Other questions and answers
Safety and Care
Banff Education Centre cares deeply for each and every student. Before activities, safety procedures are always made very clear. Our carefully designed procedures and rules ensure that activities are carried out in a safe manner for all participants. Safety is our top priority.
Professional Staff
Our staff are carefully selected from across Canada. All of our staff have experience, skills and are greatly motivated to provide the best experience for all of the teen and youth students.
Special needs
Please inform us of any allergies or any dietary requirements when booking. We particularly need explicit information regarding allergies, health concerns or if the student must take medication while they are in Canada.
Insurance
Insurance is provided through Ingle Insurance. All packages include insurance. Students usually receive their insurance package on their first day at school. The insurance covers most accidents and we have doctors that will bill the insurance company directly in the rare case that there is an accident.
Pocket Money Service
Pocket money is optional. It is always best for the student to have at least $50 on them when arriving or leaving through the airports. Other money for extra snacks or drinks, souvenirs etc. is not mantory, but parents wishing for money to be given out to the students can send extra money when applying and this money will be given out to students (in amounts requested by their parents) on Mondays and Fridays.
Evening Activities
For students staying in the Dormitory/Hostel, evening activities will include card games, quizzes, time for homework, computer time, board games, etc. and student will have the option of participating in these activities.
Church Services
We will do our best to accommodate students that wish to go to church or other religious services during their stay.
Class sizes and dividing
There is a maximum of 10 students in a class (an average of 6 students per class). Groups are divided with consideration of English level (Listening, speaking, reading and writing), country and language of the students and age of the students. Students will do an online placement test before they arrive.
Nationalities
Students in the program come from many different countries. Some of these countries include Japan, Korea, China, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, France, Spain, Mexico, Guadeloupe, Czech Republic, Germany and Brazil.
Airport Transfer / Daily Transportation To and From School
Transportation to and from the airport is included in the price. Our Airport Shuttle Service is available for each and every student. They will know your name and flight information and check for flight delays. With this worry-free service, students are brought from (and to) Calgary International Airport right to the door of where they are staying.
Students in the dormitories will walk together to the school (approximately a 10 minute walk). Homestay parents will make sure students get to and from the program. Depending on the distance, some students walk, borrow and ride a bicycle, car-pool with other host parents or receive a ride from their host parents.
Accommodations
Click here for more Teen and Youth Accommodation information.
Please consider
The Dormitory location is subject to change. In the case that there are not 10 students signed up to stay in the dormitory for any of the given weeks or the dormitory is full, students will be placed in homestay. If homestay placement is full, students will be accommodated in the dormitory.
A minimum number of 5 participants is required for all groups. In the unlikely case that this is not achieved, we will inform you at least 4 weeks before the course start date. In the unlikely case one of the programs is not available, students may be offered a similar program or a full program refund if preferred. Students will need permission from their parents if they would like to go out in the evening without supervision.
From Calgary International Airport arrival to Calgary Airport departure on the last day, BEC will supervise the program. The coordinator will carry a cellular phone and is accessible 24 hours a day.
Points
• Activity programs include 15 hours of lessons/week plus activities 5 to 7 days/week! (Teen English + Water Adventure includes 12 hours of lessons/week)
• Intensive English includes 30 hours of lessons/week
• The perfect chance to make friends with children from many different countries
• Study English in a safe, comfortable environment
• Evening Activities for students in the Dormitory/Hostel
• Supervision 24 hours/day
• Emergency medical insurance
• 3 meals per day
• Airport transfers from Calgary Airport
• Experience Canadian life and explore the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
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Other questions and answers
How do I apply?
Please see the application for Step by Step instructions on how to apply for the program. Please speak to a representative in your area or visit www.bec.ca and click on Teen/Youth Programs to receive the application form.
How much does it cost?
Speak to a local representative or visit www.bec.ca On the website we have a tool that allows you to ask the total price for the program or you can download the Teen/Youth Fees to see how the prices are calculated. You will also receive an invoice after you have applied for the program.
When should I apply?
We usually have applications as early as 10 months before the course. For students that require a visa to come to Canada, we suggest that you apply at least 3 months or more before the start of the course.
What kind of documents do they need to come to Canada?
Depending on the country you come from and the length of time that you will be in Canada, different documents may be required. Generally you would need a Letter of Acceptance into our program and a receipt of payment from the school. All Teen/Youth Students 17 or younger will also need to have a custodianship paper signed by a lawyer or notary. We also provide a form that needs to be signed if parents are not traveling together with their child. These papers and instructions on how to fill them out are in a number of different languages and can be found together with the application form.
What is the capacity of the school/program?
Capacity in the current location is approximately 100 students, but with advanced notice we can facilitate between 100 to 200 students.
Is the program for groups or individuals?
There is a mixture. As we recommend groups to mix together for the benefit of students we try to blend the groups and individual students together to provide the best mix of languages and nationalities as possible.
The student already has insurance. Can they cancel or remove the insurance that is included?
As it is included in the package the price will not change if you cancel the insurance included. We recommend that you keep it.
Which Airport should I use?
Calgary International Airport.
Are any of the activities dangerous?
We have not had anyone seriously hurt doing summer activities. That said, parents and students need to understand that adventurous activities have higher risks and parents and students should be comfortable with all of the activities offered. Most of the activities have a fairly low level of risk attached and great care, training and preparation is done to prevent anyone from getting injured. White water rafting or helicopter rides are examples of activities that some parents may feel are too dangerous for their children. We respect that opinion 100%. If you feel some of the activities may be dangerous, we will try to offer a substitute activity or your child could join afternoon lessons instead of the activity.
Are the programs strictly English Only?
Yes, at BEC we expect students and chaperones to promote an “English-Only” environment. We set rules and discipline that we expect will be supported by parents. Of course we help and encourage students struggling to speak in English, but we cannot allow students to disrupt the educational experience for the other students.
What do students receive before they arrive?
At least 2 weeks before the start date, students will receive an itinerary update, detailed homestay/ dormitory information, airport shuttle confirmation and pick up information, a copy of the notarized custodianship document and other helpful guidelines.
Should or can my child travel alone?
We suggest children under 10 years old travel together with their parents or together with a group. Different airlines have different policies and support that they offer for children traveling alone. Please contact your airline for more information.
My child is shy and this is their first time to travel abroad. Should I be concerned?
Canada is different, challenging and exciting. It is natural for parents to be nervous to send their precious children to another country. It is also very natural for students to be nervous to come to Canada. But, by these experiences, great things are achieved. By the end of their stay, the nervous students are usually the students that have had a true life experience and the students that have had “the time of their life”.
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