Join the Summer Scholars UK Program in London! Using London as an exciting lab for learning, this innovative, one week summer enrichment program allows high school students to engage their own interests in field sessions focusing on Art, Architecture, History, Literature, Theatre, Science and Engineering.

Participation is open to any high school students from any school, including graduated high school seniors. This innovative program is designed to be fun and intellectually engaging. There is no homework, grading or assignments, only experiencing, seeing, listening, discussing and learning!  Since this is an open enrollment program, students come from a variety of schools, allowing friends and relatives from different schools to participate. Finally, our alumni students who have participated before are most welcome to repeat, as each week-long session is customizable and subsequently unique.  We try to include new session content every year!

Each day is typically divided into three blocks. Morning sessions are designed to be topic-specific and will relate generally to the focus areas of Humanities, Social Studies, Language or Science. Students will have the opportunity to select from a menu of faculty-led field trips and sessions each day, so students can follow their own interests and essentially design their own London experience. Afternoon sessions will focus around core experiences and are designed for all students to participate. Planned evening events will be scheduled each night to focus on cultural experiences, such as theater, urban exploration or cuisine.

Our team of enthusiastic, credentialed, curricular faculty are professional educators who have been selected from a variety of schools specifically for their excellence in teaching and their experience in overseas travel.  We anticipate the faculty participating in 2026 program to include Ms. Sarah Johnson (Riverside-Brookfield High School), Mr. Matt Sparapani (St. Ignatius College Prep), and Prof. Charles Pipal AIA (Architecture - The School of the Art Institute of Chicago).  We hope to utilize additional faculty if the enrollment allows.

The Land Only cost of this tour is $2970.  This cost includes everything outlined in the itinerary, but does not include airfare.  

Airfare Add-on:  We have reserved a limited number of group seats from Chicago to London on American Airlines for $1518.  Please see the options in the sign-up page to include airfare. You may purchase your roundtrip airfare from us, or book your own airfare. We provided this option to allow parents the ability to use airlines miles. If redeeming air miles, it may be possible to utilize another airlines other than American. Please contact us in advance regarding the purchase/redemption of your air ticket to allow smooth coordination with our group flight, especially if you are using another air carrier other than Amercian Airlines..

The group flights on American Airlines are:

19 JUN 2026 AA46, dep. ORD 8:30 pm arr. LHR 10:30 am

26 JUN 2026 AA91, dep. LHR 2:25 pm arr. ORD 5:00 pm

Mode of Payment: 

After making your initial deposit of $300 in this portal, your account will be set to receive email reminders from WeTravel.  The email that you enter in this portal will be the email where all billing and trip reminders are sent.   We recommend this email belong to a parent or guardian and that the parent/guardian return to the portal and set-up a password.  This will allow you to update information as needed.  

You will be prompted to pay by credit card (there is a 3% processing fee credit card payments) or ACH transfer from your checking account (no processing charge).  Future payments to your account are set up to auto-bill to your credit card or ACH.  Late payments could result in a forfeiture of your spot on the trip.  

 If you would like to turn-off auto-billing, please send us an email.

Any questions about payments may be directed to info@bluerprinttours.com. 

Payment Schedule:

The initial deposit of $300 is non-refundable and is due upon enrollment.  You are not signed up officially in the program until the deposit is paid.

The second payment of 50% of the balance is due by March 15, 2026.  The final payment balance is due by May 1, 2026. 

You will be prompted to pay by credit card (there is a 3% processing fee credit card payments) or ACH transfer from your checking account (no processing charge).  Any questions about payments may be directed to info@blueprinttours.com. 

Cancellation Schedule:

The following refunds will be issued for any cancellations: 

Provided that all due payments have been made in time, refunds will be issued based on the following schedule: 

Cancel before 3/1/25 - full refund less $300

Cancellation between 3/1/25 - 3/31/25  - $1000 refund. 

Cancellation between 4/1/25 - 5/31/25 - $1500 refund

No refunds will be issued after May 31, 2025.

Cancellation of Roundtrip Airfare purchased through Blueprint Tours

Roundtrip airfare may be available for purchase for this tour or you can book your own airfare. Some families like to redeem miles for airfare.

If you purchased the airfare option for this tour, your $100 deposit is not refundable.  However, if you cancel before May 1, you will receive the remaining amount of the airfare ticket cost as a refund. 

