To think this trip is overpriced

[grumpysquash3]

DS1 is going on a trip to Rome with school for history. So far so good. It cost nearly £600 for three nights. Less good, but sort of ok.
Now it turns out that they have stupid flight times - by this I mean having to meet at school at 2am to go; returning to school at 1.30am.
It also turns out that they have to buy a picnic every lunchtime, and the three evening meals provided are just pasta or pizza and ice cream. They are staying in some kind of hostel, six to a room. Entry to the Coliseum and the Basilica is included at least.
AIBU or is this really expensive for what they're getting?

I think it will be a really good trip, but I'm just a bit disappointed in the details.

Oh yes, I am a bit envious of the gelato :)

Hmm, grumpy, I think you are right about the residential trip. Another expedition we did with year 7s was to Portsmouth (from Norfolk). 2 looong days, one night. Coach to Portchester Castle visiting Roman fort and Castle, then on to hotel at Southsea (really nice breakfast included). Fish and chip supper and evening at the funfair. Next day to the Victory, Mary Rose and Warrior, museum. Packed lunch using bread, fruit, cheese etc purchased at supermarket the night before and assembled by willing volunteers. Late return, stopping at McDs. Yes, yes, I know, lots of junk food, but it was their end-of-year treat. Paid for coach and driver for 2 full days, 3 staff, nice rooms, full English, entry fees and meals = 100 pounds. I thought that was pretty reasonable really.

I've taken kids to PGL before and think they are an absolute bargain. We did two nights for that sort of price and the kids got 3 lunches, 2 breakfasts, 2 dinners and they feed them really well too. The activities were great and it included all the equipment and instructors. They did abseiling, rock climbing, target shooting, zip wire, two of the big jump of a pole type activities and more. We had a group leader for our group and there were instructors at each activity Each evening they had entertainment laid on for the kids pitched at the age range we had taken. I think they deliver a lot for the money.

polly
If you need a second career, you could set up an agency organising exciting school trips on a shoestring :)

grumpy I agree with you about the overpricing of PGL trips. None of mine have gone on them as they charge so much (or the trip total is so much once you factor in transport ). My dc do all those activities through scouts at a tiny fraction of the cost. Dd2 brought a letter home recently for about £300 for 2 nights. It's not going to happen, and they understand that.

Our DS did PGL last year (we arranged) and was £169 for two nights. He's off with the school this year and it's £300 for two nights....?!

Yes Busy but when you organise it I assume you drop/collect so no coach hire/insurance/staffing to supervise coaches there and back? You also aren't also paying a portion of the teachers cost.

There's two teachers, 12 kids and it's 25 minutes by minibus each way. Seems a lot more even when factoring in the teacher fee and minibus. Assume PGL have different fees for school trips....!

I'm a teacher and also run a Guide group - our Guide trips are usually half the price of school trips. But with Guides the workers at the activity centres are often volunteers as are all of the leaders taking the girls. Very often, despite giving up a lot of time for the girls, the Guide leaders are expected to make some kind of financial contribution.

For what is included I think the price is about right but you have to look at these things from the perspective of what is worth the cost from the perspective of your own family.

From my own perspective I would think 'it's Rome not Brigadoon, it will still be there when DC are old enough to pay for their own holidays'

I am not sure how much the students really get out of these types of trips. A few students do get a lot out of them but I think the majority are just along for the ride and a few days mucking about with their mates. You could stick them in a field up the road and the majority would get just as much out of it.

Actually, I wonder if that sort of trip would be the most useful. A few days spent under canvas, having to set up their own tents, look after themselves, cook, clean. Just generally have to make shift for themselves without mum and dad running around after them. A school trip doesnt have to have a lot of organised 'content' to be worthwhile.

Busy- are his school going in term time in July by any chance? That's peak time for PGL so prices are higher. Their school trip prices are also higher as they offer teacher places for free so recoup that cost from the child places.