Our most frequently asked questions about this program are answered below. Additional program-wide FAQs are also available. Still need something? We’re here to help! Contact us.
How will my teen travel to the program?
BBYO requires all North American participants to fly on the group supervised flight for this program. Flight costs are not included in the program’s land cost. BBYO will purchase a ticket for each traveler and charge the family directly. The flight cost for programs with supervised flight options will be announced, along with the flight details for all programs, in the spring. The supervised flight for this program will depart from the New York City area, typically Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) or John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Learn more about flying to the program.
Where will my teen be sleeping?
The group stays in a variety of 3-star hotels in Thailand. When booking accommodations, we request for each teen to have their own sleeping accommodations in a shared living space.
How is the program staffed?
Each group is accompanied by a team of madrichim (counselors), a local Thai tour leader, and a bus driver. Senior field staff also circulate between our groups for extra support. Staff names are sent out approximately 2–3 weeks prior to your departure as part of the pre-trip preparation emails. Staff are asked to make welcome calls to teens before departure. Feel free to ask them any remaining questions you may have. Learn more about our staff team.
What’s the summer weather like?
In late June to early July, Thailand experiences its rainy season, which means you'll encounter warm temperatures and frequent rain. Expect daily temperatures to range from around 77°F (25°C) to 91°F (33°C) in central areas like Bangkok, with occasional bursts of rain, often in the afternoon or evening. The northern regions, such as Chiang Mai, are slightly cooler but still warm, while southern islands like Phuket and Krabi tend to experience heavier rainfall, so plan accordingly when packing.
What’s the typical group size?
Although it varies from year to year, our average group size for Stand UP Adventure Thailand is 35-42 teens. Some teens choose to sign up together with a friend or two and most teens choose to come on their own. Either way, our participants will have the opportunity to meet a diverse group of peers from various locations across North America which makes exploring a new place together even more exciting. On some programs, we might have multiple parties from the same area register together. In this case, we are unable to inform families when this occurs and though we are always willing to share the group dynamics of the current registrations, we typically have a good idea of the general group make up after our cancellation deadline.
What’s the food like?
Thailand offers a rich culinary experience, and while traditional Thai cuisine heavily features ingredients like fish sauce, meat, and seafood, there are plenty of options for those who eat kosher or vegetarian. Thai cuisine naturally includes a variety of vegetarian dishes. Common vegetarian staples include Pad Thai (without fish sauce), vegetable curries (like green or red curry), and stir-fried vegetables with tofu. Many Buddhists in Thailand follow a vegetarian diet, so vegetarian restaurants and dishes are quite common. These dishes are typically made with tofu, mushrooms, and an array of fresh vegetables, often flavored with herbs like basil, lemongrass, and coriander.
As a travel-based program, our meals take a variety of forms and may include hotel buffets, restaurants, catered meals, and allowance funds for participants to purchase a meal on their own. When a meal is served in a public buffet format (e.g. hotel breakfast), we will always ensure that there are vegetarian, pescatarian, or dairy options available and we will not restrict teens from eating the food of their choice.
Some meals may be provided via a cash allowance where teens will be given money to purchase the food of their choice, called a pizur meal. Such meals are typically arranged in an area where there are multiple restaurant options and teens can choose the food of their liking. When time is limited for meal choice, staff may choose to facilitate meal orders on behalf of teens using their allowance funds.
Participants with special dietary needs (i.e. lactose intolerance, gluten-free, kosher, etc.) should review our dietary restrictions commitment document and contact us in advance to be sure we can accommodate your needs during the program.
Will I need a visa?
If you travel with an American, Canadian, or EU passport, good news! You don’t need a visa to enter any of the European countries we travel to. If you travel with a passport from another country, you may need a visa.
What are the payment and cancellation terms?
All of these details are available here: Registration Terms.
For more information, check out our general FAQs or the pre-trip preparation manual.