Cancellations must be sent in writing via email to info@blueprinttours.com.  Cancellations by phone will not be accepted. 

Full Cancellation of Program due to Low Enrollment

In the event that we do not reach a minimum number of enrollees, we reserve the right to cancel the program. If this is the case, you will receive a full refund, including your deposit.

Blueprint Tours, Inc. Illness Policy

We are excited to show students the world again!  Safety and good health while traveling are our top priority.  With some pre-trip preparation, and common-sense health precautions on the trip, a successful and fun trip is possible for our student travelers. 

Parents and Guardians:

Illness happens.    One way to protect your investment in the trip is to buy travel insurance.  It is likely that your health insurance policy will not cover sickness overseas.

1)   Before the trip:  Purchase the best travel insurance possible that will cover Covid-19 trip cancellations or expenses associated with traveling home, medical care or hospitalization due to a Covid-19 positive infection.  You can shop insurance policies at insuremytrip.com.   You will also be given the option of purchasing insurance through this website from Travelex at the end of your registration for the tour.  Please review the terms of any insurance you choose to purchase to ensure it covers any interruptions or trip delays due to Covid-19 or any other illness.  The cancellation policy outlined in our brochure is firm and there will be no refunds due to illness.

2)   Send your child with one “at home” rapid/antigen tests that they can use on the trip if they begin to feel Covid-19 symptoms. We recognize that in young, healthy students, symptoms may be mild and confusing as they may seem like allergies or a common cold.

3)   If your child contracts Covid-19 or another infectious disease on the tour, they may be required to isolate in their own hotel room at your expense.  If it is not possible for your student to travel home due to severe illness,  the chaperone will need to stay behind with the student and then travel home when cleared for travel.  If travel home is delayed until after the group departs, all travel expenses (hotel, airfare, meals) for your student and the chaperone will be the responsibility of the parent or guardian.  For this reason, travel insurance on international trips is essential. To the extent your insurance policy does not cover the chaperone’s expenses, this will be an out-of-pocket expense paid by the parent or guardian of the student.  

During the flight to London:

Transmission of illness (flu, RSV, Norovirus, Covid-19) may be high while traveling on an airplane in June.   It is our recommendation that travelers wear a high-quality mask while on airplanes. We want to ensure you have a great trip, and your adventure is not cut short by any airborne illness. Wearing a mask is a small bit of insurance against a virus.

Please send us an email at info@blueprinttours.com and we will be happy to assist with any questions.  Please note that we are not requiring proof of vaccination for this tour.

The program has space for approximately 40 students, including 20 studnents on the flight block.  We encourage you to enroll as soon as you are able to secure your spot.  If this program fills up, a wait list will be started.  Please add your name to the waitlist and you will be contacted by Blueprint Tours.

We also ask if your plans change and you can no longer travel, please consider giving up your spot so a student on the waitlist can attend. 

General: Blueprint Tours, Inc., hereinafter referred to as Operator, acts only as an agent for the various independent suppliers that provide hotel accom­modations, transportation, sightseeing, activities, or other services connected with this tour. Such services are subject to the terms and conditions of those suppliers. The Operator and their respective employees, representatives, and assigns accept no liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, loss, accident delay, or any other incident which may be caused by the negligence, defect, default or expenses of any kind due to sickness, weather, strikes, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature, local laws or other such causes. All services and accommodations are subject to the laws and regulations of the country in which they are provided. Operator is not responsible for any baggage or personal effects of any individual participating in the tour / trips arranged by Operator. Individual travelers are responsible for purchasing a travel insurance policy, if desired, that will cover some of the expenses associated with the loss of lug­gage or personal effects.   

