Parents on the Trip
As stated on the FAQ page, Parents and additional family members are welcome to join their Student on the trip. We are firm believers in the value of a shared family experience overseas; however, these are student trips.
Keep in mind this is a Student trip designed to accommodate a Student budget by utilizing Student lodging and a Student budget for food.
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Our trips are specifically designed for students, not for married couples or family-style lodging. Participants, whether students or parents, will be accommodated in dormitory-style or shared rooms, typically with 4-6 people per room. Students are housed with other students, and adults are housed with other adults. This means that a family of four (mother, father, brother, sister) may be placed in four separate rooms. The trip costs are kept low by having multiple occupants of the same gender/age share a room. ‘Chaperone moms’ who join the trip are typically grouped 4-5 per room. While everyone has a bed, rooms for four often involve two people sharing a bed. Double rooms, which a married couple might expect, are generally not available. As of 2025, there may be an option for married couples on the trip to share a private room at an additional cost per person; however, private rooms are rarely available and never without additional cost.
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To help create the trip dynamics and student experience we have designed, it is very rare for a student to ever share a room with a parent.
As an adult, you are expected to stay in the same lodging, eat the same food, abide by the same meal plan, walk at the same pace, follow the same rules, and keep the same great attitude Students typically have when they are seeing some of Europe's wonders for the first time. However, as an adult, you are not expected to be a Site Expert (unlike our expectations for each student).
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NOTE: Be aware that if you were planning an Adult trip or Family trip on your own, you would choose different accommodations and eating establishments than what is chosen for this trip.
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Parents & family members should recognize in advance that there will be very little opportunity to pull your student out of the regular Student grouping to do a family activity on your own. IF this is your desire, we will be happy to work with you to coordinate your arrival to Europe earlier than or depart Europe later than the rest of the group.
This trip is specifically designed as a Student Group trip, distinct from a private adult or family vacation. Experience has shown that students tend to bond more closely and develop stronger group cohesion when they are given the opportunity to experience the culture independently, without direct parental supervision. For example, if students are allowed to explore areas around the Acropolis in an approved group of 4-5, parents are encouraged to let the students explore on their own rather than accompanying them during this free time.
'Helicopter’ parents can negatively impact the group environment and restrict the learning experience for students. These parents tend to closely monitor and frequently intervene in nearly every aspect of their student’s life, hovering over them like a helicopter. This excessive involvement often encroaches on areas where students should be making decisions and learning independently. This type of parenting involves being overly involved in decisions and experiences that typically could be handled by the student themselves.
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All parents on the trip are asked to "invest" in the lives of all the students on the trip. When traveling, riding, walking, etc., to various sites during the course of the trip, take time to get to know each of the students if possible.
Do not focus on your student only.
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Potential questions that can help you get to know other students are listed at this link: https://www.classicaltrips.org/parentquestions
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Note: All adults are expected to abide by the same rules regarding smoking, vaping, and drinking alcohol as the students, ie. not allowed.
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Note: Anything outside of the group activity is at your own expense. Any meal outside of the "group meal" is at your own expense.
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Note: Parents are welcome to pull away separately from the group at their own expense as desired, as long as you don't take your student with you.
It throws off "group dynamics" that we work diligently to achieve.
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Younger Students (under 16)
If a family member under the age of 16 desires to attend, a Parent must accompany the under-16 student.
(Note: students 13-15 are expected to be a site expert for at least one site during the trip. Guidelines and assistance will be provided in advance.)
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Turkey note for Parents: we rent vehicles in Turkey and drive 45 miles from Izmir to Ephesus. If you are willing to drive a vehicle, please bring your US Drivers license. Driving in western Turkey is very similar to driving in the USA (good roads, clear regulations, safe speeds, etc.). If you can drive in your hometown, you will not find driving in western Turkey difficult, challenging, or unsafe. Full Insurance coverage is provided.
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Suggestions for Parents on the Trip:
Don't be overprotective - give your student freedom to explore apart for you.
Don't micromanage - give your student freedom to connect with the other students on the trip apart from your presence.
Don't monopolize their time or attention on the trip.
Don't constantly insert yourself into your student's activities.
Do allow your student freedom to make their own decisions with other students in their free time, etc.
Do invest in the lives of students you didn't know prior to the trip.
Do invest in the lives of the other parents on the trip.
Do share your passion for Christ, life, travel, etc with others.
Do be a positive influence with both parents and students on the trip.
Do ask deep, thoughtful questions of others and truly listen to their answers.
Do help shy students get to know and build quality relationships with other students on the trip.
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"We are grateful for parent's participation on our trips. Your wisdom and life knowledge have the potential to add greatly to the student experience. Thank you for the investment of your time, energy, and finances by participating on a ClassicalTrips experience. I believe that we can make this a true life impacting adventure for yourself and your student. Let's build something amazing this trip." Greg Ford
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