Do you remember the feeling of your first school trip away from home? The adventure, the excitement, the freedom! Our mission is to ensure that all children feel this way as they embark on their first overnight school trip.
It’s perfectly natural to have some concerns if your child is attending their first school trip away from home. Believe us! But we’re here to help alleviate any worries you may have. In this blog, we’ll go over steps you can take to help support and prepare your children for their first trips away from home, as well as offering tips and tricks to support them before, during and after their trip to make the entire experience as positive as it can be, helping them to look forward to their next adventure!
Why are school trips important?
A school trip is often one of the more memorable times for a child’s school experience, and for a good reason! Whilst it feels like a fun break for the classroom for them, each school trip away from home helps build on underlying skills, packed with opportunities for personal growth, development and learning beyond the textbook.
Children who attend school trips away from home can benefit from:
- Boosts physical and mental well-being
When having a blast with outdoor activities like climbing, canoeing or hiking, not only keeps children entertained but also helps with their physical and mental well-being too. Keeping active not only encourages movement, but it can reduce stress and help children reconnect with nature, all of which supports their overall health!
- Encourages new skills
Whether it’s learning to work in a team, solve complex challenges under time pressures or simply trying something completely new! A weekend away from home is the perfect way to build confidence in new skills that they perhaps wouldn’t find at home or in the classroom. Building on their resilience, confidence and practical life skills is essential for their development.
- Strengthens friendships and social confidence
Spending time away from home in a new environment helps children bond with classmates differently. Sometimes, they can show a different side to their personality when away from the classroom or without the pressures or stresses of concentrating in class, they can focus more on building stronger friendships and better communication skills.
- Build independence and self-belief.f
From making their own bed to navigating new experiences like challenging activities or adapting to new environments, school trips give children the chance to step outside their comfort zone, make decisions, and grow in confidence.
Ways to prepare your child for their school trip
Feeling a mix of excitement and nerves is completely normal for both children and parents! Preparing your child ahead of time can make all the difference in helping them feel confident, capable, and ready for the adventure.
Here are a few simple but effective ways to support them in the run-up to their trip:
Start positive conversations
Begin talking about the trip early on, framing it as an exciting adventure rather than something to worry about. Ask what they’re most looking forward to, maybe it’s trying a new activity, spending time with friends, or simply sleeping in a bunk bed!
You could also share your own happy memories from school trips, even if it was years ago. Hearing that you felt nervous too, but had a great time, can be really reassuring. Keep the tone upbeat and curious, and encourage them to ask questions.
Communicate with the school beforehand
The first port of call for your child’s first school trip away from home usually comes from the school that your child attends. Details of the school residential trip will be sent out to parents in the form of an email or letter by the school, usually with plenty of time to plan ahead. Generally, this should contain details about the venue, dates and cost of the trip.
We advise you to ask the teacher organising the trip any questions you may have in order to provide that initial peace of mind. It can be a little daunting if your child has never stayed on an overnight school trip before, and we fully understand that as a parent, you want to ensure everything is in place to ensure your child’s safety.
We work closely with schools and teachers, and they’re always keen to liaise with us to answer any questions parents have. So, just pass your query on to your teacher and they’ll be able to help.
Acknowledge any nerves
It’s completely normal for children to feel a little anxious about being away from home, especially if it’s for the first time. Instead of brushing off their concerns with a quick “you’ll be fine,” give them the space to talk about how they’re feeling.
Let them know that feeling nervous is totally okay, and that lots of other children will feel the same. Try to explore what’s worrying them, is it sleeping somewhere new? Not knowing what the food will be like? Remind them that teachers and trip leaders are there to support them, and talk through what they can do if they start to feel unsettled while they’re away.
Build prior independence
One of the biggest benefits of a school trip is helping children become more independent, but that doesn’t have to start on the day they leave. In the lead-up to the trip, give your child opportunities to practise small acts of independence at home.
Encourage them to pack their own bag (with your help), choose their clothes for the day, or manage simple routines like brushing their teeth without reminders. These little confidence boosters can go a long way in helping them feel capable and prepared.
Talk through common scenarios
Helping your child mentally prepare for different situations can make them feel more in control and less likely to panic if something unexpected happens. Try role-playing some ‘what if’ scenarios:
- What if I feel homesick?
- What if I forget something?
- What if I find an activity difficult or a bit scary?
- What if I don’t know where I’m meant to be?
Talk about what they could do in each situation, like speaking to a teacher, asking a friend for help, or taking a few deep breaths. The goal isn’t to overwhelm them but to help them feel more resilient and ready to handle challenges.
Health and Safety considerations for their first trip away from home
When your child is heading off on a school trip, it’s natural to have questions about how their safety and wellbeing will be looked after. The good news is that reputable trip providers, like PGL, make health and safety a top priority, with clear procedures and experienced staff in place to ensure every child is supported, supervised and safe.
