Terms & Conditions
APPLICATION GUIDELINES
Apogee begins accepting applications for Apogee trips and programs (referred to herein as “Trips” or “Programs” interchangeably) in July or August for the following season. MANY TRIP DEPARTURES WILL BE FULL BY FEBRUARY IF NOT SOONER. To apply, complete the application (available here) and submit it with a $799 deposit. We attempt to notify applicants of their enrollment status within two weeks of receiving the completed application (note that applications are considered complete only after Apogee has received the trip deposit and the names and contact information for a new applicant’s two references). However, this process could take longer if we have difficulty reaching an applicant’s references.
PAYMENTS, REFUNDS & WITHDRAWALS
A deposit of $799 must be included with an application for it to be considered complete. Deposits are fully refundable within a 24-hour grace period or in the event Apogee declines to enroll an applicant. Otherwise, relative to the 2027 season, for withdrawals prior to March 1, 2027, Apogee will refund all tuition payments less $199 (families participating in Apogee’s early enrollment programs may be eligible for a full refund until December 31, 2026). Notice of withdrawal must be made in writing and received by Apogee prior to March 1st. After March 1st, and except as provided herein, Apogee reserves the right to make no refunds for any reason whatsoever, including the enrolled student’s injury or illness, before or during the Program.
Apogee will send an invoice for the balance to the parent(s)/guardian(s) (referred to collectively herein as “Parents”) of enrolled students. Parents must pay the balance of their tuition by check or Zelle transfer within 21 days of the invoice date, unless indicated otherwise on Apogee’s invoice.
Should a student leave an Apogee Program after it begins for any reason (including, but not limited to, reasons of medical or psychological exigency, dismissal for disciplinary reasons, personal equipment failure, and/or physical inability), even temporarily, the Parents are responsible for, and agree to reimburse Apogee for, any and all costs associated with the departure, including airfare, additional supervisory and transportation costs, and any other costs incurred by Apogee. Additionally, Apogee reserves the right to make no refunds for any reason whatsoever when a student leaves a Program after it has begun.
To prepare for unforeseen circumstances or emergencies that may cause a family to entirely cancel or end their student’s trip prematurely (e.g., a pre- or mid-trip injury or illness), we encourage all families to consider purchasing a travel protection plan that includes trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage.
Please click here to view the plan details Apogee offers with Travel Insured International.
TUITION DISCOUNTS
From time to time, Apogee may provide occasional discounts from a Program’s tuition cost. These discounts may be in the form of an early enrollment discount or a sibling discount, among others. In the event a student appears to be eligible for more than one tuition discount, Apogee limits Parents to the largest of the tuition discounts for which they are eligible.
TRIP APPLICATION & ADMISSION
An applicant’s acceptance into an Apogee program is contingent upon Apogee’s review of, and satisfaction with, the student’s application materials, in Apogee’s sole discretion. Apogee Programs are selective and may not be appropriate for all applicants. Apogee requires Parents and applicants to disclose any and all medical or psychological conditions that may affect an applicant’s ability to participate in an Apogee program. In the event a medical or psychological condition disclosed on Apogee’s trip application or health history forms requires Apogee to rescind a student’s admission, Apogee will refund all tuition paid. Parents agree to report to Apogee any medical or psychological condition that arises after admission that may affect a student’s ability to participate in his or her Apogee program. Failure to disclose a relevant medical or psychological condition that subsequently affects the student’s ability to participate may result in a student’s dismissal or the rescission of admission without refund.
Apogee requires each new applicant to provide contact information for two references who can speak to the applicant’s character, ability to work within a group, disciplinary history, and general suitability for an Apogee program. Information provided by references will be kept confidential and will not be shared by Apogee with the applicant or the applicant’s Parents. By submitting an application, the applicant and Parents forever release the applicant’s references from any claims based on information the reference has truthfully provided to Apogee in response to queries posed to the reference in order to determine the applicant’s suitability for an Apogee program.
In advance of the trip, each student will receive general trip information – including a packing list and a schedule of pre-trip preparation and training – as well as a number of forms to return to Apogee, including a detailed health form, travel information, standard participant agreements, third-party outfitter releases, and a primary care practitioner’s form. The primary care practitioner’s form confirms that the student is in good physical and mental health and must be completed and signed by a licensed medical practitioner who is unrelated to the student. Parents agree to return required forms in a timely manner and pursuant to Apogee’s published schedule. Apogee may rescind a student’s admission in the event of failure to return required forms within Apogee’s time frames.
