What to do about Disneyland Paris trip?

[Disneydilemma]

Dd is 9 and at brownies. She’s been invited on a trip next year (when she will have just gone up to guides) which guides from around the district are going on to Disneyland Paris.

My reasons to not let her go are:

Distance to travel on the coach-hours and hours

The fact that she won’t know anyone including the leaders very well. Possibly one or 2 of her current brownie friends are going

It’s expensive (this isn’t the be all and end all-we can afford it but still a consideration)

She’s always been scared stiff of trips away from home-panicked before school trips an hour away. So far has only done one night away with school and one sleepover with a friend-neither of which she got much sleep on.

However the last reason is also the main reason for saying yes-this is the first time she’s ever wanted to go on a trip and she’s desperate. Says she will make friends, chat on the bus and read all night if She can’t sleep (basically has an answer for all my negatives)

I went on trips abroad with guides and they were the making of me (although I was a couple of years older and they were to slightly more ‘worthy’ destinations!)

I’ve told her I’m considering it but it will probably be a no.

Any advice?

It would be a no from me I'm afraid.

she has 2 school residebtials to look forward to where she will be supported by teachers and peers who know her well and who you will be more familiar with.

no way on earth would i send my dc abroad with people i dont know nor have met.... seems irresponsible to me.

but that's just me amd about my DC.

Sounds like you've already decided not to let her go OP.

I think that's a real shame if she's so keen on going. Even if she's been scared on previous trips, maybe she's more ready for it now. She sounds very sensible if she can see the possibilities of making new friends.

Why is it different because it’s abroad? Always puzzles me, that.

I haven’t definitely decided-there’s a week until the form needs to be returned!

She’s really not sensible-I think she’s just heard ‘Disneyland’ and it’s blinded her to her usual fears (which I get could be a good thing!)

As a guide leader definitely let her go! We take groups of girls abroad every couple of years (including 10 year olds straight out of brownies) and without fail they all have a whale of a time.

Guide leader here who is heading to Paris a fortnight today with a group of guides and leaders.. obviously its your decision, but from a guiders point of view, they will want to not know any guide going, so yes, they will arrange meet ups with you and your daughter. I also work in a school and it never surprises me the paperwork and training required to take girls abroad with guiding, it takes time and commitment but we do it as it is such an amazing experience for them. Your DD seems up for it, but you are unsure so why not ask to meet the lead guider now before you commit to get a feel if you are confident with her. find out if she has taken a group before and how she managed the new guides to fit in. how many get togethers do they do. or find out if the trip occurs every 2 years, if so you can always chat to your daughter about planning for 2 years time away.

She will be too busy for homesickness. Guide leaders have to do so much planning and will be used to children who haven’t been away from their family before

For info: Guiding is no longer guaranteed single sex, and their own guidance does not permit informed consent of girls or their parents if a girl is going to be in shared accommodation with a transgirl (i.e. a boy).

So you may like to check that your 10yo will not be sharing accommodation with e.g. a 14yo male born guide. (Or it may not bother you, which is fine).

I’m aware of the trans issue but that’s my part of my dilemma (yet!)

-That’s not -I mean!