Packing for a PGL School Residential Trip: Tips for Year 6 Parents

**Collaborative post**

It seems that I was only yesterday announcing my pregnancy with Harry on this blog and then his birth announcement; however, it wasn’t yesterday, but over 11 years ago – a fact I am struggling to believe, and now I am packing for a PGL school residential trip!

Now I am preparing for Harry to leave primary school in July and for him to move up to secondary school. He has just completed his SATs along with all the other year 6 children and school from here on in is mainly filled with fun activities. His year 6 residential trip is the one he is most excited and nervous about.

As a parent, the thought of your child heading off on their first school residential trip can be a mixture of excitement and nerves. Harry is in year 6, and his upcoming four-day adventure to PGL’s Bawdsey Manor is just around the corner. Located on the picturesque Suffolk coast, Bawdsey Manor promises a range of thrilling activities, from abseiling to kayaking. It’s the perfect spot for them to explore and build independence. However, packing for such an event can feel overwhelming, especially when it’s your child’s first trip away without their parents.

Here is a handy guide to help you ensure your child is well-prepared for their PGL residential trip:

Packing for a PGL School Residential Trip – Tips for Year 6 Parents

Essential Clothing

• Comfortable Clothing:
  Pack plenty of comfortable clothes that can get dirty/wet. Think t-shirts, jumpers, and joggers/shorts. Layering is key as the British weather can be unpredictable.
• Waterproof Jacket and Trousers:
  Outdoor activities will go on regardless of the weather. A good waterproof jacket and trousers are essential to keep them dry and happy.
• Footwear:
  Send them with sturdy trainers for daily activities and waterproof shoes/old shoes for muddy/water adventures (we have water shoes that the kids wear for their Scout’s water activities and on the beach). Also, pack an extra pair of trainers/shoes in case one gets wet and to ensure they have something dry to wear in the evenings.
• Nightwear:
  Pyjamas or nightdresses (2 pairs ideally) that are comfortable. Don’t forget their favourite teddy or comfort item if they need it!
• Underwear and Socks:
  Pack more than you think they’ll need. Wet and muddy activities can mean multiple changes a day.
• Swimwear:
  There will be water-based activities, so a swimsuit is a must, although we have been advised that arms will HAVE to be covered for some of the activities, so long-sleeved tops/long-sleeved sunsuits should be included in their cases.
• Evening wear:
  Check to see if they will need a smart set of clothing for a last-night disco

Activity Gear

• Old Clothes:
  Activities like abseiling, climbing, and kayaking can be messy. The best clothes are old, durable ones that you don’t mind getting ruined.
• Sun Protection:
  Even if it’s not sunny, pack a hat and sunglasses. Sunscreen is also important to protect their skin during outdoor activities – roll-on sunscreen is perfect for children to apply themselves. You may also want to protect their lips with lip balms. 
• Warm Layers:
  Fleece or thermal layers for cooler evenings and early mornings.

Personal Items

• Toiletries:
  A toiletry bag with essentials such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, shower gel, and a special soap for kids may help ensure they actually use it (but let’s be realistic – they probably won’t even open their washbags for the whole time!) shampoo, and any personal hygiene items, although aerosols are NOT allowed. Make sure they’re all in travel-size bottles to cut down the space taken up in their cases.
  Hair ties for long hair.
• Towels x 2:
  One for the shower and one for activities like swimming or water sports.
• Water Bottle:
  Staying hydrated is crucial, especially with all the physical activity.
• Daypack:
  A small backpack for daily use to carry water, snacks, and any personal items needed throughout the day.

Miscellaneous

• Plastic Bags:
  For dirty laundry. These make unpacking so much easier when they return home and help to keep wet/dirty clothes away from their clean clothes.
• Notebook and Pen:
  Encouraging them to jot down their experiences can be a fun way for them to remember their trip.
• Pocket Money:
  A small amount for the tuck shop or any souvenirs. Check with the school on recommended amounts, the website shows prices of items so this can help you plan in advance. Prices start from 40p and it has been suggested that £10-20 is a good amount to send your child with. This will have to be cash or a pre-paid card.
• Medication:
  Any medication your child takes regularly or may need – Prescription items will need to be in their original boxes with a pharmacy label on with your child’s name – i.e. asthma inhalers will need to be in their original boxes with the pharmacy label on to show they have been prescribed for your child (just as you would have to do when leaving these items at school for your child). Other items, such as Hayfever tablets or travel sickness medication, which hasn’t been prescribed by a doctor but is needed for your child, will need to be labelled and given to the teaching team to hold onto.
• Glasses/Sunglasses:
  If needed to be worn – Harry wears glasses for reading and screen use, so I probably won’t pack his as they will be doing outdoor activities, but if your child needs them all the time, then you should pack them.
  For Summer trips you may want to pack cool sunglasses for the little one, or not so little in this case but ensuring they have a pair which are comfortable and they are happy to wear will mean they are more likely to do so, and protecting their eyes in the sun is a must.
• Snacks:
  Although 3 meals a day are provided for the time the children are away, they will all want to have “Midnight snacks” – please do make sure you DO NOT send them with any Nut products and be vary of any allergies, check with the school first!

Things NOT to Pack

• Phones/electrical devices
• Computer games
• Food items containing nuts
• Jewellery/valuables
• Aerosols

Tips for Parents

• Label Everything:
  Every single item, from socks to their toothbrush, should be labelled with their name. It significantly reduces the chance of lost items.
• Involve Your Child:
  Let them help with the packing. It helps them know what they have with them and builds excitement for the trip.
• Pack Light but Smart:
  Aim for a balance – enough to cover all activities and weather conditions but not so much that they can’t carry their own bag. You do not want to send them with a family-sized suitcase as space on the coach will be limited, but you also want to ensure the bag/case is big enough for them to locate the items they need daily without having to dump everything out to find a towel at the bottom of the bag.
• Comfort Items:
  A small reminder of home, like a favourite book or a small toy, can comfort children who might get homesick.

Sending Harry off to Bawdsey Manor is a significant milestone in his journey towards independence. With a well-packed bag, he will be ready to embrace all the fun and learning experiences that await him. Hopefully, his nerves will subside before he goes, or at the very least, he will be so busy and tired once there that he will forget his nervousness and worries about being away from home.