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Original poster

what can ds do in post-GCSE summer holidays?

34 replies

lainiekazan · 24/01/2014 10:08

Apart from Playstation, of course Grin

The holidays are long after GCSEs and before sixth form. Dh has no possibility of taking leave so we are not going on holiday.

Ds cannot do a job (if there were any round here) as he is not 16 until the end of August. Likewise volunteering - his work experience placement was keen to have him back but is not allowed to do so until he is 16.

So... any suggestions? Ds is supremely unsporty so any kind of sports camp would be his idea of Room 101.

OP posts:
Hassled · 24/01/2014 10:42

DS2 has been looking into the National Citizen Service - sounds quite good.

Bonsoir · 24/01/2014 10:40

You could host foreign students and get him to look after them and give him the proceeds (minus food costs)?

Original poster
lainiekazan · 24/01/2014 10:34

Thanks. I think the National Trust camps insist you are 16, which is a nuisance, otherwise something like that would be excellent. Ds would be happy to do nothing for 3 months but I feel he should do something that isn't reading Empire and watching Portlandia for the nth time.

OP posts:
TheWave · 24/01/2014 10:29

Do you have any money for him to do something or should it be free/earning?

Bonsoir · 24/01/2014 10:25

You can send him on a residential holiday. Try Village Camps.

FrauMoose · 24/01/2014 10:23

Daughter's situation was similar. We went on holiday as a family for a week in the two week gap between her last but one GCSE and the final exam. Then later for a week in the UK. Could you go with a mate/one of his friends if your partner can't get leave.

My daughter was quite tired after a huge batch of GCSEs and really enjoyed having time seeing her friends, and chilling. Three of them went off camping. She also went to her first festival with a friend and friend's Mum.

afromom · 24/01/2014 10:19

You can volunteer under 16, not as many hours as someone 16+ though. Big charities often have volunteer schemes for you people. Also animal charities will often let kids come in over the holidays to help out.

I would recommend contacting the local volunteering assembly to find out if they have any opportunities.

If volunteering isn't his thing, how about giving him a project around the house, tidying up the garden, replanning his bedroom, sorting out the shed/garage, in return for some pocket money. He could offer to mow people's(neighbours) lawns/wash cars, etc. or learn how to cook?

You can do a paper round age 14 I think.

Is he into/or would he be into War Hammer. There is a massive community of young people into that and Games Workshop hold regular events throughout the holidays for people of all ages to get involved in.

pussycatdoll · 24/01/2014 10:11

the National Trust organise weekly residential camps where the teenagers clear out canals that sort of thing, a lot of kids to it for their duke of Edinburgh award

pussycatdoll · 24/01/2014 10:09

he might be allowed to volunteer at the library, be a computer buddy maybe