8th Grade NYC Trip Update

Dear Eighth Grade Parents,

I  am reaching out to you with an update regarding our New York City trip with EF in June.  In response to health concerns there and everywhere, we  are NOT going on this field trip as originally planned. Thank you for your patience while we worked out the best refund options possible for you. The options provided by EF Explore America are the following:

  1. Receive a Future Travel Voucher in the amount of all monies paid to EF, including non-refundable fees such as the program fee and insurance. Travel vouchers may be used to travel on any EF Tours or Language Schools program through September 30, 2022.  They are transferable at the face value of the voucher to  an immediate family member or through a private transaction with another traveler at Bigelow in the future at no extra cost. You can learn more about Future Travel Voucher redemption options and review Future Travel Voucher FAQs to answer your immediate questions. When we plan the trip again next year, as we expect to do, you may re-sell this voucher to another Bigelow family.
  2. Or you may redeem this voucher for a cash refund of all monies paid less 25% of the Program Fee ($174.75). You have until September 29, 2022 to make a decision of whether you want to redeem the voucher for cash, so EF encourages you to wait and see. It usually takes at least 4 weeks to receive the refund.

You will not need to call the EF Traveler Support line to receive your voucher or refund; you will receive an email from them with your electronic voucher,  including instructions should you opt to cash it in for a refund.

This same information will be live on your EF Explore America online account if you log in at www.efexploreamerica.com/login. Please note: the website will reference a cancellation fee of $250 instead of the $174.75.  That is just due to the fact that EF’s cancellation policy terms changed for groups who had to cancel due to COVID-19.

Believe me, this was a disappointing decision to make. I am sorry the 8th graders will miss this opportunity at this time in their lives.  But of course, keeping them healthy and safe is more important.  These are extraordinary times. I appreciate your patience, flexibility, and understanding as we’ve worked through this with EF.

Best regards, Todd