eps 22 ~ Sunday, May 1, 1988 - North Shore News LETTER FROM PARENTS, HEALTH COVERAGE ring proper documents when transporting kids across border THE LONG, hot summer is approaching and with it the annual rush to pile the camping gear on the car roof, the kids in the back seat and head for the highway. If you think this column is going to have anything to do with camp- ing — wrong! I've never slept in a tentin my life and have no inten- tion of starting now. : Cooking meals in my own kitch- en is a big enough chore but doing it on a propane stove in a wind- . storm spoils my appctite. As for sharing my ‘‘bedroom”’ " with the creatures of the night — with any number of legs from four on up, no thanks. Frankly, my idea’ of roughing-it is a hotel without room service. However, just because some of us prefer a roof over our heads, that ‘doesn’t mean that thousands don’t mind canvas. * One reader called about her up- -coming camping trip, but with a ‘ question. that could involve. any family at one time or another. “What documents do | need: to “take our. niece along’ as company for our daughter?” . ‘Her. concern’ stemmed from the fact that they would be ‘crossing into the United States. “Club Med*’ is a well-known name in resort vacations. Some are definitely geared to singles but some are family resorts, offering all the services and activities you would expect. ' This letter from a West Van reader includes some information that you might consider if planning to take your kids to Club Med. DEAR BARBARA: . We did a Club Med trip this past November for three weeks in Ix- travel wise Barbara McCreadie tapa, Mexico. Two ‘weeks would have been just right because we got tired of the place and the food. The food ‘is good. — the first week we atc everything but. by the third week we ate fruit. ‘ I was looking for a safe beach and swimming and Club Med has this within 10 minutes walking. Years ago ‘border crossings were’ : routine. No one ever scemed ‘to question the number of kids you < had in the back seat or if they were yours or. strays. Plants or vottles of: gin ‘came. under - ‘far ‘closer ©: scrutiny. _ Now, with everyone tense about illegal immigration. and child -ab- duction, anyone with. kids. anda ‘ . lot of baggage excites curiosity. The first. essential ‘document: to have — for, your own kids as: well . as guests — is.a birth certificate;:A passport with a photo is even. bet- ter if you already have one. oe “When travelling with other peo- ple’s kids you’ve got.to be able to. act as guardian in an‘emergency.’ ' In the past, a ‘letter ‘of: perthis-: sion from the parents was usually.’ good enough .to see you through.” Today, I'd feel safer if: 1. had: it notarized. If I could get it typed on’ my lawyer’s stationery I'd feel even better about it. *.The other. important piece of paper is proof of extended medical coverage. ‘This may be an individ- * ual travel’ policy, bought for. the occasion’ or..a letter ‘from . «your. “agent indicating that the child is covered on a family medical * package. . - Some. families are covered “under: - packages: provided by associations such as” " professional .. institutes. Make. sure’ that this’ coverage: is “adequate and get a letter, stating ‘ exactly what the policy includes.., “1 can’t. believe how ‘naive: we were when our children were grow- _ing up. “not to mention the dog and often one of. the ‘cats...We didn’t have . any. of the stuff: I’ve just outlined and I can t believe our ir good luck. ,On almost every family car trip swe brought along an extra kid — Also, in November, the kids are free. Because of the age of our children, 54% and 24, they were in different groups in the Kid's Club. They wanted to be together and could not. , It was not much fun for the smaller ones, they had to go where they were told and that was it. .. The next age group, four. to six, did what a four-year old is capable of doing, boring for the older fellows, The children nine and older had a gas. They took windsurfing, sail- ing lessons, learned different pool ‘games and had a wonderful time. There were lots of kids there — over 200. Our oldest was snorkling with us and yet was not allowed to go on the snorkling cruises. The Club Med organizers have got to do more of family fun for those of us who wanted a family holiday. The adults had.a blast — there was something to do all the - time. We also did not like the idea of. not being able to lock our doo from the outside. Even though there are safes bolted to the wall in the rooms, clothing and shoes were stolen’ from lots of guests. November is painting month and there are ‘lots of outside workers around. The same reader asks, ‘‘Any suggestions for our next vacation where there is a safe beach, great for swimming and within 10 minutes walk to good snorkling?"’ The chance of a lifetime _for the cruise ofa lifetime: Take a 7 day Tahiti sail cruise .~ aboard the incomparable Windsong She also requested ‘reasonable price’ and mentioned that they didn’t) mind flying to another country and have no need of TV or any of our Western necessitics. My first thought would be Beachcomber Island, a wonderful, inexpensive resort in Fiji. The problem is that although the resort is cheap the airfare isn’t. Too, it’s a much longer flight chan I would care to take with two kids. I would also consider Jersey, in the Channel. Islands. Naturally, this would have to be a mid- summer holiday and even then freezing is a definite possibility. There are many lovely spots, in the south of Spain — resort com- munities such as Torremolinos —- where children are especially wel- come. Wonderful condominiums are available so you can cut costs by cating at home. If any readers have found ideal “family” beach spots that might interest these people, I'll be happy to pass them along. SWELLED HEAD? Did you know that just a5 a matier of penaple thore’s no adult in they world that we cant ft in a Tiley Hat? We ako makn mora sizes in Tiley Pants and Shorts than anyone wo now of including sizes 4, 24, 37 and 52! “I hope your clothes are endurable as you suggest wece | have af least another 8 yoars to sere Ray E. ay, WhO writes “My thing is shooting up Bars’, ts a oa tol Har RMajesty in Alverta. Along with Ti : Beas inert Pants, we sent him a git Cerificate Alor T Qvernight courler service. to the North Shore — $3. NEW ADDRESS : Barbara Tilley | 1537 West Broadway Vancouver, B.C. V6d 1W6 Hours: Mon-Sat 10-5:30 _ Ph. 732-4287 or SEA-HATS on June 3, and take a nein ~ Book now and take advantage of hs exclusive two forthe - price of one opportunity. Pay just $4744* including airfare from Vancouver, and the second person goes al” no additional cost! Its a once in a lifetime opportunity to sail the sun- -drenched. waters of the South Pacific, snorkel in the emerald lagoons encircling Bora, Bora, and watch the firewalkers of Raiatea. : Book now, ‘while cabins are Still available! BCAA Tavel @ West Vancouver - 908 South Mall. Park Royal Shopping Centre 922-3361 ~* Cdn. funds donverted fi from US. at 1. 26, Port Tax not incl. .