out & about
Kids' Trips
Day trips to museums and zoos, to the seaside or to the theatre are part of growing up and part of education. As well as their school-arranged outings, children can go on organised trips with any number of clubs and groups, particularly if they are in play schemes or day camps during the school holidays. By secondary school level, you may be contemplating sending them abroad, off camping or on sports and activity holidays for a week or more.
Why participate?
Often expense is involved and there is sometimes a risk of injury or upset, but the benefits are great. Children will:
- build confidence
- develop self-reliance
- build relationships
- learn to work/play as part of a team.
The activities they try or the shows they see are often less important than the journey and the bonding. The trips do not displace family outings, as they are a completely different experience for the child.
Preparations
If you know your child is shy or easily overwhelmed, simple preparations such as putting a kit bag and pack lunch together can instil a sense of security. Try to minimise surprises and talk your child through what is planned on the trip. For older children who seem nervous, try to ensure a good friend will be present for them to pair up with. It may be worth giving them a 'get-out' if they are away for a number of days. If they know you're prepared to fetch them home after two days if they hate it, they may relax enough to enjoy it!
Precautions
If your child is going away as part of a group, they should be familiar with children in the group and know at least one adult quite well. Joining a new club (even the Brownies) and going on a trip the next week is probably not a good idea, unless you go too.
- Are you happy with supervision levels? Government guidelines suggest one adult per 10-15 children at Years 4-6; one per 15-20 children for Year 7 and over.
- Do you know the itinerary and have contact numbers?
- How is free time supervised?
- How can your children contact you?
What about safety?
If rock-climbing, kayaking or similar is involved, it is worth phoning the centre to ask the following:
- What qualifications do the instructors have?
- Is the centre licensed by the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority? Check at www.aala.org
- Are lifejackets or buoyancy aids provided?
- How much safety instruction is given?
- What provision is made for weak swimmers?
- Can you talk to another parent whose child has been to the centre?
Children abroad
- Photocopy their passport and travel documents – keep a set for yourself and spares for them.
- Make sure they have a map of the place where they will be staying.
- Make sure they know emergency phone numbers relevant to the country, and how to ask for help in the language.
Links
- www.pgl.co.uk for adventure/activity holidays for children aged between 6 and 18 based at 23 centres around the country
- www.fsc.org.uk for camping holidays where children go native with songs and woodcrafts
- www.baha.co.uk for a list of activity holiday specialists from the British Activity Holiday Association
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