To ensure that the tour run safely and smoothly, the following people will be accompanying your child while they are traveling:
Based on our experience, we have developed the following rules and policies to ensure that your child is safe and secure throughout the tour. Upon arrival, the Tour Director will review safety precautions specific to your child’s tour. However, it’s critical that your child understands these rules in advance and behaves accordingly while traveling. With the cooperation and considerate behavior from each and every traveler, your child’s tour is sure to be a safe and memorable one.
RULES OF THE ROAD
Your child’s Tour Director and Group Leader will work together to provide a safe travel experience, but everyone must cooperate and use good common sense while traveling. All travelers must adhere to the following regulations while on tour:
When you sign up for a tour you are agreeing to the above Rules of the Road and any EF policies. If your child does not adhere to these regulations, they risk disciplinary action and possible dismissal from the tour, returning home at their expense. The Group Leader, with the support of EF, has the ability to send your child home early if needed.
We strongly encourage you to talk to your child about good decision making and personal responsibility while on tour, as well as the importance of following all safety advice and instructions they receive.
STAYING SAFE ABROAD
Traffic and transportation safety
When exploring a new city on foot, traffic-related confusion can lead to serious accidents and injury. Your child should keep in mind that traffic patterns and behaviors can be very difference abroad than at home. Cars might drive on the opposite side of the road, so travelers should always look both ways before crossing the street. Don’t forget to look right! Remind your child to pay special attention at intersections, use pedestrian crosswalks whenever possible, and to always wear a seatbelt on tour buses if available.
Swimming
During the tour, your child may have the opportunity to swim - in the ocean, a lake, a river or a hotel pool. However, in most cases, there may not be a lifeguard on duty. If there is any question about the weather, conditions or safety of the area, they should stay out of the water. Advise your child that if they decide to swim at any point during the tour, they should be sure to swim with a group of friends and to follow all swimming area rules.
Free time activities
Your child’s tour itinerary may include some free time. However, this does not necessarily mean that your child is free to do whatever they like without restriction. Travelers should always tay with others and not go alone. EF only allows travelers to participate in EF - sanctioned optional excursions or othe EF - approved activities suggested by the Tour Director. Please note that the Insurance Coverage Plan does not cover risky activities that are not sanctioned by the EF.
Passports and travel documents
Please be sure your child has a passport that is valid for six months after their tour’s return date, as well as any visas they may need for travel to certain countries - or if they are not a U.S. citizen.
Health and medical safety
It’s hard to appreciate the view form the Eiffel Tower or a walk along Venice’s Grand Canal when you don’t feel well. Make sure your child has everything they need to stay healthy on the trip, as well as their health insurance information.
Health Insurance
Does your health insurance adequately cover your child abroad? EF recommends the Insurance Coverage Plan, which is specifically designed to meet the needs of EF travelers. For more information, go to eftours.com/coverage. To add your coverage to your account, go to eftours.com/login. Your child should also bring their U.S. health insurance information with them on tour.
Prescriptions
All of your child’s prescriptions should be filled, up-to-date and in the original packaging. Prescriptions should be packed in your child’s carry-on bag with copies of the prescription paperwork. Also, your child’s Group Leader must be aware of every prescription in your child’s possession.
Dietary and health issues
Speak to your child’s Group Leader about any dietary or health-related issues that might affect your child while on tour so they can relay the information to the Tour Director. For example, if your child carries an Epipen for peanut or other allergies, the Group Leader should know where to find it and how to administer it in the event of an emergency. EF tries to accommodate all dietary restrictions but travelers with strict food requirement are advised to bring suitable snack options. EF cannot make special meal requests with the airlines. It’s recommended that Group Leaders collect special meal requests and notify the airline directly a few days before the flight.
Emergency Contact
Please confirm with your child’s Group Leader and EF that we have the correct emergency contact details for your child. This person is someone who will not be traveling with your child and who is available for the duration of the tour.
- Tour Director – an EF employee from the country who stays with the group the entire time as an additional chaperone
- Tour Leader – the MHS staff member that organized the tour
- Other Chaperones – additional staff from MHS
- Bus Drivers – Licensed drivers native to the country who are familiar with the roads
- Local Guides – knowledgeable persons at local sites, museums and other adventures and activities
Based on our experience, we have developed the following rules and policies to ensure that your child is safe and secure throughout the tour. Upon arrival, the Tour Director will review safety precautions specific to your child’s tour. However, it’s critical that your child understands these rules in advance and behaves accordingly while traveling. With the cooperation and considerate behavior from each and every traveler, your child’s tour is sure to be a safe and memorable one.
