Ourwardbound expedition for dd 16?

[HappyBaking]

Hi
I'm a longtime lurker but never posted before.
My dd attends boarding school and has suffered a lot for a 16year old. Her head has recommended her for an ourwardbound expedition the skills for life award. Because dd has had bullying and is a fussy eater she is wary about going. I would like her to go as it is a good opportunity especially and it is free for her. I have to contact the charity funding her soon so would like replies soon. So I'd like some opinions on the course and how it's run

I've no up to date experience but attended an outward bound course many years ago. I have to say that it was a brilliant/life changing experience. I would try to persuade your daughter to go.

She's worried because she weekly boards misses home and really enjoys being at 'home' and doesn't want to give nearly 3 weeks up of her holiday. She is keen to do it because it has ideas about university and getting a plan in place which great for her as she needs a plan if she wants to study law

Can you persuade her that 3 weeks is not long in the grand scheme of things? I met some great people, did things I didn't think I could and gained so much self confidence

Well she has 9 weeks off but she'd get home on the Friday and leave the next day and she will have had her regular summer and will have to prepare for her gcse speaking exams

As to the bullying and fussy eating. Such an outward bound course will be very different from school, much more supervision and making demands on time and energy so that bullies won't even have time to think about it (hopefully). My DS is/was a very fussy eater but has been away on Scout camps and other activities and has never complained about the food and nor has he starved to death. It's amazing what being away from Mum and doing lots of exercise and being with other kids can do for their appetite.

I went on one of those outward bound trips, 3 weeks in the Lake District . It was brilliant, i was shy, very very fussy eater and terrified of trying most of the stuff..

The staff are great at these places, i look back on that trip with fondness and fantastic memories. I didnt get over my fussy eating, think i survived on bread and flapjacks.

Back then, part of the 3 weeks involved spending an overnight on your own in the mountains, with just a sleeping bag and a bit of plastic to make a 'tent' with. Not sure they do that anymore.