructor team, we'll make a safe arrival phone call so that you'll know they're in good hands. Sometimes, this call will come directly from EPI instructors; other times, it will come through a safe arrival contact appointed by the group.
EPI's courses are relatively short in duration, which provides a powerful opportunity to disconnect from our devices. On course, EPI expects participants to abide by its Unplugged Policy—no cell phone or email communications throughout the duration of the program. By unplugging from devices, our students tap into a deeper, more immersive learning experience.
EPI maintains a 24-hour Emergency Contact Phone so participants can contact their families (and vice versa) in case of emergencies. Other than the initial safe arrival phone call, our policy is “no news is good news.”
To reach the 24-hour contact phone, simply dial our direct line and listen for directions: 406.721.8784.
Administrative
Administrative
Administrative
EPI's program fees cover all on-the-ground expenses, including food, lodging, transportation, activity costs and park entrance fees.
Tuition does not cover additional spending money, baggage fees, travel insurance policies, or airport food on travel days. In some cases, tuition will also cover the cost of flights. Please see the Airfare section below for more information or contact us for airfare details.
Payment for most EPI programs occurs on the following timeline:
• A $350 deposit upon enrollment
• A $1,000 tuition deposit 6 months prior to departure (by this date a total of $1,350 is due)
• Final tuition balance due 2 months prior to departure.
So long as those deposit deadlines are met, participants are free to submit payments of any installment they wish.
Immunizations are not required for travel to any of EPI's program sites. We recommend that travelers meet with their personal physicians to discuss non-required vaccinations.
You can find EPI's Terms & Conditions, including the cancellation policy, h(https://www.ecologyproject.org/terms-and-conditions)ere.(https://www.ecologyproject.org/terms-and-conditions)
Although not required for participation, EPI highly recommends securing travel insurance for its programs. There are many sites online that provide helpful information about travel insurance and even compare options. We recommend looking at Squaremouth (https://www.squaremouth.com/)or InsureMyTrip (https://www.insuremytrip.com/)to get started.
For international programs, participants must have a current passport valid for 6 months after their return. Additionally, any students under the age of 18 must carry the original signed & notarized Minor International Travel Letter provided in EPI's course paperwork.
Our operating locales do not require visas for US citizens. EPI advises participants who are not US citizens to check the visa and travel requirements for their destination. EPI is not responsible for securing visas required for travel. US residents traveling domestically are now required to travel with Real ID. Passports are also accepted. Please ensure you have one of the above documents before travel. More information on Real ID and travel guidelines can be found here.(https://www.tsa.gov/real-id)
For Chaperones
For Chaperones
For our Costa Rica and Yellowstone courses, one chaperone travels for free with six participants. For Belize, Galapagos, and Baja California Sur courses, the first chaperone travels for free with nine participants. A second chaperone travels for free with 12 participants at all our sites.
Our group travel programs to Costa Rica and Yellowstone require a minimum of six paying participants. Our Baja California Sur, Galapagos, and Belize programs require a minimum of nine students. To ensure a private course, groups need a minimum of twelve paying participants otherwise EPI may combine your group with other small groups or add individual student travelers to your course.
EPI is happy to collect payments directly from participants and families, or we can work with you or your travel administrators to collect payment from the school.
EPI works directly with families to make sure that they complete and submit all paperwork required for travel. Reach out to your Participant Experience Coordinator if you have any questions about paperwork or payments.
Airfare
Airfare
For professional development participants, airfare is not included in the cost of tuition. Individual student travelers usually do not have airfare included, however there are exceptions.
For participants traveling in a group, airfare is typically included in the cost of tuition for our international program sites. For domestic sites, airfare is generally not included. If you are unsure if your tuition includes airfare, please get in touch with your trip organizer or contact us directly.
If you are traveling with a group and airfare is included in your tuition, EPI will send you the travel itinerary as soon as it is confirmed with the airlines.
For individual travelers, EPI provides arrival and departure time frames for each particular course so that you can arrange your flights accordingly. These time frames are put in place for instructor logistics as well as minimizing wait times for travelers. Participants are responsible for securing airfare that arrives and departs within those time frames.
As always, if you have additional questions about airfare, traveling solo as a student, or difficulties finding flights within the time frames, get in touch! We're happy to help.
Baggage fees are not included in tuition costs.
Bringing some spending cash is a good idea. $50 to $100 will suffice. American dollars will work at our international sites, so long as the bills are clean. $1and $5 bills work best.
Field-based outdoor education requires proper clothing and gear. As part of our enrollment paperwork, EPI provides Student Handbooks and specific packing lists for each program site.
More Questions?
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