Responsibility: The Operator assumes no liability for failure to provide the services and accommodations referred to in this brochure to the extent that such services and accommodations cannot be supplied due to delays or other causes beyond the control of the Operator. In absence of negligence on the part of the Operator, the participant agrees that Operator has no liability or responsibility of any persons due to any act, omission or negligence of any carrier, hotel, restaurant, coach company, sight seeing or guiding company, or any other persons rendering any of the services or portions of the itinerary. The participant further waives any claim against Operator, sponsor, and its group leaders for any such damage, loss, injury or death. Operator shall not be responsible for any delays, substitution of equipment, or any act or omission whatsoever by the suppliers of such services, their agents, servants, and employees, and the participant hereby waives any claim arising therefrom. Operator reserves the right to decline, accept, or retain any participant at any time for any reason. Op­erator reserves the right to cancel this tour prior to departure, in which case full or partial payment will be refunded without further obligation on Operator’s part. If terrorist act, terror threat, war, pandemic, act of God or other event would cause the Operator or sponsor to cancel or delay the tour, Operator shall not be responsible for refund. The passenger contract in use by the airline shall constitute the sole contract between the airline companies and the participant. Blueprint Tours, Inc. does not assume any costs, fees or liability associated with the extension of this tour caused by occurrences such as but not limited to extreme weather, natural disasters, terrorist action or threat, pandemic, or act of God. If a tour participant is required to remain in a country beyond the last day of the tour, all meals, lodging, transportation and other costs shall be the responsibility of the tour participant and /or their legal guardian. By forwarding the deposit and submitting the application, the participant agrees with these terms and conditions and certifies that they are free from any mental, physical, or other condition or disability that would create a hazardous condition for participant or other participants. All tickets issued by any contractors are subject to any and all terms and conditions under which such means of transportation or other services are offered or provided and the issuance and acceptance of such tickets shall be deemed to be consent to the further conditions that the operators shall not be or become liable or responsible in any way in connection with such means of transportation or other services, or for any loss, injury, damage to or in respect of any person or property howsoever caused or arising. Opera­tor reserves the right to change the itinerary due to weather conditions, acts of God, political conditions, unscheduled or unanticipated closings, mechanical difficulties or other factors beyond the control of the Operator without consulting the participants. In addition, Operator also reserve the right to make such alterations in the itinerary determined to be desirable by the Operator to provide for convenience of parties and smooth operation of tour. Participant has no right to refund or other considerations in the event of changes to the itinerary.

On all trips with persons under 18 years of age, the legal guardians will be asked to sign an agreement and pay the costs associated with any disciplinary measures.   Please read the policy and be sure you are prepared to sign and comply before paying your non-refundable deposit of $300.   We may ask you to reaffirm this policy at a later date.

Blueprint Tours, Inc. Alcohol, Vaping and Drug Policy

I ______________________ will be participating in a tour run by Blueprint Tours, Inc.

(Please print participant’s name)

I understand that the possession or use of drugs at any time during this tour is

prohibited by the tour company. It is understood that this includes the use of marijuana

and its byproducts, nicotine or other drugs ingested or “vaped”. Therefore, I agree not

to possess or use illegal drugs at any time during the tour. I understand that Blueprint Tours

is in no way responsible for my actions, safety, or legal status if I refused to abide

by this agreement.

____________________________________________

Signature of tour participant – (required)

____________________________________________

Signature of parent or guardian (if a student is a minor)

___________

Date

For those tour participants under 21 years of age:

I ______________________ will be participating in a tour run by Blueprint Tours, Inc.

(Please print your name)

I understand the possession or use of alcohol at any time during this tour is prohibited by

the tour company. I understand that if I am traveling to a foreign country, I may be of

legal drinking age in that country. I also understand, that even if I am not of legal

drinking age, I may be able to be served alcohol or able to procure alcohol on my own in

a foreign country. Regardless, I agree that I will not possess or use alcohol at any time

during the tour. I also agree to submit to a breathalyzer exam and/or a search of my

belongings and/or hotel room if asked. I understand that Blueprint Tours is in no way

responsible for my actions, safety or legal status if I refuse to abide by this agreement.

____________________________________________

Signature of tour participant – (required)

____________________________________________

Signature of parent or guardian (if a student is a minor)

___________

Date

Blueprint Tours, Inc.

Travel for Minors and Disciplinary Consent Form

I, as the lawful parent/custodial guardian of the below named minor, hereby give my consent for travel with the Blueprint Tours representative and their accompanying teacher chaperones on this trip, with dates and locations as identified in the tour brochure.

In the event the teachers, escorts and/or chaperones on the trip determine that my child’s words or actions are disruptive, or my child has exhibited behavior that may lead him/her to be a danger to himself/herself or others, my child may be required to return home before the completion of the trip.  If a decision is made by the teachers, escorts and/or chaperones to send my child home before the completion of the trip, I agree, as the legal guardian, to pay for all expenses associated with such discipline.  Specifically, I agree to purchase a one-way ticket from the closest airport to my home airport for my child.  I also agree that either I or my designee (i.e. a relative, caregiver, etc.) will meet my child at the airport closest to where my child is currently traveling on the tour and then escort my child home.  The airfares for such a disciplinary event and all associated costs (extra hotel rooms, meals) will be at my expense and paid by me.  No advance will be provided by Blueprint Tours, Inc. to cover such costs.

