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FAQ

The answers you need

The minimum group size for a JEKA trip is 15 people.

What is the minimum group size for a JEKA camp?

1. Every participant with Belgian or European nationality must have his or her identity card with them when going on a camp abroad. Participants of other nationalities must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after the planned date of return.


2. Participants who are minors (under 18 years old) must have parental permission, certified by the municipality. Contact your municipality for more information about these formalities.

What documents do participants need to bring with them during their stay?

JEKA accepts new participants up to 15 days before the departure date, provided that the capacity of the accommodation allows it and there is still space on the bus for both the outward and return journeys

What is the deadline for adding participants to a summer camp?

  • 1. Cancellation deadlines and fees:  The cancellation deadlines and any associated fees vary depending on the specific JEKA travel package you have booked. You can find all the details regarding your reservation in the appendix of the agreement that you will sign.
  • 2.Cancellation insurance:  A standard cancellation insurance is always included in the basic JEKA package. This insurance covers costs if a participant needs to cancel their trip due to illness, accident, or death of the participant or a family member up to the second degree. This insurance takes effect upon presentation of the required supporting documents. All details regarding the procedure to follow are included in the appendix of the agreement that you will sign.
  • 3.Savings plan refunds: For participants enrolled in a savings plan, the remaining balance, after applying the cancellation conditions, will be fully refunded, with the exception of the accrued interest.

What are the deadlines for cancelling a trip and what are the cancellation fees?

At JEKA, standard cancellation insurance is always included in the basic package. Its purpose is to cover the costs when a participant's trip has to be cancelled due to illness, accident or death of the participant themselves or of a family member up to the 2nd degree. The reimbursement will take place after the return date of the planned trip and on the condition that the insurance company is in possession of the required documents/certificates. The group leader must always inform JEKA of this. All details regarding the procedure to be followed are included in the appendix to the agreement that you will sign.

What happens if a participant gets sick and has to cancel their trip last minute?

To travel abroad, a participant must have a valid identity card. Please contact your local municipality immediately to apply for a new identity card or a provisional travel document, which must be certified by the municipality

One of the participants has lost their ID card and is due to depart in a few days. What action should I take?

If your identity card and/or passport is lost or stolen abroad, you must first block the card or passport. You can do this online via https://blog.europ-assistance.be/nl/verlies-identiteitskaart-of-paspoort-in-buitenland/

Next, you must also report the loss or theft to the police and the Belgian Consulate or delegated office on site. The whole procedure will always be easier if you have a copy of the lost or stolen documents, their numbers and/or identification documents (driving licence, etc.). We therefore always advise all group leaders to also take a copy of all identity cards or passports with them.

In any case, you should also immediately contact the JEKA employee on site, who will support you.

What to do in case of loss of identity card or passport abroad during your stay?

Generally, our groups book more than a year in advance, but even that doesn't guarantee a spot. Larger groups (over 70 people) often book 18 months to 2 or even 3 years ahead to be safe. There's no single "ideal" time to book, but the earlier, the better, in our opinion.

When is the best time to book a summer camp to ensure I get my preferred destination?

No, there is no minimum age requirement for participants on a JEKA trip. However, each group must have at least one supervisor who is 18 years of age or older

Is there a minimum age requirement to travel with JEKA?

As a general rule, for trips organized in our "YouCook" formula (= you cook yourself), participants bring their own sheets or a sleeping bag. Destinations that are included in our "WeCook" formula (= full board) provide sheets at the accommodation. However, there are some exceptions possible. Groups are informed about this on our activity day. This information is also included in the travel file and in the document "Travel rules specific to the destination", which are sent to the group leaders for signature in March of the year of departure.Als algemene regel geldt dat voor reizen die georganiseerd worden in onze "YouCook"-formule (= je kookt zelf), de deelnemers hun lakens of een slaapzak zelf meebrengen. Bestemmingen die zijn opgenomen in onze "WeCook" -formule   ( = volpension) voorzien in lakens in de accommodatie. Er zijn echter enkele uitzonderingen mogelijk. Groepen worden hierover geïnformeerd op onze activiteitendag. Deze informatie is ook opgenomen in het reisdossier en in het document "Reisregels eigen aan de bestemming", die in maart van het jaar van vertrek aan de groepsleiders worden bezorgd ter ondertekening.

Are sleeping bags or sheets needed for the summer camp?

