School trips, do they make you anxious?

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There was an interesting article in The Observer today about school trips and regulation and I just wondered how everyone feels about letting their children go on trips with an element of danger, i.e walking, abseiling etc., especially given that some children have died on these trips (I know it's not a lot but still, surely any child dying as a result of a school trip is unacceptable?)

Someone said on another thread they thought trips were often an excuse for teachers to have a holiday (I think it was a teacher but I could be wrong) and I know custardo was/is irritated at the amount parents are expected to shell out for school trips. We're not quite there yet but I'm interested to hear views anyway. Where would you draw the line or have you already?

The article is here, you'll have to cut and paste since Observer links don't work because of the commas.

www.observer.co.uk/magazine/story/0,11913,967925,00.html

MABS, still in outdoor ed but in a different field - field? Ha ha, geddit?

Thanks for asking Mabs. Yes she's finally home, and she's exhausted, but seemed to have a good time. She was able to participate in most things bar the trampolining, which was good, and seemed to be with nice girls in her room, which helped. I think it's all been a bit much for her today, she burst into floods of tears in the car because she was so glad to see us! Started me going and I was doing well up til then holding them back. I think she needs to catch up on some sleep now. Oh and she's made me promise not to feed her chips ever again.