How it works
Chaperoned flights
Extra care for young travelers. A trusted adult looks after the journey, so families can feel confident from the first airport to Accra.
Last updated: November 12, 2026
What are chaperoned flights?
A chaperoned flight means a responsible adult looks after a young traveler during the journey. We offer this service for a fee from some U.S. airports. The fee is confirmed in writing before you book.
Which airports?
The list of departure airports changes, so please ask us which airports we serve right now. If your airport is not on the list, we will connect you with airline services that offer chaperoned or unaccompanied-minor support, and we will help you plan the journey.
If you use an airline's service
Airlines set their own rules for young travelers, including age limits, fees and what happens on connecting flights. Please confirm the rules for your whole journey with the airline before you book, including any flights run by partner airlines. We are happy to help you ask the right questions.
Paperwork for travelers under 18
- A valid passport, a Ghana visa and a yellow fever certificate. See visa and entry
- A consent form signed by each parent or legal guardian, and an emergency medical treatment authorization
- A notarized travel permission letter from each parent or legal guardian. The U.S. State Department advises one for minors who travel to or from Ghana without a parent
- Travel and medical insurance
Arriving in Accra and flying home
Our Ghana team is on standby 24/7 to track every under-18 intern's travel. A Team Lead or Program Director meets them inside the airport in Accra and releases them only to our team, and we message the family after landing. An intern under 18 is accompanied by a Team Lead or Program Director during airport transfers, travel and program activities. On the way home, our team stays with the intern until they have checked in for their flight.
These steps come from our under-18 policy. The policy also explains who can travel without a parent or guardian.
Help if plans change
If you book through one of our travel partners, Chase Travel or Amex Travel, you can call their 24/7 emergency number for help. Our Ghana team is also on call 24/7.
Ready to plan? Email [email protected] and tell us your home airport. We will tell you what we can offer.
More information
- How it works: Every step from application to your certificate, in order.
- Arrival procedures: Airport pickup, your first evening and your first day.
- Booking flights: How to book, our travel partners and 24/7 help.
- Visa and entry: Passport, visa and yellow fever requirements.
- Pre-departure support: Training, documents, health and packing.
- Information for parents: Answers to the questions families ask us most.
- How we keep you safe: Our team, host families, supervision and insurance.
- Your Changemaker Portal: The online home for your role, training and hours.
- Medical work experience for teens: A guide for high school students and families.
- Work experience vs. elective: What the two terms mean, and where our internship fits.
- Accommodation: Your host family home in Mepe.
- Frequently asked questions: Quick answers on every program.
- Under-18 policy: How we welcome and protect younger interns.
- Child safeguarding policy: How we keep children safe.
- Fundraising: Raise your fee with your own Zeffy page.