Family Vacation Idea: Boscobel Beach

Dates are set for this summer's third annual Single Parents Week at Beaches Boscobel in Jamaica, in August; this trip sells out, so act now if you're interested. Over 50 families took part in 2004. Beaches Boscobel has fun kids' programs.

• See more about Boscobel Beach -- a great place for non-single-parent families, too!

Single Parent Tours: Beaches Boscobel, Aug. 21-28 2005

Beaches -- part of the Sandals resort group-- is a well-known name in all-inclusive family resorts. Single Parent Tours-- founded by "GlobalBrenda" Elwell-- organizes several trips a year, including this late-summer getaway. Parents get a good rate; they don't pay the dreaded "single supplement"; and the enjoy the company of a congenial group plus special social events.

GlobalBrenda notes that current prices for this trip are "early booking rates and are subject to increase." So book soon.

Price for the Beaches Boscobel week starts at $1,886.50, plus tax, for one adult and one child, and includes:

• Seven nights accommodation, all meals and Beaches activities including watersports (snorkeling and scuba, too), kids' programs for different age groups, etc.
• a Single Parent Family Reception
• Single Parent Social Cocktail with nearby Kids’ Movie Night
• signed copy of The Single Parent Travel Handbook, by Brenda Elwell

Brenda (aided by her daughter Monique) is the driving force behind Single Parent Tours and the Single Parent Travel Network, and will be at Boscobel again this year. Find out more at Single Parent Tours.

Beaches Boscobel

I visited Beaches Boscobel during the inaugral Single Parents Week organized by Single Parent Tours. 42 single parent families were in attendance; several parties and get-togethers were held, including a boat cruise, and Brenda Elwell was on hand to autograph copies of her new Single Parent Travel Handbook.

Boscobel is a popular family resort, and was booked to 100% capacity. Almost all the single parent guests were single moms, and a lot of friendly socializing went on not only during scheduled get-togethers but on the beach, in the restaurants, and everywhere. Kids camps were open until 10 pm, giving moms a chance to sample a meal at the adults-only fine dining restaurant, if they liked; even better, they had new acquaintances with whom they could share that meal. Two newly-met guests found that they lived within a block or two of each other, in New York: that's the kind of week it was.

Single Parent Months at Beaches Boscobel

Beaches has other possibilities for single parents, too. Beaches resorts have declared May 1 to May 31 and Aug 15 to October 31 "Single Parents Months": "we will waive the Single Supplement for Single Parents traveling with children." What this means is not only a price break, but a chance to get together with other single parents at a family resort like Beaches Boscobel: kids make friends at the day camp, parents make friends at cocktail parties and other special events.

Even during other months of the year, Beaches Boscobel schedules single parent get-togethers and events to make solo parents feel welcome. But definitely, Single Parent Month is a special opportunity to enjoy a solo vacation with your kids. Three cheers for Beaches for being a pioneer with this great idea.

Check out lots of photos of Beaches Boscobel. See also: detailed review of Beaches Boscobel.