Terms and Conditions

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By submitting registration forms and/or submitting a deposit, participants agree to the following terms and conditions.  

Company Name: Family Science Adventures LLC, doing business as Science Travel Adventures may herein be referred to as Science Travel Adventures, the Company, we, us, or our.

Limits of Liability: Science Travel Adventures (“our”) contracts with service providers / travel agencies for transportation, hotels, meals, guides, tours, and flights. These services are not under our control. Flights arranged through Science Travel Adventures are booked with major airlines and on regularly scheduled flights. Science Travel Adventures acts only in the capacity of agent as to flights and has no liability in that role. The airlines’ liability is limited to the terms of the airline tickets. Science Travel Adventures is not liable for any delays, inconveniences, accidents, expense or mishap of any kind whatsoever resulting entirely, or in part, from the negligence or actions of others or from causes beyond its reasonable control. Science Travel Adventures does not accept any responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or change in air services, sickness, weather, strike, war, civil strife, terrorism, quarantine, pandemic, government action or other causes or circumstances beyond its reasonable control. All such losses or expenses will be borne by the participant, as tour rates provide for arrangements only for the time stated. Science Travel Adventures reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to substitute modes of transportation and to make any changes in the itinerary including tour dates where it deems necessary or appropriate in its sole discretion or caused by changes in air schedules or changes as to the services of other service providers. You agree that to the extent consistent with applicable law, the maximum amount of recovery to which you may be permitted to recover from Science Travel Adventures shall not exceed the land cost of your trip with Science Travel Adventures. To the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, Science Travel Adventures shall not be liable for any special, consequential, indirect, incidental or other damages, including lost profits, whether such damages arise in contract, negligence, tort, under statute, in equity, at law, or otherwise, even if Science Travel Adventures has been advised of the possibility of such damages. You expressly waive any right you may have to recover such damages. 

Science Travel Adventures, its owners, and its associated agents act only as agents for the owners, contractors and suppliers providing means of transportation and/or all other related travel services and disclaim all liability for property loss or damage, and/or any damages or claims resulting from death, illness or personal injuries, including loss of services which may be sustained on account of, or rising out of, by reason of, or while engaged on any trip, automobile, boat, vehicle, horseback, canopy riggings, inn, common carrier, aircraft, interaction with other participants or wildlife, or otherwise caused by failure, delay, or by any transportation or travel service company due to any cause whatsoever occurring during a tour under its management, sponsorship, procurement or otherwise. Basically, there are some things that are just not under our control. 

Use of Information Provided / Privacy: Information provided by you on this registration form or in follow up communications will be used solely to facilitate your tour arrangements. Personal information will be shared with airlines, service providers, tour escorts, and school representatives (where applicable) to the extent needed to plan and deliver your tour. 

Important Information on Flight Costs: In addition to fees charged by the ticketing entity, Science Travel Adventures assesses a service fee of approximately $30 per ticket for group flights it arranges. Several blocks of tickets may be purchased for a group at different prices and the averaged amount charged to participants. Taxes and fees imposed by the government are subject to change until tickets are purchased (typically, 6-12 weeks prior to departure). Such changes are outside of Science Travel Adventures control. After tickets have been purchased, if necessary, you will receive a statement detailing the cost for airfare and an invoice for, and agree to pay such, additional charges, if any. 

Payments and Related Fees: Payment schedules vary based on itinerary and timing. Please consult your trip leader or group webpage for the exact program fee and payment dates. A $25 late fee may be imposed on late payments. If any payment is not made by the required date, Science Travel Adventures may, in its sole discretion, cancel the trip for that participant and impose the cancellation fee set forth above. Returned and NSF checks may be charged a $25 fee.  

Services Provided: Our trips include nearly everything. The price includes ground transportation, accommodations, hotels, naturalist/guides, meals and activities as specified in the itinerary, and departure taxes (unless otherwise specified). Costs not included are tips for guides and drivers, additional equipment rentals, specified optional activities, expenses of a personal nature, required medical testing, passports and visas and government entry requirements. If a trip must be extended or an itinerary modified due to safety, weather, road conditions, lack of transportation, political or civil disputes, medical emergency or other causes beyond our reasonable control, all associated costs including any non-recoverable costs are not included in the trip rates or refunds. Science Travel Adventures strongly encourages every traveler to purchase a Travel Protection Plan / travel insurance of their choice to protect their investment. 

Accommodations: Accommodations vary and are chosen based on trip leader input and availability. Typically, we start with mid-range hotels. Rates are generally based on triple or quad occupancy unless otherwise specified. Travelers requiring double or single rooms may incur additional fees.  