RULES OF THE ROAD
Your child’s Tour Director and Group Leader will work together to provide a safe travel experience, but everyone must cooperate and use good common sense while traveling. All travelers must adhere to the following regulations while on tour:
- All scheduled activities are obligatory. If your child is sick or has a physical ailment that might prevent them from participating in an activity, will be the only exception to this.
- Travelers are expected to respect the nightly curfew, which maybe different depending on the scheduled activities of the evening. For the children’s own safety and security, room checks will be conducted at the Group Leader’s discretion. Members of the opposite sex are not permitted to room together.
- Your child is required to pay for any phone calls or incidental personal expenses incurred at hotels. These will be payable the evening before departure at each hotel.
- Smoking is not allowed at any time or place while on tour.
- The consumption of hard liquor and excessive drinking is strictly forbidden even if your child is of the drinking age of the visited country.
- Illegal activities will not be tolerated and are punishable by immediate dismissal from the tour. If the local authorities are involved, your child will be subject to the laws of the country they are visiting.
- Payment for damage done to hotel rooms or to buses is your child’s responsibility. If your child notices any damage upon arrival at a hotel, they should notify the Tour Director immediately.
- Hitchhiking or the driving/renting of any motor vehicle is strictly forbidden for all travelers.
When you sign up for a tour you are agreeing to the above Rules of the Road and any EF policies. If your child does not adhere to these regulations, they risk disciplinary action and possible dismissal from the tour, returning home at their expense. The Group Leader, with the support of EF, has the ability to send your child home early if needed.
We strongly encourage you to talk to your child about good decision making and personal responsibility while on tour, as well as the importance of following all safety advice and instructions they receive.
STAYING SAFE ABROAD
Traffic and transportation safety
When exploring a new city on foot, traffic-related confusion can lead to serious accidents and injury. Your child should keep in mind that traffic patterns and behaviors can be very difference abroad than at home. Cars might drive on the opposite side of the road, so travelers should always look both ways before crossing the street. Don’t forget to look right! Remind your child to pay special attention at intersections, use pedestrian crosswalks whenever possible, and to always wear a seatbelt on tour buses if available.
Swimming
During the tour, your child may have the opportunity to swim - in the ocean, a lake, a river or a hotel pool. However, in most cases, there may not be a lifeguard on duty. If there is any question about the weather, conditions or safety of the area, they should stay out of the water. Advise your child that if they decide to swim at any point during the tour, they should be sure to swim with a group of friends and to follow all swimming area rules.
Free time activities
Your child’s tour itinerary may include some free time. However, this does not necessarily mean that your child is free to do whatever they like without restriction. Travelers should always tay with others and not go alone. EF only allows travelers to participate in EF - sanctioned optional excursions or othe EF - approved activities suggested by the Tour Director. Please note that the Insurance Coverage Plan does not cover risky activities that are not sanctioned by the EF.
Passports and travel documents
Please be sure your child has a passport that is valid for six months after their tour’s return date, as well as any visas they may need for travel to certain countries - or if they are not a U.S. citizen.
Health and medical safety
It’s hard to appreciate the view form the Eiffel Tower or a walk along Venice’s Grand Canal when you don’t feel well. Make sure your child has everything they need to stay healthy on the trip, as well as their health insurance information.
Health Insurance
Does your health insurance adequately cover your child abroad? EF recommends the Insurance Coverage Plan, which is specifically designed to meet the needs of EF travelers. For more information, go to eftours.com/coverage. To add your coverage to your account, go to eftours.com/login. Your child should also bring their U.S. health insurance information with them on tour.
Prescriptions
All of your child’s prescriptions should be filled, up-to-date and in the original packaging. Prescriptions should be packed in your child’s carry-on bag with copies of the prescription paperwork. Also, your child’s Group Leader must be aware of every prescription in your child’s possession.
Dietary and health issues
Speak to your child’s Group Leader about any dietary or health-related issues that might affect your child while on tour so they can relay the information to the Tour Director. For example, if your child carries an Epipen for peanut or other allergies, the Group Leader should know where to find it and how to administer it in the event of an emergency. EF tries to accommodate all dietary restrictions but travelers with strict food requirement are advised to bring suitable snack options. EF cannot make special meal requests with the airlines. It’s recommended that Group Leaders collect special meal requests and notify the airline directly a few days before the flight.
Emergency Contact
Please confirm with your child’s Group Leader and EF that we have the correct emergency contact details for your child. This person is someone who will not be traveling with your child and who is available for the duration of the tour.