Here’s what you can expect behind the scenes:
Trained and experienced staff
All activities are led by fully qualified instructors who are trained in first aid, safeguarding and risk management. They know how to work with children of all ages and are used to supporting young people through new and sometimes challenging experiences.
Teachers and school staff will also be on hand throughout the trip to provide additional supervision, reassurance and support.
Safe staff-to-child ratios
To make sure every child gets the attention and care they need, appropriate staff-to-child ratios are maintained at all times. These ratios vary depending on the activity and age group, but they’re carefully planned to ensure a safe, structured environment throughout the day and night.
In-depth risk assessments
Every activity and location is assessed in advance for potential risks. This means checking the safety of equipment, reviewing emergency procedures, and putting preventative measures in place before children even arrive.
Even the most adventurous activities are carefully planned and supervised to balance fun with safety.
Medical support and additional needs
Whether your child has asthma, allergies, dietary requirements or another health condition, clear procedures are in place to make sure their individual needs are met. Medication can be securely stored and administered by trained staff or leaders, and meals can be tailored to suit specific diets such as vegetarian, gluten-free or dairy intolerances.
If your child has any additional physical, emotional or behavioural needs, the school can work with you in advance to ensure they’re supported every step of the way.
A collaborative approach
If there’s anything you’re unsure about, don’t hesitate to speak to your child’s teacher. Open communication means staff can plan ahead, ease any worries, and give you peace of mind knowing your child is in good hands.
Health and safety may happen behind the scenes, but it’s at the heart of every school trip, giving children the freedom to explore, try new things, and build confidence in a safe, supported environment.
Helping Your Child Reflect After Their School Trip
The adventure might be over, but the benefits don’t stop once your child is back home. Taking time to reflect on the experience can help them process what they’ve learned, celebrate their achievements, and build confidence for future adventures.
Here are a few gentle ways to encourage reflection:
Ask open-ended questions
Rather than a quick “Did you have fun?”, try asking more open-ended questions to spark conversation and help your child really think about their experience. For example:
- What did you enjoy most?
- Was there anything that surprised you?
- Did you try something new or step outside your comfort zone?
- Did you face any tricky moments? How did you handle them?
These kinds of questions encourage your child to pause, think, and share their personal highlights and challenges.
Celebrate their growth
If they overcame a fear, made a new friend, or managed being away from home for the first time, make sure to acknowledge and celebrate that. Even small achievements, like remembering to pack everything or trying a new food, are worth recognising.
Your encouragement can help boost their self-esteem and reinforce the personal growth that happened while they were away.
Keep the memories alive
Look through any photos they brought back, or help them create a scrapbook or journal entry about their trip. These keepsakes not only help preserve the memories, but also give your child a chance to express themselves creatively and reflect in their own way.
Talk about what’s next
If the trip went well, it can open the door to future experiences — whether it’s a sleepover with friends, a holiday camp, or another school trip down the line. Let your child know how proud you are, and talk about what they might like to try next.
Reflection is a powerful part of the learning journey. By giving your child the time and space to talk about their experiences, you’re helping them build emotional awareness, self-confidence, and a sense of achievement that will last long after the trip ends.
Frequently asked questions about children’s first school trips away from home
We understand there are often a range of questions that come with your child going on their first school trip away from home. Here are some of the common questions we hear at PGL, and how we tackle them!
What will my child be getting up to during their stay?
Expect a mix of exciting activities that encourage teamwork, confidence, and fun – from climbing and canoeing to campfires and evening games. The exact itinerary will vary based on the location and length of the trip, and the type of programme the school has chosen.
Can I contact my child during their stay?
Typically, direct contact with children is limited during residential trips to help them fully engage. Rest assured that staff will get in touch if anything important comes up, and you’ll usually receive updates from the school.
Does PGL provide a safe learning environment?
Yes. PGL centres are purpose-built for school groups, with trained instructors, strict safety procedures, and a supportive environment tailored to young people.
What happens if my child gets homesick?
This is more common than you might think, and leaders are well prepared. They’ll offer reassurance, distractions, and gentle encouragement. Most children bounce back quickly once they’re back into the swing of activities.
Will my child be grouped with their friends?
Schools often take friendship groups into account when allocating rooms and activity teams. If your child is worried, it’s worth checking with their teacher in advance.
Let’s get started today!
Our residential school trips offer children an action-packed adventure with unique group activities and constant entertainment. They’re simply fantastic for developing teamwork skills, building new friendships and supporting learning outcomes while, more importantly, having a whale of a time!
For those special first steps into residential trips, we’ve created our PIONEER programme with extra care. It’s expertly designed to gently introduce children to being away from home, offering fun and engaging activities that thoughtfully nurture their growing independence, build their confidence step-by-step, and even help them uncover exciting new interests! PIONEER provides the reassuring time and dedicated support they need to comfortably develop and blossom during this significant milestone.
At PGL, we have an expansive range of trips, locations and activities to enjoy, so get in touch today to discuss your next school trip, whether you’re in need of residentials for primary schools or secondary school trips. We have everything you need and more to make a memorable educational and fun trip.
