Terms of Use

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing and using the Where To Next website (w2nvolunteer.org) and participating in our programs, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Use. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use our website or apply for our programs.

Legal Entity: "Where To Next" is the operating name (DBA - Doing Business As) of SAINT LOUIS VICARIOUS VOYAGERS FOUNDATION LTD, a 501(c)(3) public charity and 509(a)(2) organization registered with the IRS. Throughout these Terms of Use, references to "Where To Next," "we," "us," or "our" refer to SAINT LOUIS VICARIOUS VOYAGERS FOUNDATION LTD.

These terms apply to all users, including applicants, participants, parents/guardians, and visitors from both the United States and South Africa.

2. Program Overview

Where To Next offers educational volunteer travel programs to Cuba for students aged 14-18 from the United States and South Africa. The program includes cultural immersion, volunteer work, educational activities, and accommodations as described on our website.

2.1 Organizational History

Where To Next was formerly known as the Saint Louis Vicarious Voyager's Program (VVP). The organization rebranded in October 2025, and all operations, programs, agreements, and obligations previously conducted under the VVP name are now conducted under Where To Next.

2.2 Previous Programs Under VVP

Under the Saint Louis Vicarious Voyager's Program name, the organization successfully conducted the following trips and activities:

• Costa Rica 2024 (May/June 2024): A 10-day educational volunteer program in Costa Rica with 6 USA participants, including volunteer work at local schools, cultural immersion, and college credit opportunities through IVHQ.
• Cuba Trial Run (August 2024): A pilot program to Cuba designed to test logistics, partnerships, and program structure in preparation for the full Cuba 2026 program.
• Semester at Sea Activities: Previous activities and events conducted in connection with Semester at Sea programs.

All participants, agreements, media rights, and program documentation from these previous trips and activities are now under the ownership and management of Where To Next. These terms apply retroactively to all VVP programs and participants.

2.3 Disclaimer: No Affiliation with Semester at Sea

3. Eligibility

To participate in the Cuba 2026 program, applicants must:

• Be between the ages of 14 and 18 at the time of travel
• Be a resident of the United States or South Africa
• Possess a valid passport with at least 6 months validity beyond the travel dates
• Have parental/guardian consent if under 18
• Meet all health and vaccination requirements for travel to Cuba

4. Health & Safety

The safety of our participants is our top priority. Where To Next implements rigorous safety protocols, including 24/7 supervision, vetted accommodations, and emergency response plans.

By participating, you acknowledge that international travel involves inherent health risks, including exposure to diseases, limited access to medical care in remote areas, and physical exertion. You assume full responsibility for your health and well-being beyond the duty of care provided by the program.

5. Program Details & Requirements

5.1 Scholarship & Costs

The Cuba 2026 program is a full scholarship program. Selected participants will have the following costs covered:

• International airfare to/from Cuba
• Accommodations in Cuba
• Meals as specified in the itinerary
• Program activities and transportation within Cuba
• Travel insurance

Participants may be responsible for personal expenses, souvenirs, and any costs not explicitly included in the scholarship.

5.2 Application Process

Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance. Participants are selected based on their application, interview performance, and fit for the program. All decisions by the selection committee are final.

5.3 Code of Conduct

Participants are expected to behave responsibly and respectfully at all times. Prohibited behavior includes:

• Possession or use of alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs
• Disruptive or disrespectful behavior
• Leaving the group without permission
• Violating local laws or customs

Violation of the code of conduct may result in immediate dismissal from the program at the participant's (or parent/guardian's) expense.

5.4 Board of Directors Applications

As a Missouri nonprofit organization, Where To Next is required by state law to establish a Board of Directors by June 30, 2026. We accept applications from qualified individuals interested in serving on our Board of Directors through our online application portal.

Application Process:

• Submission Deadline: Applications must be submitted by April 30, 2026
• Required Materials: Complete application form, resume/CV (PDF format, max 5MB), optional cover letter (PDF format, max 5MB)
• Application Review: Applications are reviewed by current organizational leadership
• Interview Process: Qualified candidates will be invited for interviews
• Selection: Final board members will be selected and appointed before the June 30, 2026 deadline

Board Member Responsibilities: Board members are expected to provide strategic guidance, ensure organizational compliance with Missouri nonprofit laws, participate in board meetings, and support the organization's mission of providing educational travel opportunities for students.

