School Residential trips – the hidden cost to families

Our School Days project continues to be a significant part of our work at Stripey Stork, and we often hear examples of how the true cost of going to school is impacting children who are in families facing hardship.  One request we are seeing more and more often is support for children to go on school trips.

School residential trips are a rite of passage for many students, a chance to break free from the routine of classroom learning and bond with classmates in a new setting. Whether it’s a trip to a local campsite, a historical city, or even abroad, these trips have a way of creating lasting memories that students cherish for years to come.

Many of us will have memories of the fun and excitement of our school residential trips – the thrill of sleeping away from home for the first time, the excitement of exploring a new place, and the laughs shared with friends during late-night chats. It’s an important developmental experience for children, and we believe all children in school should be able to take part along with their peers.

Some of the benefits to the child of a learning adventure away from the classroom include;

• Forging new friendships and making lasting memories while building teamworking skills
• Developing independence and build confidence. For many children this will be one of the first times they have slept away from home, and they will learn how to look after themselves in new ways.
• Improve relationships. Away from the classroom children can see their teachers in a new light.
• Increase motivation. A more interactive environment is an excellent way to engage students who find academic work challenging.

It’s no wonder that almost every child is eager to go on the trip, but for some families, the expenses can be overwhelming and put these valuable learning experiences out of reach. At Stripey Stork we believe that no child should have to miss out on their education because of financial constraints. As well as potentially missing out on the fun of the trip, children not able to participate often feel the stigma of standing out among their peers, and worrying that people will know why they couldn’t take part, and this has a knock-on effect on their confidence at school. Although the school can sometimes assist with the trip fees, some families will struggle with extra costs for clothes, shoes and equipment. A typical packing list can include:

• Clothing including spares
• Sturdy shoes / walking boots
• Spare shoes
• Swimwear
• Waterproof coat
• Sun hats
• Warm accessories
• Toiletries
• Towel
• Sleeping bag
• Rucksack/bag

With your help, we can make sure that all children have the chance to participate in school trips and other educational activities, helping them to thrive and reach their full potential.

If you can donate any of the following items, we will be well placed to provide items as soon as the requests come in.

• Joggers aged 10+
• T-shirts aged 10+
• Waterproof coats 10+
• Trainers
• Toiletries

Occasionally we need to provide items like sleeping bags and rucksacks, so please keep an eye on our social media for these specific requests.