Any experiences of PGL holidays?

JodyBPM

My children aged 8 & 9 went last year and loved it. They're boy/girl, so weren't sharing a room or anything and both easilymade friends. They're not sporty at all, but still loved all the activities.

foolofbeans

My DD went to one a couple of years ago when she was 12 and she loved it. She was a little nervous but shared a room with 2 other girls and she enjoyed it.
DD misbehaved and they contacted me and were reassuring but said they had to let me know the situation. I was really impressed with the way they handled it all.
They do have an introduction service so your child can contact another child who will be going alone and you can specify who you would like to share with.
A top MSE tip is to request a brochure now. Once you're on the mailing list you will get sent discount offers so a trip will be cheaper

onlyroz

Well it's done - he's booked into Marchant's Hill for May half term. I showed him some of the pictures on the website and he seemed pretty enthusiastic about it all.

Seanymph

My kids have been to Marchant's Hill - and about 6 others! And DoIt4Real!

They used to go twice a year (I was a working mum!).

When mine started they could go younger than they can now - and they both went from about 6 years old...

The staff are geared to everyone not being left out, and my girls are STILL friends (on facebook admittedly) with kids they met years and years ago on these camps.

I have a real recollection of arriving at their second or third camp early (I was always the first parent there in the morning to collect) - and standing by a gate to a courtyard and my eldest wandered out of one building with toast said 'morning mum' and wandered into another building.

no 'I've missed you' no 'oh mum you've been gone a week' just hi and off. I stood there about another hour before they arrived with cases - not only was I first parent there to collect invariably I was last one leaving as the girls all hugged and sobbed and boys stood about shuffling feet and swapping contact details.

When he arrives they all get into a room and watch a video and play games - they are allocated rooms but not beds - so being early helps because you get to choose your bunk.

Send no clothes you want back - truly - charity shops are your friend. Comfy hiking boots are a must, make him wear them before he goes for hikes. Send spare shoes too - trainers etc.

he will not be allowed his phone to get hold of you, so don't worry if you don't hear from him, I can tell you from experience they WILL call if they are poorly.

I always stay nearby the first night, and let them know I will be - I got an emergency call on one trip to drop in whatever the equivalent of loom bands was at the time, they were long strings and my kids had taken a couple of packets and ALL the kids had done it so they had run out!

As teenagers they had done everything from shooting, fencing, quad biking, caveing, orienteering, raft building, theme park attendance, high ropes, abseiling, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, sailing (one can do a dry capsize and is very proud!) ....... you name it they had had a go at it. It makes for very balanced kids who are at home in most situations and work well in teams.

By the third camp they start bumping into staff and kids they know - huge hugs and 'OMG I remember you!' as you arrive.

He will love it - mine never came across a child who didn't, or met anyone who went home. They have taken friends, step siblings, and to a child they have had a ball.

I cannot recommend them enough - the down side is that the journey home is invariably filled with 'There was a crazy moose' at full volume - and in the case of camps further away from home sometimes in a strange accent, but that wears off...

If you wait to book when there are two you get discount vouchers for the second child.

He will have a ball.

cazziebo

My DDs both went to PGL separately on their own. Loved it. DD2 is more bookish than sporty and she got involved in everything. Their only complaint was the food. (Which for a week is not a big issue)