Confidentiality: All board applications, including resumes and cover letters, are treated as confidential and are only accessible to authorized organizational leadership. Application materials are securely stored using Cloudinary cloud storage with encryption and access controls.

For questions about board applications, please contact hello@w2nvolunteer.org.

5.5 Payments and Donations

6. Pay-to-Go Program (Non-Scholarship Participants)

Where To Next offers a limited number of "Pay-to-Go" spots for participants who do not qualify for a full scholarship or who wish to guarantee their spot on the trip by paying the full program cost.

6.1 Payment Processing

All payments are processed through Zeffy, a fee-free fundraising platform for nonprofits. By making a payment, you agree to Zeffy's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

6.2 Pricing Errors

We reserve the right to correct any errors in pricing that may occur. If a pricing error is discovered after payment has been made, we will notify you of the error and provide the following options:

• Pay the difference: You may pay the difference between the incorrect price and the correct price.
• Cancel with full refund: You may choose to cancel your participation and receive a full refund of all payments made to Where To Next, regardless of the standard refund policy timeline.

6.3 Payment Schedule

Non-scholarship participants must follow the payment schedule provided upon acceptance. Late payments may result in forfeiture of your spot on the trip.

6.4 International Fund Transfers

Due to ongoing U.S. financial regulations and hurdles regarding direct payments to Cuba, participants acknowledge and agree that funds paid to the program may be transferred to a bank account located in South Africa or another third-party country to facilitate the payment of vendors and services in Cuba. This routing is necessary to ensure the successful operation of the program and compliance with international banking protocols.

6.5 Mandatory Insurance Requirement

7. Comprehensive Refund & Cancellation Policy

This section outlines the refund and cancellation policies for all participants, including Pay-to-Go and Scholarship recipients.

7.1 Standard Refund Policy (Participant Withdrawal)

For Pay-to-Go participants who choose to withdraw from the program, the following refund schedule applies:

• More than 60 days before departure: 50% refund of total program cost
• 30-60 days before departure: 25% refund of total program cost
• Less than 30 days before departure: No refund

7.2 Non-Refundable Items

The following items are strictly NON-REFUNDABLE under any circumstances, regardless of the reason for cancellation:

• Optional Zeffy Donations: Donations made to the Zeffy platform during payment processing.
• International Transaction Fee: The 1% fee applied to all payments (effective Jan 1, 2026).
• Vendor Costs: Any costs already incurred by Where To Next that are non-recoverable from vendors (e.g., non-refundable airfare, hotel deposits).
• Insurance Premiums: Costs for travel insurance purchased by the participant.

7.3 Cancellation by Where To Next (Safety & Security)

Where To Next reserves the right to cancel the trip at any time if, in the opinion of international relations experts of Where To Next's choosing, travel to Cuba is deemed unsafe or unwise.

Refunds in this Event:

• Where To Next will refund any funds held by us that have not yet been paid to vendors.
• Any costs that are not refunded by vendors (e.g., airlines, hotels, tour operators) or by your insurance provider are NON-REFUNDABLE and will be lost.

7.4 Alternative Trip Destination

Where To Next reserves the right to plan and develop an alternative trip to a different country that takes place on the same dates if travel to Cuba is not possible, safe, or practical.

Policy for Destination Change:

• Participants shall NOT be entitled to a refund if the destination changes.
• Where To Next may use funds from the Program Fee to cover the cost of cancellation of the Cuba trip (e.g., vendor deposits, penalties).
• No refunds will be provided even if the cost of the new destination is cheaper than the Cuba trip, as the difference will be used to cover the fees and losses incurred from cancelling the Cuba trip.

7.5 Scholarship Cancellation (Alternative Award)

For Scholarship recipients: In the event that the trip is cancelled by Where To Next and no alternative trip is offered, the scholarship award will be converted to an alternative scholarship of $500 USD cash.

This amount is the sole and exclusive compensation provided to scholarship recipients. No other compensation, reimbursement for expenses (e.g., passports, vaccinations), or alternative travel arrangements will be provided.

