Are all of the host countries safe places to travel?
What immunizations are required for Walking Tree programs?
What about malaria?
What if a participant has very specific dietary or medical needs?
Do participants need travel insurance for Walking Tree programs?
When does Walking Tree assign students to their homestay family?
How does Walking Tree select homestay families?
How does Walking Tree decide on service projects?
What is the average family like?
What is the typical profile of a Walking Tree leader?
What if a participant has no prior international travel experience or language exposure?
What is the ratio of students to leaders for Walking Tree programs?
How Quickly Do We Need to Apply?
Can a group of friends go on the same program?
How do we know what to bring on a Walking Tree program?
Why Did You Choose The Name Walking Tree Travel?


Are all of the host countries safe places to travel?
Safety is our number one priority at Walking Tree. Although travel is never without risk, our staff has lived and traveled in our host countries for years and understands how to best experience the country. We design all of our itineraries evaluating safety concerns above all else and have tried to anticipate all eventualities, planning each phase of the program with the utmost care and diligence.

What immunizations are required for Walking Tree programs?
Currently, the only Walking Tree destination that requires immunization for entry is Senegal. For additional recommendations and information, we encourage you to contact the CDC or your local travel clinic.

What about malaria?
Small malaria zones do exist in our host countries, but they are generally isolated to certain regions that we do not currently visit. While required for Senegal, the vast majority of our participants on all others programs do not take malaria medication. Ultimately, it is something we leave to each family to decide. For more information, we suggest that families contact the CDC or their local travel clinic.

What if a participant has very specific dietary or medical needs?
We understand that some students have special needs related to health, diet or other concerns. Walking Tree is committed to doing all we can to accommodate the special needs of students, and it’s important we know as much about the issue as possible before the program’s departure.

Do participants need travel insurance for Walking Tree programs?
Walking Tree requires international health insurance (most students are covered under their parent’s/guardian’s plans), and strongly suggests that families purchase separate travel insurance policies. Should you wish, Walking Tree is happy to facilitate the purchase of such coverage but at the same time encourages you to research additional options to make sure the policy is right for the traveler’s needs.

When does Walking Tree assign students to their homestay family?
Participants are assigned to their host families after the program begins but before arrival in the host village. This gives leaders a chance to become familiar with the personalities and specific interests of each participant so that we can place him or her in the best possible homestay environment.

How does Walking Tree select homestay families?
Walking Tree interviews and spends significant time with all host families to ensure they will provide a welcoming and comfortable environment for each participant and that they understand our expectations and rules regarding behavior. We make certain that each student will have his or her own bed and have access to running water and that the house will be located close to the families of other students.

How does Walking Tree decide on service projects?
Walking Tree representatives meet with village committees to decide on a needed and viable service project. These projects take many different forms and are always a collaborative effort, with both sides contributing resources to the common goal.

What is the average family like?
We try to work with families who have children so that our participants can have host “brothers” and “sisters.” That said, we also use the utmost discretion when assigning students. For example, if a family has a 15-year-old son, we are likely to put a male student with the family. We are consistently moved by the generosity, hospitality, and dedication of our host families. They truly care for our participants as if they were their own children.

What is the typical profile of a Walking Tree leader?
Walking Tree leaders are dynamic young adults. All leaders have shown excellence in leadership positions, have extensive travel experience, are fluent in the necessary foreign language, and are enthusiastic about showing young people the world around them. In addition, all leaders are CPR and First Aid certified and have been trained by Walking Tree for this important position. There is at least one female and one male leader on all of our summer programs.

What if a participant has no prior international travel experience or language exposure?
We are delighted to welcome people who have limited travel experience and strongly encourage that they apply in spite of understandable anxieties. Even participants who have traveled internationally will see and experience things they have never seen before due to Walking Tree’s uniquely planned itineraries and expertise.

What is the ratio of students to leaders for Walking Tree programs?
In order to ensure the safest, most memorable programs possible, Walking Tree will maintain a ratio of at least two leaders (one male and one female) per group of around 15 students.

How Quickly Do We Need to Apply?
While the official deadline for applications is March 20, 2010, many programs fill up well before this date. As such, participants and their families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to ensure space in the desired program. When contacted, Walking Tree is able to give up-to-date information on program space available.

Can a group of friends go on the same program?
Friends are welcome to participate in the same program. However, it is important for them to understand that it is our expectation that all participants make a concerted effort to spend time with all travelers and ensure there is no exclusion within the group.

How do we know what to bring on a Walking Tree program?
Once the application process is complete and the applicant accepted, Walking Tree will be in frequent contact with each participant to ensure that both the participants and their families are prepared for the program. We will send a variety of mailings and information to you and your family, including a suggested packing list. You can also download this packing list at any time from our website by clicking on DOWNLOADS.

Why Did You Choose The Name Walking Tree Travel?
The name Walking Tree is emblematic of our philosophy of travel and cultural exploration. Walking trees grow throughout the world and what makes them unique is that they have an external root system that actually moves, or walks, the direction of more abundant water or sunshine. Our name suggests an ability to establish strong connections in the host country while continuing to search for a meaningful and positive role in our world community.