We have made the difficult decision to cancel all currently scheduled in-person 2020 programming due to ongoing uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. As much as we would like to run programs this season, we know our decision to cancel is the right one for the safety of our students and families, our staff, and the many communities around the world our groups visit. With this blog post, we’ve done our best to anticipate the questions that enrolled families may have with regard to their deposit and next steps. Please let us know if you have questions that are not satisfactorily addressed here.
Apogee has cancelled all in-person summer programming. What do I do next?
All enrolled families should complete the brief “2020 Program Deposit Election Form” by logging in to their CampMinder account HERE. Please complete the form by Tuesday, May 26.
What happens if I elect to keep my deposit with Apogee for a 2021 trip?
Do I receive any additional credit for leaving my deposit with Apogee?
Yes. For every 2020 student deposit left with Apogee, we are adding a credit of at least $200* to your $795 deposit for use in the 2021 season (the “2021 Roll-Over Credit”). This means your 2021 Roll-Over Credit would be a minimum of $995, which you can apply to the program of your choice for our 2021 season. Additionally, families who choose to leave their 2020 student deposits with Apogee will enjoy 2020 pricing for the program of your choice in 2021.
* Families who may be entitled to other discounts (e.g., our 2020 Early Bird Tuition Discount) should refer to the question below for additional information.
Am I allowed to combine my 2021 Roll-Over Credit with other 2020 enrollment discounts to which I would have been entitled?
Depending on the discount, yes, according to the following schedule:
- If you enrolled your child during our “Early, Early Bird” enrollment period during July and August 2019, we will offer you additional credit in the amount of $400 to use in 2021 (i.e., if you have left your $795 deposit with us, you will have a 2021 Roll-Over Credit of $1195 to use in 2021).
- If you enrolled your child during our “Early Bird” enrollment period in October and November 2019, we will offer you additional credit in the amount of $300 to use in 2021 (i.e., if you have left your $795 deposit with us, you will have a 2021 Roll-Over Credit of $1095 to use in 2021).
- All other discounts are not combinable with the 2021 Roll-Over Credit. Students leaving their 2020 deposit with us who had received any other 2020 discount not mentioned above will, in 2021, receive either the Roll-Over Credit or your previous discount amount, whichever is greater.
- Scholarships that had been promised by the To the Top Foundation for use in 2020 will need to be re-confirmed with To the Top. Families of students who received To the Top financial assistance should reach out to us directly for more information with regard to rolling 2020 scholarships to 2021. We expect the To the Top board to meet with regard to plans for 2021 in late summer or early fall.
Do I need to complete another application for 2021?
Yes, you will need to complete our 2021 Application in order to secure your child’s spot for the 2021 season. You will not need to provide reference information — the application should take five minutes or less! As ever, you can switch to another Apogee program at any time as long as we have space.
Will I be charged a deposit when I enroll my child in a 2021 Apogee program?
No. You will not be charged a program deposit when you submit your 2021 application. Your 2021 Roll-Over Credit will serve as your trip deposit.
Is my child guaranteed a spot on the trip of our choice in 2021?
Subject to availability, yes. We will give our 2020 families a first look at our 2021 offerings before the schedule is made available to the general public. Please know that we will waive our upper age limits in 2021 so that students who might have “aged out” of the program in which they are enrolled in 2020 will still be eligible to participate in the same program in 2021.
Will I receive a receipt or documentation of my 2021 Roll-Over Credit?
Your completed 2020 Program Deposit Election Form in CampMinder will serve as the receipt of your 2021 Roll-Over Credit. We are happy to provide additional documentation if requested.
What if I decide at a later date – after I have agreed to leave my 2020 deposit with Apogee – that an Apogee trip isn’t possible for my child for 2021?
You have until April 1, 2021 to withdraw your child and receive a full refund of your 2020 trip deposit.
Can I transfer my 2021 Roll-Over Credit to another student?
Yes. We are happy to honor transfers of your 2021 Roll-Over Credit to siblings or other students. Please note that new students will still need to go through our normal application process. If you submit an application for a new student before August 31, 2020, we will save a spot for them on the trip, but due to this summer’s reduced staff, we are not likely to reach out to references until September.
Who do I contact with additional questions about my 2021 Roll-Over Credit?
Please contact Kevin or Chad directly at kevin@apogeeadventures.com or chad@apogeeadventures.com.
What happens if I ask Apogee for a refund of my deposit?
How will I get my refund?
For deposits paid by credit card, we will refund that card unless you specifically request otherwise. Deposits paid by check will be refunded by check.
May I specifically request a refund by check?
Yes. We are happy to send you a physical check if that is your preference. Please contact Kevin or Chad directly at kevin@apogeeadventures.com or chad@apogeeadventures.com to request your deposit be refunded by check.
I’ve filled out my Program Deposit Election Form and requested a refund, but after seeing the 2021 schedule I want to enroll my child in a 2021 trip – how do I proceed?
If you have elected to receive a refund, but wish to enroll your child in a 2021 program, you are welcome to contact us to indicate that you’d like to keep your deposit with us for your child’s 2021 program. If this is the case, you will be eligible for the 2021 Roll-Over Credit (see details above) and will enjoy 2020 pricing. You may choose to roll your 2020 deposit over to 2021 to receive these additional benefits at any time until you receive the refund. Please email Chad or Kevin at chad@apogeeadventures.com or kevin@apogeeadventures.com to do so. Once you’ve received your refund, you may still enroll your child in a 2021 program, but will no longer be eligible for a 2021 Roll-Over Credit or 2020 pricing.
When will I get my refund?
You will receive your refund as soon as we are able to send it. There is no question that the coronavirus pandemic and resulting financial chaos has caused a liquidity crisis for Apogee and many other companies. As a result, we do not currently have the ability to send refunds to all who request them in the short term. We anticipate this will change within the next several months as we receive assistance from the Small Business Administration or other lenders. Please rest assured that Apogee remains solvent and that we will honor your request for a refund. We are, however, in the position of having to ask for your patience as we work through this decidedly uncertain period. We estimate that we will be able to provide all refunds within four to eight months.
Who do I contact with additional questions about getting my deposit refunded?
Please contact Kevin or Chad directly at kevin@apogeeadventures.com or chad@apogeeadventures.com.
I have already paid to rent a bike and panniers from Apogee – will my rental fees be refunded?
Yes. We are in the process of refunding all equipment rental fees and hope to complete the process before the end of June.
What happens if I ask Apogee to donate my deposit to the To the Top Foundation for scholarships in future years?
Is my donation tax deductible?
Yes. The To the Top Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Will Apogee or To the Top provide me with a letter indicating the tax-deductible status of my donation?
Yes. To the Top will send you a letter indicating the tax-deductible nature of your donation before the end of this calendar year.
What about trip insurance?
I took out a Trip Insurance Policy with A+ Program Protection. Is the policy premium refundable or transferable to 2021?
Although we are not able to speak for the A+ Program, they have indicated that families requesting a deposit refund from Apogee, or who choose to donate their deposit to To the Top, should be eligible for a full refund of their 2020 policy premium. Please email your refund request to info@tripassure.com. For families who choose to leave their 2020 deposit with Apogee for 2021, A+ Program has indicated your 2020 policy premium should be transferable for up to two years. As soon as you have selected your child’s 2021 Apogee program, please email the updated dates and tuition information to info@tripassure.com.
To make your 2020 trip deposit election,
- Please click HERE to sign in to your CampMinder account using your login credentials,
- Click on “Forms & Documents” under the Forms Dashboard,
- Click on the “2020 Trip Deposit Election Form.”