Teen adventure holidays, PGL type…

[OneOfTheGrundys]

… looks as though we won’t get away again this year due to husband’s ongoing chemo.
I’m thinking of booking 15yo DS1 onto a week’s adventure holiday residential type thing so he gets to travel a bit and do various adrenaliney things in spite of his dad’s illness.
He’d like something adventurous and physical, loved surfing, coasteering etc last holidays. Will be up for climbing, bouldering, you get the picture.
Any recommendations? We’re in the SE but will travel for drop off/pick up.
TIA xx

I would urge caution. They had their licenses suspended last year for several camps in 2021, check Ofsted and press for details. We previously used PGL for holidays, but our last experience about 4 years ago ended badly (long story involving child experiencing a head injury whilst in their care, A&E, and me being reported to Social Services…)

No experience yet with the outward bound trust, but we’re looking into this for our DD14. Sounds good:
www.outwardbound.org.uk/

The Outward Bound Trust

I'd also recommend the Outward Bound Trust. I've done several courses at their Ullswater site (as a Uni student, then taking groups of kids as a teacher) and all were amazing. So much better than PGL etc.

At OB they take the kids on proper adventures - eg
Canoe across lake with kit, rock climb, then wildcamp, powerboat back in morning then go gorge walking. Every course has been different and tailored to the individuals in the group. Instructors have been universally excellent.

I have also done PGL as a teacher and would never go there again. It was dire - from poorly trained/hungover staff, awful food and 2 minutes activity/90 minutes hanging around per 'activity'

Grants/bursaries also available for OB to help with cost

Camp Beaumont? Mine used to love it.