OXFORD PROGRAM INFORMATION PACKET

Transcription

1 OXFORD PROGRAM INFORMATION PACKET Welcome to the Great Books Summer Program 2014! We are looking forward to exploring great books and big ideas with you this summer. In this information packet we have provided our General Information enclosure, which we encourage you to read closely for the answers to many commonly asked questions. If you still require assistance after reviewing this material, please do not hesitate to call us at (866) Option #3. This year, forms are now being completed online through CampDoc.com. Following your registration, you will receive an to access them at Transportation is being booked through Student Universe at We are looking forward to another exciting summer of great books. We know you are going to have a wonderful time! Sincerely, Paula Abate Program Director Great Books Summer Program 79 Sanford Street, Fairfield, CT Toll-free Phone: Fax:

2 GENERAL INFORMATION Valuables: The Great Books Summer Program cannot be responsible for lost or damaged personal possessions. We recommend that no valuables, such as jewelry, handheld electronics or music players, be brought to campus. Spending money: As we go adventuring, your child will have opportunities to visit local shops and they are welcome to bring money for buying souvenirs or a snack. We strongly recommend converting some spending money to Great British pounds prior to their departure. Reading materials: The Great Books Summer Program will supply all reading materials during the course of the program. No advance reading is required. Emergency number: During the program, there will be an option on our phone message [ ] to contact a staff member on the Oxford campus. Please keep in mind the time difference and only call off-hours in an emergency situation. You may also contact us via at [email protected]. To ask general questions or to leave a non-urgent message during regular business hours, please call our office weekdays between 9 am and 5 pm Eastern time: (866) Safety and Security: Access to the Oxford dorms is closely controlled by our staff members, who will hold the keys and ensure that only authorized personnel enter the dorms. All staff members have been thoroughly vetted, including a background check performed by an independent agency. Our well-trained Program Assistants are drawn from among the finest students at our nation s best colleges and universities. In past years our staff has hailed from Stanford, Dartmouth, Columbia, Yale, Northwestern, and Harvard. Program Assistants supervise students for their entire stay and are each assigned to lead a pod -- a group of 6-8 students. All students are required to stay within the safety of the supervised group. For added safety, adult faculty and staff members reside in the dorms and are present at discussions, meals, and activities throughout the day. Residential Life: Students will be housed in campus dormitories to give them a taste of college life. Dorm rooms will consist of doubles and singles. Program Assistants will live in the dorms with the students, providing 24-hour supervision. Boys and girls are separated by floors or wings, and in some cases by dorms. Communicating: Students are allowed to bring cell phones or calling cards, but we ask that phone calls be kept to a minimum and not be made during program activities. Parents are strongly urged to limit phone contacts during the program, as phone calls home tend to contribute to homesickness. Roommate requests: Although most students attend the program alone, you may indicate specific roommate requests on the Housing Form. Roommate requests must be submitted by both campers in order to be processed. We will try to accommodate your request, but we cannot guarantee placement with a specific roommate.

3 Room Keys: Oxford will provide students with individual keys to their assigned dorm rooms. Keys not returned on the day of departure will be automatically charged to the credit card on file for your child. Please impress upon your child the importance of keeping track of his or her key, as we must invoice parents for keys not returned to us. Lanyards will be provided so that students may keep their keys securely on their person at all times. Dining: A wide selection of nutritious foods and beverages will be provided. We take advantage of both the college dining service as well as local food establishments and can accommodate special dietary needs if we are notified in advance. Weather-permitting, we often have outdoor picnics and barbecues. Healthy snacks and drinks are provided during breaks. Please be sure to let us know of any food allergies or special dietary needs on the Health Form. Laundry: Laundry facilities are available in each of the dormitories for a nominal fee. We will include a break for students needing to use the laundry. Program Assistants will accompany or help students as necessary. TRANSPORTATION & GROUP FLIGHT DETAILS To sign up for the group flight leaving from JFK airport in New York: Our trip, for students traveling to Oxford independent of family, will begin and end at JFK in New York for both flights. Please follow this link to our Group Flight Reservation payment page. Take a look at the flight details, terms/conditions and when you are ready, go ahead and book your child s tickets to and from Heathrow. Students traveling from the United States are strongly encouraged to reserve a seat on the Great Books group flight to ensure safe passage to Oxford. The group flight will depart JFK in New York on Saturday, July 19 th at 7:30pm. The group return flight will depart Heathrow on Saturday, August 2 nd and arrive at JFK at 4:40pm. Great Books chaperones will assist students on both their departure and return flights. Reservations: The group flight reservation has seats reserved for Great Books participants at the very competitive price of $1, round trip. Reservations should be made online by following the link to our Reservation Payment Page: Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is available for $46.95 and can be purchased when booking your ticket. Ground transportation to and from Oxford University: Students reserved on our group flights will be transported to and from Heathrow International Airport and Somerville College at Oxford University. {The cost of this transportation is already included in the Student Universe fee.} Students, who are being dropped off at the Oxford program by parents or family members, or traveling independently, should plan to arrive on at the Somerville College campus of the University of Oxford on Sunday, July 20 between 1:00pm -3:00pm. Here is a link to directions for Somerville College