PROGRAM CANCELLATION & ITINERARY CHANGES
Apogee reserves the right to cancel a Program for any reason prior to its start or after it has begun. In the case of a Program cancellation that occurs prior to its start for reasons other than an event of force majeure (such events may include, but are not limited to, fires, hurricanes and other storms, earthquakes, flooding, volcanic eruptions, pandemics and epidemics, terrorism, and state or international conflict), we will do our best to place the student on another Program of the family’s choice, or, if that is not possible, refund all tuition received. In the unlikely event it becomes necessary to terminate a Program in progress for reasons other than an event of force majeure, Apogee will refund the cost of the Program on a daily-prorated basis.
Should Apogee cancel a Program prior to its start or terminate a Program in progress due to an event of force majeure, Apogee reserves the right to issue no full or pro-rated refunds. In a case where an event of force majeure causes a trip cancellation or termination, we will, however, do our best to place the student on another Program of the family’s choice. Because Apogee expressly reserves the right to issue no refunds in the event of a Program cancellation due to an event of force majeure, we encourage all families to purchase a travel protection plan that includes trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage.
Apogee makes reasonable efforts to follow the itineraries described on our website and in our printed materials as closely as possible. However, Program itineraries can change without notice due to weather, routing issues, mechanical difficulties, or unforeseen circumstances. In the event of an itinerary change, Apogee will make no full or partial refunds.
EXPECTATIONS OF APOGEE STUDENTS
Students who join an Apogee Program are expected to be positive, motivated, flexible, and cooperative. Students are expected to abide by Apogee’s rules as presented in pre-trip materials and by Apogee’s staff during the course of the Trip. Apogee reserves the right to dismiss (without refund) any student who engages in disruptive behavior (as discussed further below), commits an unlawful act, or does not otherwise abide by Apogee’s rules.
Disruptive behaviors may result in dismissal when repeated after discussion with Apogee staff. Apogee considers disruptive behavior to include, without being limited to, the use of foul language, bullying, disruptive and/or disordered eating, threats of self-harm, passive-aggressive behavior directed towards students or Apogee staff, prolonged anxiety and/or homesickness, and other actions or behaviors detrimental to Apogee’s Programs and other participants. Apogee will contact Parents of students who engage in disruptive behavior that does not merit immediate dismissal to discuss an appropriate course of action.
Some behaviors may result in dismissal after a single incident and without further discussion with Apogee staff. Apogee considers these behaviors to include, without being limited to, physical and verbal aggression towards others; sexual activity; sexual harassment; suicidal ideation; bizarre and/or erratic behavior; and the possession or use of alcohol, tobacco products, marijuana, or other controlled substances not specifically prescribed to the student (regardless of whether that student may otherwise be legally permitted to possess and use any such substances).
Apogee is required by law to report credible allegations of sexual harassment to the authorities. Any allegations of sexual harassment or other illegal activity may result in consequences beyond dismissal from the Apogee Program, as determined by legal authorities.
All costs (including, but not limited to, additional supervisory and transportation costs) associated with dismissal will be the responsibility of the Parents.
Physical conditioning and pre-trip training are necessary pre-requisites for our advanced challenge level Programs (Europe Coast to Coast and Alps Explorer) and are highly encouraged for all of our Programs. We will send students pre-trip training schedules and will expect that students will have completed that training prior to their Trip. Due to risk management concerns, dismissal may be appropriate for students not physically able to complete required daily biking and/or hiking mileage or who are otherwise unable to fully participate in the Program’s activities.
Additionally, Apogee supports an inclusive and affirming learning and living environment where diversity and individual differences are respected, appreciated, and recognized as a source of strength. Accordingly, Apogee prohibits discrimination against and harassment of any applicant or student because of race, color, national or ethnic origin, familial status, genetics, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal or state law. We expect that students, Parents, and Apogee’s staff will respect and accommodate backgrounds, identities, perspectives, and behaviors that may differ from their own.
MEDICAL INSURANCE & TREATMENT AUTHORIZATION
All Apogee students must be covered by medical insurance that remains effective throughout the course of their Trip. The student’s health insurance must provide coverage in the geographic area(s) where they will be traveling with Apogee. A student who cannot demonstrate proof of medical insurance will not be permitted to participate on an Apogee Program.
