Frequently Asked Questions

Western Skies Teen Travel Tour

What age do I have to be to travel on Western Skies?

Western Skies is age appropriate for teenagers finishing 8th, 9th and 10th grades. Each departure date corresponds with a specific age group to ensure that travelers are with their peers.

Can I pick my departure date?

Most of our tours have multiple departure dates and each departure date corresponds with a designated age group. Rein Teen Tours will assign you a departure date to ensure you will be traveling with teenagers your own age.

How many teenagers will be in my teen tour group?

All of Rein Teen Tours’ groups are coed and most have between 40 to 45 participants.

Where do the kids come from?

This past summer, Rein Teen Tours had travelers from 34 states, 9 foreign countries, and two U.S. territories. We love bringing people together!

Can I come with a friend?

The most rewarding part of a summer with Rein Teen Tours is making new friends. While we do allow friends to travel together, Rein Teen Tours makes each tour a cohesive family by focusing on teambuilding and icebreaker activities starting day one of your trip. Group dynamics is a major focus on our trips. Whether our travelers come with a friend or come alone, we strive to ensure each teenager thrives socially.

Can I pick my roommates?

To foster positive group dynamics for our teenagers from day one of their tours, we assign roommates for the first stop. Friends coming on tour together are placed in separate rooms for the first stop. This is to facilitate all travelers making new friends from day one. After the first stop, it’s up to our tour members to choose roommates each time we travel to a new destination. You may switch roommates at each stop on your teen tour. Most hotel rooms accommodate two to three teens per room and every teenager is always provided their own bed.

What happens on the first day of my trip?

Once the group arrives in Phoenix, we check into our hotel and the tour leader and counselors run an informational orientation program for the teenagers. We then participate in exciting team building and ice breaker activities that will allow you to meet new faces and get to know the people on your trip. Next up, it’s time to get the summer fun started with a delicious dinner together and a fun group evening activity.

Can I bring my cell phone?

Yes, you may bring your cell phone on your Rein tour. Cell phones provide a level of comfort for your family while you are away from home. They also provide the ability for your tour director to communicate instantaneously with all members of the tour group. It is important to us that cell phones don’t interfere with the group dynamics and daily experiences of the tour. While we never take cell phones away, we do implement policies to curb the use of cell phones during meals and group activities.

How does laundry work while on tour?

A detailed packing list is provided ahead of time for your tours. We ask travelers to bring a week’s worth of casual clothing, packed in a roller duffel bag up to 32 inches in length and not exceeding 50 pounds. At the end of each week our group visits a laundromat where we will teach you how to do your laundry. Rein Teen Tours provides the detergent. Yes, you will know how to do laundry by the end of the summer!

Who are the counselors and how are they trained?

Our staff is second to none! We prioritize hiring people who are not only experienced and responsible, but also passionate about working with young people. Our hiring process includes interviews, reference checks, and background checks. We look for individuals with backgrounds in education, youth development, and travel, as well as those who have a genuine enthusiasm for mentoring and guiding teens.

Our in-depth counselor training programs, facilitated by our professional staff training experts, focus on team building, safety protocols, and group dynamics.

What if I get sick while on tour?

In the event a tour member is feeling ill and needs to be seen by a doctor, we rely on a network of local urgent care facilities and hospitals for treatment. The tour leader will make every effort to contact a parent when a doctor’s visit is necessary. We will also contact you from the doctor’s office, so you can discuss the treatment plan with the physician. Our staff will ensure the treatment plan is carried out and when a teenager is sick and must miss an activity, a counselor will always stay back with them. Rein staff members are required to have basic CPR and first aid certification.

How do you handle allergies and special dietary needs?

There will always be options for vegetarians, picky eaters, those with gluten or dairy-free diets, and those who have food allergies. For those on tour with dietary restrictions, our tour leaders serve as advocates at restaurants and can help teenagers order and explain special dietary needs to the restaurant staff. We ask teenagers with extreme nut and other allergies to bring two EpiPens to the trip, with one being held by the tour leader.

Do I have to participate in an activity that makes me uncomfortable?

Your staff will encourage you to participate in all activities, but they will never force you to do something that makes you feel uncomfortable. If you are feeling nervous about an activity, please let one of your counselors know. You will have many opportunities to step out of your comfort zone and try something new and exciting on tour this summer!

What does tuition include?

Program tuition covers all lodging, transportation during the tour, any inter-tour flights, breakfast and dinner daily, all activities, admissions, and gratuities.

How much spending money will I need?

Spending money will be used for lunch, souvenirs, personal items, occasional snacks, and laundry. For these purposes, teenagers on average spend about $200 per week. We suggest spending money be brought in the form of a reloadable debit card or credit card.

How much is the deposit to hold a spot?

A $750 deposit is required to hold a spot. Click here to enroll online. Please call the Rein Teen Tours office at 973-785-1113 if you need assistance or have further questions.