PGL- has anyone sent their 7 YO-how was it?

[foreverastudent]

Does anyone have any experience of sending their 7 year old (or older) on a PGL holiday for a week?

We are thinking of doing it this easter.

7yo is awfully young, don't you think? Not judging, just that I can't see most 7yos being able to (it's residential, right?). Would your DC know anyone else there?

I believe that Brownies/Beavers/Cubs do similar activity holidays for a fraction of the price.

I sent my ds1 when he was 13 and again when he was 15.

I was horrified when he told me (and showed me his pics) of one of the camp leader fellys snogging one of the kids there

Leader was 19-20 and the girl was 15,same age as my son.

On that basis i haven't sent my 14 year old and wont't be sending either of my dd's either.

ds1 has been on a pgl holiday but it was with school when he was 7. not sure i would let him go on his own. fwiw though he really enjoyed it and still talks about it now, he'll be 13 in july.

Marking my place.

DW and I had a long discussion about DS1(10) and DS2 (8) going for a week this summer. DS1 will be going soon to PGL Osmington Bay with the school and we thought they might enjoy being away together in a contrlled environement. They have done and really enjoyed 'day camps' every holiday since they were young but never residential.

Bit worried DS2 may be too young and worried about what it is 'really' like in terms of care and discipline. Something they both say they really want to do though.

Hey,

dh and I worked for PGL for several years as group leaders/instructors/in teh kitchen. This was about 10 years ago now though.

My first summer there I looked after the 6 to 9 year olds in a group while they were there. Its a pretty strict routine of up, eat, activities, lunch, more activities, dinner, evening entertainment, bed, however going to bed did not always mean sleep!

For their age groups they used to get time out half way through the week to catch up on sleep if they needed it, but mostly they were just hyper all the time, just the way they should be .

There are "procedures" in place to deal with homesickness and any other problems, but all of the people I worked with (well 99%) had a good deal of common sense and showed sympathy for the kids when needed. They are so busy they dont have time to worry about things.

Since we worked there I believe the staff have had further (and better) training, posh uniforms too.

I would send my son, maybe for a short week first then build up to a week if he wanted to go back. Or you could stay near a centre and take him in for day camo everyday and pick him up at 6?

I would, because ive seen how much fun it is

Sorry thats longer than I thought!

Another thing, alot of people used to lie about their childrens age and send them at 5, they survived! (but were not covered by insurance)

My 7 and 8 year old went for 2 nights in October with a friend - all absolutely fine and could not wait to go back. I wished I had done the activities they did especially quad biking. It was a cheap £99 taster and this year, by booking early and paying with childcare vouchers (oh yes) they are going for the full week - they were a bit disappointed last time to be going home when others were staying. I think it's a good deal for a week with the early booking discount. They get 3 cooked meals a day, if they want them, and plenty to keep them occupied. They are going with their younger sister this time who was too young last year - they will be 7,8 and 9 and going to Marchants Hill.

My DD is 8 and would jump at the chance to go, and me to send her but it's too expensive.

I went every year for a week or two from 12-17 and loved it.
Hopefully I'll get the chance to send DD at least once.

dd went with Brownies last summer aged almost 8 and had a great time. She is due to go on a school trip to another centre in the Autumn and really looking forward to it. ds did that trip a few years back and is about to go to a French one. I know of others who have sent variously aged kids over past few years on their own and apparently had a good time. You could go as a family for a first trip and see how it goes.

muggglewump looking at the PGL website, there are some pretty good deals. Still not cheap really, but there are £99 taster holidays and two-for-ones (one DC goes free - perhaps you could go halves with a friend?).

Perhaps it wouldn't be doable this year, but worth keeping in mind for next year

BTW I know this is an oldish thread - I was searching for posts on PGL having been reminded of it on another thread and remembering how desperately I wanted to go as a child. I used to order the brochures and plan imaginary holidays (there was no way my mum could've afforded to send me).

I went when I was 9- sent myself!

We were living in France at the time, and I really wanted to go. My mum obviously had enough of my nagging, told me to ring them myself.
They obviously took pity on me, because they let me go for free if my mum dropped me off!
I only went for a couple of days though.

I had a great time, was a bit of a loner because the other children were on a school trip, so I was kind of treated like the stray cat by the staff.

I went when I was 9 too, with my best friend.

I cried for the entire week (bit of a wuss, and there were good bits, I'm sure)

I went when I was 14 to Langorse and Hay-on-wye. It was a two centre and was excellent. Wish I had done more. Such fun and great way to socialise.

I think 9/10 is young enough. Cant wait to send my two!

muggglewump - I know your DD is only 8, but when she is 10 you may be able to get her on a DoIt4Real holiday. They have a special low rate for familes on benefits, (including WTC). It says £79 on their website, but they have an early booking voucher (I think I paid £55.50 including the insurance this year). It gets booked up very very early though, so you need to be on the mailing list and get your application in as soon as you can. Sign up for it now so you don't miss out when she is old enough. It's not just adventure holidays they offer, they also do dance, film making, music etc type holidays.

www.doit4real.co.uk/