A NANAIMO woman has launched a travel chaperone ser- vice for parents of kids on the move. By Layne Christensen Community Reporter Kidz on the Move provides accompaniment for children aged five to 12 on B.C. Ferries’ sailings between North Vancouver and Vancouver Island via the Nanaimo- Horseshoe Bay route. The new ser- vice celebrated its inaugural voyage on Friday. Compuny founder Fiona Maclnnes said the idea for the com- pany was borne out of her own expe- rience. The mother of two boys, aged 10 and 12, was faced with accompa- nying her sons on regular visits to see their father in Vancouver. “It didn’t take too many trips before I came to realize it was quite an endurance test. but I didn't have a choics,” MacInnes said over the phone from Nanaimo. Recognizing the need for a ser- vice like Kidz on the Move, the full- time dental assistant started iooking into the feasibility of the business last April. ’ MacInnes acquired a business licence and liability insurance, incor- porated the company and hired a staff of 10 adults to work on a con- tract basis. The chaperones, who travel in pairs, range ia age from 25 to their mid-50s. One is a social worker and a couple are psychology students but most are retired teachers, she said. All have experience in working with children. To allay parents’ fears and to sat- isfy the requirements of her liability insurance, Macinnes has put many security checks in place. For exami- ple, all chaperones are put through a criminal records check, and must “Our English Interlude 4 a a TP eek Sunday, February 25, 1996 — North Shore New service for ferry k K!DZ ON the Move, a new travel c know first-aid and CPR. Children are photographed at the time of pre-reg- istration, and wear identification at all times. B.C. Ferries has given Kidz on the Move a designated area in the waiting rooms of both terminals, and once on board, children will be required to stay in one area. Children are released only to a pre-determined adult after a verification process at their destination, which can include the exchange of a code word, pre- arranged by the parent. While Kidz on the Move targets a REWS photo bile Wi-lofield * me of ane: ews - 35_ TRAVEL { W EUROPEAN VACATION & B London $599 # z Paris | Phone for other European Destinations i 925-9091 1826 Marine Dr., West haperone service, provides for safe accompaniment of children on the: Horseshoe Bay-to-Nanaimo ferry route. The Nanaimo-based service had (ts inaugural run on Friday. blended or single-parent families, MacInnes hopes the service will appeal to others as well. Parents of children visiting grandparents and friends or attending camp are anoth- er market she hopes to tap. The cost of the service is $30 plus the child's fare ($3.25). Siblings are given a price break of $5 each if trav- elling together. Though she's received some feed- back that the cost is high, MacInnes doesn’t feel it's so: “Just to go alone it costs almost $20 and four hours of your time.” tour allows you to unpack just once, and see three countries!” © Our English Interlude Tour- May 22-June 4, 1996 14 days/12 nights $2895 pp twin sharing © 2nd Annual tour ~ 1st year was a sell-out and very well received © 12 night stay in one hotel - your home away-from-home © Excellent value for money - airfare, accommodation, sightseeing and breakfast and dinner daily all included PLUS extensive sightseeing © Member’ Exclusive Hosted tour * Benue: Free Basic Primary membership per couple with your booking! Sanja Crijenkovic Travel Consultant, BCAA Park Royal rode eign te ead For an additional $10 ‘you can stay at home, the kids are taken care of “and happily entertained.” (The chaperones carry a travel kit of games and books.) The service is currently available Friday and Sunday on the 5 and 7 p.m. ferry runs both to and from Nanaimo. Macinnes hopes to add more nuns and ferry routes based on demand. For more information about Kidz on the Move or to request a registra- tion package, phone toll-free 1-604- 918-2343, Travel with someone you trust ® BCAA Taval AGENCY Gi) 608 Park Royal Mall North, West Vancouver : (office) 268-5650, (private line) 268-5665 * Certain restrictions apply. Ask your BCAA Travel Agent for details ‘This weekend our readers will find the Safeway flyer inserted with this newspaper, as part ef our front door delivery service. if, however, you live in a locked apartment building, the Safeway flyer will be delivered in your mailbox by Canada Post. PARNICIPALTION SE . The movement for active, healthy living lf you did not receive your Safeway flyer please cali 439-2626