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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Residential school trips - what age would you think is okay for this?

55 replies

shouldbeironing · 24/04/2009 18:24

How young would you let your DC go away on a supervised residential trip with school/Scouts or another reputable child-friendly group which the child knows well?
Does your answer vary if:
a. less than 5 nights
b. 5 nights or more
c. to another country (France)?

Would be interested in actual experiences as well as views on this. Specifically interested in primary age.

Thank you.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

katiestar · 25/04/2009 17:31

Nowadays I don't think Beavers or Brownies will let under 8s do a residential > 24 hours without a parent

Whizzz · 25/04/2009 17:44

DS went on an overnight trip with school whilst in Year 2. It was only local - yes I worried but he loved it!
However I think that age is too young to go for any longer as they just can't manage to look after themselves clothes-wise etc for any longer.
I think he has to wait until Year 4 for the next residential trip

piscesmoon · 25/04/2009 18:47

Beavers don't camp without a parent.

LadyGlencoraPalliser · 25/04/2009 21:26

Not true about Brownies having to be eight to go on a residential. Any Brownie can go on a pack holiday - what is the point of being a Brownie if you can't join in all the activities.

mumtolawyer · 25/04/2009 22:02

Not a school trip (not offered yet!) but my DD went to residential summer camp for 6 nights when she was 6.5 - I chewed my nails to the elbows but when I called she couldn't wait to get off the phone. 5 mins after I collected her she wanted to go back. This summer she'll go twice!
My view - depends on the child. One like my DD - confident, sociable and completely unclingy, even at 6.5, fine. One who isn't so, maybe not.

fluffles · 25/04/2009 22:05

i have worked with brownies and guides for a while...

i'd say almost all girls are ok at brownie camp for a weekend from 7yrs, some are a little homesick but it's very rare to have a girl who doesn't enjoy the weekend overall.

i personally wouldn't take brownies away for a week, guides yes, so that's 10yrs for a week away.

also wouldn't take brownies out of the country but have taken guides.

piscesmoon · 25/04/2009 22:21

Brownies equate to Cubs who camp. Rainbows equate to Beavers who don't camp.

LadyGlencoraPalliser · 25/04/2009 22:31

I am a Brownie and Rainbow guider and although we haven't taken our Rainbows on an overnight yet (it's a fairly new unit), we could if we wanted to (and if they wanted to come of course) as long as we were suitably qualified. I'm surprised that Beavers don't do overnights - or do you just mean they don't do outdoor camps.

TheFallenMadonna · 25/04/2009 22:38

Beavers do do overnights. DS has been on one. Not in a tent, but in a scout hut.

piscesmoon · 25/04/2009 22:51

If Beavers go in a tent they have to have a parent with them. I was a Beaver leader.

seeker · 26/04/2009 00:46

My ds did an overnight as a Beaver when he as a month short of 6 - should I report TicTac to someone?

(I don't mean that!)

CompareTheMeerkat · 26/04/2009 00:50

At DS's school there is a trip to France for year 4 children. Don't know any more about it as he is in reception, but I would imagine him being all right then.

SuperBunny · 26/04/2009 00:52

I used to take Y5 children on a 5 day/ 4 night residential trip (caving, gill scrambling, abseiling, walking, climbing etc) to a neighbouring county. I would not have wanted to take them further away or for any longer.

CompareTheMeerkat · 26/04/2009 00:53

He goes to a lower school which goes up to year 4

UndertheBoredwalk · 26/04/2009 02:51

DD's school had a residential trip for yr6's for five days in N. Wales. (we're in the NW so not too far away)
I went to same place for residential trips when I was at school, but I first went in Yr3.
I can't imagine that (she's yr3 now) I would probably be ok with a night away atm but no more than that.

seeker · 26/04/2009 08:15

If a child wants to go and if you're happy witht he arrangements, then why would you not let your child go? As I said, I have one who couldn't do nights away until year 6, and even then had to use all her nerve and courage to make herself go, and another who cheerfully stayed away from home with anyone from 2! It depends entirely on what the child wants to do, IMHO.

Original poster

shouldbeironing · 26/04/2009 12:40

Hi well I do appreciate all the replies and am feeling a bit reassured that I am not totally crazy to be considering this (one RL mother was horrified when I mentioned it).

DS is keen to go, is pretty independent/capable etc unlike my DD who I would not imagine being up for such a trip. My main concern though is that we havent really tested the waters so to speak with any shorter trips to make sure he is okay and France is such a long way and it being a week is a long time if there are problems.

I think what I will do tomorrow is find out more details about who else is going out of his closer friends in that group, exactly how many adults there will be who he really knows and how many of the younger ones there will be etc and talk to the organiser and see how reassured I feel about it all.

Thanks again for all the input though.

OP posts:

Clary · 26/04/2009 23:40

piscesmoon my DS1 went on at least 2 overnights as a Beaver with no parent there (or not his anyway).

They were literally overnight - ie 3pm to 10am type. He was 6 and 7. It wasn't that long ago as he is only 9 now.

I was fine with it btw; one is planned for DD (7) for this summer too. Do I need to report Malak? (joking)

piscesmoon · 27/04/2009 09:48

The rules are quite clear-Beavers can't camp in a tent without a parent. They can go away overnight but it has to be indoors and within easy reach for parents.
see Scout association website

I have been talking about camping from the start-not sure if that is what you mean.

I wouldn't break the rules as a leader because of the insurence implications.

piscesmoon · 27/04/2009 09:50

sorry Insurance

seeker · 27/04/2009 09:57

Sorry - misunderstood. We have huts and we call it camping. The littles go in the, the bigger ones are under canvas. TicTac is safe!

piscesmoon · 27/04/2009 11:35

It is the reason that I like the Scout Association-they do adventurous type things in a controlled way. Starting for 24 hrs indoors in a place where parents can retrieve their DC if they want to go home seems sensible. As a Beaver Leader I couldn't run a sleepover without a permit and I could only get a permit by doing a course.

LadyGlencoraPalliser · 27/04/2009 11:52

I think there was a bit of cross-purposes here Piscesmoon, most people were talking about overnights, rather than proper camping in tents.
Just to clarify, Rainbows don't do tent camping either but they DO do overnights.
Guiders need an indoor licence for overnights and a seperate licence for outdoor camping.

seeker · 27/04/2009 11:56

What's your Beaver name, Pisces? We have TicTac, Keho, Bubbles and Rainbow!

seeker · 27/04/2009 11:57

Oh, sorry, tactless question. Forgot that that would identify you.

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