Tips for your child’s first residential 

 Is your child joining us for their school camping trip? Is this their first time staying away from home for an extended amount of time?

That can be a little daunting for everyone involved, but we have a few tips to help both you and your child get prepared for a successful school trip with The Bushcraft Company.

Set expectations: Help calm your child’s anxiety about the trip by setting their expectations. Let them know it’s normal to feel a little homesick or nervous, but they’re going to have a great time. If your kid does get homesick, remind them of all the fun things they’ll be doing and that you’re proud of them for trying something new. And of course, be sure to praise your kid for all their hard work and new skills they’re learning.

Make a list and pack together: School residential trips, especially ones like the outdoor residentials hosted by The Bushcraft Company, are a fantastic way for your children to gain some independence, work on their confidence and grow into themselves. However, there is a lot of preparation needed for a school trip and we know that you’ll want to ensure your child is fully prepared for their time away.

Get them ready for being out in the wild by doing small things to kickstart their independence. Go through the supplies list with them and have them pack part of their kits. Doing this together will help you know that they’ve got everything and help them to feel more involved with the whole process.

Avoid teary goodbyes: Waving your children off the on the coach is always hard, but aim to keep your goodbyes reassuring and positive! Remind that they’re about to go on an adventure and this is something to look forward to.

Avoid leaving a note in their suitcase or bag – while this is a very sweet idea and we all want to remind our children how much we love them, but this can just be a reminder of what they feel they’re missing.

Sometimes no news is good news: Don’t expect to hear from your child when they are away. We encourage your kids to be away from their phones and to focus on the time they have with their peers. Some schools might share occasional updates across their channels, and we will – of course- reach out if there are any emergencies, but if you don’t hear anything then take it as your child is having fun and getting fully immersed in the experience!

We hope these tips help you and your kid feel ready for their outdoor school trip.

Remember, this is a great opportunity for your kid to learn and grow. So have fun and enjoy the adventure!