JEKA can accommodate certain dietary requirements, such as vegetarian meals, halal meals, or specific food allergies, at all of our destinations, as long as these options are available from our suppliers. Please note that halal meat is not available everywhere, as few suppliers can guarantee certified halal meat. If necessary, halal meat will be replaced with a vegetarian alternative.

Important: Dietary exceptions must be communicated to JEKA no later than 30 days before the departure date via the final participant list. We cannot guarantee that dietary requests made after this deadline will be met.

Are there halal or vegetarian alternatives available for the meals?

For insurance reasons and due to specific regulations for accommodation and tourism, this is often not allowed. However, depending on local laws and the rules of the specific accommodation, exceptions may be possible. Please check with your JEKA advisor for more information.

Is it possible to pitch tents outside the accommodation to increase the number of participants on a trip?

We understand that campfires are a beloved tradition, but unfortunately, JEKA must comply with local laws and regulations.  Often, local authorities prohibit campfires due to the increased risk of fire during summer droughts. However, some destinations do allow them under strict conditions.  Please ask your JEKA advisor about the specific regulations at your chosen destination.

Can we make a campfire in the summer?

No, it is not possible to cook for yourself with the WeCook package. Often, the accommodations do not allow this or the local HACCP regulations (food hygiene) are simply unfeasible.

Can we also cook for ourselves at the WeCook (full board) destinations?

The basic price always includes: bus transport to and from the camp, accommodation, meals (both in the WeCook and YouCook formula), standard cancellation insurance, JEKA service on site and coverage by the Guarantee Fund.

What is included in the basic price of a JEKA summer camp?

The basic price always includes: round-trip bus travel, accommodation, meals, JEKA cooking parents, on-site JEKA service, ski pass, 2 hours of lessons per day, ski equipment, use of the local slopes, JEKA nursing, cancellation insurance, WDR assistance package, and coverage by the Guarantee Fund

What is included in the basic price of JEKA's snow classes (school ski trips)?

he base price will vary depending on your group's needs, but to meet the Package Travel Regulations, it will always include at least two of the following: transportation (bus, train, or plane), accommodation, meals (breakfast at a minimum, with options for half-board or full-board), and local activities.

What does the base price for a JEKA custom tour, school trip, or student trip include?

Every participant in a JEKA trip is automatically covered by cancellation insurance. The purpose of this insurance is to cover the costs when a participant's trip has to be cancelled due to illness, accident or death of the participant himself or of a family member up to the 2nd degree. This insurance only takes effect upon presentation of the required supporting documents. All details regarding the procedure are included in the appendix to the agreement that you will sign.

What is JEKA's cancellation insurance?

Deposits must be paid within 4 weeks of signing the travel agreement between the group and JEKA. The number of deposits to be paid must be equal to the number of participants listed on the travel agreement. If the number of participants increases, additional deposits must be paid.

Without payment of these deposits, JEKA cannot guarantee the trip and has the right to cancel the reservation, as described in the travel agreement.

When do we have to pay the deposits?

1. Benefits:

  • Spread out the cost:  Instead of one large payment, you can make smaller, manageable payments over time.
  • No extra fees:  There are no additional charges for using the savings plan.
  • Earn interest:  Earn 1% interest per year on your deposited amounts. This interest is applied to your final invoice, reducing the overall cost of your trip.
  • Maximize your savings:  The more participants and the longer you save, the greater the financial benefit.

2. Choose your plan:

  • Group Savings Plan:  The group leader collects payments from participants and makes a single, lump-sum deposit to JEKA's account according to the agreed-upon schedule.
  • Individual Savings Plan:  JEKA manages the administrative process, and each participant is responsible for making their own payments directly to JEKA.

3. How to save:

a) Group Savings Plan:

  • Determine your start date:  The group leader decides when to begin the savings plan and informs JEKA at least one week before the start date, providing the number of participants.
  • Receive payment instructions:  JEKA provides the group leader with a letter containing payment details, including the monthly deposit amount and a unique structured communication code (a specific reference number for your payments).
  • Make your payments:  The group leader deposits the agreed-upon amount into JEKA's account by the 10th of each month, ensuring to include the correct structured communication code. The first payment will be different as it includes the deposit (€75 per participant).
  • Stick to the schedule:  Do not deviate from the agreed-upon amounts without prior consent from JEKA.  Depositing higher amounts does not entitle you to increased interest.

b) Individual Savings Plan:

  • Determine your start date:  The group leader decides when to begin the savings plan and provides JEKA with a complete list of participants at least one week before the start date.
  • Receive payment instructions:  JEKA sends each participant a letter with payment details, including the account number, monthly deposit amount, and a unique structured communication code.
  • Make your payments:  Each participant (or their parent) deposits €75 into JEKA's account by the 10th of the first month as a deposit, using their unique structured communication code.  From the second month onwards, they deposit the agreed-upon monthly amount.
  • Follow the guidelines:  Do not deviate from the agreed-upon amounts or combine payments from different participants. Only one deposit per month is allowed per participant. Depositing larger amounts does not entitle you to extra interest.
  • Add participants:  The group leader can add participants to the savings plan until December of the year before departure.

