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Original poster

Has anyone's child done NCS

27 replies

ALemonyPea · 08/02/2019 18:25

DS1 has signed himself up for it. I've looked online, it looks interesting and think he'd enjoy it but I do have reservations about a 16 year old
Living away from home by himself.

Would love to hear from other MNers whose children have done it.

OP posts:
MsAwesomeDragon · 08/02/2019 18:37

My DD did it 2 years ago. She had a great time! They didn't completely live on their own you know.
One week was an outward bounds type week where they did some water sports and did a 2 day hike, camping for that one night.

They're home for the weekend, then back to week 2. That week they did some supervised life skills stuff, learning to cook/clean/budget for themselves as well as some other "challenges" they were set.

Home for the weekend again, then week 3 they plan a community or charity event for the following week. My DD's group got together with a community centre and did some clearing and sorting for them to make the room easier to use and brighter/cheerier place to be.

They generally get the option of naming some people they know and would like to be in a group with, and while they won't get all their own choice in their group they usually have one or two friends with them.

SunburstsOrMarbleHalls · 08/02/2019 18:38

My DS did it last summer and my DD completed it 6 years ago.

Both really enjoyed it, the first week Mon - Fri they went to an outward bound centre and all activities were supervised by qualified staff and the NCS staff.

Second week Mon - Fri they stayed in local university halls of residence and had a full programme of activities ranging from a mini first aid course to mental health awareness talks. There was also evening activities such as quizzes. The NCS staff were on hand and also stayed in the university accommodation.

The 3rd and 4th week were based daily at the local NCS base which was at our local football club. They did volunteer work and organised fundraising activities for a charity of their choice.

Before the programme began there was an information evening and all participants had to sign a behaviour contract that included things such as no alcohol consumption, no bullying etc.

southnownorth · 08/02/2019 18:40

My 17 year old did it last summer.

She loved it and made new friends who she still keeps in touch with.

It helped that her friend went along with her and they were able to share.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

16 year olds
QOD · 08/02/2019 18:41

My dd did it 4 yrs ago. Absolutely excellent

Original poster
ALemonyPea · 08/02/2019 19:19

He has a few friends doing it with him, which I think is part of the appeal.

OP posts:
Cornishmum00 · 08/02/2019 19:30

My ds 16 went last summer had a great time, made new friends and came back more confident about doing stuff for himself

cauliflowersqueeze · 08/02/2019 19:35

I’d say snap up the chance while you can. I can’t believe kids are still being offered this for just £50. Each placement is worth about £800.

notahiker · 08/02/2019 19:38

Both mine have done it.

They don't live on their own.

Really worth it , they will get a lot out of it and besides which looks good on their CV ( not that they have much more of one ) .

billybagpuss · 08/02/2019 19:40

Don't worry about the living away from home bit, its no different to going off to PGL for a week.

DD2 had a great time, very worthwhile and randomly they met James May whilst on theirs.

MakeItAmazing · 08/02/2019 19:50

They aren't living away from home on their own!

My son did it last year for four weeks and this year he's been chosen to be a team leader.

Let him do it. It's a great experience from what my son said plus they have left lasting projects which has really benefitted the recipients.

Original poster
ALemonyPea · 08/02/2019 19:51

Fab! We are meant to be going on holiday in the middle of when he wants to go, so will need to see what is what.

How much of an insight as a parent do you get. Do we know where they will be each week?

OP posts:
southnownorth · 08/02/2019 19:59

You get given details of where they are staying and also the contact number of who is looking after them. They are very well looked after.

The first weeks was in a PGL type place. The second week was at a college with dorms. Weeks 3 and 4 was a central location, it was our local football stadium, where they did all their fundraising planning.

OddBoots · 08/02/2019 20:01

He won't be on his own, he will be with a big group, ds did it a few years ago and dd is doing it this year.