In the event a student requires medical assistance during a Trip, Apogee staff will contact medical and emergency professionals as necessary, and administer first aid to the student to the best of their ability and within the bounds of their medical certification. Apogee will endeavor to notify parents of the situation at the first available opportunity. All medical and associated costs (including, but not limited to, additional supervisory, transportation, and accommodation costs) incurred for treatment of the illness or injury will be the responsibility of the Parents, and Parents agree to indemnify and hold Apogee harmless for any such treatment and the costs thereof.
TRAVEL TO AND FROM APOGEE PROGRAMS
Apogee Programs begin when the student first meets up with Apogee staff at the trip start location. Apogee Programs end when the student leaves the custody of Apogee staff at the trip end location (unless otherwise agreed in writing or if the student has been dismissed or left the program early). Note that the cost of travel to and from Apogee Programs is not included in Trip tuition cost.
Apogee will provide arrival and departure time windows for families, and Parents must make travel arrangements for their child to arrive and depart within these windows on the respective arrival and departure dates. Apogee will make reasonable accommodations to meet late-arriving students at the trip start location whose travel plans have been delayed or cancelled. In the event of a delayed arrival, Parents are responsible for, and agree to reimburse Apogee for, any and all costs associated with accommodating the late arrival, including additional transportation, accommodation, staffing, and meal costs. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a student is unable to arrive within 48 hours of the trip arrival time window, Apogee reserves the right to cancel that student’s enrollment. Should a student’s enrollment be cancelled due to delayed arrival, Apogee reserves the right to issue no full or pro-rated refunds. In a case where a student’s enrollment is cancelled due to delayed arrival, we will do our best to place the student on another Program of the family’s choice. Because Apogee expressly reserves the right to issue no refunds in the event of a Program cancellation due to travel delay, we encourage all families to purchase a travel protection plan that includes trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage.
Should a student’s departure plans be delayed or cancelled, Apogee will supervise the student for up to 24 additional hours after the trip departure window. If the student is unable to leave the trip end location within that 24-hour window, Parents must take over supervision of the student at the trip end location (or designate, in writing, a friend/family member to take over supervision of the student). In the event of a delayed departure, Parents are responsible for, and agree to reimburse Apogee for, any and all costs associated with the delayed departure, including airfare, additional accommodation, transportation, and meal costs, additional supervisory costs (billed at $150 per student, per additional day), and any other costs incurred by Apogee.
EQUIPMENT & WHAT IS INCLUDED IN TUITION
While on an Apogee Trip, all meal, accommodation, transportation, and activity costs are covered by the Trip’s tuition. Please note that Apogee works to reasonably accommodate food allergies and dietary restrictions. Due to the remote nature of many of our programs and the limited nature of outdoor cooking equipment, we may not be able to accommodate a vegan, Celiac, or Kosher diet on all programs. Please contact our office with questions about diet accommodations on specific Trips.
Apogee will supply “group gear” such as tents, group cooking supplies, and first aid kits. Students must arrive with personal gear in accordance with the packing lists that Apogee provides in advance of the Trip. Required personal gear will vary by trip, but may include items such as bicycles (see below regarding bicycle rentals), backpacks, sleeping bags, and hiking boots.
Bicycle and pannier/saddlebag rentals are available for the Vermont to Montréal trip. Please call our office to inquire about availability and cost. Pannier/saddlebag rentals are available for the Europe Coast to Coast trip, but students must provide their own bicycles. Trip tuition covers the cost of unpacking and assembling bicycles that have been boxed and transported to the tripstart location for Europe Coast to Coast, as well as the cost of disassembling and re-boxing bicycles at the trip end location. Trip tuition does not include the cost to transport bicycles to/from the trip start and end locations.
As stated above (see Travel To and From Apogee Programs for more details), Trip tuition does not include travel costs to/from the trip start and end locations. While trip tuition covers regular accommodation, transportation, and meal costs, if Apogee incurs additional expenses in these categories related to a student’s early departure, injury, illness, late arrival, or delayed departure, Parents are responsible for, and agree to reimburse Apogee for those costs.
NOTICE
Apogee reserves the right to change its Terms and Conditions at any time without notice to any party. Additionally, Apogee publishes its Terms and Conditions in several places. In the case of any discrepancy between published versions, the Terms and Conditions published at apogeeadventures.com/terms-conditions shall control.