Am I entitled to a refund for a guides trip?

peachyprice

kathrynha wrote: »

If you actually read the insurance policy I don't think it is relevant to the OP, as the camp has not been cancelled, just one person pulling out, and pretty much everything in the policy relevant to the OP's camp is actually covered by general GirlGuiding insurance.

Yes, it it. The policy holder is the child/parent of the child if under 18. The Group Policy Holder is the Guide Unit, they are not one in the same. The 'You' in the general terms is the insured person, not the Group.

The cancellation part that I quoted covers the policy holder (child or it's parent) in the event of having to cancel due to a direct and necessary result of any cause outside Your control or that of the Group Policyholder.

So the policy holder is covered whether they have to cancel or whether the Group has to cancel.

It seems like some of units don't realise this cover is available or how cheap it is to add to a holiday.

ThumbRemote

peachyprice wrote: »

So the policy holder is covered whether they have to cancel or whether the Group has to cancel.

It seems like some of units don't realise this cover is available or how cheap it is to add to a holiday.

Probably not - it's not an official Guides policy, it's offered by a third party insurance company. Unless the Guides organisation are actively making groups aware of this then many groups won't.

There is, of course, some level of downside to this. As this is a money saving site I'd tend to argue that groups shouldn't force this on people, who may already have their own annual family cancellation insurance. So it becomes optional, and you get increased paperwork.

On top of that, as you have to name those insured, it could end up being a real pain to administer. The cover won't start until it's paid for. Imagine a guide group of 20 girls, potentially each paying the balance for the trip at different times. Does the group leader amend the policy repeatedly, or do they wait until everyone has paid? If so, how long do they leave it before taking out the insurance if some girls are late paying? It could actually end up being more admin to take out the insurance thatn to book the actual trip.

tinkerbell28

There is also the fact now, SO MANY children have disabilities and health needs. The amount of care plans needed for a camp, is nothing short of outrageous now really.

However it needs to be done, to make all scouting and guiding inclusive.

Private insurance will charge extra for children with needs, underlying illnesses, etc, etc, etc.

It is much easier to just have a group policy. The costs incurred would make activities and camps unaffordable. They are not running a business. Costs need to be kept down, so as not to exclude children.

Considering the costs of schools, trips uniforms. These kinds of groups need to keep costs down, which is why it is all staffed by volunteers.

kingfisherblue

GirlGuiding offers insurance, as evidenced by other posters. However, I do not know of any unit that offers individual insurance in case of cancellation due to injury or other reasons.

In the case of a large camp, such as Giggles (the one the OP's daughter is booked on), there is a lot of paperwork and preparation that has to be completed several weeks beforehand. For a simple sleepover, paperwork has to be with the District Commissioner six weeks beforehand - I'd hate to organise a large event!

A couple of things to note:
* Although the OP's daughter has her foot strapped and she is on crutches, has the doctor actually said that she cannot go, or is it that she cannot participate in a number of the activities?
* Could the OP's daughter use a wheelchair for the event? Children with disabilities can be accommodated, so it is possible that a temporary disability could be as well
* The cost of the camp is actually £220, so there is a large discount (possibly because the unit has been fundraising, received a grant, or has excess funds)
* The cost for leaders doing some of the activities (note - not all activities), is £150. This is in addition to the time that leaders are giving up, and the fact that many will be using some of their annual leave to give the girls a chance to attend an excitign camp
* Although all paperwork will have been completed, and it is unlikely that it can be changed at this late stage, there is a contact number for the camp organiser on the following link

http://www.girlguiding.org.uk/about_us/international_guiding/opportunities/camps_in_the_uk/giggles_2013.aspx

* Please remember that even changing paperwork takes time, which is provided willingly and free of charge by volunteers.

Just to add, it is not just the time spent in the unit or at camp that leaders give up their time. We also have to keep accurate accounts (audited each year by the Commissioner, Treasurer, or someone elected by them). We have to spend time planning the programme, reviewing the programme to ensure that we offer everything that we are supposed to offer, attending trainings, dealing with administration, researching resources, shopping for resources and ingredients, dealing with parental enquiries outside normal meeting times, liaising with other guiders regarding events, moving up a section, etc.

OP, I hope that your daughter recovers well and enjoys the rest of the school holidays.

ETA: I typed this out before Rainbows and Brownies, but my computer froze so it has only just been posted, nearly four hours later. Tonight was the last night before breaking up, and we had a trip to the carvery arranged. We also have a trip arranged during the holidays, as well as planning meetings for the leaders. If anyone ever invites you to volunteer, you'll have a great time, but never think that it is just an hour a week!