{"id":9155,"date":"2023-06-25T22:48:03","date_gmt":"2023-06-25T22:48:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theparentsocial.com\/?p=9155"},"modified":"2023-09-07T09:39:04","modified_gmt":"2023-09-07T09:39:04","slug":"pgl-the-first-school-residential","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theparentsocial.com\/pgl-the-first-school-residential\/","title":{"rendered":"PGL – The first school residential"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

My eldest daughter still raves about her time at PGL over three years ago. This week it was the turn of my 11-year-old twins to head off on a five-day adventure away from home; their first residential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is PGL?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are many PGL venues up and down the country (my daughters went to Liddington<\/a>). They are outdoor adventure holiday centres where children take part in a great programme of fun, physical activities designed to challenge them. Whilst they are encouraged to push themselves and achieve as much as possible, it’s ‘challenge by choice’ and no child is ever forced to take part. There are also Family Adventures<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

PGL takes its name from the initials of Peter Gordon Lawrence, the man who started the company 60 years ago. However, it’s more ‘affectionately’ known by children to stand for Parents Get Lost! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What PGL promotes <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Like with any residential trip, PGL is all about fostering independence. This was my twins’ first time away from home on their own. Whilst we talked through some of the decisions they’d need to make when there and I’d guided, ultimately they would make the final call (and from a few of the photos I’ve seen, advice on suitable clothing for particular activities was ignored!). The whole ethos is about giving it a go, challenging yourself, working together, supporting and encouraging each other and of course having fun. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whilst my two took a few favourite items of clothing for evenings, this was never going to be a fashion parade and their usual preoccupation about their wardrobe was left at the door. They actually ended up wearing older clothes in the evenings as they were still doing outdoor activities like sitting around the campfire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preparing for PGL <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

PGL is all about getting stuck in. It’s outdoors, it’s physical and children will get wet as there are water-based activities (and there’s always the strong possibility of wet weather). With this in mind they need plenty of clothes that are comfy, don’t restrict movement and dry easily. Our school recommended packing enough clothes for seven days despite them only being there for four nights. Crucially, whatever the weather they need long sleeves and long bottoms to protect them when doing certain activities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They take their own pillows and sleeping bags. It’s the UK, so suncream, wet weather gear and warm clothes can be required across the seasons! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Refreshingly no phones or electronic devices are allowed. My two love their phones and would cheerfully spend as many hours on them as possible. However, amazingly, they didn’t bat an eyelid at the news that they couldn’t take them. The prospect of adventuring and having fun with their friends threw iPhones<\/a> out the window. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The activities <\/h2>\n\n\n\n