Teenager (18yo) and 1 week summer intensive course

Spendless

Last year my daughter gained a place at a prestigious 'company' (not sure how else to describe it, without risking identification).  She was 16 when she applied and 17 when she was accepted onto their Junior program. Usually you then do a 2 week day/residential  which makes you a member and then you remain one until you reach the upper he age limit (mid 20s) so long as you pay your yearly subs. However due to covid this turned into a 1 week  online course with a promise to make up when they could. This time has come and daughter has been offered a 1 week residential course next month in London. However, between then and now she's turned 18, so it's the adult course she's been offered. This  will be a wonderful experience for her to do. Due to the 'default' of why she's been offered this she is likely to be the youngest there, so possibly not anyone else in the same boat (eg another girl isn't eligible to go on it as her 18thbirthday is late August after the course has finished) Though she might be legally an adult, she's lacking in life experience outside of our household and will be her first time catering for herself.

She will be in Uni halls for a week, own bedroom and shared kitchen. As there's no parking outside, DH has said that he thinks what he'll need to do is drive and park as close as he can get (we live 100s of miles away) then tube it in, with the equipment she needs (eg bedding and pots, pans etc which she's been told she'll need to take. In addition she needs to have food with her. So dried and tinned food is going to be best but I'm wondering if I can send some fridge stuff down transporting with ice blocks.

The days will be long and exhausting, so food needs to be kept as simple and as easy as possible. And the place the course takes place is a walk away from the halls. In addition she is required to take a covid test every morning prior to leaving the halls and a selfie showing the result, otherwise she'll not be allowed on the course each day. So I've got some ideas of what she can do for breakfast (whilst getting ready & taking test) lunch needs to be taken with her and evening meal when she gets back.

Daughter is vegetarian and far more of a 'meat substitute' eater than a whole foods one eg eats a Linda McCartney burger over a lentil stew.

Any ideas? 

Islandmaid

Tbh I’d go for something like a Hello Fresh box, I know they are pricy, but for a week, they are quick, simple and pretty healthy and when you think of all the little bit you’d have to buy, whole packets of this and that, it would would out cost effective - I think the minimum you can buy is 3 meals to serve 2 per week, but that would see her out for the week 👍

Sky_

At age 18 I'd have sent my vegetarian son with packet noodle 'meals', nuts and dried fruit, a few veg (such as carrots for carrot sticks if she likes those) and cheddar cheese.  Also  possibly breadsticks, apples and hummus/dips if they can buy those near to the accommodation.  My DS is a pretty good cook, but in that situation he'd have wanted only super-simple, no cook and filling snack-type meals.

For lunches I'd send crackers which would also go with the cheese etc.

I haven't looked for years, but you used to be able to get very dried vegan/veggie burger and nutroast packet mixes, that you just rehydrate and fry or roast.

Do you know if she is able to buy fresh bread/rolls nearby, as that could be easier for lunches?

An advantage of sending lightweight/easy food is that minimal pots and pans are needed, plus there is little 'fresh food' to be used up if she is invited to group meals, takeaways etc.

It sounds like a great opportunity and I hope she has a brilliant time!

 

tooldle

The ‘halls’ must surely have some provision for drop and go, otherwise how does anyone get moved in. Some of the halls i’ve visited over the years provide luggage trolleys to help students shift their possessions from the drop off point. Definitely worth exploring this a little further. Maybe your daughter could enquire as to what catering might be available in the building where her course will be held, and if the halls themselves have any provision? Where there are students in residence there is money to be made.  Not money saving, but might be simpler to buy lunches onsite if available, and then she has only to either take snacks for the week or, pick something up on her way in or out each day. 
Are you absolutely certain meals or at least some meals are not included? 

Spendless

Thanks for the suggestions. Never used Hello fresh, but will look into it. I like the crackers/cheese etc lunch ideas.

Well I've wondered exactly the same thing @tooldle but I'm reading from the info pack and it says (in bold) 'There is no car parking available. If you know you will be arriving/collecting by car there's a limited amount of on street parking. We recommend looking into this before you travel by visiting <London borough's website>  

No canteen or cafe at all in the building the course takes place. Again this is mentioned in the info pack which says they ';recommend fetching lunch each day as there are only small local shops close to the venue with the main high street 10 mins walk away, so make sure you come prepared for the day'. .

