FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND FOR YOUR INFORMATION‼️
What You Need to Know
Frequently asked questions for students and families participating in The Motivational Foundation’s college tours and student travel experiences.
Start with your trip’s details. Meal coverage, accommodations, activities, and other arrangements vary by trip. Review your portal and itinerary to confirm what is included and any trip-specific or school-specific instructions. Additional details will be shared as arrangements are finalized.
Meals and Spending Money
1. Are meals included in my trip?
Some trips include all scheduled meals, while others include only certain meals or require students to purchase their own. Your trip’s portal or itinerary will identify which breakfasts, lunches, and dinners are covered.
Meals may be covered through your registration cost, your school, a sponsor, or The Motivational Foundation. When a meal is listed as included, you do not need additional money to pay for that meal. Optional food purchases outside the provided meal plan are not automatically included.
2. How much money should I bring if meals are included?
You do not need to bring additional money for the meals included in your trip. Personal spending money is optional and may be used for souvenirs, campus apparel, extra snacks, specialty beverages, and other permitted personal purchases.
As an optional planning guide, families may consider $50–$100 for personal spending during the trip, depending on the trip’s length and their student’s interests. This is not a required fee or minimum. Families may choose less, more, or no spending money based on their budget.
Spending money is not required to participate in activities already included in the travel package.
3. How much money should I bring if some or all meals are not included?
Budget for only the meals that are not covered by your travel package. Count the uncovered breakfasts, lunches, and dinners on your itinerary, including meals on departure and return days.
| Meal | Suggested amount per meal |
|---|---|
| Breakfast | $10–$15 |
| Lunch | $15–$20 |
| Dinner | $20–$25 |
These are budgeting estimates, not guaranteed meal prices. Allow a little extra for price differences, taxes, or beverages that are not covered by your meal purchase.
Example: If you need to purchase five lunches and five dinners, the suggested meal budget is approximately $175–$225, plus any uncovered breakfasts, a small cushion, and optional personal spending.
Partially included meal plan? Subtract any meals your trip covers. For example, if breakfast and one group dinner are included, budget only for the remaining uncovered meals. There is no single required meal-money amount for every trip.
4. Is hotel breakfast always included?
Breakfast coverage depends on your travel package, hotel arrangements, and itinerary. Check your trip’s details to see which breakfasts are included. Do not assume that breakfast is covered on every travel day or with every hotel stay.
5. How do I share allergies, dietary restrictions, or medication needs?
A parent or guardian should complete the required health and dietary forms before departure and notify staff of any food allergies, dietary restrictions, or medication needs. Follow the medication instructions provided for your trip.
Discuss specific meal accommodations with staff in advance so arrangements can be confirmed before travel.
Packing and Clothing
6. What should I pack?
Pack for the trip’s length, expected weather, and activities listed on your itinerary. Recommended items include:
- Clothing and weather essentials: Comfortable outfits, walking shoes, weather-appropriate outerwear, sleepwear, and a compact umbrella. Be prepared for outdoor walking in changing weather.
- Personal care: Toiletries and necessary medications, handled according to the instructions provided for your trip.
- Everyday essentials: A small backpack, reusable water bottle, notebook, pen, phone charger, portable charger, and headphones.
- Bus comfort and downtime: Permitted snacks, a book or other quiet entertainment, and an optional small pillow or blanket.
- Activity-specific items: Appropriate swimwear only if swimming is part of the approved itinerary, plus any special attire or supplies identified in your portal.
Bring meal money only for meals that are not included, along with any optional personal spending money your family chooses. Follow any trip-specific luggage limits or packing instructions.
7. Can I bring my own snacks?
Yes. Students may bring snacks for the bus and designated breaks. Follow any allergy-related or food restrictions shared by staff, keep shared spaces clean, and dispose of trash properly.
Do not assume snacks will be supplied unless that is specifically stated in your trip’s details.
8. Is there a dress code?
Yes. Students should wear clothing appropriate for campus visits and group activities. Clothing should not expose the midriff, and pants must be secured so undergarments are not visible.
Clothing that displays, advertises, or promotes alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, illegal substances, or illegal activities is not permitted.
Swimwear: When swimming is an approved activity, swimwear must provide appropriate coverage. Thong swimsuits are not permitted. Swimming is allowed only during staff-authorized, supervised activities.
Any additional school dress-code requirements or special-event attire instructions will be communicated for your trip.
Bus Travel, Hotel Rooms, and Supervision
9. Will I have my own seat on the bus?
Yes. Each traveler has an individual seat, but students should expect to sit next to another participant. Students generally may choose their seat and seatmate, subject to staff direction. Seating is not separated by gender.
Once a student selects a seat, it remains their assigned seat unless staff approves a change. Chaperones are positioned throughout the motor coach, and staff may adjust seating when necessary.
10. Can I choose my roommates?
Roommate preferences should be submitted during registration. Staff will work to accommodate requests when possible, but requests are not guaranteed and depend on room availability, group size, and any school-specific requirements.
Students who do not request a roommate will be assigned roommates by staff. Room changes require staff approval.
11. What are the hotel sleeping arrangements?
Students stay in staff-assigned rooms. Room occupancy and bedding arrangements vary by trip and hotel. Your portal or predeparture materials will explain the arrangements for your group.
Male and female students are assigned separate rooms. Separate floors are used when hotel layout and availability allow. Separate floors or separate hotels are not guaranteed unless specifically confirmed for your trip.
Chaperone assignments are coordinated around student room locations and the hotel layout to support supervision.
12. Can students visit one another’s hotel rooms?
No. Students may enter only their own assigned hotel room. They may not visit or enter any other student’s room, regardless of gender.
Socializing must take place in approved common areas, during designated times, under chaperone supervision.
13. What happens at curfew and lights out?
Staff will communicate check-in, curfew, and lights-out times. Once directed to their rooms, students must remain in their assigned rooms and may not roam the hallways or other hotel areas.
Students who need assistance or permission to leave their room should contact their assigned chaperone. Emergency safety instructions always take priority.
14. Can I spend time with friends from other schools?
Absolutely. When a trip includes multiple schools or groups, we encourage students to build friendships and enjoy the experience together. Socializing must take place during approved activities or designated free time in supervised areas.
Students must remain with their assigned group when directed and follow the itinerary and required check-ins.
Conduct, Emergencies, and Support
15. What items and behaviors are prohibited?
This is a smoke-free, vape-free, alcohol-free, and weapon-free travel experience. Illegal drugs and other prohibited substances are not permitted. Necessary medications must be disclosed and handled according to the trip’s medication procedures.
Students must follow staff directions, hotel-room rules, and the trip’s code of conduct. Violations will result in disciplinary action and may include removal from the trip. Law enforcement may be contacted when necessary.
16. Who should I contact in an emergency?
During the trip, contact the student’s assigned chaperone using the contact information provided in the trip materials. You may also call or text The Motivational Foundation at 404-450-6800.
For an immediate, life-threatening emergency, contact local emergency services first and alert a chaperone as soon as it is safe to do so.
17. Where can I find updates or ask additional questions?
Check your trip’s portal and communications from The Motivational Foundation for registration details, required forms, payment information, itinerary updates, and other instructions as they become available.