WOW

2013/2014

Top 10 educational hot spotspg. 4

A winning journeypg. 14

Perform in the spotlightpg. 16

1 Introduction4 EDUCATION4 Ottawa5 Quebec City6 Niagara Falls7 New York City8 Montreal8 Toronto9 Onondaga Camp10 Washington, D.C.11 Chicago11 Boston12 International14 SPORTS16 DANCE

We put our hearts into helping you simplify.

You know that spark students get when they learn something amazing? Sharing that life-changing experience with your group is what it’s all about. Everything else? Just details. The ones we’ve spent more than 60 years perfecting so you don’t need to worry about them. We’re experts in bringing extraordinary group travel to life — all to make a-ha moments happen. With more new programs for 2014, let us show you how our passion is your reward.

We put our hearts into helping you simplify.

We Are Your partnerYour tour is not a transaction. It’s about you working with a company that is trustworthy, responsive, reputable and consistent. We will always work hard to earn and maintain your trust. After all, we’re in this for the long run.

Your perSOnaL COnCIerGe TeAMIt’s hard to articulate how much the tireless dedication of our team – and our fun, fresh approach – really does impact the entire experience. From initial planning through to on-site logistics, we’re with you every step of the way.

our Tour LeAders Are aWeSOMe Our Tour Leaders are carefully selected and receive intensive training to deliver SPARKTACULAR tours and are prepared to handle anything that happens on the road. They sweat the details, so you don’t!

Why Brightspark?

Your Tour, YOUr WaY We listen, plan and deliver the experience YOU expect. Transportation, arranged. Accommodations, booked. Meal plans, customized. Activities, all set. We do it all, so you can focus on the fun.

peaCe oF MINdWe are available 24/7 with our Emergency Hotline for tour participants and guardians. No recording – a real live person is there to assist. For additional peace of mind: comprehensive trip cancellation and medical insurance, “Call home for free” emergency cards, and night supervision.

ALWAYs soMeThINg FreSH Our programs are always evolving. This year, our “Exclusive Brightspark Activities” are all about student participation and engagement! But of course, we still have the support and reliability of suppliers we have partnered with for decades.

PAreNT/guArdIAN SUppOrtParents have questions. We provide answers. And we do it at friendly, customized information sessions at your convenience. “My Tour Centre” is also available with lots of helpful information.

heLPINg everYOne TrAveLStudent travel scholarships, special funding, fundraising support, early booking incentives – like you, we want to make sure everyone is able to travel. We can help you with that.

We’LL do The PAPerWork We take administration off your hands with online registration and payments. Need curriculum justifications? We have them too!

APProved ANd FULLY INsuredWe have a 100% track record on school board approvals and have exceeded all requirements for student group travel, including $25 million in liability coverage for peace of mind.

TOURLEADERS

97%

“ This is our third year with Brightspark and what really has impressed us over the last three trips has been the quality and character of your tour leaders. You have obviously well trained and prepared your well-chosen guides. It is very evident in their maturity, flexibility, knowledge and understanding of students and their needs.”

J. Herbst Teacher, SCDSB

OVERALLSERVICE

93%

“I’ve never done a trip with another company other than Brightspark. I don’t need to go anywhere else. Brightspark is top-notch!”

G. Reynolds Teacher, CHCLC

SALESCONSULTANTS

92%

“Natalie was amazing to work with! She always responded to emails or phone calls almost instantly. She was a great help and put me and the other teachers at ease. She was very accommodating and went out of her way.”

L. Szachrajuk Dance Director, Toronto, ON

RECOMMENDED

95%

“ Overall the service that you provided to the team and parents was excellent and I would not hesitate to recommend your company to anyone thinking of this kind of trip. Vince is already talking about taking the team back next year.”

J. Cook, Soccer Coach, Ajax, ON

Top marks!Rated Excellent or Very Good by our customers

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There’s so much to see and do in Canada’s capital city. For starters, its prime location nestled at the junction of three picturesque rivers is one reason it’s considered one of the world’s most beautiful capitals. Tour impressive national, cultural and historical institutions and be treated to amazing visual and performing arts no matter the season.

