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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want DC to go on a two night outward bounds trip with infant school?

84 replies

badtasteflump · 07/11/2012 10:07

Not there yet, it will be in the next school year when the children are 6.

It's a two night/three day trip, about 30 miles from home to an outward bounds centre where they will be doing activities such as canoeing, climbing and orienteering.

When I first heard about it my first thought was that my DC would not be happy being away that long at 6 - having only spend one night away at a time, and then always to a family members' house. But now I've heard what the activities are, I'm quite Shock. Am I being precious or is six a bit young for that kind of trip?

OP posts:
pigletmania · 07/11/2012 10:08

That is a bit young IMO, I wouldn't till tey are older, 2 nights is a long time for a 6 year old to be away for that time

valiumredhead · 07/11/2012 10:08

I wouldn't have been happy either at that age, neither would ds.

WorraLiberty · 07/11/2012 10:09

That is quite young for an overnighter.

Are you absolutely sure they'll be canoeing? My DS's Infant school used to do a trip like this (not overnight) but they never did the water activities.

SlightlySuperiorPeasant · 07/11/2012 10:09

YABU, they will love it! You have a year to get them used to spending the odd night away - could you practice with GPs or have sleepovers with friends who will also be going?

seeker · 07/11/2012 10:11

Wow- it does seem a bit much for 6! Presumably it's a special programme designed for the little ones?

Or, (sorry) it's not possible that you've got the wrong end of the stick and it's year 6 who are doing this?

pigletmania · 07/11/2012 10:11

Those activities are too old for young children, more appropriate for 9/10 year old, they have to have a good level of understanding and safety awareness, a lot of 6 year olds will not, some will but not all, tey are too young

pigletmania · 07/11/2012 10:12

It's 2 nights away

littleducks · 07/11/2012 10:12

Im surprised about this, I'm not sure I would want my 6 yr old to go. I wouldn't want my kids to go canoeing until I was convinced they were confident swimmers, dd is six, she has lessons and I encourage it but she still can't swim properly.

DD has done a version of orienteering and goes horse riding with holiday club, which I wasn't concerned about.

Original poster
badtasteflump · 07/11/2012 10:12

Apparently they do take part in canoeing but in a way that is 'appropriate to their age' - ie in specially adapted canoes with very close hands on supervision'. TBH it's the thought of two nights away that worries me just as much as the water activities - just seems too long to me Sad

OP posts:
McKayz · 07/11/2012 10:14

My DS1 is 6 next year and he would absolutely love it. But it depends on the child.

WorraLiberty · 07/11/2012 10:14

My DS's Junior school do 3/4 nights away at one of those places but not til years 5 and 6.

seeker · 07/11/2012 10:15

I wouldn't have a problem with two nights away- (although my dd would have done- she was 13 before she enjoyed staying away from home!). I just think the activities sound a bit full on and daunting.

But if your child wants to go, then let them.

Justforlaughs · 07/11/2012 10:15

Sounds like a misprint or misunderstanding to me, tbh. Most schools offer this type of trip in YEAR 6, not age 6, check it out. I wouldn't be sending my six year old, but in year 6 it's great. I'd also be surprised if teh school would do this at age 6 as the ratios of adult/ child and the safety assessments would be far too high.

littlemisspumpkin · 07/11/2012 10:16

There is no way I would let me son go away for 2 nights with school and he is in year 2 (6 years old) it's just too young I think yes I know I'm a spoilsport

In our school they go away in year 5 which I think is much more sensible!

Original poster
badtasteflump · 07/11/2012 10:20

TBH I'm reassured by the fact that so many of you are disputing it could even be happening when children are 6 - that makes me feel slightly less like I'm over-worrying Smile.

The local junior school does similar trips to the same centre in year 6 - my older DS took part a couple of years ago when he was in that year (age 11) and he loved it. But the infant school is a separate school and they are definitely organising the trip for the year 2 children (I may have mislead slightly with the ages - I realise some of the year 2 children will be 7 by then, but my DC will be 6 still). So it is definitely year 2. Apparently the trip has been running for a few years now (it wasn't when my older DC was at the school) and is 'very popular' Confused.

OP posts:
pourmeanotherglass · 07/11/2012 10:22

Sounds a bit young,

My girls both did something similar with brownies (PGL weekend), and absolutely loved it, but they were both 7 (nearly 8) the first time they went.

Mrsjay · 07/11/2012 10:26

sounds really young for little children it is usually year 6 and primary 7 that they go on these trips that is fine my dds went in Primary 7 loved it but at 6 no I dont think I would be happy

freddiefrog · 07/11/2012 10:27

Our school did a trip like this last year.

All classes except reception and year 1 went and length of time/activities were tailored for their ages.

DD1 (year 5 at the time) did 3 nights
DD2 (year 2 at the time - she was still 6, she's an August baby) did 1 night.

They did canoeing and kayaking, abseiling, etc.

DD1 went out in lasers or single canoes, DD2 did kayaking in 2 man kayaks with an adult in with her

I didn't think DD2 would want to do it or be happy being away over night but she loved every minute of it

Justforlaughs · 07/11/2012 10:30

How much will that cost? For the extra teachers/ supervisors needed for children of that age it will be extortionate! I'd like to think we could afford to pay for it but there's no way.

Mrsjay · 07/11/2012 10:32

Thinking about it dd2 went away with the brownies at 8 not that much different from a 6 year old is it confused now? you could always say no

Theas18 · 07/11/2012 11:03

See how he feels next year when all his friends are going. It'll probably be fine.

Even when mine were young (eldest is 19 now) they went away 2 nights to malvern (30mins away) early in year 3 so not so very different to what your school do.

It was great. OK no canoeing but hill walking in the rain, c to stand on the watershed line at the top of the malverns to talk about watersheds and have their pic taken , Goodrich castle etc

Teddies went too. THe staff were used to it. No problems (even my friends SN lad was eventually allowed to go by her and had a brilliant time- at that point she was worried he couldn't even dress without help etc- (of course he did- he did it for PE every week!) and even he came back with most of his clothes!

Asinine · 07/11/2012 11:07

We had this in y2. At least half the parents opted out, some because they were too young and many because it cost £110 for one night away. I'm sure you can say no when it happens.

MrsCantSayAnything · 07/11/2012 11:12

YANBU. It's too small. My DD is going away next term and she will be 8...I think THAT is too young. But she wants too and I know that she'll be ok probably..but 6?? No point at all.

MrsCantSayAnything · 07/11/2012 11:13

MrsJay there's a HUGE difference between an 8 year old and a 6 year old. Massive.

lilolilmanchester · 07/11/2012 11:15

My DCs both love outward bound trips in juniors - but i also feel 6 is too young - particularly for a two night stay. Has the school done this before and how did it work?