While planning an educational travel adventure can be exhilarating, chances are group leaders and educators are going to be approached by parents with questions on anything and everything. To help give you an idea, we’ve rounded up the top five most common questions ETI encounters from parents.
“Can I share a room with my child on the trip?”
It depends! While some group leaders and educators don’t mind allowing a parent who is a chaperone or otherwise share a room with their child, others may prefer parents have a separate hotel room for the trip. This allows a greater opportunity for students to create bonds on their own, embrace the perspective travel affords them and spread their wings.
“What’s the itinerary? I’d like to shadow the trip.”
The group leader and educator will provide this information at their own personal discretion. Due to privacy concerns, ETI only shares this information with the group leaders.
“The pandemic has me nervous. How do you deal with COVID-19 protocols?”
For trips months out, keep in mind: We can only see as far into the future as far as you can! With things changing daily—and destinations and venues having varying policies—it can be hard to know exactly what to expect. That’s why ETI has developed a COVID-19 protocol sheet group leaders and educators can use and share with parents to offer peace of mind before, during and after the trip.
“My child has a food allergy. What will be done to ensure they’re safe on the trip?”
We understand the severity of food allergies and always take that responsibility seriously. We work directly with our contacts at each restaurant to ensure any students with allergies have options and are able to eat when others do. Upon registering for their trip—like all students must do—there’s a section where parents can elaborate on any allergies and medications, so group leaders have all information needed and no stone goes unturned.
“How much spending money should I give my child?”
Remind parents that every destination is different! What might get you a nice lunch in a smaller destination might not go as far in a bigger city like New York. Encourage parents to try to gauge what makes the most sense without giving students everything but the kitchen sink. Also, keep in mind also that because of the pandemic, many businesses aren’t currently accepting cash, so a Visa gift card or something similar may be a good route to explore.
Courtesy of ETI.