Medical Treatment/Medical Proxy/Release: Participant gives Science Travel Adventures and their contractors permission to arrange emergency medical treatment for participants if deemed necessary in our sole discretion, and Participant agrees to hold Science Travel Adventures harmless for the provision or non-provision of such services, and waives any and all claims for injury, illness or death arising from or related to this proxy other than those claims arising from our willful misconduct or gross negligence. 

Participants agree that neither they, nor any of their heirs, personal or legal representatives, or family members will bring suit or make a claim for illness, injury, loss or damage to property, or loss of life resulting from the negligence (but not the willful misconduct or fraudulent misconduct) of Science Travel Adventures, its employees, directors, owners, officers, agents, contractors or affiliated organizations as a result of participation in this trip. Participants also agree that they knowingly waive any and all claims of any nature they may have against Science Travel Adventures other than those arising solely from our willful misconduct or fraudulent misconduct.  

Photo and Media Release: Participants are often included in photos and other media we create during our trips or that are shared with us by other participants. Our purpose is to produce educational and outreach materials associated with the subject matter and logistics of our programs. We appreciate being able to use the images and recordings created during the course of our trips and by signing your Registration Form you are granting permission for discretionary use of your picture, recording, writing, or projects to be used in our educational resources, website, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, or other printed or electronic information related to our programs all without compensation to you. If you have questions or concerns regarding this release or would prefer not to grant permission for use of your image, you will need to contact Science Travel Adventures directly prior to your departure. 

Responsibility: The responsibility for the participants’ well-being and behavior will rest with the participants themselves, and with the chaperones/trip leaders/tour escorts on student trips, and not with Science Travel Adventures. We expect participants to act maturely, respectfully, and assume personal responsibility at all times. Illegal activity will not be tolerated. Alcohol use by minors and illegal drug consumption is not permitted. Participants will be returned to the country of departure, at their expense, if their behavior is considered inappropriate or unsafe by Science Travel Adventures in its sole discretion.  

Documentation: It is the participant’s responsibility to ensure they carry proper and valid documentation. US Citizens should review International Travel Information available from the US Department of State at www.travel.state.gov for entry requirements. Citizens of countries other than the United States should check with the Embassies of the countries on your itinerary. The participant must provide complete and accurate passport information to ensure that airline tickets, if applicable, are issued in the correct name.  

Immunizations / Health: The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the U.S.A. provides information on required and recommended vaccines and immunizations for international travel: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list. By making a deposit with Science Travel Adventures or registering for a trip you certify that you have reviewed the CDC’s information for the countries on your itinerary. 

Prevention of Bug Bites: Given the presence of mosquitoes, sand flies, and other insects in the country where you are traveling, and the risks associated with mosquito- and insect-borne illnesses, we request that you visit the CDC website which offers excellent advice on reducing risks by avoiding mosquito and other bug bites (http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/avoid-bug-bites and provides recommendations on the use of insect repellent (http://www.cdc.gov/westnile/faq/repellent.html By making a deposit with Science Travel Adventures or registering for a trip you certify that you have reviewed the CDC information on avoiding bug bites and the use of insect repellent. 

Warnings: Though we have traveled with participants ages 3 years and older, our trips are not for everyone. Many of our activities require hiking or walking on uneven trails and soft sand, crossing rivers, swimming and snorkeling, climbing, carrying luggage and other similar or dissimilar activities and therefore require a degree of physical fitness and stamina. It is your sole responsibility to ensure that you are healthy and fit enough to participate in the tour. Good physical and mental health are essential for the enjoyment of these active, adventure trips. You may travel in rugged areas far removed from modern medical facilities. Good physical conditioning is recommended as preparation for all trips. By forwarding the deposit and/or this signed Registration Form, you certify that you do not have any physical or other conditions that would create a hazard for yourself or other travelers or affect other people’s enjoyment of the tour. It is essential that any participant with a medical condition requiring regular or special treatment, or which may be affected by vigorous activity, high altitude, heat, cold, other natural phenomenon, or particular foods notifies Science Travel Adventures in advance of travel. If you are a hardy and flexible traveler, you will enjoy the trip. We suggest that you consult with your personal physician if you have any health-related problems, concerns or questions. Venomous snakes and other potentially dangerous wildlife are found in all parts of Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Tanzania and other destinations and may pose a health hazard.  

Behavioral Expectations: While participating in travel experiences conducted by Science Travel Adventures, participants are expected to behave in a manner that is respectful to other participants, guides, tour leaders, venues, the local culture and environment. Participants also agree to adhere to local laws, ordinances, rules and regulations. Science Travel Adventures is a family-friendly organization. Participants are generally expected to behave in a manner that is family-friendly. Adult participants are expected to put the safety and health of children as the highest priority. This includes monitoring behavior and making sure children get appropriate rest, stay hydrated and are free of untreated injury.  

By submitting registration forms or submitting a deposit, participants agree to the above terms and conditions.