I need to check out the distance walk between halls and venue.  

Daughter needs to take into account the daily morning requirement to take a covid test and grt evidence of the result. This info only came through as a requirement recently which admits it's over and above any legal requirements, so she needs to be really organised (not always her forte!) to have this done, get herself ready and take food with her. I agree it would be a lot easier if she could eat on-site t  (which is what she'd have if she was on the Junior program because it would be catered for, probably at a different venue) but it's different for those on the adult course as they need to sort out their own meals.

maman

I live in a university city and while there isn't parking outside many halls, drop off is allowed. I'd check that out. Hope she has a great time. ☺️

GaleSF63

The reference to car parking is probably mainly for those people who will be driving themselves and expecting to park their car for the week. "A limited amount of on-street parking" suggests it's not prohibited just competitive and as Tooldle says how would anyone be able to move in - and there must be deliveries as well. 

C_J

I'd second all the comments about there being drop-off parking available. When my parents drove me to Uni (circa one million years ago) there was no parking near my city centre student accommodation, but we were able to unload the car right outside and then my parents drove off in search of a car park while I carted everything in. Maybe phone the organisers and ask? Or a least have a look at it on Google street view, which may also answer the question about what other food shops/convenience stores are nearby.

I hope she has fun!  As she will be the youngest there, I'm sure one of the other adults will take her under their wing and make sure she's okay for the week.

CRANKY40

Will she eat ready meals? There will usually be a microwave if it's uni halls and if she's going to be tired a ping meal would probably be easiest. No pans etc needed, just a coolbag with them in. It's only for a week so maybe a couple of pizzas too - they're easy enough and not expensive. 

Floss

Can I suggest that you & your daughter look at a good online map of the area, and do satellite & Streetview, to locate the nearest mini supermarket to both halls & the course venue. Then your daughter can plan to shop for lunch on her way in & supper on her way home. 

Also, for one week I would suggest cereal bars for breakfast with a yogurt & individual cartons of juice, sandwich / wrap, fruit & drink for lunch and ready meal / salad & fruit for her evening meal. The breakfast components, fruit and tea / coffee can be brought from a home supermarket. She is only there for 1 week so half a kitchen will not be needed, it will be like camping in a proper building & bed.

FairyPrincessk

I think this sounds like such a wonderful opportunity!  Most Unis (especially those in London) have small supermarkets nearby and cater to the student population with everything from meal deals to easy to prep food. I'd have a quick scout on google maps. Given she won't want to move a full kitchen, I'd suggest coming up with a simple meal plan beforehand with her so you can plan what utensils she needs.  The easiest and least prep would be cereal or toast for breakfast (most halls have toasters but not all), fruit, a sandwich for lunch with veggies like carrot batons and a ready meal for tea.  Bear in mind she may want to do what the others are doing for lunch or go out for a meal with them in the evening, so I'd build some flexibility into the meal plan.

If she was a bit braver, student classics like beans on toast, jacket potato with tuna, cheese or beans (made in the microwave) or tinned soup and a sandwich wouldn't require much beyond a tin opener (if you can't find all ring pull tins), sharp knife, bowl plate etc.  Cous cous can be made in a bowl with a kettle and boiling water and won't need to be drained etc. I'd go for the pre-flavoured pouches to avoid needing to mix up stock or have spices.  In this case I'd think in terms of food groups--a bag of carrot batons, some apples, bananas or similar, a bag of frozen peas (can cook in the microwave) for F&V, a loaf of bread, potatoes and couscous for carbohydrates, tins of tuna, babybel cheese and beans for protein, and a few treats thrown in.

That said, if it were me, I'd find space for a small saucepan a colander, spatula, slotted spoon and a small non-stick pan (big enough to hold a toastie). She could then expand to include pasta and sauce, stuffed pasta and pesto, eggs cooked all ways, toasties or even very ambitious bits if she were so inclined.

Don't forget tea bags, mug, milk if needed (an obvious thing to get from a small local supermarket), salt and pepper, butter or oil as appropriate, washing up liquid, sponge or brush, tea towel, and a few treats. Treats she can share can help if she's in a hall with others. Being able to pass around biscuits or similar can work as an ice breaker, particularly if she feels intimidated being one of the youngest.