Journey Highlights

• Train & play 3 friendly games with local youth teams in Liverpool and Manchester
• Attend 3 professional football matches
• 2 stadium tours
• Discover the fascinating history & culture of Liverpool and Manchester -- from the Beatles first pub gig and John Lennon's home in Liverpool; and from the Romans to the Vikings and the Industrial Revolution to 1990s dance music of Manchester
• Compete with your friends, coaches & parents/chaperones in a 6v6 tournament
• Visit the National Football Museum in Manchester
• Unforgettable memories of a lifetime!

This once-in-a-lifetime experience is produced in partnership with Bainbridge Island-based tour operator Cross Cultural Journeys!

"It is an experience I will remember for the rest of my life."

--2019 tour participant
 

"If you are debating about going or not, I guarantee you the work to raise money is worth it."

--2019 tour participant

INCLUDED: In country transportation per itinerary;  multi-occupancy accommodation in local youth hostel; meals (B/L/D per itinerary); BIFC coaches; parent chaperones; Cross Cultural Journeys trip manager(s); entrance fees to professional soccer games; all entrance fees on itinerary; preparation materials; tips for bellman and included meals on itinerary; bottled water on bus.

NOT INCLUDED: Airfare to and from the UK; meals not on itinerary, alcoholic beverages (for +21); excursions not on the itinerary; tips for local guide and driver (optional, yet customary); and Travel Protection.

TRAVEL PROTECTION: Cross Cultural Journeys is not responsible for cancellation expenses that you might incur before or during our trip.  You may want to check first to see if your current insurance policy covers travel abroad, but we have found that most do not. We strongly encourage considering taking out travel interruption and evacuation insurance to cover any emergencies abroad such as evacuation, or reimbursement for cancellation due to your own illness or an illness in your family. Some plans require you to take out this insurance within 21 days of your deposit to cover pre-existing conditions. CCJ has partnered with TravelSafe. You can visit our online portal to explore different plans. We encourage you to choose a plan covers travel interruption before you depart, as well as during the trip. CCJ is not responsible for events beyond our control in this regard.

Please visit the Cross Cultural Journeys - TravelSafe online portal to find a plan that works for you. You can also call TravelSafe directly at 1-800-523-8020. Make sure you mention that Cross Cultural Journeys is your tour operator to receive our special rates.

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT CODE:  An Early Bird discount is available for those registering before May 30th. Book your spot early and Enter "EARLYBIRD" in the discount code box to activate.

INTERESTED IN BEING A CHAPERONE?
A limited number of chaperones will be invited to join this trip. BIFC and Cross Cultural Journeys will determine the appropriate number of chaperones, based on the final number of youth, to ensure adequate gender-balanced adult supervision. Chaperones will be asked to share rooms with the youth - one chaperone per room. Chaperones will be selected and screened by BIFC and will be expected to assist in the supervision of the youth. Chaperones will be charged the same price as players for their participation.

If you would like to be considered for one of the chaperone spots in Manchester, please email Ian McCallum <ian@bifc.net> with the subject line "UK 2023 CHAPERONE".

FINANCIAL AID: BIFC will organize a series of fundraising activities and establish a fund to assist players who may not otherwise be able to afford to participate in this trip. To apply for financial assistance for this trip, or to donate to the fund, please email Ian McCallum <ian@bifc.net> with the subject line "UK 2023 Financial Aid".

TRAVEL VOUCHERS FROM 2020 CANCELLED TRIP: Chaperones and players who were registered for the cancelled 2020 tour, all received a $450/pp CCJ travel voucher at that time. The travel voucher is valid until the end of 2023, is transferrable, and can be used to pay for a portion of the 2023 tour cost (based on the honorary system). If you would like to apply your travel voucher, please enter the discount code 2020VOUCHER and we will adjust your balance accordingly.

NOTE: Paying participants in the 2023 tour can choose to forego the voucher, and in so doing pass along a $100 donation to the BIFC fundraising campaign, that will help youth who are in need of financial aid to be able to participate in the tour.

CODE OF CONDUCT: To ensure a safe, fun and educational experience, all participants in this trip -- players, coaches and chaperones -- will be required to sign a code of conduct before departure. Violation of this code of conduct could result in the participant being removed from the trip and asked to return home at their expense.