2015 China Heritage Summer Tour

Transcription

1 2015 China Heritage Summer Tour for families with children adopted from China July 8-13, 2015 Information and Application Package This is a wonderful opportunity for families who have adopted children from China to travel with them in their country of birth. Participants will start in Beijing for a one-week camp subsidized by Qiaoban, followed by a self-funded trip of their own choices. Highlights include an opening ceremony, workshops on Chinese culture, history and local traditions, as well as tours of historic sites. Families will also experience what life is like as a student in Beijing. This heritage tour is offered through the Toronto District School Board, in partnership with Qiaoban, the Department of Culture and Education, Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council, the People s Republic of China.

2 Due April 30, 2015 APPLICATION PROCEDURE Obtain or locate passports for all China Heritage Summer Tour participants. All passports must be valid for six months beyond the last day of the trip. Deliver the following to: Toronto District School Board - Continuing & International Education China Heritage Summer Tour 2 Trethewey Drive, 3 rd Floor Toronto, ON M6M 4A8 $50.00 non-refundable application fee. Cheque payable to: TDSB Continuing & International Education Photocopy(ies) of the ID pages of each traveler s valid Canadian passport. Photocopy(ies) of the ID page of each child s Chinese passport (if he/she does not have a Canadian passport). Completed application form. Signed Waiver(s) of Liability. Signed Media Release forms. A photocopy of consent letter. If only one parent is accompanying the adoptive child on this trip, the other parent must write a letter stating that he or she is aware that the traveling parent is leaving the country with the child on the dates specified and that they give permission for the travel. This letter must then be signed and notarized and carried with you during the trip. Failure to obtain and carry this document could result in denial to board international flights and/or denial to enter the People s Republic of China.

3 Important: Wait to book airline tickets until participation is confirmed. By June 12, 2015 Forward all flight information to Rong Xue at Frequently Asked Questions Q: When and how long is the China Heritage Summer Tour? A: The China Heritage Summer Tour in Beijing is six days (five nights). The dates for summer 2015 are July This includes arrival and departure. Q: What is the itinerary of the China Heritage Summer Tour? A: The tour will start in Beijing. For the self-funded portion of the trip, participants choose their own itinerary and destinations. Q: Who can attend? A: Adopted children and their family members. Q: What age must my child be? A: Children must be a minimum of 10 years of age. Q: I have two adopted children. One is 10-years-old and the other is under 10. We would like to travel as a family. Is this possible? A: No. Children must be 10 years or older to participate.

4 Q: How many family members can attend the China Heritage Summer Tour? A: Our aim is to have a ratio of one child to one adult. However, this ratio is flexible under certain circumstances. For example, two parents may accompany one child on the tour. One parent may also accompany two adopted children on the tour. If a parent cannot go, then another adult (e.g. an aunt, a grandparent) can go in his/her place. Q: Are non-chinese siblings allowed to participate in this China Heritage Summer Tour? A: Due to restrictions imposed by the Chinese government, only a very limited number of non-chinese siblings are allowed to participate in this program. This trip is not strictly for tourism. It is a cultural exchange program focusing on adopted Chinese children. If a sibling is approved to join the tour, he/she must be 10 years or older. Q: How much is it going to cost? A: There is a $50 non-refundable application fee to TDSB. The summer camp in Beijing is subsidized by Qiaoban, please see page 8 for details. Each participant is responsible for his/her roundtrip international airfare to and from China. Q: What is covered by Qiaoban in Beijing? A: Include: Travel and transportation arranged by organizers within China Five-star hotel accommodation in China for the duration of the six-day trip Breakfast, lunch and dinner (dinner only on arrival date; breakfast only on departure date) Bilingual tour guides Shuttle transportation from the international airport to the hotel (on arrival day) and from the hotel to the international airport (on departure day) Admission fees as per itinerary Travel insurance during tour time in China

