Tag Archives: Lexington

Au Pair insurance – What you should know

Is it risky to do winter sports without the sports insurance?


YES!! If you have to pay your own hospital bills for a broken bone, you might be shocked at how much that would cost. I checked this website for some cost estimates.

Here are a couple examples:

  • Without medical coverage, to treat a broken arm or leg (that does not require surgery) it could cost up to $2500.
  • Without medical coverage, to treat a broken arm or leg (requiring surgery) it could cost $16,000 or more.

    • I wanted to make sure everyone understands how the medical coverage works for sports related injuries. There is a list of “high-risk sports/activities” that are not covered with the basic or upgrade medical insurance plans. Those activities are only covered with the Sports Insurance Package (also known as Option A.)

    The Sports Insurance Package was available pre-departure and may also be purchased at any time during your year. It takes effect within 48 hours of your enrollment and it is good for the remainder of the year. The cost will be the same ($60) whether you have a month left or your whole year ahead of you. I recommend you pay for it early on, if you didn’t already purchase it. You never know when an opportunity might present itself and you don’t want to miss out on an adventure. You also don’t want to take a risk on getting injured and being responsible for the bill on your own.

    Below is a partial list of sports that are only covered with the sports insurance package:
    Football, Rugby, Scuba diving, Ski-doo,  Wakeboarding, Skydiving, Parachuting, Rock climbing, Zip line, Skate boarding, Rollerblading, Roller skating, Ice Skating, Skiing, Snowboarding, Snowmobiles & Snowshoeing.  View the full list on page 3 of the insurance brochure HERE
    Note: Injuries sustained while partaking in these sports are covered with purchase of the Sports Insurance ONLY.

    How to register for the Sports Insurance
    Download the form SPORTS INSURANCE FORM and follow the instructions.

    Make Way for Spring

    clock-forward

    March 10th: Daylight Savings Time. Be sure to set your clocks forward before going to sleep.  The kids maybe groggy this week as they adjust to the time change.  Please be sensitive to that as you go through the week.

    imagesCAL2BJ2MMarch 17th: St. Patrick’s Day. This Irish holiday has been celebrated in the USA since 1737.  Traditional icons that mark the holiday:  Leprechauns, Pots of Gold, Rainbows, Shamrocks and the Color Green!  There will be local parades in many of our towns…Stamford, Danbury and of course in NYC.  It might be fun to go and experience this tradition.

    March 25: Passover begins. Passover, also known as Pesach or Pesah, is a Holy Day, observed by several religions, begins today and lasts seven or eight days, depending on your beliefs.  It commemorates the exodus and freedom of the Israelites from Egypt.

    March 31: Easter is an annual festival commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It is always celebrated on a Sunday

    Au Pair in America at the Head of the Charles Regatta

    One of the most well known competitions of the international rowing world took place this past weekend on the banks of the Charles River in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Over twenty au pairs gathered there to have hot chocolate and fudge brownies, while they people watched and cheered on their favorite teams rowing up the river in sculls, two person, four person, and eight member boats.

    Olympic teams competed in fierce competition with their own best records, with each other, and with the increasing wind conditions. University teams such as the University of Washington and University of Virginia were au pair favorites and with all of the cheering and support, they both took first place in the Championship and Collegiate divisions respectively. Despite the cheering the cluster gave them, the Naval Academy did not fare as well.

    Crowds estimated at over one hundred thousand lined the riverside from the Boston Harbor and the river basin all the way to Watertown, on both the Cambridge and Boston sides. To add to the festivities, the autumn foliage was in full display. It was a true New England day and as the sun began to sink, au pairs filtered off to enjoy the remaining Sunday evening fun.

    Click here for pictures   Pics of Head of the Charles

    PLAY BALL!

    So many farewells!

    So many farewells!

    “Save money for travel” and “Play Ball!” were two exclamations heard in equal parts at our July cluster meeting, a mixture of fond farewells, parting advice, and a great game of American baseball. Saying goodbye to 11 departing au pairs was sad, but it was made little bit easier by chocolate cake and watermelon, then a fantastic game of American Baseball.

    Americans never think about how strange a sport baseball is until they try to explain it to those who have never played it or watched a game. Running from base to base and having to stop sometimes, but not at other times, is odd. “Three strikes and you’re out” is arbitrary. Distinguishing a strike from a ball is arbitrary.

    Still, everyone showed amazing athletic skills, including strong batting, excellent speed covering most of bases, and great catching. The opposing pitchers were formidable. Chloe Haggard pitched consistently hittable balls even while injured and Kathi Lange was frightening in her windup and was even part of a key double play midway through the game.

    With lightening in the distance and darkness falling, it was time to end the game. However, it is clear that our au pairs are ready to play more ball!

    More Pics Here!

    Rolling on the River in June!

    On a beautiful day over Fathers Day weekend, our group of au pairs from all over the world met at the South Bridge Boathouse in Concord to enjoy an afternoon of rowing on the Concord River. The river itself is beautiful enough, but after piling into boats and getting a push off from the dock, the boats slowly made their way upstream to the historic North Bridge for photo opportunities. Although all the boats made it to the North Bridge dock, some were speedier than others.  We welcomed some first time au pairs and said a fond farewell to Linda.   After a discussion of summer safety for children and a summer snack at the Old Manse, next to the North Bridge, it was time to row against the current back to the boat house.
    Whether quickly or slowly, all boats arrived safely. Unlike past years, no rescues were necessary for missing boats!
    A A few arrivals at the boat house

    More Pics Here!

    Au Pairs Celebrate the Holiday Season!

    “Ho Ho Ho” was frequently heard echoing through the Concord Scout House during our recent Holiday Gala!

    Patti's cluster visit Santa

    Patti's cluster visit Santa

    With over 150 au pairs attending, the hall was filled with laughter and merriment. Starting with a full buffet that included foods from all over the world and the famous au pair punch, we moved on to a surprise visitor from the North Pole who made the rounds to hear from all of you! Photos with the big jolly man were taken with each of the clusters and then we were on to a Yankee Swap that was filled with true confessions and lots of laughter. We ended the evening with intrepid groups of au pairs from several countries who got up on stage to sing a holiday song from home. They were all fabulous and we have the photos and videos to prove it!

    Holiday Gala Pictures

    We wish you all A Very Merry Christmas

    and a Happy New Year!

    November Line Dancing Kicks It!

    Au pairs came together on a cold and darkening evening to dance the chills away, have fun, and get some exercise in the process! We saw several techniques that au pairs brought from their own dancing styles to incorporate into the traditional Line Dancing steps. With master instruction from an experienced cowgirl, everyone was dancing in no time at all! Check out our photos on photobucket!

    Apple Picking in October

    Taste Testing!

    Taste Testing!

    Macoun, Macintosh, Granny Smith. What are they? They’re all tasty and all picked by many of the au pairs attending Patti and Melinda’s  October cluster meeting! Under sunny skies and a very brisk wind, au pairs enjoyed cider and apple cider donuts together while we greeted several new au pairs. We then said goodbye to Alicia Cornellisen and Franzi Goerisch who shared their advice about having a great experience this year.

    Then it was into the apple orchards for those who wanted to try their hands at picking. And pick they did, as you can see from the photos! Bites were taken and bags were filled to overflowing with the apples that they had reached high for! Some au pairs decided to skip the orchard and they retreated inside to enjoy the gift shop and various samples. As both activities were wrapping up, a huge rain cloud overhead burst, the winds began to blow harder, and we all ran for cover.

    Luckily, the apple picking was pretty much done! Now the pie baking begins!

    More Pics Here!