International Trips?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's better to take your kid to a foreign country on your own.

It's not the same for the kid.

We've taken our kids to Asia and Europe, and we are a close family. But it's not the same as going with friends.

My kids appreciate the trips we go on but they said it would be more fun with friends , and i agree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These EF trips seem like a huge liability for MCpS once their employees are leading and advertising them inside their buildings. None of the field trips rules apply during breaks so the teachers skirt a lot of the rules

These trips have been going on for years. I don't remember any lawsuits LOL

Really grow up

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP's negging the trips on the basis that it's overpriced for what mom wants are missing the point. These trips are for the kids to travel with their friends and not be dragged around by mom.

Yeah… I don’t like getting ripped off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's better to take your kid to a foreign country on your own.

They would rather go with friends. My daughter has gone on two (one in middle school and one in high school). She loved both trips. When she goes out of the country with us, it’s like we’re torturing her. I was the same way. I missed my friends when we took family trips.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's better to take your kid to a foreign country on your own.

They would rather go with friends. My daughter has gone on two (one in middle school and one in high school). She loved both trips. When she goes out of the country with us, it’s like we’re torturing her. I was the same way. I missed my friends when we took family trips.

My kids would rather go with family, because the experience is not the same - usually the food and lodgings aren't super nice on these trips (it's how they save), and the activities are banal. For my kids and I, it's not at all what we'd rather do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't school sponsor's travel costs get paid if they get enough students to go, or something like that?

Yes, these companies pay the teacher's travel costs (as well as the cost of the teacher's family members) depending on how many full-paying students the teacher managed to register. The cost is higher than what it would cost for a person making the trip independently and the accommodations and food is very, very basic (clean, safe - yes).

[Anonymous]

Those trips are crazy expensive. My kid came back from an info session talking about how he could go visit Bolivia for the bargain price of 5000$ for one week. But I guess people pony up similar money for 1 week of high end sleepaway camp in the USA so there must be a market for that…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't school sponsor's travel costs get paid if they get enough students to go, or something like that?

Yes. It’s a free vacation for the teachers who go.

I don’t think chaperoning teens in a foreign country is an easy free vacation!!

It’s not and most teachers aren’t interested.

[Anonymous]

Can absolutely confirm!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's better to take your kid to a foreign country on your own.

It's not the same for the kid.

We've taken our kids to Asia and Europe, and we are a close family. But it's not the same as going with friends.

My kids appreciate the trips we go on but they said it would be more fun with friends , and i agree.

For most families, they cannot afford it and its uncomfortable when teachers push these trips. And, they shouldn't push them via MCPS as its not MCPS sponsored so if something happens parents may think MCPS will step in and they will not. Just bring a friend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Those trips are crazy expensive. My kid came back from an info session talking about how he could go visit Bolivia for the bargain price of 5000$ for one week. But I guess people pony up similar money for 1 week of high end sleepaway camp in the USA so there must be a market for that…

Our sleep away camps are $800-1K for a week. And, what's gross is the kids aren't going first class and they are four to a room sharing beds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP's negging the trips on the basis that it's overpriced for what mom wants are missing the point. These trips are for the kids to travel with their friends and not be dragged around by mom.

Correct. But I suspect the thrifty, helicopter mom-types will never be able to grasp the value of that anyway.

Those of us would prefer to put the money toward college while you demand financial aid. We get the value of trips but the value isn't there. Kids can do many things with their friends here for that price. For that price, we can go as a family and bring a friend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's better to take your kid to a foreign country on your own.

They would rather go with friends. My daughter has gone on two (one in middle school and one in high school). She loved both trips. When she goes out of the country with us, it’s like we’re torturing her. I was the same way. I missed my friends when we took family trips.

That's unfortunate your kids don't enjoy traveling with you. Try making it more interesting and fun for them.

[Anonymous]

So weird that a few posters are actually pushing these trips. You need to check your privilege: that of being able to afford getting ripped off.

As for kids desperate to travel without you, hmm. Well, parenting fail on your part, I guess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
So weird that a few posters are actually pushing these trips. You need to check your privilege: that of being able to afford getting ripped off.

As for kids desperate to travel without you, hmm. Well, parenting fail on your part, I guess.

They want a break from their kids...