School trip and my baby

[coulditbeme2323]

Kids school offer some really cool school trips.

School have organized a school trip to ski/snowboard this November in Whistler Canada which is about 80 miles from Vancouver.

Ok sounds great, but it's for my boy in year 6.

AIBU or is it too young?

He really wants to go, his brother has been, and Husband thinks he should go.

So am totally prepared to be told he isn't a baby and IABU.

I don’t think so. This kind of trip would be for S2 or 3 and above, so over 14 year olds in Scotland. My daughter wouldn’t be able to go for other reasons but there is no world where I think this is an appropriate trip for 10/11 year olds.

I think year 6 is too young.

He will be year 7, I was being incredibly dumb!

It's November!

Agree, age 16+ for a trip outside Europe. If there is a medical emergency it's hard to get to them quickly if such a long way away, but by 16 they are able to make some medical decisions for themselves.

My girls have been doing residentials since age of 5, so I'm not super overprotective, but I don't feel is fair to put the pressure of medical decisions on to school staff. My daughter age 10 was invited on a week long trip abroad (Holland) with scouts and it was a no from us, week long uk yes, abroad no.

My year 5 child (9) has just been to Italy skiing

There is also the option I could go, which In know would be very uncool - but I think I might.

Year 7 is different and I would imagine the school have plenty of experience running the trip.

If he wants to go and you are lucky enough to be able to afford it - go for it.

What wonderful memories for him x

I have just said to him "what if Mummy comes as one of the helpers?"

I expected him to say no way, but he said he would like it!

Looks like i'm going!

From the title, I thought this was going to be a thread about the OP needing to take her baby with her on a school trip where she was a member of staff!

I don’t know to be honest. It’s a heck of a distance to travel. It’s not that I’d be worried about anything bad happening, just that it’s really, really far!

As you've realised, yes, you are being unreasonable but partially as you've muddled up dates/year groups presumably as he's not changing school due to it being a private school.

I hope your son has fun on the trip.

It’s very far away for a child to go without parents in my opinion. I think it’s a bit mad . I don’t live in the uk I’m in Ireland but I’ve never heard of kids going on an overnight trip even within the country here . At that age they just go for day trips . I’d be wary . I wouldn’t wish that trip upon any teacher either .

I think it's something only you can decide, as there are so many variables. How many other kids are likely to go? Will your child be teased/ostracised for not going? What's the teacher:child ratio and where will they all be staying? How independent and sensible is your child? What are the other kids like who are going (ie. if there'd been an issue with bullying, I wouldn't send my kid off for a holiday, alone, with the bullies)?

🤣🤣🤣😁😁😘

He'll be fine. My DS went to Japan for ten days in Y7 - he was the only Y7 who went and he looked so tiny in the group photos, but the staff organising the trip ran preparation/basic language sessions beforehand and introduced him to the Y8 boys, and he was basically adopted by the older girls 😂He had an amazing time and still talks about it now at 19. He would have banned me from going on pain of death, but it's lovely that your DS wants you to go along.

I understand how you feel op. Ignore the posters who tell you to stop being soft. My dd who is year 8 is travelling this summer. This trip will involve lots of activities and many when they will be alone and they will be independently navigating countries, cities, airports and activities. Including water activities and sailing pretty much independently ! Age range from 12 to 14. I am absolutely terrified and sick with it. But she’s going and I don’t let it show how it’s making me feel. I was very independent at that age. Often being left alone in other countries while my parents were off doing their own thing. I would feel exactly as you do. No matter how old that’s our baby. I worry how far she will be and how I would get there quickly if anything happens. I can’t imagine waiting for a flight in those circumstances. To top it off my dd can’t have her phone, even to use maps.
we just have to suck it up and worry in private

I work in an independent and have taken as young as Year 4 abroad. They are so busy they don’t have time to think about home or missing anyone. Some might have a few years at bedtime but by that point they’re so knackered they fall asleep as soon as they lie down. The experience is fab for them and the memories last a lifetime,

My school took regular ski trips to America. They went to New Hampshire at Easter, where there was still a good amount of snow, but it was cheaper. There was skiing and snowboarding. We brought back everyone we took, in one piece.

My DH is Irish (ROI) he did several residential trips from age 9/10 onwards, although they were all within Ireland apart from a geography field trip to Teide when around 17.

I’ve never heard of them happening in primary school. Commonplace in secondary went to France myself in secondary

I don’t think you’re being unreasonable. Mine are a bit older now but long haul and skiing would be a double whammy for me and I’d have struggled with it. Mine have all been on any school residentials/trips they’ve wanted but we didn’t have anything outside of Europe offered before Year 11.

My youngest went to Germany for a week at the end of year 6 (3 months off being 12 years old) and although he had the time of his life, I was very relieved to get him back as it felt he was just that bit too young, a bit too far away, for a bit too long! 😁

Loads of people are different and have different views but I wouldn't like it.

You’ve had loads of advice re: your OP question so I’ll just mention this.

Whistler in November is notoriously marginal as far as ski conditions go. I’m assuming the trip is late November, as the mountain doesn’t open until then. Even then, it’s usually only above mid mountain that’s open and not very much of it. Is your son a good skier? Early season isn’t optimal for beginners and I was surprised to see the school chose November as when they would go. There has been the rare occasion when conditions have been phenomenal then, but that was once, maybe twice in the past 13 years.

I still think he would have a fabulous time, but I just wanted to point out that the snow conditions may not be what you’re expecting so early in the season.

Is it me or have school trips ( unless this is a private /public school) have become ludicrous.
Canada ? How many holidays ( sorry ) abroad school trips does the average school teacher go on every year ?
As to the question of whether he is too young, I would listen to the Canadian poster, who thinks he is.

I think school ski trips are over indulgent and my kids won't be going. Especially not to West Canada!