My eldest, who’s 13 and whose hobby is Facebook, begged to go on her school Latin Trip this Easter. Her Dad and I were surprised and delighted, and fondly imagined her following in our youthful backpacking footsteps around Pompeii and Herculaneum, absorbing the history of the land of her ancestors and generally having a lovely time.
I never had the chance to go on a residential school trip, as the Comprehensive I went to lacked an extra-curricular department. So when I turned up at the information evening (late, I had to stand at the back) I was gobsmacked by the Code of Conduct. Mr Head of Latin explained how the girls would be expected to behave on the trip:
There is to be no alcohol consumed by any student on the trip. (Of course there isn’t, my daughter’s 13 and has never had alcohol. Except a little champagne at New Year, but that doesn’t count because I gave it to her).
Nobody is going swimming at any point, anywhere, under any circumstance. (I can’t bear it, some child must have drowned).
Balconies are completely out of bounds. (I feel sick. Some poor child must have fallen from a balcony and been splatted).
Nobody is allowed to smoke on the trip. (Please don’t let her start smoking at 13).
Anyone dressed in short skirts or ‘hotpants’ will not be leaving the hotel, because of the unwanted attention this will attract from local men. (But Mum, are Dad’s cousins in Sicily like that?)
And so on, you get the picture. Naively, I’d had no idea of the possibilities before this enlightenment. I have since been told by contemporaries that danger, drunkenness, smoking and sexual activity featured heavily in their school trips. One friend was unlucky enough to be in Russia when Chernobyl happened and had to be checked over with a Geiger counter on her return, so really anything could happen.
But while the parents at the meeting were taking in the full potential for disaster in Italy, the girls had more important concerns. ‘Will the hotel have hairdryers in the rooms?’ asked a student. The answer was no and that they should organise themselves to share a hairdryer between 8. The girls looked at each other in amusement. Mr Head of Latin may be a great teacher, and it’s marvellous that he’s taking 40 teenage girls to Italy, but he has no idea of their grooming habits. I predict that each of them will take not only a hairdryer but probably hair straighteners as well. My hope, based on observation, is that they’ll spend so long with these and their make-up that they’ll have no time to get into trouble.
I am really sorry but I am really laughing. This is not only because of your wonderful description of the feelings all parents have before that first school trip but also because our ” babies ” are not only totally unaware but are additionally embarrased by our protective “wonderings” about what may happen and how we are going to miss them. When losing the “tossup” with my husband as to whom was going to deliver the son & heir to school , by 3.30am , for a ski trip, I was informed by the son (aged 13) if I was going to kiss him to kiss him now, in the house, as there was no way I was kissing him outside school or in close proximity to any one who knew him. We got to school he got on the coach and refused to look at me through the window or wave . I did shout BYE SWEETHEART, LOVE YOU at the top of my voice though as the coach pulled away ……. felt I had to.
Brace yourself there is the trauma of packing to come ……..Good Luck
Packing yes, am trying not to think about that.
I laughed out loud about the Latin Trip meeting. The teacher oddly missed out the ‘corridor creeping’ and snogging with the boys school in the same hotel (there is a story there). The warnings may also apply to young enthusiastic teachers attending the trip. Let us know how she gets on, if she is prepared to part with any information outside of hair-styling. It sounds like a rigorous follow on facebook would be your best bet.
There’s no chance of that, I was defriended on facebook aeons ago.
Oh dear – I can imagine your horror as all the do’s and don’ts were listed but I expect they have to cover themselves.
That’s true, but I just hadn’t expected it.
Ah the joys of the school trip abroad. My son was 13 when he had a skiing trip to Italy. He returned home having avoided balconies and swimming. He’s now 16 and off on a French exchange trip on Sunday: he’ll be taking his hairdryer and I’ll be on the gin until he returns safely!
That sounds like a good idea. I’ll definitely need something to distract me when she’s away.