Meeting the challenge with best-in-class safety
For more than 15 years, we have made the safety of our students and teachers our highest priority. While the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged all of us to adapt, being prepared is in our DNA—it’s the result of over a decade of safely traveling and caring for over 50,000 students from all parts of the world.
Getting back to student travel and the enriching learning that comes with it is not only our passion, we believe it is essential for student growth. Below are just some of the measures we are taking to ensure we can do so safely—when the time is right.
A team with experience and A singular focus on safety
From the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, our experienced operations team has been working on our internal procedures and coordinating with our extensive partner network to assess and bolster every aspect of the summit operations. Our goal, when the conditions are right, is to provide a safe and rewarding summit experience for everyone. Together with our partners, we have decades of student travel experience and have successfully navigated significant challenges before—like 9/11, major weather events and the SARS and measles outbreaks.
Our work will continue to be informed by the evolving research and guidance from the CDC, along with the collective expertise of industry associations like the American Camp Association, Student & Youth Travel Association and the US Tour Operators Association. Finally, we’re collaborating closely with our host universities who are also developing new plans and protocols for the safe return of their campus communities.
This extensive work will continue throughout the school year and will change as new information becomes available. In the end, it will provide comprehensive and enhanced protocols, training, and guidance for every aspect of summit operations—from health screenings and preparation before travel to physical distancing and enhanced safety measures on campus, as well as reconfigured learning environments that meet the challenges of this time.
Evolving for safety
In any year, Ambassador Leaders is an industry leader when it comes to operational standards and a track record of safety. In the face of COVID-19, we and our nationwide partners are shaping new standards for cleanliness and safety.
game plan BEFORE TRAVEL
As the date of your Summit approaches, we will communicate detailed guidance for every aspect of your participation, from arrival day and on-campus registration to dorm accommodations, dining services, personal hygiene and other safety procedures throughout the Summit. It is every participant’s responsibility to understand and abide by these procedures to promote the safety and health of all Summit participants and the host university community.
HEALTH SCREENING
All students and adults will be asked to get tested and self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms prior to the Summit. Upon arrival at the Summit and daily thereafter, everyone will go through a health screening, including a temperature check and confirmation of no symptoms and no known exposure. Where available, we will work with university health centers to make on-campus testing facilities available to our participants for the fastest possible response should symptoms occur.
Personal protection
Students will be reminded frequently of personal and respiratory hygiene that includes frequent and proper hand washing, use of hand sanitizers between washings, avoiding touching face, covering face when sneezing or coughing and maintaining the recommended physical distance of 6 ft or greater whenever possible. Face coverings will be required when mandated or recommended by the local, state or national health departments or site-specific requirements.
life on campus
To accommodate physical distancing, dormitories and all common spaces will have reduced density. Dorm rooms will have no more than 2 participants per room. Where possible, we will offer affordable rooming upgrades to single occupancy. Classrooms will also be reconfigured, and dining will be modified with staggered hours and new serving practices or to-go meal options. You’ll see hand sanitizer stations and frequent cleaning of all facilities per CDC-recommended standards.
itinerary modifications
We are experts at modular programming that allows for maximum flexibility to accommodate new rules or capacity requirements. Our team is conducting a thorough review of all curriculum elements and itinerary details and will continue to work closely with our partners to ensure services can be delivered safely. Activities may be staggered or substituted as a result of this effort.
site visits
Much like schools and businesses everywhere, all our partners and suppliers are implementing new protocols and layouts for physical distancing, improved cleaning and new ways to deliver high quality services in this environment. We are working closely with them to ensure their operation meets our highest standards. While traveling to an off-campus activity, students will remain in their assigned groups to minimize group-to-group contact.
small cohorts
To accommodate the required distancing and to limit interaction among large groups of students, students will be divided into teams of 10-12 per teacher leader. In addition to helping to minimize student density, this small team approach ensures personalized attention for all students’ needs and creates strong bonds among the students too.
care promise
If a participant develops COVID-19 symptoms during the Summit, Ambassador Leaders will facilitate testing, help arrange necessary care, secure accommodations for the quarantine or isolation period and provide representatives to support the participant throughout the quarantine period and until they can safely return home.
These protocols and measures will continue to be updated based on new information and the specific conditions at each campus. Aside from this unique time, read more about our time-tested safety practices during any season.
learn more about our safety standards→
Partnering with you
Just like all students and Summit staff commit to standards of leadership conduct, we ask all participants to commit to care for their fellow participants and the campus community by:
Staying informed and adhering to all health and safety protocols that will be communicated prior to the Summit based on the specific location and current guidance.
