Children in September

[austraveler]

We had planned to go in the South East Asia trip in September 2014, which is school holiday time in Australia. I have three boys who will be 10,12 and 14. I am concerned that there will not be other children on the trip, given the timing of the USA school year. We could move the trip to the April departure instead (although my budgeting will have to be pretty strict, given the earlier date). Any thoughts or experiences about travel in September?

 

[AquamarineSteph]

Schools in the US have so many varied schedules that it's really difficult to predict something like that. Many, if not most, schools here are in session in April as well.

 

[Bobo912]

Your trip is Sep 15-26, right? I think most schools in the US will be in session by then. I'm surprised to see a non-adult only trip at that time of year, since that is rare (I don't think I've ever seen one before). Maybe ABD scheduled that trip around your school holidays. I think you're more likely to see kids from the US on the April trip, because many US schools have spring break around Easter. Easter is on April 20 in 2014. Some people take their kids out of school for vacations though or home school, so there may be a few. You can call ABD and see how many kids are already booked.

 

[austraveler]

Thanks. I was thinking the same thing, that in mid September everyone in the US is in School and not many parents would have their children miss the first few weeks of school. It seems like the trips are predominantly taken by Americans. We are going to move to the April date to increase the likelihood of other children on the adventure. I will really have to focus on my savings, but the plus is we have 5 months less to wait till our trip!

 

[SingingMom]

Thanks. I was thinking the same thing, that in mid September everyone in the US is in School and not many parents would have their children miss the first few weeks of school. It seems like the trips are predominantly taken by Americans. We are going to move to the April date to increase the likelihood of other children on the adventure. I will really have to focus on my savings, but the plus is we have 5 months less to wait till our trip!

I think you are making the right decision, if you are hoping for more children on the trip. We went early May last year and the only children were a 9 and 12 year old that were homeschooled. Our daughter was the next youngest, an almost 19 year old college sophomore. Most schools were still in session.

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[abdmom]

ABD will tell you how many children there are on your trip. We went on a trip to China that left before most schools get out for the summer. There were 3 other kids in addition to my 2 in the 8-12 year old range and about 10 teenagers.

Since the April trip is over Easter, there would be a high probability of American kids on the April trip.