SeLeCt HIGHLIGHtSPARLIAMENTHILL

CyCLINgTOURONRIDEAUCANAL

ByWARDMARkET

gALAEVENINgOVERLOOkINgDOW’SLAkE

WARMUSEUM

BRIgHTSPARkgEOCACHINgTrek through beautiful Gatineau Park in search of hidden treasures! With the help of your classmates and a GPS, locate a secret cache hidden in the National Capital Region’s ecological preserve. Be sure to bring a little something to leave behind for other geocachers!

MOCkPARLIAMENTENROUTEAfter learning about the Canadian democratic system, discover how it works first-hand

as you work with your group and your Tour Leader to create and pass your very own bill.

SPARkTOgETHER(Team building) Participate in fun, cooperative, team-building games led by your Tour Leader in our nation’s capital. This program will challenge students’ problem solving skills in an excit-ing, interactive setting.

SPARkTEERINg(Orienteering) With the help of a map and compass in the Byward

Market, your Tour Leader will walk your group through the ins and outs of orienteering. In small groups, gather and analyze information to unravel the secrets of your destination!

SPARkARTWorking in teams, students will express their creativity by designing a t-shirt about their Ottawa experience! In this season-long challenge, the winning design will be used on next year’s Brightspark gear.

In THE KNOW

Ottawa

EDUCATION:TOP 10 DESTINATIONS

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eXperIenCeS tO SavOUrPLACEROyALE&PETITCHAMPLAIN

ANAUTHENTICSUgARSHACk

QUEBECWINTERCARNIVAL

PLAINSOfABRAHAM&THENATIONALBATTLEfIELDSPROgRAMS

BEAUPRECOAST

gALADINNER&DANCEBon appetit! Enjoy a delicious dinner in a beautiful Quebec City venue before dancing the night away to all of your favourite songs, courtesy of an interactive DJ.

THESPARkSHOWDOWNAfter learning about Quebec City’s long and rich history, test your memory in this “Price is Right”-style game! Cheer on your classmates as your school competes against other schools to be crowned the Spark Showdown Champs!

fLASHBACkCHALLENgEWith the help of your classmates and a digital camera, scour the streets of Old Quebec looking for facts about its founders, its culture and its secrets.

BASSE-VILLEB-I-N-g-OCan you be the first team to find all of the hidden clues? Explore Quebec City’s Lower Town in search of fun facts about the city, the architecture and the people who helped shape civilization in Canada.

SPARkTOgETHER(Team building) Participate in fun, cooperative, team-building games led by your Tour Leader on the Plains of Abraham. This program will challenge students’ problem solving skills in an exciting, interactive setting.

SPARkARTWorking in teams, students will express their creativity by designing a t-shirt about their Quebec City experience! In this season-long challenge, the winning design will be used on next year’s Brightspark gear.Quebec City

How can you not be taken by the only fortressed city in North America? It boasts rich flavours of both its French and English past. And with spectacular views of the Saint Lawrence River, charming cobblestone streets and endless joie de vivre, this provincial capital is brimming with natural and cultural beauty — all preserved in its more than 400-year history. Allons-y!

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New York CitySink your teeth into the true cultural melting pot, boasting more sites and attractions in its compact area than almost any other destination. From its impressive skyline to its bustling grid of eclectic neighbourhoods, The Big Apple never disappoints. It’s a must-do experience for all ages and any time of the year.

Niagara Falls

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UnFOrGettabLe HIGH pOIntSfORTgEORgE&QUEENSTONHEIgHTS

BIRDkINgDOM

DINNERATSkyLONTOWER

MAIDOfTHEMIST

CLIfTONHILL

SPARkTOgETHER(Team building) Participate in fun, cooperative, team-building games led by your Tour Leader. New in Niagara Falls, this pro-gram will challenge students’ problem solving skills in an exciting, interactive setting.