My child’s conduct in and out of school prior to the departure of the trip is also important. Regardless of whether or not this is a school sponsored trip, any student may be dropped from the tour at the discretion of the chaperones or the tour operator if that student is disciplined by their school for behavior or is involved in any illegal activity, including but not limited to arrest, suspension, expulsion or a lesser form of school discipline.  If such an event occurs, the cancellation policy on the back of the Blueprint Tours’ brochure will govern the amount of money the student is entitled to, if any, as a refund.  This may result in a forfeiture of the full value of the trip. 

I have read the above agreement and agree to comply with the terms and conditions if my child is asked to leave a trip early due to disciplinary problems or forfeits his or her opportunity to travel with the group due to disciplinary issues prior to the trip’s departure.

______________________________

Student’s Name: (please print)

______________________________________________________________________

Signature of parent or guardian

______________________________________________________________________

Printed Name of parent or legal guardian

___________  

Date

Baggage: Each student may check one piece of checked luggage. Standard airline weight limits and dimensions apply. In addition, participants will be allowed one “carry-on” piece of luggage small enough to fit under an airline seat, plus one personal item (i.e. purse or small backpack). If you have questions regarding baggage and carry-on luggage, you are encouraged to refer to the air carrier’s website. Operator assumes no responsibility for lost or stolen luggage, personal belongings or excess baggage charges.

Documents Required: Each person must have a valid passport that has an expiration date at least six months beyond the program return date. All travel docu­ments and costs affiliated with obtaining them are the sole responsibility of the participant. Please note, while passport wait times while passport wait times have decreased, we still strongly recommend that if you have yet to apply for or renew your passport, please do so immediately. If you have a valid US Passport, please consider uploading it now.

In 2025, the United Kingdom instituted a new requirement for entry.  An Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) will be required for every person entering the UK.  The ETA is available online and the cost is currently about $12.00.  This cost will be the responsibility of the participant.  We will be providing additional information and assistance regarding the ETA after enrollment.

We fully understand that this program, although very reasonably priced, still might not be attainable to all those who wish to attend due to financial challenges.  Unfortunately, we are unable to offer direct financial assistance, but periodically parents, educators, friends and students share information with us about potential funding sources.  Most of these funds are specific to students from certain schools, interests or geographic areas.  Please contact us if you are interested in additional information about grant funding.

This afternoon, for those flying from Chicago, we’ll gather at O’Hare International Airport for our check-in and flight to Europe. If you are traveling from another gateway, we will arrange a meeting time for pickup at London’s Heathrow Airport. Our faculty leaders will meet us at the airport and will continue with us throughout our journey. The next morning, we’ll arrive in England, where we will meet those traveling from other cities.

After arriving in London, we’ll clear passport control, collect our luggage and make our way to London using public transportation. After we drop our bags at the hotel, we plan to visit Kensington Gardens and Palace, where Princes William and Harry grew up. This evening will be a “Tube” orientation, allowing us to see some of the main sites by night.

Students will be able to select from a menu of three sessions. Sessions may include Urban Wildlife, V & A Storehouse, and Leadenhall Market and the Square Mile.

This afternoon we will travel together to see the Wicked! After our show, we will proceed to the upscale enclave of Hampstead Heath in North London.

Today we will enjoy a full day outing to one of the spectacular cities in close proximity of London. In Greenwich, we'll see the Prime Meridian, the Royal Naval College, cross a tunnel under the Thames River and take a cable car over it!

Students will be able to select from a menu of sessions, including Roman London and a Behind the Scenes tour of the Barbican Theatre.

This afternoon we will meet up at Covent Garden Market for lunch and the visit the British Museum. This evening, we’ll attend a play.

Students will be able to select from a menu of sessions, including the Imperial War Museum and the Science of London's Bridges.

This afternoon we will all visit the St. Paul's Cathedral. This evening, we’ll attend a play in Soho.

Students will be able to select from a menu of sessions, including a Rock and Roll walking tour and Gothic Architecture: Height and Light.

This afternoon we will all visit Westminster Abbey. This evening will explore the lively Spittalfields market and Brick Lane area.

This morning we’ll leave for London’s Heathrow Airport and our journey home.