i Travel Pack the children off on trip with confidence “ABOUT THIS time last year I read a column you wrote giving advice to a mother who’s son was going to Europe on a schoo! tour. I laughed a lot when I read it but never thought the information would have anything to do with me — I don’t have any kids. “Or at least I didn’t have at that time. During the year I met and married a man with three kids and here I am, instant Mom.” travel wise by Barbara McCreadie Da | The reader went on to tell me that one of her ‘‘instant kids’’ is participating in a school tour to Europe this spring and she'd like a Tepeat on the column. My marvellous filing system has broken down and I can’t locate the original. Here are some of the things I remember advising youthful travellers — and their concerned mothers. *Packing: The school will prob- ably give you a list of suggested clothing. Try to provide the kid with easily washed (and dried) shirts, socks and underwear. These school tours, are generally busy and there’s not a lot of time spent in hotels. Choose colors that don’t soil easily — at least so you can sec it. Make sure your kid has a water- proof windbreaker with a hood. {1 doesn’t have to be heavy --~ better to wear a sweater underneath if necessary. Make a list of everything in the suitcase and secure it to the inside of the lid. This may prevent a trail of clothing left behind, both at home and in 12 European hotels. Provide a sturdy plastic laundry bag and a stern jJecture on personal hygiene. Who needs everyone on the tour avoiding your kid? Provide a package of cold water laundry soap and a few instruc- tions on how to use it. Don’t worry about providing a medicine cabinet for him but do include a tube of antiseptic cream (useful for sunburnt noses) and a few Band-Aids. Make sure his shoes are well broken-in before he leaves. *Safety: Experienced tour lead- ers never lose kids. At least for long. Speak with the counsellors and find out what precautions they are taking to keep the group together. Most use the ‘buddy system” and I recommend it. It’s a 744 W. HASTINGS VANCOUVER, 8.C. V6C 1A5_ HASTINGS TRAVEL YOUR TRAVEL CENTRE WITH “SWISS EFFICIENCY” TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS - WORLDWIDE FOR BUSINESS OR PLEASURE Prompt — Personalized — Multilingual Service catt: 689-0461 lot better to lose two kids than one, even though it seems worse at the time. I like the system whereby some- one at home is the first contact in emergencies. It works like this: Should a child get separated from the group he does a bit of a lookaround. If unsuccessful after a couple of hours he phones home. Meanwhile, the tour leaders can call the same number and everyone will soon be re-united. 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