For reference I mean https://wearencs.com/
Its the live it course which is:
- Adventure skills — This could include water activities, orienteering, archery, high ropes, climbing, or bushcraft survival skills
- Financial challenge —– mortgage money matters and more
- Speak for yourself —– presentation and public speaking skills
- Giving-back — putting your new skills into practice
- First aid course
- Mental health mastery
I think it will. But I have always said I will not make him do something he really doesn't want to do.
Sorry I'm going to warble on now.
Background:
DS1 has always been an introvert. He dislikes social interaction. He doesn't really communicate with the friends that he has made in school, out of school, which means when he finishes on Friday after his GCSEs he is unlikely to ever see them again (and he isn't bothered) He doesn't really leave the house unless I take him to the cinema or send him down the shop. He has no real interests. He just plays on his pc and watches TV. Sometimes he will use the home gym we set up for him in the garage.
He has actively disliked residentials having done a few in primary and one in secondary. He has an issue with germs. (For example will only help me with the washing if he is wearing rubber gloves) and doesn't like crowds or noise. I had a strong suspicion early on that he was neuro diverse - but his head teacher disagreed with me in primary and refused to refer him (how it works here) and to be honest, he can cope with life - he just finds it a bit more challenging than some other kids. I am hoping that when he starts 6th form he will blossom a bit more (he doesn't like change - but most of the kids at 6th form will be familiar from primary school and football so it won't be too scary)
So on his last day of school (just before his exams started) he handed me a business card that they had been given about NCS courses. I asked if he wanted to do one. He said I guess so. So I signed him up. We have talked about it since and whilst not keen, he agreed it would be good to get some exercise and get out of the house. We chose the outdoor one as the other courses sounded a bit too much like it involved discussion and presentation whereas this one only has one presentation aspect. He was in agreement that it would give him something to do in the long period before 6th form starts in Sep.
Course has now been confirmed and its in 3 weeks time. He probably won't know anyone on it. I have spoken to NCS and they have been brilliant and we have identified areas where he may struggle so that they can put plans in place - they even said if he can't cope with other people then they will try to get him in his own tent as opposed to sharing with 5 others. They also said that no-one will force him to speak in front of other people if he isn't able to. I have told him all of this.
Last night at 11.30PM, he woke me up and asked me to cancel it - he is dreading it and he isn't ready. I said we'd chat tomorrow.
I had a brief talk with him this evening and he really doesn't want to go - I think the idea itself wasn't too daunting, but now he's had the confirmation email he has realised what it involves. Strangers. Crowds, and dirt.
I really think it would be beneficial for him and they sound like they will be very sensitive to his needs BUT I don't want to push him into something he will hate so I'm not sure how far I go trying to convince him. He is fretting about not getting the money back as well - I have told him not to worry about that - it wasn't a lot and its not something he needs to consider. I was so proud of him deciding that he should do the course, and whilst the about-turn doesn't really surprise me, I am not sure that insisting he do something not -in-his-nature is actually a positive thing.
any words of wisdom oh mnetters?