To ask your thoughts on residentials

[beckywiththeshithair20]

My ds will be going on his first school residential trip in June - by which time he'll have just turned 8. It's for two nights, an adventure type 'retreat' and it's in a town about a half hour drive away. I'm used to him being away as he spends EOW with his dad but for some reason I feel a bit uneasy about this trip. He says he wants to go but I feel like as it gets closer he might become a bit more nervous.

What are your thoughts on residential trips? Do your kids enjoy them? And what do you think is the right age for them to go? Will there be any way he can contact me as he doesn't have a phone and I don't think they're allowed to take them anyway.

I still do baby him a bit I'll admit. So just worried how he'll cope alone.

Mine only went on 1 and it was in the last year of primary school so age 11ish. 8 seems young to me

I'm a teacher who leads residential trips. Every risk assessment and safety protocol is put into place to minimize any possible risk. In all likelihood, photos will be uploaded daily to the school website, but there will be minimal contact. If a child is desperate to contact home, the teachers ring you. 8 is about right - my dd is the same age and did her first over night residential last year. She didnt miss me at all!

My boys did 1 night in year 4 and 2 nights on year 5. They have also done cub camping weekend. I am very over protective and one of my sons has a disability. I trust the teachers and leaders and they have learned so much, including independence.
He should go, half an hour isn't far if you are needed.

Mine went away for one night last year in year 3 so 7/8 year olds and is going for 2 nights this year they absolutely loved it and can’t wait for this years. There’s no electronics allowed but school do update with text messages through out the stay.

He will bloody love it. Give him all of the encouragement you can muster.

My 8yo is going on her first residential for 2 nights in about 6 weeks. I think the staff are fantastic for organising it and taking them! She is incredibly excited.

I think it's ok agewise. Our school has always done the residential in y4. She and most of her friends have been having sleepovers for a couple of years so I think she'll be fine for 2 nights.

I would expect an option for dc who didn't want to go, though.

Both my DDs went on school residential in primary though they were in their final year. They went away for a week to an activity place that was miles away. No contact was allowed while they were away as it could make the children more homesick. We did have a way of getting messages via the school if there was anything urgent though. Both DDs loved it and enjoyed being with their friends. I think I found it more difficult than they did.

It's good for them and they come back a little bit more grown up. If you baby your son then it will be especially good for him and you'll probably be surprised how well he copes. If your DS is keen then to go then speak positively about how much fun it will be. Spend the time between now and June encouraging your DS to do things for himself so that he'll find the whole experience easier.

Kids at our school have their first school residential in y3 and all have a great time.
DD2 went on beaver & cub combined camp for 2 nights just before she turned 6. She had a little wobble the first night, but thought the whole thing was amazing.
He'll love it.

Depends on your child. Mine wouldn’t be ready for it at 8, our school only does them in yr 6. 8 seems young to me.

Also depends on the school / friends! A day doing amazing adventure activities with pals at a well funded private school = not miss mum; a day traipsing round a boring museum / zoo then sharing room with arsehole classmates = badly miss mum.

Have to say I’m not really in the “just trust the teachers” camp. But then, my friend’s teacher is now in jail 🤷‍♀️

My 8 year old son with autism is going for 2 nights soon. I'm sure he will have a great time although he may not eat or sleep for the duration!

Ours start year 3. I think they are great and v important. The children gain such a lot and feel very protected by their teachers being there. Ds is not naturally independent but the residential was a great opp for him to try new things. I honestly think it's a mistake not to let them go.

I could have posted the exact same message as @Whatsername177
I'm a teacher and lead our residential for our children who are 8 when they go. It's an amazing experience for them. We listen very carefully to any routines the children have at home and include this as much as possible.
Please speak with the staff about your concerns though.

Thanks for the reassurance all. I'm sure he'll be fine and have a lovely time. He's a sensitive lad bless him and just don't like the thought of him being upset or homesick and me not being there. Safety wise I have had to learn to let go and trust in other people - his dad has taken him away on holiday with his wife and siblings before and the first time that really worried and unsettled me. Not because I don't trust him to be well looked after, just because he's far away without me. I know it sounds ridiculous lol.

My DC really enjoyed theirs in Year 2 (age 6 one night) and Year 4 (age 8 two nights). They will be able to contact you via the teacher if there are any problems, but I think they’re so excited to be away with their friends that they don’t get homesick anyway. Not much sleeping went on though!

It’s usually around year 4 here. DS is going on his first with school in a few weeks. He’s been on a PGL weekend with the cubs before now though which was also 2 nights. Eldest has been on countless overnights/weekends with girl guiding.
They’ll have risk assessed for every possible outcome, and the staff at the residential centres will be well trained in teaching the activities. Your child will have an absolute blast.

My 10 year old goes on his first residential in a few week - 6 nights away to Paris. I am nervous but only because of the really long bus journey as we are in central scotland.

School have now introduced new policy where they start residentials from primary 4 with one night staying locally and then build up. I think this is a great idea my son and his year are just unlucky that they missed it so they are a bit thrown in at deep end.

@Hockeyboysmum Scotland to Paris, oh they’ll be bored to tears! And stiff!
We went on a coach from Reading last summer and that was exhausting enough.

Dd1 went on her first last term (yr4)
Despite being used to being away at her dads she struggled (felt sick all the time - which is an anxious thing with her) and hadn't expected the others in her room to not want to sleep & be disruptive.
The staff were great & looked after all the way through, and if you ask her now she'll tell you how awesome it was!

They leave at 10pm so teachers hoping they'll sleep most of the way - rather them than me!!

I was in brownies and went away a week after a turned 7 for 2 nights with no contact to home and no photos/updates put up anywhere.
I am now a rainbow leader and in a few week we are taking 12 rainbows so they are 5 and 6 year olds away for the night.

I think it teaches kids a lot of independence to be away from parents/family for a couple of nights!

They do miss us - ds told me he cried the first night. But... he also told.ke.he had a great time and us really glad he went.

I wont let my child go for 2 nights at age 8.
I'd also have felt too young at that age.
I think yr 6 is much more appropriate

My DD is 7 and has the opportunity to do this with Brownies this year but she refused, even when I listed all of the fun things. I've known a few others go and have to be picked up because they were upset. So 8 could be a little young, but it depends on the child. I'll let her go on the residential in year 6.

Mine did it at end of year 3. Just 8.

Had a fab time. Was less worried about that one than the more recent year six trip!!

My DS is 7, and has done a few 1 nights trips with beavers. He has a two night trip coming up in July. He’s very excited!