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Whether it's a day camp, a weeklong sleep-away camp or a month-long camp abroad, sending your child to soccer camp for the first time can be a nerve-wracking experience for the both of you. Here are a few ways to ease the transition and help them enjoy the experience.

Involve them in the planning and the prep work.

Likely there are many soccer camps to choose from, so narrow it down by your child's needs and your budget, and let your child make the final decision on where to go. If that's not possible, then perhaps he or she can pick some of the activities or classes to take at camp.

Also, let your kids pick out some of the things they'll need for camp. Whether it's practice clothes and new shin guards or a toothbrush holder and face soap, letting them help with the planning and preparation will give them some control over the situation, and hopefully stave off the worst of homesickness.

Practice getting ready for new experiences.

One of the scariest things about any first time at camp is that it's an unknown. Find out what will be new to your kids and help them practice doing it. If your kids are going abroad, buy a language dictionary and practice saying simple things like "please" and "thank you" and asking for directions. If they're just going out of town, spend a day over in the town if it's within driving distance. If you happen to know or learn some of the drills they'll be doing, practice those with your kids in the backyard or the local soccer fields.

New experiences are an exciting and sometimes terrifying part of soccer camp, but practicing a little before your kids go will make the adjustment a lot easier.

Talk to them.

Are your kids worried about camp, that they won't be as good as the other players? Are they excited? Both? Sit down and talk with them about it. Let them know that it's OK to have mixed feelings about going. Talk about homesickness, but be positive and encouraging about all the new things they'll learn and experiences they'll have.

If they're worried about keeping in touch with friends and family, give them some stationery and an address book, or a phone card so they can call. Or, try giving them a journal so they can write down their soccer camp adventures, and they can share it with their friends when they return.

And don't forget to have fun!

Scary as it may be, the first time away at soccer camp can also be a fun and rewarding experience that will have your kids begging to go back year after year. By taking a few steps to make the transition as smooth as possible, you can make sure they get the most out of their time at camp.

EduKicks mission is to provide intensive soccer development training programs that also teach youngsters about cultural diversity and foreign languages. For more information about soccer camps, or to register for a soccer camp abroad, visit EduKick.com.

Consecutive or flexi travel? One country or a whole bunch? Saver passes? Rail 'n Drive? Overwhelmed with trying to pick the right European rail pass? Possibilities can be daunting... but choosing the perfect pass can save you time and money. A rail pass lets you bypass long ticket lines at the train station. You won't have to wrestle with an unfamiliar language just to buy a ticket. Best of all, you'll save cash -- providing you choose the right pass.

European rail pass types vary to suit a range of routes and whims. Best known is the original Eurail Global Pass which lets you meander back and forth among 18 countries. Eurail Select Pass -- formerly Europass -- lets pass holders crisscross three, four or five bordering countries. Multi-country passes are for exploring selected regions and some adjoining countries. There are also a wide range of single-country passes available.

European rail passes are available in two formats. Consecutive passes, valid from two weeks to three months, permit non-stop travel for the duration of the pass (ie: a 15-day pass is valid for 15 consecutive days of travel). Flexi passes are designed for itineraries entailing a limited number of travel days over an extended period: generally, from three to 10 travel days within a two-month period. Rail 'n Drive flexi passes include several days of car rental.

Classes of travel vary. Eurail Global Pass and Eurail Select Pass are for first class train travel only. Multi-country passes and single-country passes are available for first class travel and, sometimes, second class travel. Youth passes, as well as Scanrail and Norway rail passes, accommodate only second class.

Most passes are available at discounts. Saver passes cut expenses for group travel by train. Youth passes can be a great deal for students and gap year breaks and older travelers are sometimes eligible for discounted senior passes. Kids under 12 get up to half off when accompanied by an adult (tots, under age four, generally travel free). Some passes will get you free or discounted travel on ferries, buses and private trains (even Eurostar) -- plus sleeper upgrades and deals on hotels and local attractions.

If you plan to "pass" through Europe, read the fine print. A few guidelines prevail. Buy your rail passes before you leave home because they're very hard to find in Europe. Although passes don't guarantee you a seat it's generally unnecessary to reserve a place in advance. Exceptions are for travel during peak times and aboard selected trains, like TGVs, which require reservations at all times. Always have your passport handy and be sure to get your rail pass validated before boarding a train for the first time.

Lastly, be mindful of the ubiquitous caveat: conditions, restrictions and fees may apply. To learn more, visit the Euro Rail Pass Guide at http://www.traintraveling.com/eurorailpassguide

Michael Gleason publishes TrainTraveling.com, http://traintraveling.com a passenger rail travel guide for commuters and tourists in Europe, North America and worldwide.

When you buy a holiday package or plan a trip, its really a matter of big budget. So, if it is cancelled or curtailed then you may have to face a huge financial loss. Though you cannot avoid such unpredictable losses altogether, you can recover the loss almost fully by taking travel insurance. With insurance in place, you can also enjoy your trip fully without taking any tension in mind.

As a rule, travel insurance is arranged during the time of buying holiday package. You can buy a plan that will cover exactly the duration of that trip. However, if you want you can purchase a more extensive or continuous insurance policy. You can buy it from travel agents, travel insurance companies or even directly from travel suppliers or tour operators.

In addition to covering cancellation and curtailment, travel insurance also compensate for so many other probable losses to be incurred by a traveller. Delayed departure can cause a loss of substantial financial amount. In similar fashion, loss, theft or damage to personal possessions that may include travel documents and money can be the cause of big loss. All such types of losses are covered by insurance.

Travel insurance also covers losses incurred due to delayed baggage and emergency replacement of essential items. One most important feature of such insurance is that it covers medical expenses also. Healthcare expenditure in a foreign country may be higher than ones own place. An insurance policy will ensure that he gets the required treatment.

Emergency evacuation or repatriation, overseas funeral expenses, accidental death, injury or disablement benefit, legal assistance, personal liability and rental car damage excess are some of the other financial losses that travel insurance cover. Thus, it proves to be a highly helpful means that keeps you guarded against any kind of mishap.

The author is associated with UKs leading healthcare and medical insurance broker, Essential Health Ltd, which provides medical benefits, to its clients in UK and around the world, for Cancer, Medical insurance, Critical illness, Travel insurance, Dental insurance, Financial protection, Life, Term Assurance, Accident Insurance, Healthcare, Health insurance and even Sickness insurance. She writes on various topics and latest news related to medical, insurance and most importantly on cancer and latest developments related to its treatment.