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 worldwide.

2. Program Overview

Where To Next offers educational volunteer travel programs to Cuba for high-school students worldwide. 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 program, currently scheduled for June 15–24, 2027, applicants must:

• Be currently enrolled in high school or an equivalent secondary-school program
• Be eligible to travel from the participant’s country of residence and meet applicable entry requirements
• 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 program, currently scheduled for June 15–24, 2027, 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

5.6 Required Cuba Communications Device

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. The currently published Cuba Pay-to-Go program fee is $8,500 USD. An adult guest who participates through Pay to Go has a currently published total fee of $9,500 USD, which includes the $1,000 USD adult-guest supplement. These amounts are subject to the program-price adjustment terms below and any separately disclosed processing, insurance, or other applicable charges. For planning context only, see the Cuba 2027 price update; that announcement does not amend these Terms.

6.1 Payment Processing

All Pay-to-Go program payments are processed through Square Inc. ("Square"). By making a payment, you agree to Square's applicable terms of service and privacy policy. Square may process payments, refunds, and any permitted payment-related adjustments through the original or another lawful payment method designated by Where To Next.

6.2 Cuba Program Price Adjustments Are Not Pricing Errors

Cuba program pricing may change at any time before departure because of evolving conditions and costs, including regulatory or banking changes, transportation, lodging, fuel or energy, insurance, vendor, currency, security, operational, itinerary, or other program-related conditions. Where To Next may implement a documented Cuba price adjustment after acceptance or after a prior payment and will provide written notice of the adjusted amount and payment deadline.

A Cuba price adjustment made under this section is not a pricing error, clerical mistake, or basis for a special cancellation or refund right. A participant who elects not to pay an adjusted amount may withdraw only under the standard refund policy in Section 7; the participant is not entitled to a full refund or an exception to that policy solely because the Cuba price changes.

6.3 Payment Schedule and Due-Date Notices

Non-scholarship participants must follow the written payment schedule supplied upon acceptance or, if applicable, in a written destination, activation, or price-adjustment notice. Each notice may specify a deposit, installment, final-balance, or adjusted-balance amount and its due date. Late, missed, declined, reversed, or disputed payments may result in suspension, loss of place, or cancellation of participation, subject to the refund terms in Section 7.

6.4 Cuba Payment Routing and OFAC Compliance

Fees paid by U.S.-based participants are collected and held in U.S.-domiciled accounts. Subject to applicable law, W2N may make payments to Corazon Cuba and other authorized program vendors directly from W2N's U.S. accounts through legally authorized channels. Participants may not direct, reroute, or independently transmit program funds except through a payment method expressly approved in writing by W2N.

6.5 Mandatory Insurance Requirement

6.6 Required Post-Program Recorded Check-Ins

A Pay-to-Go participant who completes travel with W2N must complete the same post-program recorded check-in commitment that applies to a Scholarship Recipient. Beginning with the first calendar quarter after the participant's Program Conclusion, the participant must complete one recorded check-in with W2N leadership in each calendar quarter until the earlier of: (a) completion of, or permanent decision not to pursue, an undergraduate degree program; (b) four years after high-school graduation if the participant does not enroll in an undergraduate degree program; or (c) the date W2N permanently terminates operations. An undergraduate degree program means a postsecondary bachelor's, associate, or comparable undergraduate program, not graduate or professional study.

After that quarterly period, the participant must complete one recorded check-in with W2N leadership in each successive twelve-month period until the earlier of: (a) the tenth anniversary of Program Conclusion; or (b) the date W2N permanently terminates operations. "Program Conclusion" means the date the participant's program participation ends, including an early departure; if the program does not operate, this check-in obligation does not begin.

Check-ins may be remote or in another format agreed in writing. W2N will make a good-faith effort to give reasonable scheduling notice; the participant must keep reasonably current contact information, respond reasonably promptly, and make a good-faith effort to schedule. Illness, disability, caregiving, work, school, military, technology, or other substantial conflicts should be raised promptly so that W2N can consider a reasonable accommodation or written rescheduling option. A check-in completed within a mutually agreed extension satisfies the applicable period. While the participant is a minor, a parent or guardian must provide reasonable support for scheduling and completion; the participant's personal obligation continues after reaching age 18.

Check-ins may address the participant's program experience, educational path, work, community involvement, growth, and reflections. W2N will not require disclosure of medical, mental-health, financial, passport, immigration, legal, or other sensitive personal information. Subject to applicable law and the participant's separate media-consent and release documents, W2N may record and retain completed check-ins for legitimate program, educational, scholarship, community-engagement, reporting, archival, and rights-management purposes. A material failure to complete this obligation without an approved reschedule or accommodation may affect eligibility for future W2N opportunities, scholarships, or alumni programs, subject to applicable law.

