Sixth form holiday to USA - anyone got experience of this?

[Busybeingbusy]

Eldest child will be 18 when it's time for the 6th form holiday, although some of her friends will still be 17. She doesn't want to go to Ibiza, or the Greek islands or Spain but has a notion in her head that if she starts saving then maybe she could head for somewhere further afield.

She is still 16 and has a Saturday / holiday job so financially she could make a reasonable contribution to her trip. Her initial thoughts were places where a car isn't essential - San Diego, maybe Disney villas with minimal Disney, Santa Monica etc She has flown solo within the UK and has travelled to France and the USA frequently as part of the family so is reasonably confident and sensible. She's aware that booking hotel rooms might be difficult at her age.

Anyone got any suggestions? I'm giving her encouragement at the moment but am reserving judgement.

She is an adult so she can go anywhere and book it herself, I would have thought. She doesn't need your permission if she has the money. I think that the only times that places won't take bookings is large same sex groups, or young mixed groups.
Is she planning to go alone?

She, at 18, will be an adult in the US. Not so her 17yo friends. I'm not sure what the ramifications are but I'd think everything will have to be on her name which could cause problems down the road.

Speaking of roads, she won't be able to rent a car w/o paying huge young driver penalties (under 26 IIRC). She may want to do more research on San Diego (which I love, but have always had a car). Don't bother with Disney in Anaheim unless that's all she wants to do. There's not much else in Orange County w/o a car. LA is much easier with a car. Not impossible but easier. So yes, Santa Monica is walkable & loads of fun but if you want to see other sights, you need to research transportation options.

The NE (think Wash, DC - Phila - NYC - Boston) is easy to do w/o a car. Amtrak (rail) gets you to all 4 & there is good public transport & things to do. I'm from the NE originally. She could take a trip to Maine from Boston also on Amtrak.

The NW is another possibility. San Francisco/Portland/Seattle.

She will need a credit card in her name. Not just a debit card with visa/mc logos. Hotels can & will place holds on funds coming from debit cards which can seriously wreck budgets.

I would be wary of her traveling solo. I'd definitely want her with friends or a group. Not that friends can't get in trouble too but someone's got your back.

I'd check out these guys: www.greentortoise.com/. They might have the right blend of independence & supervision isn't the right word - maybe oversight? I had an acquaintance who used them ages ago and had a great time. No doubt there are other similar companies.

Sorry for the epic post!

she does realise that none of them will be able to drink in the States?

San Francisco is a great place withotu a car.

tbh there is a reason why so many post a level kids go to Europe. its easier and they are set up for it. in the usa they wont be able to drink, not at all. there will be issues with the cost of car hire and then the insurance on top if they manage to get one. Lots of places to stay will have minimum age groups. definitely would not recommend solo travel. why not be a bit more adventurous with inter railing type holiday? or what about a camp type holiday for older kids in the usa camp matoaka springs to mind. its a great idea and fab that she is saving towards it but it isn't really going to be doable or pan out how she will want it to because of their ages. better to wait and do the big usa thing when she finishes uni.

Thanks everyone... It's certainly becoming apparent why Europe is so popular.

Firstly, she's not going solo ... If no one wil go with her she says she'll go with us!
Exotic: I think there will only be four at most if they can all raise the funds so maybe accommodation will be straight forward.
Laraeo: She's only beginning to realise the restrictions of not having a car at her disposal so your post is wonderfully helpful. California is looking less likely so she's going to explore the NW and the NE and Amtrak. Thank you for alerting me to the credit card issue. I think we will get her bank account set up soon as her employer wants to pay her electronically.I will be mindful about her starting to build up a level of credit score for future credit card dealings although I suppose we could prepay funds.
Special and mummy: Drinking - that hadn't crossed my mind. She doesnT drink but who knows in two years? I canT imagine they'll all want to be teatotal.

The camp or inter railing might also need more exploration. I can see a sixth form holiday fast becoming a gap year!

Do you think there's any where else I should get her to research?

A couple other things to think about.

Hotels won't book rooms to unrelated minors - nobody wants any hanky panky. 'Cause us Yanks are prudes . If they use hostels it may not be a problem.

I'd assumed she'd already considered the drinking age.

Health care. Her friends will not be considered adults and can't authorize/sign for any necessary health care. I'm not sure how a travel insurance policy would work but it would require serious research.

I'm glad she wants to plan & execute a trip like this. And I don't want to be a dasher of travel dreams. Unfortunately we don't make it easy. Or cheap.

Has she thought about applying to be a summer camp counselor? Not exactly the same thing as traveling but she'd have responsibility, independence, be earning some $ and get a lay of the land. She could then maybe travel a bit at the end of camp or be much better prepared to do it after university.

She had considered the drinking part - she's not interested as she trains and is starting to coach gymnastics - but I think it might bother her travel companions so quite a big consideration.

Health care is also a thought that I hadn't contemplated. Time to move to plan B and look at the counsellor option. This might actually be the best route of all.... She's been looking at university courses which involve a sandwich year abroad especially in OC... But that's got no guarantees as only the very top students are considered and she 's not quite narrowed down her course subjects. A role as a camp counsellor just might hit the mark.

Next summer she is going with her school to Malawi and Kenya so is in the throes of fund raising for that... I think she's already caught the travel bug ...

Wow! Kenya & Malawi! That's fantastic!

Even though she's got some time, here's a link to start some research: j1visa.state.gov/programs/camp-counselor/

And I'll add that I think her gymnastics experience will definitely be a big plus - many camps have specialties or want people with a definite skill set.

laraeo you are a gem! She's a little bit wary of 'working' all summer but you have sewn a definite seed in her mind. Over the course of the next few months we can research it together as she's got plenty of time.

The African trip allows about 35 of her year group to visit a school in Malawi and extend some friendship and support. I think her group paint classrooms and bring raised funds to help add to the existing buildings and educational supplies. On the way home they go on safari for two days. She has to raise over $3000 and so far is at about $500 although parents make up any shortfall. This is a wonderful opportunity and she's genuinely thrilled to be going.

I think she will be reasonably well placed to apply as a counselor when the time comes. If it's OK, I might PM you in the forthcoming months.

Busy, I'm glad to be of help. Of course you can pm me as you start researching.

I used to go to camp for 4 - 6 weeks and loved it. Some kids stayed for most of the summer, some for a week. Depends on the camp. Many return to the same camp year after year (like me ).

I hope she manages to raise the money she needs. I'm sure she'll have a great experience.