Trip abroad without parents

[ninjaturtle5]

My son is 9 (year 4) and plays tennis. His tennis coach is organising a trip to Spain, to a Spanish tennis Academy. There will be two coaches attending with the kids (no parents). Would you let your child go at this age? He would love to go, but I think 9 is a bit too young?

No way, what's the reason that parents can't accompany?

Parents could go I guess, but the trip is including accomodation, tennis lessons, meals, flights, etc considering that the coaches are going with the kids. Perhaps we could all go as a family and my son could do the lessons with them…

I think it sounds great. My kids go to a football camp every year. They've been going to it since they were about 7. We drop them off on Sunday afternoon and pick them up the following Friday
They have a blast. It's pretty standard where I live for kids to go somewhere for a week in them summer without parents.

What’s the adult to child ratio? How many are going? Have they been doing this trip for some time? All male?

There will be 2 coaches (both male) and minimum they need 6 kids for the trip to go ahead, but I don’t know how many will sign up. Most of the kids are boys but there are also some girls in the tennis classes. The trip is open to the performance squad only and my son is one of the youngest; there is another 9 years old (his mum said she would sign him up) but the rest are older (teenagers)

This the first time they are doing this trip (although not totally sure) as my son has only joined this group a few months ago

What is it that worries you particularly? I don't mean that in a snarky way I know how things can get twisted here. Presumably you've known these coaches for a while so no safety concerns?

The coaches are very nice, not concerned about them. The concern is to do with him getting hurt/ill/lost… and me not being there to help him, not knowing where he is, what he is doing, if he is ok… but I also don’t want to be overprotective and I want him to have this experiences… I just wanted to ask for opinions on whether 9 is too young for this or not

I think the fact that the other kids are teenagers would make it a no for me - if they were all 9 then it would at least be more likely to be more controlled but with a bunch of teenagers school trips can end with stuff that’s not suitable for a 9 year old.

Yes, this is a very good point actually that I was just discussing with my husband

What is the purpose of going to spain? This would influence my decision. If they were going to get something over and above what could be provided in the UK then I'd be more willing. Could he go with the team but you go for a holiday in the area so you are a bit closer than the UK? We've had this for school trips occasionally where a young person has a medical condition. No contact with the parents unless there is a problem.

Hmmm the majority of others being teenagers and him only 9, that would be part that would make me say no. He’ll likely hear things you won’t want him to, and possibly feel uncomfortable trying to fit in with them.

I don't think I would let him this time.

Reasons:

It's the first time they're running the trip so they haven't ironed out any issues yet.

The other kids are teenagers so he's inevitably going to be exposed to some age inappropriate conversation/activity.

I think it's too far for a first trip away from home. I'd want him to be within driving distance for a first away trip.

He's only been at the club a few months so he doesn't know anyone THAT well.

I'd tell him that if he keeps up his tennis and works hard he can go next year.

the objective is to give the players a professional training experience, according to the coach. We could perhaps travel as a family, with my son joining for the training sessions

No

I don't think it's to young and I think he would have a wonderful experience. It is a leap of faith the 1st time they go away without you. My kids camp isn't in a different country but we have to drive 3 hrs and then take a ferry. I would say it's the best week of their lives every summer.

It isn’t too young to go but I agree with others that ideally you’d work up to it.

so for example if you’ve tried sleepovers at friends and he hasn’t coped and has had to come home in the middle of the night then he’s not ready.

if he does sleepovers and has done stuff like cub camp or PGL for a few days in this country and has had no problems I’d be more ok with it.

I agree with others - 9 year old with older teenagers would be a no for me. They are likely to hear/see things that 9 year olds shouldn't. Are the coaches going to put in a routine for the younger two? Bedtime etc? Will they be sharing bedrooms with teenagers? Also if you've only known them
Coaches a couple of months - this would again worry me. As a mum I would also worry about the things you are ill/lost/homesick etc If he's ready for trips away definitely start with UK ones where you can drive and pick him up! I teach Y5 and for their first residential we go 40 mins down the road so parents are on hand if I need them!

Absolutely not, sorry, it sounds very red flaggy to me! I would be happy for him to attend, but I would travel with him and facilitate his attendance and share accommodation that I paid for myself. I think it would be fine in Y6 (at that age they start having long residentials, mine went to France for 6 days). But Y4 is too young. Especially for an out of school activity where safeguarding and risk assessment will not be as robust.

Er, no??