Yes, I heard that it was not school sponsored. I'm sure the school is relieved - because it erases their liability.
I didn't realize though that this was a trip they took often .. then maybe she already had relationships on the island we might not know about ..?? Hmmmmm?
And .. if they did take the trip often .. it might have given the parents a false sense of security.
Natalee hadn't been down there before, nor her parents. It was some 'group' of parents and kids they knew or belonged to. There were pictures of her in a band type costume. Maybe it was a parents/friends of the marching band who sponsored this trip. Even a church group?