Would you let your Year 6 child go on a school holiday abroad wihtout you?

[lisalisa]

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lisalisa, I don't think your dd would enjoy this trip too much TBH

If she is 11 and can't ride a bike or swim more than a length, I think this trip sounds too much for her

I'd listen to my instincts if \i were you

I disagree with moreJello. My dd, currently in Year 6, is disabled and there will be a lot of the activities on the adventure holiday (Isle of Wight) that she won't be able to do- but she's jolly well going! She's just going to have to work around that. At least, it would not be my job to tell her that she wouldn't enjoy it, that's up to her to decide. And she would be miserable if she had to miss out on the last bonding experience, before the class go their different ways.

Well done cory-a much more healthy attitude!
I know quite a lot of children with disabilities who have gone on that sort of holiday and had a fantastic experience. I also think that a lot of people don't understand how important it is as a bonding exercise.
How will lisalisa's DD know whether she will enjoy it or not unless she tries it! Saying it is too much and listening to instincts, is a cop out for a parent who doesn't want their DC to go in the first place.

All mine went abroad in year 6 (actually ds 2 and 3 went in year 5)

Had a wonderful time

Oh she'll be fine! I think these sort of things are very important for children to learn a bit of independance. When I was 8 I went away to Canada ski-ing with my school, did disneyland at 19 and an adventure holiday at 10. I think it really helped me 'grow up'

My dsis who is now 18 went away on a trip through Europe with her prep school at 9, staying in a hotel room with another 9 year old and an 8 year old, as the hotel had buggered up the bookings they ended up in a room on their own on a separate floor from anyone else in their party, my sister couldn't even reach the shower to turn it on (she is a midget though) and they ended up having a great time with room service!
Important lessons will be learnt but it is best to learn them when there is 3 or 4 responsible adults there than when you are backpacking across themongolian jungles on your own... (ie don't throw your backpack, inside of which is your passport, all your money and your plane ticket to another boat when you row into a fountain 'to stop it getting wet' as chances are it'll get much wetter when it doesn't make it to the other boat - not me I hasten to add!)