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Another aspect that I've just remembered is that in order to be ready for the physical challenge that we would undergo in a year's time we did regular fitness training including doing the police fitness test at our local police head quarters which I failed and at the end we went to our local fire station and did their fitness test. World challenge also organised a long weekend on dartmoor hiking, navigating, first aid and camping in the most abysmal weather I've ever camped in and this is part of the total cost. So there was a lot more to it than a 4 week trip. It was our way of life and our goal to work towards for a year beforehand. I do understand it was a privilege not everyone could afford but that exists in all aspects of life and like others have said if some can't afford it that is a lesson to do well at school and earn so you can afford it later in life.
Mentioned this to my wife who is a teacher. She said they also have a Malawi trip but it's around 1k...
Not a chance in hell would I entertain that sort of cost.
As for charities and the black hole they are - I have no compunction or guilt charging them for any work we do.
I've seen first hand just how much money is wasted on salaries, CEO's, events, etc - so no, I don't feel guilty when the money hits the company bank account.
Why is this still going after hebdencyclist's comment? I thought Edukator's comment was a follow up but I was wrong.
At an interview a kid could talk about his trip to Malawi to help people and how he raised money or about how great he is on XBox.....
People could use help in many places, including locally, you don't need to be going to Malawi in order to raise money. If you want to do stuff to help with interviews there are infinite options.
Thats true km79 but which would you have rather done as a 16 year old?
The deposit is due 8th December, 275 quid just for that. It's causing a world of shit at home. I've resolutely said it's not happening but mrs ws has said let's see what she can raise between now and then. She's not even got a part time job ffs!
I think your communication with your wife is the issue biggest here!!
If you're going to spend that much money on your kid, ask them what they'd prefer. The trip, or half the money for whatever they want (e.g. new bike), and the rest to a suitable charity locally.
OP my daughter did two 5 week long World Challenge trips one to Bolivia and one to Mongolia. Each cost about £3k and she raised most of the money herself - it took nearly a year. She did a 6 month gap year trip and raised all of that herself by working as a dental nurse for 5 months. £4k for a "school trip" to be funded/guaranteed by parents is totally ridiculous. I would agree that you should not enter a contractual arrangement to pay that. If your daughter commits to raise the money when it's due in installments that's a different issue. If she falls short then the money is lost/deposit forfitted.
EDIT: in my daughters experience the "doing good" part is a bit of a sham, a few days painting a school ... £4k trip is a life experience not really helping local population, you'd help them more making a £500 donation to the correct charity
[url= http://https://www.bunac.org/uk/work-abroad/summer-camp/summer-camp-exchange-usa/costs-and-inclusions ]BUNAC USA Summer Camp jobs[/url]
Not sure if this is suitable , but is by far and away better value.
Be good to do between A levels and Uni. A nice incentive / reward / carrot
I guess its aimed at outdoorsy types , but I didnt go so unsure
Some of the costs schools charge and then parents pay baffles me.
I'm a scout leader and if we charged parents £80-90 for a long weekend at PGL we would have complaints and moaning left right and centre, the school charges £200 and the parents think it's value for money.
Organising your own trip keeps the cost down, went to Romania last year with a group of kids charged £650 for two weeks, we arranged it all ourselves, met another group out there from East Anglia who had gone via a company and paid just over £1000 a head.
Next year we're off to Poland two weeks for £850, the budget is tight but we are organising fundraisers if the kids want to take part if up to them.
£4170.
That's 4170 English pounds Stirling.
The national average wage is what? £27k? For a school to think that's acceptable for an average family to pay is bonkers.
Teen1 had a month away with a similar group, Camps International. Pupils are expected to raise funds for the trip, and that is part of the experience. He spent his 18th birthday snorkelling off the Galápagos Islands, but also dug the foundations for a school and other menial tasks. It wasn't cheap, but it was value for money. The teachers worked hard for that month, but they did buy him a beer o celebrate! As for the UCAS points, well none of his party bothered to write their journey up. It did give him something to talk about though at interviews.
Teen2 will do the same in Peru, but because they run three year cycles, it will be his 17th birthday instead.