4 Great Books Summer Program, Oxford University Program Flight Details Flight Details: New York, NY to London, United Kingdom, Sat, Jul 19 Per person: $1, Depart: New York, NY, John F Kennedy Intl (JFK), Sat, Jul 19 Virgin Atlantic Flight 46 JFK 7:30 PM Saturday LHR 7:50 AM Sunday Arrive: London, United Kingdom, London Heathrow (LHR), Sun, Jul 20 =================== Depart: London, United Kingdom, London Heathrow (LHR), Sat, Aug 2 Virgin Atlantic Flight 45 LHR 2:00 PM Saturday JFK 4:40 PM Saturday Arrive: New York, NY, John F Kennedy Intl (JFK), Sat, Aug 2 Important Flight Information Cancellations Prior to Departure: Once issued your ticket is refundable less a $ cancellation fee. Cancellations After Departure: Partial refunds are not permitted. Date Changes Prior to Departure: Outbound date changes are not permitted. Prior to final payment, 6 participants may make a return date change for no fee. Please 3 dates in order of preference to [email protected]. The return date change is subject to availability, blackout dates, and any applicable fare increase. Date Changes After Departure: Once departed, 1 free date change is permitted. The free date change must be done 10 days prior to the original scheduled return date. Date changes requested within 10 days of the original return, will have a $ change fee. After departure, any changes to the return may be requested via , at [email protected]. Please include 3 dates, in order of preference. All changes are subject to availability, blackout dates and any applicable fare increase. Routing changes are not allowed, you must return from London back to New York City-JFK on this ticket. The last day you may return on this ticket is July 18, 2015

5 Group Assigned Seating: The group has been assigned a block of seats. Revisions to seat assignments may only be requested upon checkin. You will be traveling on an E-Ticket You will receive an confirmation within 72 hours of booking your flight. Non-refundable deposit of $ is due by Wed, Apr Final Balance payment of $ is due no later than Fri, May ***Please Note: The airfare includes a $53.00 fee, for roundtrip motorcoach transportation from London- Heathrow airport.*** Recommended check-in time is 3 hours prior to an International departure. Flight Itinerary subject to change. Fuel surcharges & taxes are subject to change, prior to group ticketing. Due to limited availability, we suggest you reserve your ticket as soon as possible.

6 Suggested Oxford Packing List GENERAL PACKING TIPS 1. Clearly identify your luggage inside and out with your name and destination / overseas address. 2. Colored tape can make your luggage easy to identify among similar baggage. Place a strap or piece of rope around your suitcase to secure it in case the lock breaks. 3. In your carry-on, keep a change of clothes, toiletries, valuables, important documents (passports, visas, arrival instructions) and medications in their original containers. 4. Keep a photocopy of your passport and visa. Also leave a copy at home. CLOTHING: socks / underwear shorts t-shirts pants long-sleeved shirts pajamas sweatshirt, fleece, and/or jacket sneakers, shoes, and/or sandals bathing suit festive clothes for the social LINENS: Linens will be provided by Somerville College at the University of Oxford towel (recommended) TOILETRIES: toothbrush / toothpaste soap / body wash / deodorant shampoo / conditioner moisturizer / face wash sunscreen bathrobe / shower sandals Eye glasses; put an extra pair in your carry-on bag HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS: Travel Alarm Clock - if you don t have an alarm on your phone. Camera (perhaps, but most kids may use their phone it may be similar to electronics; don t want it to be damaged or stolen) Cell phone with International plan or International calling card. Umbrella Electrical converters - for all electronic devices (hairdryer, phone charger, laptop, etc.) Day pack (for short trips; this could double as your carry-on) If you bring a laptop, inquire about international voltage converters at an electronics store. Power strip so you only have to purchase one converter (if you plan to bring several items that require plug-in to an electrical outlet) Please note that hairdryers may require their own converter

7 NOTES: PLEASE LABEL EVERYTHING WITH PARTICIPANT S NAME DO NOT bring more than one normal-size suitcase and a carry-on: You will have to transport your own luggage Please do NOT bring: Curling irons or other electrical items without automatic shut-off Revealing clothing, inappropriate slogan t-shirts, etc. The use of laptops, ipods, or handheld video games is discouraged and will only be permitted during limited periods. Please consider leaving such items at home. The Great Books Summer Program and The University of Oxford are not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items. Please leave your valuables at home. Questions? Call us toll-free at (Internationally at ) or [email protected] Great Books Summer Program 79 Sanford Street, Fairfield, CT Toll-free Phone: Fax: