CGSE year holiday - is this really a thing?

[TempersFuggit]

Hi there, DD is 16 and sitting her CGSE exams this year. She assures me that all of her friends are going back-packing around Europe, and going to Reading festival, and that I am really unreasonable to say that I think she is too young?
What are your teens doing over their CGSE summer?

Leeds festival - rite of passage
European holiday - post a levels only

Leeds fest - agreed rite of passage.

As above, festivals yes. Holidays after a levels.

I'm mid 40s and did a festival (the year before GCSEs) but I didn't have the money for backpacking, and I don't think my friends would either. Everyone was saving so they could get a car at 17!
Unless they are very organised I wouldn't fight it, either they won't agree and won't go or they'll learn a lot. Can under 18s even book accommodation?

I humor my children with a trip (aged 16 and 17). They all talk about it but just don’t get it all together. Reading, yes many go. My dc haven’t because we booked long holidays instead! I prefer they were 18 when they stayed away but both have SEN.

My dc both did Reading festival. That seemed very standard. And one went to Europe with friends in year one of sixth form.

DS did go backpacking round Europe last summer after GCSEs but he went with DD who was 18. He wouldn't have been allowed to go with friends. They had to book accommodation in her name as most places wouldn't take bookings from under 18s.

Yep. Camping with mates, about a week. After A levels they went inter railing for a month, Reading festival.

I went to the reading festival after my GCSE’s

Back packing around Europe would be a hell no from me at 16.

Lots of DS’s friends went to reading after GCSEs last summer. There was a small holiday away (DS was with his dad and didn’t go) but it was definitely in this country. I think it was a Center Parcs with a couple of the mums there too (for safety and for booking - as others have said, it’s hard to book things under 18)

Thanks everyone- really good to know.

Reading Festival seems to be the thing here - is it ok for teens? I imagine loads of drugs and vulnerable young girls 😱😱😱 but am very susceptible to catastrophising (sp?)

Boardmasters festival for DD post-GCSEs and then a girly/party holiday to Spain post A levels. 16 is definitely too young for interrailing!

I took dd on holiday to Portugal after her GCSEs and we both had a lovely time.

I think it depends on the teen, my dd is quite young for her age and definitely wouldn't be ready to go off to a festival with friends at 16yo.

I'm taking my 16 year old away for a UK holiday for a couple of weeks after his exams, and then he's going away with his youth club for a week, but I wouldn't be letting him go away with friends and no adults. And personally I think 16 is too young for festivals unless you live near and are going as a day visitor.

I remember my brother wanting to go camping with a sort of friend at 16 and my mum not letting him. She didn't think they were old enough to deal with major problems that might occur and she also thought the other boy was too silly to be trusted. He ended up in jail for murder a few years later so it was probably good that she trusted her instincts.

I would be recommending and encouraging NCS instead

https://wearencs.com/what-is-ncs

I don't think hostels or hotels in Europe accept under 18s who aren't accompanied by over 18s. Even finding a proper a campsite in the UK is difficult if no-one is over 18.

I took DD to Orlando as a post GCSE/16th birthday present.

Leeds Festival day ticket and a desire for a independent break but challenging at 16 and I am not keen!

I did Glastonbury (it was cheap then!) and Spain with girlfriends after GCSEs, and that was 35 years ago.

Mine have done various holiday / festival combos post GCSEs, and so do their peers (obviously) so yeah quite normal I think

and Spain with girlfriends after GCSEs, and that was 35 years ago.

I think a group of 16 year olds would struggle to find anywhere to stay now unless there was someone over 18 with them.

My DS and a group of friends are going to Reading festival post GCSE. Apparently it's a thing now.

I don’t think anyone over the age of 16 goes to Reading anymore 😂. Another one with a DS and big group of mates going to the Festival in August 😊

DS has a volunteer job at Glastonbury and then probably a small camping trip locally with his mates. We have done festivals and camping a lot so he is pretty savvy and practical. So a bit of freedom and quite a bit of responsibility too.

Lots of youth hostels are fine with 16 y o (including YHA), though sometimes you have to have guardian info on the booking.

For apartments, air bnb don’t allow it but lots of private rentals do, long as they have parent / guardian details. We’ve never lost a deposit yet..