Our travel funding program
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our travel funding program
Who can apply for funding?
The travel funding program is intended for Grade 5 and 6 classes in public elementary schools in Quebec with a socioeconomic deprivation index (IMSE) of 8, 9, or 10, according to data from the Quebec Ministry of Education (MEQ).
What is the Socioeconomic Deprivation Index (IMSE), and how can I find out my school’s index?
The Socioeconomic Deprivation Index (IMSE) is an index used by the Quebec Ministry of Education to classify public schools based on certain socioeconomic characteristics of their communities. It takes into account, among other factors, the proportion of families with children in which the mother does not have a diploma, certificate, or degree, as well as the proportion of households with children in which the parents were unemployed at the time of the census.
Schools are classified into decile ranks from 1 to 10, with rank 10 corresponding to communities with the highest levels of socioeconomic deprivation. To be eligible for the “Travel Assistance” program, your school must have an IMSE of 8, 9, or 10, according to data from the Ministry of Education.
You can check your school’s index using the data published by the Quebec Ministry of Education.
How much funding can we receive? What expenses are eligible?
The amount of funding is determined based on the project submitted, including the destination, length of the trip, and planned activities. A maximum of $455 per participant may be awarded, up to a maximum of $10,000 per group, for a maximum of 20 students and 2 chaperones.
Funding can cover accommodation, meals, transportation, activities, and other travel-related expenses.
Which destinations and hostels are eligible? Is it mandatory to stay at a Saintlo hostel?
For the time being, funding recipients are required to stay at a youth hostel that is a member of the Saintlo Collective. The hostels are located in Ottawa, Montréal, Rivière-du-Loup, and the Gaspésie region. Member hostels are listed on the Saintlo website.
Why travel
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Why travel?
How can a positive travel experience benefit youth from socioeconomically disadvantaged communities?
When travelling, young people interact with people from different backgrounds, build confidence, and discover new possibilities. These experiences encourage them to see the world from a different perspective, step outside their comfort zone, and develop greater independence.
A single trip can help develop many essential life skills:
- Adaptability: stepping outside a familiar environment to explore new places and discover different cultures.
- Cooperation: learning to support one another, work as a group, and share meaningful experiences.
- Communication: meeting new people and developing the ability to communicate with others.
- Empathy: gaining a better understanding of the people, cultures, and realities around us.
- Organization: taking part in researching and planning a trip.
- Self-confidence: stepping outside one’s comfort zone, trying new activities, and developing new skills.
These experiences can have lasting positive effects on young people’s personal development and help them envision new possibilities for the future.
Did you know that leisure is a right recognized by the United Nations?
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations in 1948, recognizes leisure as a fundamental right, alongside the right to education.
What is youth tourism? Why is it important?
Youth tourism refers to travel and tourism experiences designed for young people. It encompasses a variety of experiences that reflect their interests, preferences, and budgets, while encouraging discovery, independence, and openness to the world. Young people often look for affordable options and destinations where they can meet people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
At the Saintlo Foundation, we believe in the many benefits of youth tourism. Travel gives young people the opportunity to step outside their usual environment, discover new perspectives, build confidence and independence, and envision new possibilities for the future.
For young people from socioeconomically disadvantaged communities, access to travel can be a particularly meaningful opportunity to have transformative experiences. That is why the Saintlo Foundation supports school travel projects that allow students to discover new destinations and develop skills that will benefit them well beyond their trip.
Our goal is to help young people thrive through the benefits of youth travel and give them the tools to chart their own path, while developing their openness to the world and their ability to make a positive contribution to their community.
Is travel at a young age beneficial?
Yes, in many ways. According to a study conducted by Léger* among Quebec and Ontario populations, the benefits associated with youth travel and its positive impact on young people’s lives—particularly in developing adaptability and self-confidence—are widely recognized. This finding is even more pronounced among people who had the opportunity to travel between the ages of 11 and 25.
According to the same study, a majority of Quebecers (58%) and Ontarians (41%) believe that young people aged 13 to 16 who are experiencing difficulties should be prioritized when it comes to improving access to travel from a young age.
*Study commissioned by the Saintlo Foundation in 2022 to validate its direction and objectives.
Why encourage young people to stay at a youth hostel?
According to a study conducted by Léger in 2022 to help validate the Saintlo Foundation’s direction and objectives, three-quarters of Quebecers (76%) have a favourable perception of youth hostels. For many, this type of accommodation encourages people to meet, connect, and build relationships with others from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
People who have stayed at a youth hostel often highlight the sense of camaraderie, mutual support, sharing, and respect found in these spaces. For young people, these interactions can contribute to the development of social skills, openness to the world, and self-confidence.
Contribute to the cause
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Contribute to the cause
Why donate to the Saintlo Foundation to help young people from socioeconomically disadvantaged communities travel?
For many young people, a trip can be a rare opportunity to step outside their usual environment, discover new perspectives, and open themselves up to the world. Your contribution gives more young people access to these experiences, helping them build confidence and independence while envisioning new possibilities for the future.
By supporting the Saintlo Foundation, you help make youth travel more accessible to young people who might otherwise be unable to experience it.
With your contribution, young people can:
Discover new perspectives and develop openness to the world
Travel gives young people the opportunity to step outside their usual environment, discover new places, and meet people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. These experiences foster curiosity, openness, and a better understanding of the world around them.
Develop skills that will serve them in everyday life
Travel encourages young people to adapt to new situations, take on challenges, and participate in planning and organizing an experience that differs from their daily lives. Along the way, they can develop independence, adaptability, self-confidence, and communication skills.
Develop empathy and a better understanding of others
The encounters and exchanges experienced while travelling allow young people to discover different ways of living and seeing the world. These experiences can help them better understand others, recognize the diversity of people’s realities, and develop empathy.
Find inspiration and envision new possibilities
A travel experience can encourage young people to step outside their comfort zone, discover new interests, and gain confidence in their abilities. These discoveries can inspire them to consider new possibilities for their future and pursue their aspirations.
Create memories and meaningful experiences
The encounters, discoveries, and challenges experienced during a trip can create lasting memories. These moments become part of young people’s journeys and can be a source of pride and confidence as they move forward.
Who supports the foundation’s mission?
In order to confirm our direction, the Saintlo Foundation team ordered Léger to conduct a study in 2022. According to this study, in both Quebec and Ontario, seven out of ten respondents consider our mission to be relevant (75% in Quebec and 70% in Ontario) and consider that it is a lever that enables young people to fulfil their potential and realize their dreams (77% in Quebec and 71% in Ontario). Thus, the Saintlo Foundation’s social mission is valued by most Quebecers and Ontarians.
In addition, the majority of these populations appreciate the equality of opportunities when it comes to having access to travel experiences. In their opinion, whatever their social-economic background, young people deserve to have the chance to travel and enjoy the benefits the experience offers.
get involved
Spontaneous, monthly or perpetual donation, together, we can offer youth even more opportunities to help them reach their full potential.