SPARkTEERINg(Orienteering) With the help of a map and compass on Clifton Hill, your Tour Leader will walk your group through the ins and outs of orienteering. In small groups, gather information and analyze it to unravel the secrets of your destination!

CLaSSIC SpOtLIGHtSTIMESSQUARE&BROADWAy

THEMETROPOLITANMUSEUMOfART&MOMA

CENTRALPARk

9/11MEMORIAL

ROCkEfELLERCENTER

Sure, it’s a beautiful waterfall but did you know that with a vertical drop of more than 165 feet, the com-bined three waterfalls form the highest flow rate of any waterfall in the world? Formed from receding glaciers, Niagara Falls is certain to leave onlookers awestruck with its beauty and natural force. It’s why millions of visitors flock here each year from all around the world.

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La CrèMe de La CrèMe OLDMONTREAL

BIODOME&OLyMPICPARk

MOUNTROyAL

CIRCUSSCHOOL

gHOSTHUNT

SPARkARTWorking in teams, students will express their creativity by designing a t-shirt about their Montreal experience! In this season-long challenge, the winning design will be used on next year’s Brightspark gear.

SPARkTOgETHER(Team building) Participate in fun, cooperative, team-building games led by your Tour Leader on Mount Royal. New in Montreal, this program will challenge students’ problem solving skills in an exciting, interactive setting.

Montreal

Toronto

See two sides of life meandering between old and new sites in the world’s second largest French-speaking city. You may have known about its Francophone status but did you know it’s also the birthplace of the famous Cirque du Soleil? Try your own hand at acrobatics as you go from glassy skyscrapers to its charming cobble-stoned quarter – and even through a tropical rainforest on a tour of the Biodome.

If there’s any place to find harmony in the world, it’s in one of the most culturally diverse places on the planet. Toronto is home to more than 100 identified cultural groups and has just as many languages spoken through-out the city. As the entertainment and financial capital of Canada, it hosts the world’s third largest theatre scene and some 25% of Hollywood filming.

Starred SIteSCNTOWER

HOCkEyHALLOffAME

CASALOMA

TORONTOBLUEJAySgAME

ONTARIOSCIENCECENTRE

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Onondaga Camp(near Minden, Ontario)

There’s nothing like nature to open the eyes of young minds. Find out how play and exploration in beautiful woodland surroundings can help students build up their confidence. With state-of-the-art outdoor adventure facilities, students can enjoy the great Canadian outdoors safely and comfortably.

OUtdOOr GreatSHIgHANDLOWROPESCOURSES

CHALLENgESWINg

VARIETyOfARTS&CRAfTS

CANOEINg&WATERSPORTS

CAPTURETHEfLAg(Team building)

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HOLOCAUSTMUSEUM

THESMITHSONIANMUSEUMS

ILLUMINATEDDRIVINgTOUROfMONUMENTS

gETTySBURg

Washington, D.C.

Get a closer look at the inner workings of America’s national government as you enter the invigorating political and cultural scene of the U.S. capital. From the country’s founding history to modern day public policy, students can walk in the footsteps of some of the greatest leaders in the free world.

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pInnaCLe pOIntSSHEDDAQUARIUM

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gRANTPARk&MILLENNIUMPARk

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fANEUILHALL&QUINCyMARkET

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HARVARDUNIVERSITy

Chicago

Boston

Take a tour of The Windy City and learn how local architects brought the world the almighty skyscraper. This third most populous city in the United States is teeming with innovative architec-ture. Look up and wander around this former rail-road centre to get deeper insight into America’s industrial boom.

Forge fresh perspectives in the birthplace of American democracy and home of the nation’s first university, library and subway, among other pioneer claims. Go back in history as you tour the present landmarks that commemorate what shaped the United States’ path to freedom.