Truthfully acknowledging any symptoms you may be experiencing prior to or during the Summit and notifying Ambassador Leaders staff if you have been exposed to a confirmed or potential case. It takes all of us working together to stop the virus.
Travel protection for the unknown
To provide the most flexibility and time for families to make decisions about travel, we have frozen all cancellation fees in effect as of March 1, 2020. They will not increase until January 15, 2021 or later in the spring, depending on the summit dates.
For added peace of mind, we provide a Travel Protection Plan with expanded trip interruption benefits:
Trip cancellation and interruption
Trip delay
Baggage and personal effects delay, loss or damage
Accident and illness medical expenses
Cancel for Any Reason benefit
Learn more at ambassadorleaders.com/travel-protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
+ Are there any requirements before I arrive?
All participants must submit a Health & Immunizations Form (for students under 18 years old, it must be certified by a parent/guardian and a physician) listing known health conditions and medications taken. Treated with strict confidentiality, this information allows Ambassador Leaders Health & Safety Staff to understand and plan for necessary accommodations. Additionally, this form certifies that the participant has received all recommended vaccines. If a participant has a condition that is considered higher risk for complications from COVID-19, Ambassador Leaders' Advising Physician will consult with the family and their physician to determine if participating in the Summit is recommended based on present conditions. As rapid testing becomes readily available, all participants will likely be required to be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival on campus.
October 2020 Update: Currently due to the increased COVID-19 activity universities are required to implement a 7-14 day quarantine for anyone arriving to live on campus. We are in discussions with the universities about these protocols and how this would impact our groups. This guidance will be updated as we determine the plans.
+ What kind of health screening will you have on site?
Daily health checks will include temperature checks using touchless thermometers and verbally confirming with each participant they are feeling well. Depending on the campus, our participants may be required to certify the absence of symptoms via a mobile app or other means. Additional testing may be implemented once on campus based on each university's requirements and available services. More information will be provided as we confirm these plans closer to the summit date.
+ Will masks be required?
We will adhere to all local, state and national guidelines as well as any site-specific recommendations, including face coverings when conditions warrant. If recommended at the time, students will need to wear a face covering in public spaces or when physical distancing is not possible. Ambassador Leaders will have a supply of disposable masks on hand, and students will be encouraged to bring their own cloth face coverings for daily use and personal comfort.
+ What will accommodations be like?
Students and staff will stay in the university dormitories. Dormitory configurations vary, but all rooms will be reconfigured to allow a maximum of 2 persons per room. Restroom facilities are often shared; however, showering times will be on a staggered schedule to allow physical distancing and enhanced cleaning. Each participant will be provided individual linens.
+ What if I have to fly to the Summit?
In many ways, the airline industry is leading the way on safety protocols and has adjusted its operations significantly in the past months to provide clean and safe air travel. Many carriers invested in state-of-the-art high-efficiency (HEPA) filters that remove 99.9% of airborne particles on the aircraft, began using electrostatic spraying on aircraft for enhanced cabin sanitation and have implemented other safety measures, both in the cabin and around the airport. Additionally, most airlines have instituted flexible cancellation and rescheduling policies. We recommend checking the airline's website for the most up-to-date information.
+ What if a student or staff member has COVID-19 symptoms during the Summit?
If a student or staff member develops any COVID-19 symptoms, our staff will immediately relocate them to a dormitory location set aside for quarantine (while awaiting test results) or isolation (if a confirmed case). We will then work with our Advising Physician and a local medical facility or the campus health center to coordinate next steps including testing and treatment. If the participant is a student, we will:
- Notify family immediately and include them in the plan of care
- Assign a staff member to assist in the care of the student
- Facilitate testing and medical care as needed
- Coordinate care and meals while in quarantine/isolation
- Assist in arranging transportation of a family member if needed
- Evaluate the student’s cohort group and coordinate additional testing and care as needed
+ How can I stay healthy during the Summit?
Review and follow all guidelines and procedures that we provide to you prior to and during the Summit. These protocols will incorporate the most up-to-date public safety guidance and will account for the specific requirements for your college campus. As at home, practice the following personal protection measures:
- Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Carry hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol) and use it as a secondary option when hand washing is not be possible
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others
- Cover coughs and sneezes
- Keep 6 feet between yourself and others
- Monitor your health daily
- Speak with an Ambassador Leaders staff member whenever you are not feeling well or are concerned about anything, even if it is unrelated to COVID-19
Other questions?
get in touch→
We know, as things evolve, you are likely to have more questions. Our Customer Care staff is always here to help. We commit to keeping you up to date as we continue to reimagine the summit experience, with your safety as our foremost priority.
