bringing friends to disney...

[smores]

we are going to disney for spring break...my kids are each bringing a friend. was thinking about having the parents give me 1. a copy of insurance cards. 2. notarized letter to travel 3. notarized letter in case they need medical care. anything else? does anyone have a sample letter for travel/medical treatment?

thanks

 

[Hannathy]

All I would worry about is the insurance cards so you don't have to pay out of pocket. Unless they are in a difficult custody situation and think one of the parents will call the police that you kidnapped the child you don't need permission to travel with them, who is going to ask for it? Unless you are leaving the country/crossing a national border.


As far as care if it is a true emergency they will just treat and anything else they will call the parents and with electronic communication that is what they will go to. So I wouldn't have the parents go to the bother of a notarized letter, even with they will call also.

Do ask about allergies and any health problems you should know.

 

[LSUfan4444]

we are going to disney for spring break...my kids are each bringing a friend. was thinking about having the parents give me 1. a copy of insurance cards. 2. notarized letter to travel 3. notarized letter in case they need medical care. anything else? does anyone have a sample letter for travel/medical treatment?

thanks

You don't really need anything as long as you have a way to get in touch with the kids parents, but the insurance card would make things faster/easier in case of a hospital visit and you would be unable to contact the parents.

Even if you don't have a card, the hospital can always call the insurance company to verify benefits.

 

[DisneyMomma2000]

We travel with teens all the time being youth pastors, and I wouldn't leave home without a copy of their insurance cards and a permission slip from parents. You don't necessarily have to have it notarized, but it surely doesn't hurt. Many banks do them for you for free. Wording doesn't have to be all legal, just that they give you permission to take their child and make medical decisions. You never know what situations may arise and it's always a good idea to be prepared with more than what you will actually need.

 

[HM]

I actually had to take a teen friend to the Urgent Care on a WDW vacation once (MERSA infection in her leg). She was currently living overseas and the place did not take her insurance. I had to pay for the appointment and medication. Her parents did reimburse me. And we did keep the records of the visit for them. So, yes, it's a good idea to have their insurance cards, you never know what will happen.

 

[Hannathy]

We travel with teens all the time being youth pastors, and I wouldn't leave home without a copy of their insurance cards and a permission slip from parents. You don't necessarily have to have it notarized, but it surely doesn't hurt. Many banks do them for you for free. Wording doesn't have to be all legal, just that they give you permission to take their child and make medical decisions. You never know what situations may arise and it's always a good idea to be prepared with more than what you will actually need.

Totally different situation, you are travelling as a group and the permission slip is to protect your organization.

Comparing apples to oranges.

 

[DisneyMomma2000]

I understand that it may be different from protecting an organization, but it still doesn't hurt to get more info than what may be needed. You never know that can happen. Complications can arise where parents can't be reached and life and death situations sometimes don't have time to wait. I, as a parent, wouldn't send my child on a trip without this info. My husband and I traveled quite a bit when our children were young, and I left this info when it was my parents taking care of my kids....even more so when it was a non-relative. Thank goodness I have never been in a situation where any of this was needed, but it didn't cost a dime or much of my time to have peace of mind.

 

[dowchick]

We went in October and our daughter's bestie went too. (they are both 15) We took a copy of her insurance card and letter that said she had permission to travel with us and that I could make any emergency medical desicions in the event that her parents were unreachable. It also listed any alergies and medical conditions. I believe we did get it notorized. Her mom literally wrote in out by hand on notebook paper.

We flew down and back so I had the letter ready, but they still asked her if she was traveling willingly or if being coerced. She always said, "are you kidding, we are going to disney, of course I am going willingly!"

 

[rwdavis2]

Copies of Insurance cards and probably a letter giving you permission to seek medical attentions. Letters can be problematic. Who's to say they are even real?

You will NOT need one for permissions to travel. The airline nor TSA will accept it. Again, who's to vouch for it's authenticity?

 

[Karbase8]

We went in October and our daughter's bestie went too. (they are both 15) We took a copy of her insurance card and letter that said she had permission to travel with us and that I could make any emergency medical desicions in the event that her parents were unreachable. It also listed any alergies and medical conditions. I believe we did get it notorized. Her mom literally wrote in out by hand on notebook paper.

We flew down and back so I had the letter ready, but they still asked her if she was traveling willingly or if being coerced. She always said, "are you kidding, we are going to disney, of course I am going willingly!"

I completely agree with this as if something happened to a friend or relative's child, you want some type of protection. Others may find this silly or unecessary but the society today is very sue-happy and those so-called friends can turn against you in a minute.

 

[rubberbootbunny]

Gov. of Canada has a great page with forms you can customize.
http://travel.gc.ca/travelling/children/consent-letter
Even if you don't have to cross the border. I think that it's a good idea to have one.