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CLOSE UPFar away

Take off for faraway lands while keeping learning close at hand. Choose customized international tours for any subject including art, music, history, language and more. What’s more? We guarantee flights and hotel reservations as soon as we receive a deposit so you can rest easy knowing that your trip is underway.

Italy

EDUCATION:INTERNATIONAL DESTINATIONS

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CLOSE UPFar away

Spain

China

Costa Rica

Germany Greece

IcelandUnited Kingdom

France

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Austria

GO teaM!Take your sports clubs and school teams on a winning journey. We arrange unique professional coaching and training opportunities to create experiences of a lifetime for players of all ages. Athletes can compete against local teams, watch a pro match and even take in some sightseeing in between.

As with all Brightspark tours, our sports programs come with the same worry-free travel benefits (see page 2) with the addition of available meal plans, destination representatives and an optional tour guide. And, travel scholarships are available for application.

SPORTS

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SOCCERDESTINATIONSArgentinaEnglandFranceItalyScotlandSpainUnited StatesWales

PARTICIPATINgTEAMSACF FiorentinaCeltic FCFC BarcelonaFulham FCInter MilanJuventus FCLA GalaxyManchester CityNewcastle United FCNew York Red BullsParis Saint GermainRCD EspanyolSunderland AFCSwansea CityTottenham Hotspur FC

RUgByDESTINATIONSAustraliaEnglandFranceIrelandItalyNew ZealandSouth AfricaWales

PARTICIPATINgTEAMSBiarritz OlympiqueCardiff BluesHarlequins RugbyLeicester TigersMelbourne RebelsNewcastle FalconsOspreys RugbyPerpignan RugbyRacing MetroSale SharksSaracensStade FrançaisToulon RugbyUlster Rugby

Play ball and develop technique by training with teams like Saracens in England, or Ulster Rugby in Ireland.

Practice fancy footwork at the European football academies of renowned teams such as FC Barcelona or Manchester City FC.

Rugby

Soccer

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Take talent to the next level with amazing performance experiences in glamourous destinations: Walt Disney World and The Big Apple. Participants can dance in “Over the Rainbow”-inspired costumes while performing in a Main Street, USA parade. Or, they can rock New York City like a Rockette under the street spotlights of Manhattan.

These non-competitive trips encourage dancers to go with the beat and simply have fun while performing. As with all Brightspark tours, our dance programs come with the same worry-free travel benefits (see page 2) with additional destination representa-tives in Orlando and full-time Tour Leaders in New York. Plus, directors travel for free!

PERFORMANCEINSPIRED

DANCE

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ROCkETTESExPERIENCE

JUILLIARDCAMPUSTOUR

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fLASHMOBSANDSURPRISESTREETPERfORMANCES

New York State of Mind

Dance the World

Brightspark offers a fairy tale come to life. Your dancers get a chance to don “Over the Rainbow”-inspired costumes from head to ruby red shoes. As part of a four-day enchanting experience, they’ll perform a special choreographed dance while parading down the one and only Main Street, USA in Disney’s Magic Kingdom.

It’s everything you’d expect from the glittering streets of The Big Apple to Broadway and beyond. Students take a private workshop from a real Rockette, get a privileged peek at the premier music school in the U.S. and go on “The Ride.” This unique immersive tour delights all with pop-up street dance and the chance to kick up a fanciful flash mob.

eXCLUSIve tOe tapperSDISNEy’SMAgICkINgDOMPARADE

SPECIALHOLLyWOODSTUDIOS™PERfORMANCE

”OVERTHERAINBOW”COSTUMESAND“RUByRED”SHOES

4-DAyDISNEyPARkHOPPERADMISSIONS

fAREWELLgALADINNER

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3300 Bloor street West West Tower, suite 1801 Toronto, oN M8X 2X2

ontario registration No. 2422707

800 267 6425 Toll-free 416 486 7118 Fax brightsparktravel.ca

800 267 6425 emailus@brightsparktravel.cabrightsparktravel.ca

Feeling inspired? Start here.