PGL Holiday camps

[paulhollywoodshairgel]

Hi. Has anyone sent their kids to a PGL holiday camp? I've read some online reviews but I'd like to hear some opinions. Thanks 😊

All my 3 kids have been to PGL, youngest is 8 and recently went to Borreaton Park. They all loved it and had so much fun. The accommodation and food are good, but the activities are so fantastic that they barely have chance to consider whether they’re homesick! Have you got any specific questions?

Did your kids know anyone else that was going? My daughter is 13 and won't know anyone. Did you find the staff try to get the kids to mingle? That's good to hear about the food and activities.

My Ds is a young carer, which means family holidays are really quite crap. He went for the first time last year at age 9 and knowing nobody. (2 night first timer break.) He had an absolute blast and has begged to go for a week this year.

Yes. The kids love it. Activities are great & they definitely get the kids to mingle. My DS went alone. I've just booked again for this year.

I worked there a good few years ago. I assume you mean sending them there unaccompanied, rather than as part of a school trip.

When I worked there, for unaccompanied kids there was a staff member assigned to oversee the whole age group (eg 6-9 group), who handled all medical, personal information, oversaw the staff looking after the kids etc.

Then there was a small group of staff who then looked after the age group day to day to a ratio. These staff would escort the kids to and from (and stay on) all sessions, mealtimes,evening entertainemnts etc. All these activities were then run by other staff.

4 staff per age group would sleep in dorm rooms adjacent to the kids. The sites are all secure and no child is ever alone.

My kids loved spending a week away every summer at pgl. Made friends and had a great time. There’s normally ice breaker activities that go on during arrivals. It’s funny my kids would be all shy at drop off then at pick up they’d be crying their eyes out saying good bye to the staff and kids.

Not sent my dc to one but worked a one over the summer about 20 years ago. From memory all the kids loved it. The groupies, staff looking after them day today, keep them all entertained and evolved. They had activity's all day and then evening entertainment.

Thanks all this is really helpful ❤️

Hi, @paulhollywoodshairgel
Did you end up sending them to a PGL camp? I've been looking at them for a short break for my DS this summer, as he enjoyed the school residential so much.

Following as thinking of booking for DD and DS. I used to go there as a kid and absolutely loved it! Seeing as that was decades ago though, it's good to read about people's more recent experiences.

Hi. Yes I did and she absolutely loved it. She made some lovely friends and is booked to go again this year. She came back with a lot more confidence as well. I highly recommend.

Glad to hear it!
I've seen a 20% discount offered by Kids Pass, just signed up to a £1 trial, though sometimes M&S Sparks give you a temp membership for spending x amount in kids department.

Yep my 12 year old went and loved it!!

Yes my son went last summer when he was 11. He loved it and wants to go back again this summer (for longer!)

Hi just to resurrect this thread - anyone been to marchants hill? Trip adviser reviews not great

Yes, my daughter went for two nights last Easter with a friend (they were both 8) and they had a great time so we’ve booked for four nights this summer.

Thanks I was thinking of booking but put off by trip advisor comments about toilets smelling and flooding of accommodation. I know kids may not notice that but I do!!

reread my comment and thought it didn’t make sense - meant glad to hear your kids liked it as probably means reviews unfair if going again so that is good to hear

My daughter went 2 summers in a row and loved it. She would go again this year but she has another big trip planned. She went to the one in Northallerton in Yorkshire and I honestly couldn’t fault it.

My son went last year to Marchants Hill when he was 14. They made them get up really early in the morning (think 630) and didn’t give them enough food. The wi if was rubbish too.

Well you’re probably right that they wouldn’t notice bad plumbing! Early starts and poor wifi wouldn’t worry them either. Oh to be young and carefree again!