[i-candi]

DS is going to a new high school next year (year 8, second year of high school). There is a German trip that he can go on.

I can't go to the information night due to DD's dance concert on the same night unfortunately. Growing up I never had the opportunity to go overseas with school and I've always said I would like my kids to experience it.

What age do you think is appropriate? Also the year 8 kids that go will have already had one year of German lessons whereas DS hasn't had any lessons. I intend for him to start studying in the holidays to try to learn basic german.

Does anyone know the approximate cost, is in around $3K, $5K, $8K ? I've got no idea.

I'll contact the school and ask them to send me info.

What are your experiences?

[madmother]

Our school does this, but I am not keen until my two are Years 9 and 10 at least. Too young in my opinion (and of course, knowing my own kids).

And too far away if anything goes wrong.

[Cheryl_v]

I think it really depends on the child. My oldest child went on school camps (locally) from Year 4 and he would happily have gone overseas for a school camp in Year 8 this year if it had been offered. When he went interstate for camp in Year 7 he had a great time, I missed him more than he missed us. My second son on the other hand had his first school camp this year in Year 6 and freaked out majorly the day before he left because he doesn't cope well with change so I wouldn't think he would do well with an extended period at a distance from home in Year 8.

[Mumma3]

Our school has an O/S trip at the end of year 9 which is pretty much part of the curriculum (focus is community input - eg building school, houses etc, and interacting with local communities; and environmental input eg rainforests in Borneo). I personally think that that is pretty young, and when DD did it, at 15 1/2, it was a huge experience.
Language trips are optional for year 10 and up at our school, and are extra to the curriculum. Even though our kids all do a second language, it is not something we can afford for them to do. When DD expressed interest in a trip for the language she studies, we told her that she could go - if she paid for it herself. She is much keener to save her money for a gap year trip to Europe, so that is what she chose.
While I think these trips are great for language immersion, and cultural appreciation, they are not critical. We have hosted Japanese students for a few weeks at at time, and can see how much they increase their language skills in that time, but I still don't know that the $$$ are justified.

[howdo]

I think it depends on the child. DD1 would be fine to go on a school trip OS in Year 8 in 2014 - she will be 13.5 starting Year 8 and is very self sufficient and capable (however much she chooses not to exercise these qualities in regards to showing me the floor of her bedroom).

I probably wouldn't send DD2 at the same point because she'll be only just 13 going into year 8 and is a lot more timid and uncertain.

However DD2 might surprise me by the time she is actually in Year 8.

Generally speaking however I would be cool with an OS school sponsored and supported trip by High School - which is Year 8 here in SA.

[SnazzySass]

I went with the school when I was 12. I was fine and had a ball.

[Jack's Mummy]

I went overseas with my primary school in grade 6 to Japan for three weeks I think. Then a week in Bali on the way home.

It was an amazing experience and one I don't regret. However the primary school had fundraisers all the time and all up I believe it only cost my parents around 1k. This was 15 years ago though.

If can afford it and your ds wants to go then I would do it. My only issue was that I was very homesick and I would have thought another couple of years would have helped a lot with this.

[Unatheowl]

Hi, I dont know about now, but I was in Year 10 when we went on our school trip to Italy. I think I was way too young even then TBH. I was totally disinterested in learning anything. I cant imagine taking kids as young as year 8.

[i-candi]

Thanks everyone

DS can very mature one way but also suffers from anxiety and depression. I think would welcome being away from us for 3 weeks. I went away recently and DS loved it and DH is away constantly so being away from family is normal for us (also all our family live on the other side of Australia so being on our own is the 'norm').

As for money, I actually have a holiday saving that I'm more than happy to use on DS. I just went OS for a short break and fixed my need for a holiday. Plus I'm starting a new job next year so I'll only be able to have holidays in the school holidays and I hate travelling then.

I think if it's under 5K I'd jump at the experience. It might help DS grow. I'm actually excited for him ! lol Think of all the study I can get him to do dangling the trip over his head lol.

DS loves history so I'm sure he would learn a whole lot from the trip. DS actually wants us to go to England and France on our next holiday just to go to all the historic points of interest (plus Warhammer in London!!!).

[DarylDixonismyhe...]

Gah, lost my post!

Hopefully this one works.

My eldest DD went in year 7 to China. The experience was amazing. From memory it was under $3k and we were there 10 days.

That same DD is going to Kenya next year, she'll be year 10. The cost of that trip is $2600




This post has been edited by pukeko~ponga~tree: 24/11/2012, 10:33 PM