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AIBU?

PGL camps, is 7 too young

43 replies

lessthanBeau · 04/03/2014 22:26

I fully intend on sending my dd(currently 5) off to camp for a week as soon as she is old enough, they take them at 7, is this too young, she is extremely sociable and makes friends easily, my friend thinks it is too soon.
she goes away with family for holidays already and doesnt miss us at all.

OP posts:

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Llareggub · 04/03/2014 22:30

I have a 7 year old who is very confident, self-sufficent etc. He regularly stays with his grandparents for a week at a time. I wouldn't send him to camp just yet. I can't explain why but instinctively it feels too early for him to be away with strangers.

exexpat · 04/03/2014 22:32

It's quite young, but they take them solo from that age so obviously they are used to looking after young children. And if she's confident about being away from home she might be fine. DD did her first solo PGL holidays last year, aged 10, and had a wonderful time - but she'd been on a couple of PGL holidays with school before that.

Maybe try one of the taster breaks first, just to make sure that she doesn't get horribly homesick? PGL offer cheap deals on one or two-night stays for first-timers. They also run a scheme every year where if you book early, you can take a friend for £99 on some of the holidays, which could be a good option if she has a friend or cousin or whatever who might like to go too.

lessthanBeau · 04/03/2014 22:38

good idea, I will try her on a taster break in the easter before commiting to a week in the summer, roll on 2016, she will more than likely be going with her cousin(same age) so wont be totally alone.

OP posts:

mygrandchildrenrock · 04/03/2014 22:40

One of my daughters went at 8, with her older sister. Older sister never went back but younger one did until she was 16, she then worked for Camp America for the next 3 summers. She loved her summers.

pourmeanotherglass · 04/03/2014 22:45

Both my DDs went with Brownies age 7, and loved it. Can't imagine sending them on their own at that age though. Definitely a good idea to try a short weekend break for the first time.

mercibucket · 04/03/2014 22:50

if you fully intend on doing it, why ask our opinion?

Lonecatwithkitten · 04/03/2014 22:53

DD first went to PGL at 7, but only for a two night taster camp. She loved the days, but said the nights were hard. We have not done it since (she is now 10) even though she is a very confident outgoing girl.
She has done a one night school trip and one night survival camp since and will go to France for four nights with school next term. She is not keen for another PGL.

LiegeAndLief · 04/03/2014 22:57

I have a 7yo and there is no way I would send him for a week. He is definitely too young.

Gomez · 04/03/2014 22:58

DD1 went at 8 for a weekend then a week at 9 and continues to go now, will be 14 this summer.

DD2 went at 7 for a weekend then a week at 8 and will go back this summer at 10 for a week.

But DD1 went with older friends and DD2 has always had DD1.

DS1 will go for his first weekend this year at 7 along with DD2. (DD1 now in a different age group so can't all go together)

BUT it was very close to home c.1 hour away and as above they were never on their own as such.

The girls both have loved it each year. In fact DD2 was booked for a week her second year (cheaper due to offers) but plan was to pick her up a few days early as she had been slightly unsure about the week. We got a call telling us she wanted to stay for the week

YoureBeingASillyBilly · 04/03/2014 22:59

What is PGL?

ClaraFox · 04/03/2014 23:01

I'm very laid back but this instinctively feels far too young to me.

It's probably a different matter with another family member there though which is what appears to be the case?

But would I send my 7 year old DS on one alone? No

really1234 · 04/03/2014 23:03

I am trying to persuade my boys to go this summer but they don't seem keen. They are 10 and 13 now and put off going last year as they would have been in separate groups but this year they would be together. For those that have been before do you think 13 is too old to go for the first time (would be in a 10-13 group), I'm worried he'll be the oldest one by far at the first timer camp.

Any thoughts?

BackforGood · 04/03/2014 23:04

Mine have all been away with cubs from 7, but I wouldn't send a 7 yr old off on their own to an activity camp, no way. Far too young (and my dc are, and always have been pretty confident).
I say that even more so, remembering back to when I work at a PGL camp when I was a student......

mymiraclebubba · 04/03/2014 23:09

we take them away with Brownies at that age so if you think she will cope then go for it! She will have a blast, PGL camps are great fun

HarpyFishwifeTwat · 04/03/2014 23:18

I've taken Brownies away at 7. They have all loved it and been fine with it - would it be with a school group or Brownies she would be going?

halfwildlingwoman · 04/03/2014 23:22

Too young. Too young. Too young. And in case you haven't got my point. Too young.

Brownies is totally different, they will know their pack, or troop or whatever you call them, but PGL, they will know no-one. God I could cry at the thought of it.

BrokenToeOuch · 04/03/2014 23:24

Dd went at 8 for 3 nights. She had had lots of nights away from us with relatives and a few sleepovers with her friends, didn't cross my mind to think she was too young tbh. She wanted to go, she's pretty sensitive, laid back, sociable and independent. She came back with a lot more confidence. It wasn't too young for her, but everyone is different. We have just paid the deposit for her 5 night trip later on this year, though she will be 10.

BrokenToeOuch · 04/03/2014 23:26

halfwilding our school takes a group of them on the pgl trip, pretty much the entire yeargroup goes.
Why on earth would that bring you to tears?

fairyfuckwings · 04/03/2014 23:37

My twins went to camp Beaumont (similar) from 8 for a week each year and absolutely loved it. They still talk about it now!

I probably would have sent them at 7 for a few days if I'd thouht about it. I definitely missed them a whole lot more than they missed me!

fairyfuckwings · 04/03/2014 23:41

Halfwildlingwoman

Gosh yes it's sickening isn't it? For children as young as7 to be exposed to pony trecking, abseiling, sailing, orienteering, camp fires, raft building, talent shows, kayaking, making friends, and getting really really dirty.

Poor unlucky bastards!

iclaudius · 04/03/2014 23:44

agree- totally depends on the child - some would LOVE it

fairyfuckwings · 04/03/2014 23:56

Yes it does depend on the child. My older twins absolutely loved it. My younger daughter who's 6 would probably be a bit too shy and awkward and not enjoy it so much until she's a wee bit older.

I guess it depends on how confident the child is.

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Sovaysovay · 05/03/2014 07:58

With school, or just on their own?

BackforGood · 05/03/2014 08:26

Brokentoe - going with a group from school or brownies is VERY different from going on your own which is what most respondees are assuming the op means.

flipchart · 05/03/2014 08:48

My two started going to PGL at the age of 7. The first year they went was for a weekend to see how they got on. After that they went for the whole week. DS1 carried on going until he was about 14 and DS2 who is 14 now had his last PGL last year. He may go again next year if he wants to go skiing.

Never had any issues and they still talk about the daft games they played and the fun they had.

I'm quite jealous actually, I never did anything like that!

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