Other questions and answers
Ages and Program Dates
Age 7-12:
Summer 2013 start dates for students age 7-12
Notes:
- 1 or 2 weeks are possible for this age group
- Students age 7-12 can take the basic program or the basic program with Activity packages 1, 2 or 3
- Students age 7-12 are not able to take the extra lessons packages (They cannot take the afternoon lesson options)
Age 13-17:
Summer 2013 start dates for students age 13-17
- July: 2, 8, 15, 22, 29
- August: 6, 12, 19, 26
Notes:
- The minimum weeks, a student age 13 to 17 can take, is 1 week. The maximum is 9 weeks. (If the students age 13 to 17 start their course from the first week it is possible for them to take up to 9 weeks.)
- The basic program and all options are available to this age group.
Age 16-18:
Winter 2012/2013 Season start dates for students age 16-18
- 2013 January: 7, 14, 21, 28
- 2013 February: 4, 11, 19, 25
- 2013 March: 4, 11, 18, 25
Winter 2013/2014 Season start dates for students age 16-18
- 2014 January: 6, 13, 20, 27
- 2014 February: 3, 10, 18, 24
- 2014 March: 3, 10, 17, 24
Notes:
- The minimum weeks, a student age 16 to 18 can take, is 1 week. The maximum is 12 weeks. (If the students age 16 to 18 start their course from the first week it is possible for them to take up to 12 weeks.)
- The basic program and all options are available to this age group.
Activity/Extra Lesson Options
Basic Program: 15 hours of lessons/week plus some basic activities throughout the week + “pay as you go” option for other activities.
(The following options can be added to the Basic Program for both the Summer and Winter Programs.)
Options: Basic Program +
- Activity Package 1: Add 4 activity credits/week
- Activity Package 2: Add 8 activity credits/week
- Activity Package 3: Add 20 activity credits/week
- Afternoon Lessons Tuesday and Thursday: Add afternoon lessons Tuesday and Thursday afternoons
- Afternoon Lessons Monday to Friday: Add afternoon lessons Monday to Friday afternoons
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. 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 mandatory, 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 15 students in a class (an average of 10 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
• Students (or parents) have the ability to choose activities and activity packages.
• There are optional afternoon lessons packages.
• 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 click here for more information.
How much does it cost?
Please click here for more information.
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.
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.
Which Airport should I use?
Calgary International Airport.
Are any of the activities dangerous?
We have not had anyone seriously hurt doing activities, but with all activities there is a level of danger. Our program is set up in a special way that allows students and parents to choose the activities that they would like to take with their course. If there is an activity that the student should not take it is easy to choose other activities or activities that the student and the parents are comfortable with.
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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