Camp, field trip, or trip abroad: a checklist for parents

Summer vacation is a time when children have plenty of free time. One popular way to spend their free time is to go on a trip. Of course, parents would feel more at ease if they could travel with their children, but circumstances don’t always allow for that. In such cases, parents need to do everything possible to minimize risks. Let’s work with lawyers from the free legal aid system to figure out how to prepare for such a trip.

When a child can travel unaccompanied by adults

Here, we need to consider travel within Ukraine and travel abroad separately.

Within Ukraine, children can travel independently starting at age 14. If a child is under 14, they must be accompanied by an adult. This can be not only a parent but also another relative, a teacher, a coach, etc.

Children can travel abroad on their own starting at age 16. A child under 16 must be accompanied by a parent, an adult relative, or another person authorized by the parents. The accompanying adult must have the following documents during the trip:

• their own passport;
• a document confirming their family relationship with the child;
• parental consent, which must be certified by the guardianship and custody authority.

Organized trips abroad for children: what parents need to know

Trips abroad as part of organized groups are governed by specific rules. During martial law, the consent of the State Service for Children is required for such a group to travel.

A trip is considered organized if it involves a group of at least two children aged 7 to 18, provided its purpose is health improvement or recreation, and the itinerary and program of the stay are determined and approved in advance.

The trip may be organized by:

• The social protection department of the regional state administration.
• An enterprise, institution, or organization, including charitable and public organizations. In this case, their founding documents must provide for the implementation or facilitation of such trips.

Each group of children must be accompanied by a leader. A person aged 25 or older who has a teaching or other specialized education for working with children and at least three years of relevant experience or experience accompanying groups of children may apply for this role.

The number of chaperones depends on the size of the group. Typically, one adult is responsible for 15 children, and during flights, for 25 children.

Additionally, the trip organizer or the host organization abroad must ensure that an interpreter accompanies the group throughout the entire stay.

Documents, safety, and communication: what to take care of before the trip

Before sending a child to camp or on a trip, it’s worth checking a few important points.

Verify the organizer’s reliability. Find out if they have the necessary documents and the right to organize children’s trips and health camps.

Sign a contract. Before signing, make sure you understand all its terms, particularly regarding your child’s safety, the parties’ liability, and potential refunds. If the contract is in a foreign language, request a translation or a Ukrainian-language version.

Find out about safety conditions. Confirm whether there is a medical professional at the camp or in the group, who is responsible for the children during the trip, and whether the staff has undergone the necessary training, particularly in providing first aid.

Check the documents. Make sure your child has everything needed for the trip: a passport or birth certificate, medical certificates, and other documents if required. It’s also a good idea to make copies of the documents and keep one set for yourself.

Stay in touch. Agree with your child in advance on regular communication and keep the contact information for the organizers, chaperones, and camp administration. Your child should also have the phone numbers of their parents, close relatives, and responsible adults. If traveling abroad, also write down the contact information for Ukrainian consular offices in the host country.

Олег Пархітько