5 Q: What is not covered by Qiaoban in Beijing? A: NOT included: Passport and visa processing fees International airfare Expenses incurred beyond organized activities (e.g. use of business center, room service, laundry, personal purchases such as snacks and drinks) Travel insurance before arrival and after departure from this tour Medical insurance Tips and gratuities Q: How to arrange a self-funded trip after the Beijing tour? A: Interested families can join a self-funded trip to elsewhere in the country after the Beijing tour. Qiaoban can ask China Travel Agency to design a route for families to consider. If you are interested in taking self-funded trip, contact China Travel Agency before June 1, 2015: Ms. Danzhu Li Phone: ; ldz.dny@ctsho.com Q: How do we get travel visas for China? A: Please click on Q: I am interested in applying for the China Heritage Summer Tour. What is the process? A: Application package and deposit must be received by April 30, 2015 at: Toronto District School Board Continuing & International Education China Heritage Summer Tour 2 Trethewey Drive, 3 rd Floor Toronto, ON M6M 4A8

6 Application Package must include the following: Application form Signed media release form Signed Waiver(s) of Liability Photocopy of parent consent letter Photocopy(ies) of the ID pages of each traveler s valid Canadian passport Photocopy(ies) of the ID page of each child s Chinese passport (if your child does not have a Canadian passport) Application Fee Q: When should we plan to arrive in China? When should we plan to depart from China? A: Arrival - The first day of the China Heritage Summer Tour (July 8, 2015) is scheduled as an arrival day. To arrive in China on July 8, you must leave Toronto on July 7. Shuttle transportation from the Beijing International Airport will be provided for all participants arriving from international destinations. Departure - The last day of the tour (July 13, 2015) is scheduled as a departure day. Shuttle transportation to the Beijing International Airport will be provided for all participants departing for international destinations. You are free to plan your arrival and departure from China at times that are convenient for you. In past years, some participants have arrived early or extended their stay to do additional sightseeing, recover from jet lag, visit an orphanage etc. Travel accommodations prior to, and following, the summer tour dates are not included in program planning or costs. Participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements. Likewise, free shuttle transportation is only available from and to the designated airports on the arrival date (July 8, 2015) and departure date (July 13, 2015). Please include pre and post-tour trips in the itinerary you submit to the Toronto District School Board.

7 Q: We are interested in visiting our child(ren) s orphanage(s). Is this possible? A: Families are welcome to make arrangements to visit their child(ren)'s orphanage(s) either before or after the China Heritage Summer Tour. Please include pre and post-tour trips in the itinerary you submit to the Toronto District School Board. Q: Do you have any information on tipping? A: Although the practice is not officially recognized, tips are now frequently offered and accepted by travel guides and tour bus drivers. However, tipping is not expected in most restaurants and hotels. The tipping amount is dependent on the quality of service. Q: We have more questions. Whom should we contact? A: Visit our website Contact Rong Xue: , rong.xue@tdsb.on.ca HEALTH REQUIREMENTS It is very important to be aware that this can be a physically strenuous trip. Summer weather in China is often extremely hot with high humidity. Access to many of China's most important and interesting sites is by foot and often requires extensive walking, sometimes uphill and/or on uneven ground. While some of the places we visit are indoors and air conditioned, many are by definition outdoor attractions requiring considerable walking, hiking, and/or standing. Please note that facilities for the disabled are not often readily available in China. Additionally, many days are very busy and completely filled with activities and travel. It is essential, therefore, to consult with your personal physician regarding your fitness prior to making a commitment to join the 2015 China Heritage Summer Tour, particularly if you have any concerns regarding your ability to fully participate. If you have a pre-existing health condition that participation on this tour could negatively impact or if you have other health restrictions, you must obtain a physician's note stating that you are physically able to participate.

8 Check with your physician about personal medical needs and vaccinations as soon as your participation is confirmed. We strongly advise and recommend that you purchase comprehensive medical and travel insurance prior to your departure. In the event that you or your family members become ill or injured prior to or during the trip, the trip or flights are cancelled, or you are substantially delayed, then medical and travel insurance, including evacuation coverage, is invaluable. Neither TDSB nor Qiaoban can or will assume financial responsibility for medical or transportation costs. FEE INFORMATION Application Fee of $50 (non-refundable) Cheques payable to: TDSB-Continuing & International Education Receipts will be issued upon receipt of payment China Heritage Summer Tour in Beijing includes: Travel and transportation arranged by organizers within China Four-star hotel accommodation in China for the duration of the six-day trip Breakfast, lunch and dinner (dinner only on arrival date; breakfast only on departure date) Qiaoban representative and bilingual tour guides Shuttle transportation from the international airport to the hotel (on arrival day) and from the hotel to the international airport (on departure day). Admission fees as per itinerary Travel insurance during tour time in China China Heritage Summer Tour does NOT include: Passport and visa processing fees International airfare Expenses incurred beyond organized activities (e.g. use of business center, room service, laundry, and personal purchases such as snack and drinks) Travel insurance before arrival and after departure from this tour Medical insurance Tips and gratuities