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)

Except for the one-time deposit refund exception in Section 7.1A, the following standard refund schedule applies to Pay-to-Go participants who choose to withdraw from the program:

• 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

7.1A One-Time Deposit Refund Exception

7.2 Non-Refundable Items

Except as expressly stated in the limited Section 7.1A exception, the following items are strictly NON-REFUNDABLE under any circumstances, regardless of the reason for cancellation:

• Square Processing Fees and Voluntary Donations: Processor charges and any separate voluntary donation elected by the payer, to the extent not recoverable from Square or another recipient.
• International Transaction Fee: A 1% fee is added to program payments after January 1, 2026. This fee is intended to cover costs incurred by W2N to comply with U.S. requirements applicable to international cashier's checks and to pay international program partners, including Corazon Cuba.
• 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, or Operations)

Where To Next may cancel, delay, modify, or suspend the Cuba program at any time if it determines, in its discretion, that travel is unsafe, unlawful, impractical, or operationally infeasible. If the Cuba program is cancelled, Where To Next may offer a conditional alternative program under Section 7.4.

If no alternative is offered or accepted, refunds are limited to net funds actually held by Where To Next after deducting the non-refundable items in Section 7.2 and any vendor, insurer, processor, government, or other costs that are non-recoverable. Where To Next is not responsible for a participant's independent travel, visa, passport, insurance, vaccination, accommodation, or other personal expenses.

7.4 Conditional Alternative Trip Destination

If Where To Next cancels the Cuba program, it may—but is not required to—offer an alternative destination. The alternative destination, dates, itinerary, price, payment schedule, and participation requirements are not final unless and until Where To Next issues written notice.

Except for the limited Section 7.1A one-time deposit refund exception, a destination change, a difference in dates, or a difference in program price does not itself create a refund right. Where To Next may apply program funds to cancellation costs, penalties, losses, and other non-recoverable costs associated with the Cuba program. A participant who declines an alternative program may withdraw only under the applicable refund terms, after deducting non-refundable amounts and costs already committed.

7.4A Refund Timing for an Alternative Program

Subject to the limited Section 7.1A one-time deposit refund exception, for a participant who applied, enrolled, accepted a place, or paid toward the Cuba program before W2N's written cancellation of the Cuba program, the refund schedule and notice periods continue to be measured from the Cuba program dates announced in this notice: June 15–24, 2027. Any later alternative-program dates do not restart, extend, or reset the refund clock. The participant is not entitled to a refund, larger refund, or other exception solely because an alternative program is scheduled later than the Cuba program.

If a person first registers and is accepted for an alternative program after W2N has issued written cancellation of the Cuba program, the refund schedule for that person will be measured from the written alternative-program departure date supplied at enrollment. If a signed participant agreement provides a different or more specific payment, cancellation, or refund term, that signed agreement controls to the extent of a conflict.

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. Travel Authorization and Local Compliance

9.1 Legal Authorization

Where US law applies, 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 Cuban law and with the applicable laws, entry requirements, visas, and transit rules of their country of residence, citizenship, and travel itinerary. Where To Next will provide program documentation, but ultimate responsibility for an individual participant's eligibility to travel lies with the participant and parent/guardian where applicable.

9.3 U.S. Re-Entry, Inspection, and Government Inquiries

Re-entry may also lead to a government inquiry, administrative review, audit, investigation, record request, or other enforcement action relating to travel, entry declarations, immigration status, customs, imports or exports, financial transactions, communications, or other matters. W2N cannot predict, prevent, direct, or control any government action, nor can W2N guarantee admission, processing time, privacy of a device or other property, retention of property, or a particular outcome. These risks exist even when a participant intends to comply with the law.

Participants and parents or guardians, where applicable, are responsible for carrying truthful and accurate travel documentation; making truthful declarations; retaining personal copies of relevant travel, program, and transaction records; cooperating with lawful official instructions; and obtaining independent legal, immigration, tax, or other professional advice if they have questions about their individual circumstances. W2N may provide ordinary program documentation, but does not provide legal representation, immigration advice, audit defense, or advocacy in connection with an inspection, detention, inquiry, audit, or investigation. To the fullest extent permitted by law, W2N is not responsible for delays, missed transportation, loss of free time, device or property examination, retention or seizure, legal costs, or other consequences arising from a government action outside W2N's reasonable control.

For general information, see CBP's Border Search of Electronic Devices at Ports of Entry. This link is provided for general education only and is not legal advice.

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, including support for common assistive technologies such as VoiceOver, and aim to meet or, where practicable, exceed relevant digital-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