Gazelda · 08/02/2019 20:12

From a different angle - I work for a charity that hosted an NCS group in their 3rd week.
They'd spent 2 weeks away and had formed a fabulous friendship group.
They stayed at home while they did their week with us and they seemed to have endless energy and enthusiasm for everything we challenged them with. Their use if their own initiative visibly grew across the week, their confidence in mixing with us (complete strangers/adults) was something I would have loved to have at their age.
They developed a real understanding for the people our charity supports, without looking down on them because of their disabilities. They recognised each person's ability.
They were a real credit to the NCS project and to their upbringing.
I think it's a fantastic opportunity for kids.

ArsenicNLace · 08/02/2019 20:17

My 16 year old did it and I can't recommend it highly enough. They don't live on their own although they are encouraged to look after themselves and think for themselves. They had a food budget and recipe book and they did meal planning for the week and cook for themselves. They learnt first aid, public speaking and did some work around morals and ethics.

They did a project in the community as well as the outward bound section. When my son return he was a different boy. Much to my amazement he'd volunteered to being the team leader (despite usually being very quiet and not knowing anyone else in his group)

Bowchicawowow · 08/02/2019 20:19

Yes and it was a very positive experience.

MyOwnSpecialWay · 08/02/2019 20:20

Mine did it the summer after GCSEs. Neither knew anyone in their group to begin with but made some great friends and did something of value for once.
It's great for a CV and gives them something to talk about at job interviews.

MrsChollySawcutt · 08/02/2019 20:21

My DD16 is also signed up for NCS this summer. I think it sounds great.

What are you worried about? I can't see what's to get your knickers in a twist about, has your DS never been away from home on a residential trip before?

Justgivemesomepeace · 08/02/2019 20:22

My dd has just signed up. It cost £35. I'll be glad to see the back of her for a bit to be honest. She'll love week 1. Not sure about the rest though.

Vango · 08/02/2019 20:29

My DS had a great time. He's not naturally outgoing but he was very well looked after. He especially loved the Dragon's Den bit (pitching for money for their social action project). It was a massive relief to me that he was occupied for 4 weeks over the summer and I'm hoping it'll still be running in a couple of years when DD is eligible to go!

Original poster
ALemonyPea · 08/02/2019 20:47

It all sounds very positive. We live in a uni city, so I'm assuming they'll do week 2 there then.

Gazelda, thank you for your side of the story.

OP posts:
EyeOfTheTigger · 08/02/2019 21:19

My DD did it, she was 16. They're only away a few days ata a time. DD had a great time, really enjoyed it.

ShinyRuby · 08/02/2019 21:38

Hi, my dd1 did it last year. She signed up after a school assembly & was really keen to do it with 1 other girl she knew. It was 1 week (Mon-Fri) camping at an adventure centre, a week staying in local uni halls ( neighbouring city) & 2 weeks fundraising locally.
Not going to lie, after a crazy month of GCSES & prom I had to just about dump her on the bus that first day as she'd decided she didn't want to go anymore! The good news was that she settled down quickly & enjoyed the first week. The weather was gorgeous & the staff were absolutely brilliant & made a lot of effort to ensure they all had a good time. She did say there weren't as many activities as were shown in the videos they'd seen at school so it might be similar for your ds but they were fine. She absolutely loved the week in uni, there was loads to do & a lot of effort from the staff. The fundraising probably could've been done in 1 week & she said it dragged for 2 but they achieved loads & she did things out of her comfort zone which was good for her. It's definitely worth doing, I think it only cost us £50 & some sponsorship money. I know she'd have been sitting around doing nothing for 4 weeks if she hadn't gone & it breaks up a long summer & it gave her a focus after GCSES. She met quite a few people that she's seen again in 6th form as everyone was quite local. She was quite confident to start with but it stretched her & she gained a lot from it. I hope it's still going next year for dd2.

QOD · 09/02/2019 08:44

My dd was on local and National TV and in the papers👍🏻
Can’t tell you how much confidence she gained. She didn’t even do sleepovers before!
I had to sit and wait for the coach to leave (her instruction)so she could drop out at the last mo as she was nervous but it was so so good for her

CluedoAddict · 09/02/2019 08:55

I think it depends on the organisers. My friends Dd did it and hated it. They slept in a disused shop which wasn't set up for groups. There was one toilet/sink/shower between everyone.

The activities weren't organised properly either.

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