1/16/23

To All 2023 Parents and Travelers,

While we understand and respect that parental views on vaccines, particularly having a teenager vaccinated, are highly personal, we are sending this to make sure that we have communicated certain logistical and governmental realities for your consideration. Within TFT, we obviously must deal with policy on matters involving potential exposure to Covid on a TFT trip, as well as the reality of policies that are continually evolving in our destinations.

Of course, the health and safety of your child are and must be the most important consideration from a parental point of view. However, in making a decision about whether or not to vaccinate your child we wanted to let you know this information.

Strictly from the standpoint of travel logistics, especially outside the 48 contiguous states, we do strongly recommend that you consider vaccinations, but this recommendation is based on the logistical and consequential effects. Only you can weigh the medical risks and benefits.

Policy for exposure & quarantine (be aware that as various destination requirements evolve and change these guidelines could also change):

IF a participant is symptomatic with a fever and the participant or participant’s guardian requests a test, we will arrange to have testing done as soon as logistically feasible, at the absolute sole discretion of TFT. In the event the test is negative, the traveler may continue to participate. If positive, the other participants on the tour and their parents will be notified and may choose to be tested at the expense of each participant.

Positive travelers will obviously be subject to the quarantine requirements of the destination where the positive test occurs. This is a minimum of 5 days: Day 0 is when the symptoms developed or the positive test occurred, and positive participants may rejoin the program on Day 6.  The costs associated with the missed portion of the trip and/or the quarantine itself including, but not necessarily limited to-- new accommodation, alternative transportation, additional supervision, and alternative meals-- will be the responsibility of the parents of each affected traveler. TFT will work with any impacted families should this situation arise so that the travelers are well cared for and comfortable during the quarantine. Trip Insurance may cover some, but not necessarily all, of the expenses related to a quarantine depending on the circumstance and the specific destination.

Q: What happens if my child tests positive prior to the trip departure?

A: Participants who are medically unable to join a trip due to testing positive for COVID may be able to file a claim for the costs of the trip as long as their insurance policy does not have a COVID exclusion. Note: The TII and TripMate Policies that Travel For Teens offers do not have a COVID exclusion. Participants will need to produce a lab administered PCR test in order to file a claim with their insurance company. Self Administered tests are not accepted as proof of a positive test for the purposes of trip insurance.

Q: Can my child still join the trip late if they test positive prior to departure?

A: Participants may join the trip late as long as it is logistically feasible to catch up in tandem on Day 6 (see above, Day 0 would be the onset of symptoms and/or positive test).

Should you have any further questions regarding the what-if scenarios, we welcome any parent to schedule a time to talk to us using this link https://calendly.com/tftoperations/quick-call/

900 West Valley Road – Suite 300  Wayne, PA 19087  Phone: 484-654-1032  Fax: 484-654-1041  www.travelforteens.com

“Teaching Teens To Be Travelers, Not Tourists”