Important notes:

  • Deadlines:  It's crucial to meet payment deadlines to ensure your savings plan remains active and you receive the interest benefit.
  • Communication:  Always use the correct structured communication code with your payments so JEKA can properly allocate your funds.
  • Changes:  If you need to make any changes to your savings plan, contact JEKA as soon as possible.

We hope this savings plan helps make your dream JEKA trip a reality!

What is the savings plan and how does it work?

A deposit per participant is required within 4 weeks of signing the agreement. For most travel packages, the deposit amount is €100 per registered participant for bus trips and €230 per registered participant for air travel. Deposits must be paid for all registered participants.

Based on these payments, JEKA will arrange suitable accommodation in accordance with the number of registered participants. The deposit covers booking, reservation, and organizational costs, as well as the premium for cancellation insurance.

Important: Deposits are non-refundable in the event of cancellation, except in cases covered by the insurance policy. However, the group can always replace a participant with a new one at no extra cost.

We advise our groups to always pay the same number of deposits as there are participants specified in the agreement. JEKA accepts new participants up to 15 days before the departure date, provided that the capacity of the accommodation allows it and there is still space on the bus for both the outward and return journeys. When adding participants, these additional deposits must also be paid.Het voorschot per deelnemer moet binnen de 4 weken na ondertekening van de overeenkomst worden betaald. Voor de meeste formules bedraagt het voorschot, per ingeschreven deelnemer, € 100,- voor busreizen en € 230,- voor vliegtuigreizen. De voorschotten dienen te worden betaald voor alle ingeschreven deelnemers. Op basis van deze betalingen zorgt JEKA voor een geschikt logement, in overeenstemming met het aantal ingeschreven deelnemers. De aanbetaling dekt de boekings-, reserverings- en organisatiekosten, evenals de premie voor de annulatieverzekering. Een voorschot wordt niet gerestitueerd in geval van annulering anders dan de in de verzekering voorziene gevallen.De groep kan wel steeds een deelnemer vervangen door een nieuwe deelnemer, zonder meerkost. Wij adviseren onze groepen om altijd evenveel voorschotten te storten dan er deelnemers werden opgegeven in de overeenkomst. JEKA aanvaardt nieuwe deelnemers tot 15 dagen vóór de vertrekdatum, voor zover de capaciteit van het voorziene logement dit toelaat en er nog plek is op de bus bij zowel heen- als terugreis. Bij toevoeging van deelnemers dienen ook deze extra voorschotten te worden voldaan.

What is a deposit and what happens in case of cancellation?

JEKA ensures you have support throughout your trip with our on-site service.  At each of our destinations, we have a team of local staff, primarily JEKA volunteers, who are there to assist and advise your group.  Upon arrival, group leaders will be welcomed and provided with a contact number for immediate assistance.  A JEKA representative will also make regular visits to your accommodation to ensure everything is running smoothly.  Furthermore, our offices in Belgium are available 24/7 via an emergency number provided to all group leaders, offering peace of mind throughout your journey

What do we mean by 'JEKA service on-site'?

1. YouCook: Enjoy the flexibility of self-catering!

With our 'YouCook' option, your group stays in comfortable houses or chalets equipped with kitchens. We take care of the grocery shopping, delivering all the ingredients you need to prepare delicious meals throughout your stay. Each day, you can create one hot meal and two cold meals, allowing you to tailor your dining experience to your group's preferences.


Feel like cooking together as a team? Go for it! Prefer to relax and let someone else handle the kitchen duties? Our dedicated JEKA cooking parents (volunteer parents who help with meal preparation) are happy to step in and prepare all your meals according to a delicious set menu. The choice is yours!


2. WeCook: Relax and enjoy full-board convenience!

The 'WeCook' option offers accommodation in various settings, including individual houses, hostels, or youth centers exclusively reserved for your group by JEKA.  Enjoy the convenience of full-board meals, with the option of packed lunches for your day on the slopes.  Menus are carefully planned in advance by JEKA and the accommodation provider, ensuring delicious and satisfying meals throughout your stay.

