Help with packing for DD's trip to Devon.

[vonnyh]

Hi, my DD (10) is going to Devon for a week in 2 weeks time with the school. I'm really, really bad at packing at the best of times, but this trip is causing me even more stress, probably because it's her first long trip away without me. Anyway, could you lovely ladies help me with a list of what I should pack for her? My main worry is I'll pack all the essentials, i.e toothbrush, washbag, underwear, and forget to pack stuff that she should have "just in case". Thanks in advance.

Is it a PGL trip? My DD2 went last summer and had a ball! She also did a residential in December with senior school and the requirement were pretty much the same once you factored in seasonal differences.

At this time of year the weather can do anything and what she needs will also be affected by the activities she is likely to do. If it is wet or if she is doing water activities then a fair few changes of clothes will be needed. My DD was told not to bring denim as it takes forever to dry.

She went with about 6 pairs of tracksuit bottoms (I bought navy blue basic ones from ASDA at £3 a pair. I think they were in the boys section but they did the job) plus a mixture of short and long sleeved t-shirts and hoodies.
A waterproof jacket.
Lots of socks and pants and two pairs of PJs.
She also needed a couple of towels (one bath and one hand towel) and a sleeping bag and pillows.
The centre also recommended two pair of trainers in case one got wet.
All of the above to be packed into one bag if possible! I also popped in a couple of bin bags - one for dirty/wet clothes and one for the sleeping bag and pillow for the return journey in case she couldn't roll it up and get it back into the cover.

Specialist equipment like walking boots, waterproofs and even wellies were provided by the centre.

I would recommend asking her school if the residential centre has provided them with a kit list just in case they have asked for things like swimming costumes that you may not automatically pack in March!

Thank you angelpanster. Your reply has really helped me a lot! Yes it's a PGL trip. She's really looking forward to it. Did your DD take slippers and a dressing gown? And what toiletries if any, did she take?

She did take slippers but not a dressing gown - she used a hoody to cover up when going backwards and forwards to the bathroom.

As far as toiletries were concerned I bought mini size from the supermarket travel section to cut down on the amount of stuff in her washbag. I bought shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste, showergel and deodorant. She took her normal toothbrush. I think they were encouraged to shower every day but she only washed her hair every other day as it's quite long and takes a while to dry even with a hairdryer and I'm not sure the centre provided one.

Definitely check with the school about sleeping bags and pillows.

Thanks again!

ARe you sure the school hasn't given out a list of requirements? Ours does (dd goes this summer, so have experience of previous years).
Probably the most important thing to remember with PGL is nothing precious - eg no favourite hoody as it'll never get clean again! There'll be a lot of mud!

And maybe underpack toiltries - most children have to be frogmarched into the showers, but once a week seems to be enough! And shower gel instead of soap + shampoo might be easier to manage.

will they have an end-of-week disco? she might need a new change of clothes for that. Again, the school should be able to tell you.