For over 40 years, Brightspark has been partnering with schools across Canada to bring students to destinations around the world. That’s 40 years of meeting new people, exploring new cultures, eating new foods, and getting students out of their comfort zone to create memories that’ll last a lifetime. We believe that student travel creates enriched learning experiences. Exposure to new cultures allows students the opportunity to connect and form new thoughts and different perspectives. Travel inspires students to remain curious and become life-long learners.
Today our commitment to hospitality is at the core of everything we do. It’s reflected in the care, detail, and effort we put into each tour and is critical to ensure our customers have incredible experiences. Although we have grown, we strive to maintain the personal and meaningful relationships our clients have come to know us for. We’re the team that drops off coffees to teachers prior to an early morning departure or jumps on a plane to meet you in destination—and we’re proud of it. Brightspark will continue to offer schools and teachers first-in-class services, so students can experience educational travel in fun and safe ways.
Our team is committed to serving the needs of our diverse community. We strive to make our tours accessible to the needs of the students who travel with us. Our commitment also extends to our workplace, where we believe in creating an inclusive environment to promote and value diversity.
We are dedicated to working together with teachers, students, and our vendors to make accommodations for students’ accessibility needs. We strive to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to enjoy and learn on tour. If at any point, a teacher or student requires accommodations to participate in our tour, once notified, our sales representative and customer service team actively work on finding alternative options for the student to enjoy a fulfilling tour experience.
We are educational advocates with a shared responsibility for being socially, environmentally, and fiscally responsible, both on tour and in the office. We prioritize our local and global communities by contributing to help support and enrich them. Our team has collectively dedicated time volunteering with local organizations like the Salvation Army and the Red Door Family Shelter, who work directly with marginalized communities with the aims of raising the quality of life for all. We continue to make environmentally conscious decisions to use resources carefully both in the office and while on tour and ethical business decisions to ensure that our partners share our values.
Through the WorldStrides Canada Financial Assistance Program, elementary or secondary school students with financial limitations can receive additional funds to participate in our programs. Strong candidates include those who have undergone family financial hardships, identify as a member of an underrepresented group, or possess a disability. Individuals travelling on a coach tour could receive up to $250, and those travelling on a flight tour could receive up to $1,000. Funds will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
To be considered for financial assistance, the participant’s school must submit an application through our confidential application process. Interested families should speak with their school. Educators, please reach out to your Tour Consultant for more information.