We understand that flexibility is important, so meal times can be adjusted to suit your group's activities and schedule.  Just let your JEKA representative know, and we'll coordinate with the accommodation to make it happen.


Please note:  'WeCook' options are only available in accommodations that offer catering services.  Similarly, 'YouCook' is only available in self-catering accommodations.

What is the difference between the 'YouCook' and 'WeCook' options?

Activities are not included in the package price. The package price covers transportation, accommodation, meals, and cancellation insurance. Activities must be planned separately and are often paid for directly on-site.


JEKA provides its groups with travel files containing a wide range of activities and excursions available at the destination. Thanks to our long-standing relationships, JEKA has been able to negotiate advantageous rates for the activities included in our travel files.


Your travel advisor will discuss the choice of activities with you, or you can explore the options at our annual activity day, which is usually held around the end of April. JEKA will take care of booking the activities in advance and will arrange payment between the group leader and the service provider.


JEKA can also arrange local transfers by private bus and will only charge these costs on the final invoice after the trip.

Are activities included in the JEKA package price?

Yes, JEKA also offers tailor-made trips! Feel free to let us know your wishes and we will create a customized proposal for you. Don't hesitate to contact a travel advisor or send an email to info@jeka.be. You can find inspiration on this website.

Can we travel with JEKA to destinations other than those listed on the website?

In many of our basic packages, the rates and periods are not adjustable. To offer you the most attractive rates, JEKA operates, among other things, according to a shuttle system with buses and a consistent occupancy rate in the accommodations. Therefore, it is not possible to change the dates. However, if a group wishes to travel on different dates, JEKA can offer a customized package tailored to the group, but not necessarily in the same accommodations. Do not hesitate to contact us with your request.

Is it possible to adjust the dates of a period offered by JEKA?

Groups are required to pay a deposit within 4 weeks of signing the sales agreement. The invoice for the remaining balance of the trip will be sent to the group approximately 30 days before departure and is due within 7 days.

After the trip, JEKA may issue a final invoice for any additional options, corrections in numbers, local transfers, or damage noted during the stay. This invoice must be paid within 30 days.

When do we have to pay for the accommodation?

Absolutely! We offer presentations for both the group and their parents, given by one of our knowledgeable travel advisors.  To schedule a presentation at a time and place that suits you, please get in touch with your JEKA travel advisor.

Does JEKA offer presentations at my home/office?

Nothing could be easier; go to the destination page of the trip you wish to book and press the "book" button if you see a price table or press the avatar, at the bottom of the page, for the corresponding request form. JEKA will receive your reservation request, which does not oblige you to anything, and will contact you to complete the reservation. You can also send an email to info@jeka.be or contact us by phone on 02/230.84.55.

How do I book a JEKA trip?

Groups wishing to book a JEKA trip have 4 weeks to confirm their booking and submit the signed travel agreement. After signing this agreement, the group has another 4 weeks to pay the deposits for the same number of participants as stated in the agreement. Only after receipt of the deposits is the booking considered definite.

How long is a reservation valid and when does it become definite?

1. Social and Humanitarian Activities

While JEKA's summer and winter camps are not specifically social or humanitarian in nature, we can recommend a program of social and humanitarian activities in collaboration with local associations and authorities. This program will be developed after the accommodation is booked and in close cooperation with the group leader and local authorities.  Please ask your travel advisor for more information.


2.  Tailor-Made Trips

JEKA also offers customized trips. A stay with a social and/or humanitarian focus can be organized at the request of the group.  Feel free to contact us to discuss your needs and how we can help you create a meaningful and impactful travel experience.



Does JEKA organize social or humanitarian trips?

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral infection transmitted by ticks. It is also called early summer meningoencephalitis (FSME).

Infection occurs immediately after the bite of a larva (0.5-1 mm), nymph (1-1.5 mm), or adult tick (3-10 mm). Therefore, prompt removal of ticks does not prevent infection.

Exceptionally, contamination occurs through the ingestion of unpasteurized milk (products).

Symptoms of the disease (fever, fatigue, headache) may occur 3 to 28 days after infection.

For mapping risk areas, prevention measures, and treatment, JEKA refers to the website: https://www.wanda.be/nl/a-z-index/tekenencefalitis/.

What is tick-borne encephalitis and how can I protect myself? (ticks and tick bites)

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