9 APPLICATION FORM Note: Names on application form must be exactly as they appear on the passport Parent 1/Guardian Information Name DOB (m/d/y) Passport # Expiration Date Street Address City Province Postal Code Tel (home): Tel (Work): Cellular: Fax address Parent 2/Guardian Information Name DOB (m/d/y) Passport # Expiration Date Street Address City Province Postal Code Tel (home): Tel (Work): Cellular: Fax address

10 Emergency Contact Number Name DOB (m/d/y) Relation to Child Street Address City Province Postal Code Tel (home): Tel (Work): Cellular: Fax address: First Child s Information Name Birth date (mm/dd/yy) Age: Province of Origin Gender Passport # Expiration date Second Child s Information Name Birth date (mm/ddy/y) Age: Province of Origin Gender Passport # Expiration date

11 Medical Insurance Declaration: I/We hereby declare that I/we have medical and life insurance coverage for all the above listed family members during the China Heritage Summer Tour. I/We understand that it is my/our responsibility for my/our children s safety and daily supervision. Signature Signature Date Date Please deliver application package, along with all completed forms and your application fee made payable to: Toronto District School Board Continuing & International Education China Heritage Summer Tour Continuing Education, 3 rd Floor 2 Trethewey Drive Toronto, ON M6M 4A8

12 2015 China Heritage Summer Tour Media Release I/ We,, hereby give (Name of parent(s)/guardian(s) consent to my child(ren) and myself/ourselves being, filmed, interviewed, or have audio or video recordings made of my child(ren)/me/us by the media (print, broadcast and on-line) and employees, agents or servants of the Toronto District School Board during the 2015 China Heritage Summer Tour. I understand that the text or image(s) may appear in electronic form on the internet or in other publications outside of the Board s control. I agree that I will not hold the TDSB responsible for any harm that may arise from such unauthorized reproduction. Name of Child(ren): Name of Parent(s)/guardian(s): Home Telephone Number: (Signature of parent 1/guardian) (Signature of parent 2/guardian) (Date)

13 2015 China Heritage Summer Tour Liability Waiver I,, a participant of the TDSB Continuing & (First name / last name - printed clearly) International Education Department/Qiaoban 2015 China Heritage Summer Tour (hereinafter referred to as the TDSB CHST ), and, if under the age of 18, the parent/legal guardian of the minor, (First name / last name - printed clearly) (hereinafter referred to as the participant ), hereby acknowledge that I/we have fully read, understood and unconditionally agree to all the provisions outlined in the Rules and Regulations for Participation in the 2015 China Heritage Summer Tour information document which accompanies this waiver. The participant and his parent/guardian agree to waive any and all financial and legal claims against TDSB CHST, its related organizations and employees for any injury, harm and/or damage suffered by the participant during the course of his/her attendance at the TDSB CHST. The participant and parent guardian also agree not to hold TDSB CHST, its related organizations and employees liable for any negligence caused in whole or in part by a TDSB CHST representative or employee throughout the entire duration of the TDSB CHST. The participant, parent/guardian will also waive all claims for injuries or financial claims against TDSB CHST, its related organizations and employees related to the actions taken by a third party which may result in damages against the participant. The participant acknowledges that TDSB CHST accepts no liability for loss of the property of any participant throughout the entire duration of the program. If there is any claim whatsoever against TDSB CHST, it is expressly agreed that the claim will only be brought forth in the legal jurisdiction and be governed by the laws of the province of Ontario in the country of Canada. Date Last name/first name (printed) Signature of parent/guardian Date Last name/first name (printed) Signature of participant