8. Expense Reporting

8.1 Program Expense Submission

Program leaders, chaperones, and authorized staff who incur expenses on behalf of Where To Next during program activities must submit expense reports for reimbursement consideration. All expense submissions are subject to review and approval by program coordinators.

8.2 Expense Report Requirements

All expense reports must be submitted through the official Where To Next Expense Report portal at w2nvolunteer.org/expense-report. The following requirements apply:

• Documentation: All expenses must be accompanied by original receipts or proof of payment (photos or scanned copies accepted)
• Itemization: Each expense must be itemized with date, vendor, amount, currency, and business purpose
• Approval: Expense reports require signatures from two (2) program coordinators before processing
• Timeliness: Expense reports should be submitted within 30 days of incurring the expense, or within 30 days of trip completion for travel-related expenses
• Currency: Expenses in foreign currencies will be converted to USD at the exchange rate on the date of the expense

8.3 Eligible Expenses

The following categories of expenses may be eligible for reimbursement when pre-approved or incurred for legitimate program purposes:

• Transportation (ground transportation, emergency travel)
• Meals and accommodations (when not already provided by the program)
• Program supplies and materials
• Emergency medical expenses
• Communication costs (when required for program coordination)
• Other expenses pre-approved by program leadership

8.4 Review Process

All expense reports are submitted to hello@w2nvolunteer.org and reviewed by the program coordination team. Where To Next reserves the right to:

• Request additional documentation or clarification for any expense
• Deny reimbursement for expenses that are not adequately documented
• Deny reimbursement for expenses deemed personal or not program-related
• Adjust reimbursement amounts based on program policies and budget constraints

Processing Time: Approved expense reimbursements are typically processed within 30 business days of approval. Reimbursements are made via the same method as original program payments when possible.

9. US Government Regulations for Cuba Travel

9.1 Legal Authorization

Travel to Cuba by US citizens and residents is regulated by the US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Our program operates under the "Support for the Cuban People" general license category, which authorizes certain educational and people-to-people exchanges.

9.2 Compliance

Participants are required to comply with all US and Cuban laws and regulations. Where To Next will provide guidance and documentation to ensure compliance, but ultimate responsibility lies with the participant.

10. Privacy Policy

Your privacy is important to us. Please review our Privacy Policy to understand how we collect, use, and protect your personal information.

Consent to Recording and Media Usage: By participating in the program, you grant Where To Next the right to record, film, photograph, or capture your likeness and voice in any media now available or hereafter developed and to distribute, broadcast, use, or otherwise globally to disseminate, in perpetuity, such media without any further approval from you or any payment to you. This grant includes, but is not limited to, the right to edit such media, the right to use the media alone or together with other information, and the right to allow others to use or disseminate the media.

11. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Where To Next, its officers, directors, employees, and agents shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or related to your participation in the program or use of our website.

11.1 Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Where To Next from any claims, damages, liabilities, costs, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from your violation of these Terms of Use or your participation in the program.

11.2 Force Majeure

Where To Next shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance due to causes beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, war, terrorism, riots, embargoes, acts of civil or military authorities, fire, floods, accidents, strikes, or shortages of transportation facilities, fuel, energy, labor, or materials.

11.3 Program Accessibility Limitations (Cuba Trip)

Participants who require specific accommodations must speak with Where To Next leadership prior to applying or accepting a spot on the program.

Where To Next is committed to inclusivity and will attempt to accommodate individuals with accessibility needs on future programs, should the program continue to operate and expand to more accessible destinations or facilities.

12. Accessibility Statement

Where To Next is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people with disabilities. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone and applying the relevant accessibility standards.

Conformance Status: The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) defines requirements for designers and developers to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. It defines three levels of conformance: Level A, Level AA, and Level AAA. The Where To Next website is partially conformant with WCAG 2.1 level AA.

Feedback: We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of the Where To Next website. Please let us know if you encounter accessibility barriers on our website by contacting us at hello@w2nvolunteer.org.

13. Contact Information

If you have any questions about these Terms of Use, please contact us at:

Email: hello@w2nvolunteer.org