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My daughter's school had them in for an assembly, she gave them her/my details and now I'm getting bombarded with emails and phone calls. Which, tbh, makes me feel like it must be some sort of scam because no organisation is that keen to get participants unless there's a lot of money in it for them.
However, with only having to pay £50 and my taxes covering the other £1000 (for 4 weeks of activities, some of which are residential) it seems like ti could be quite good but I just wanted to find out if anyone else had first hand experience.
Big Society innit. Set up by David "Call me Dave" Cameron as part of the caring face of Conservatism. Dave is now head honcho. So without having any experience of it myself I'd say it is a government initiative to do some good, not a money-making scheme. I guess it is a bit undersubscribed, hence all the emails. Dip your bread.
Our middle daughter did it a couple of year's ago when she was 15, I don't recall any overt calls/ emails etc. She had a week in the Lake's doing outdoor activities and a week in student halls in Sheffield doing stuff, and the final week they tarted up the garden at some old folks home in Sheffield. Seemed a bit disorganised at time's but she came back alive and not pregnant.
We particularly enjoyed the two weeks she was away, and overall think she enjoyed it.
My 16yr old daughter participated last year with her school (Worcestershire).
She really got a lot out of it, her group raised a couple of grand for equipment (pool table etc) for a local shelter for teenagers.
NCS appeared a tad relaxed/haphazard at times to us as parents but the residential sessions were apparently really well thought through.
We had a one or two calls / messages from an ‘enthusiastic’ coordinator which we felt were a bit pushy but actually having met the girl in question it turns out she was just that...enthusiastic!
so based on our experience I’d recommend. The kids do need to step-up though it’s not a holiday.
16 year old Daughter is doing it this year after gcse's, I've seen it as unbelievable vfm, we've paid 35 for booking early. In that she gets a proper weeks outdoor residential, a week in the halls at Notts uni then two weeks volunteering in our home town. For that 35 quid, so far she has had a free hoodie, diary type planner thing and a free membership card for go outdoors.
No direct experience yet, but a few kids I know have done it and loved it - even those who have seemingly done similar through Scouts/Guides/DofE.
Jnr can't do next year after GCSEs as he's already booked up, but suspect he'll be all over it the year after.
My son did it last summer. Really enjoyed it
My daughter did it last year and loved it. I really recommend it.
The residential was a bit of a shock for some kids as they had never slept anywhere that wasn't a house/hotel.
Also the activities can be quite a challenge for some (eg climbing and plunge pools in the Lake District). That said from what I heard they only push to YOUR limits, not to some Bear Grylls limit. It's about stretching the kids out of their ipad bubble and making them think about community and the outdoors.
My daughters group did some gardening for an old peoples home and did some entertainment for them.
So yeah I would say DO IT!
🙂
My stepdaughters have done it as attendees and one has been a 'helper' last year and I think is doing this year as well.
They both really enjoyed it and its money for charity/something for the community. Better than them sleeping in all over their summer break.
Plus its something to add to the cv for college/uni