Dance Group travel to WDW - Mom questions

[Sandi]

DD11's dance teacher has invited her to be a part of the dance school's trip to perform at WDW during the 2007 Spring Break. DD will be 12 by that time. DD is really excited and wants to go with the group. The last few years we have gone twice a year, so she knows WDW inside out. I'm the big Disney person in our household, but DD doesn't really want me to be a chaperone. She did a sleep away camp this summer and had more fun there than she did during our July trip to WDW. DD is a mature and responsible child. She is also an only child.

There will be a parents' meeting about the trip in a couple of weeks. I'm looking for help on questions to ask, etc. I know a few of the teachers and will try to find out who the other chaperones are. Would love to hear from anyone who has let their child go with such a group.

DH and I may just have to say that I go this year to see it in action, but they only do the WDW dance trip every few years.

Thanks for any help.

 

[hollyb]

I wouldnt let her go without you or your husband, no one watches your child like you would. Having said that. I would ask what is the ratio adult per child, What security measures will they have in place, what happens if a child is ill or hurt will they have permission to take the child to the hospital for treatment, what parks will they be going to and will you get a day to day plan of what they will be doing? Also what will the sleeping arraingement be like, will an adult be in each room or joining rooms? Will the kids ever be alone without an adult?

Good luck.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I was allowed to go on an EPCOT field trip when I was in 6th grade (about 12 years old).

I think she will be totally fine. My mother had no qualms.

I would ask who the chaperone for her group will be. When we went--we were split into teams and were assigned one parent who was in charge of us the whole trip. Try and communicate with the person in advance to make sure you are comfortable with them.

Odds are she will be rooming in a quad situation--ask who her roommates will be. The reason they do this is that it is highly unlikely for the chaperone to student ratio to be 4:1. I would double check on what room checks will be like and how they will ensure the students to behave responsibily. (I know my roommates and I did not cause trouble). What will be the consequences in other words and how will they be carried out. I think on our trip the ratio was 6:1 and all school rules were in effect and any consequences for a misbehavior would be carried out as though you were at school. So ISS, suspension, detention--were all fair game.

All of this stuff would be settled in advance once they have the final roster.

Ask about transportation--how are they getting from Point A to Point B during the entire trip.

Will the girls always be accompanied? In our group--we were always accompanied (and this was 1986 or 87). With the exception of bathroom visits b/c our assigned chaperone was a dad. But it was safe.


I would allow my daughter when she is 12 to go on an out of state field trip. At this time--our homeschool group has been doing them to DC for the past couple of years.

You can always agree to be chaperone anyway REGARDLESS of your daughter's opinion BTW. You are the one cutting the checks and signing the permission slips. If you just don't feel comfortble--then go. She can't stop you--but you can certainly stop her.

FTR--we always thought it was cool with that some of the kids had their parents along. My mother was military and unable to go on our out of state field trips (we did another to Carowinds in North Carolina and the set up was similar to our EPCOT trip). She may claim that she is embarrassed or whatever..but it is just a cover to see if you will let her go alone.

As far as teh summer camp comparision to your Disney vacation--of course summer camp was more fun b/c she was with peers. She will be with peers on the Dance trip and so she will still have fun regardless if you are there or not.

 

[Sandi]

Thanks for the advice.

I totally know I can over-rule her on whether I go or not. If DH and I are comfortable, however, we can respect her desire for independence. We know we're at the start of that long road!

 

[Vickie46]

I would want to go myself... I would tell her I want to see them perform... I would give her the space she wanted.. but I would want to be there...

I am also one of those protective Moms...

I would still want to go..

 

[Zoemakes5]

Ya know, that's one of those ages that I'm just not sure whether I'd let them go alone. Though the fact that she has gone away for a week would increase the odds a bit. Honestly, I'd be more comfortable with my almost 10yo going than my almost 12yo! And, I'm all for any reason to go to WDW!

Things that I would want to know:

How are meals handled? Will their be any policing of it? Will everyone go to meals together? Will they be on their own? A combo? Will anyone be confirming THAT they eat and what they eat? Will anyone be there to help with allergies?

My DS takes meds, so I'd want to make sure someone was there who would be responsible for ascertaining that he's taking his meds, that he's taking the right meds at the right times.

I'd want to know about sleeping arrangements. Will they be all on one floor? Will they have an adult in their room? Do they have bed-checks? What about phone and t.v.?

What will the ratio be of adults to kids? Will they be supervised all the time, will there be times that they aren't? Are younger kids paired with older kids to help them out? What are the rules/guidelines if they are on their own? For what kind of period of time? What are check-in policies?

 

[hollyb]

There are just too many horror stories in the past few years that would make any mom or dad be protective. 12 is just to young they can be a grown up when they are older.

 

[princess stich]

Personally, I would go. I would try to give her enought space, but I would be too worried with her there on her own. Plus, I would want to go to Disney and hang out with her dancer friend's moms! My DD is 5 1/2 and has been dancing for 3 years. I am just waiting for the day when they announce they are taking a trip to Disney!

 

[sgmom]

I would go! Afterall, she may want you there once the trip starts whether it be for extra money or just to experience it with mom.

You could always let her go off with her friends, but plan to meet throughout the day just to check in or have a cell phone for emergencies, etc. If it was a local amusement park, I would let her go alone - as I was allowed to do in my teens, but no way will my kids go to another state without me or my DH! My DS is in baseball and I end up being the one to discipline the kids on the bench. Either the other moms are busy talking, or really don't care. I've always said, I will be the "mean" one, but some parents just don't pay attention and I think you would feel better going with your DD.

Good Luck!

 

[Bobbysdog]

I too have a 12 year old DD who is an only and is asking for more independence. It is really tough to let go and yet I know this is exactly what I have been "training" her for for the last 12 years.

Is there a way that you can attend as a chaperone, but NOT for your DD's group? This way you are present and available, but not with her every minute. I have chaperoned day field trips for DD's class and asked that she be assigned to someone else's group. Seemed like a good compromise.

Best of luck and I truly feel for you!

Shannon

 

[badblackpug]

I would find out who the chaperones are, what the sleeping arrangements are, and what the chaperone to child ratios are. Will the kids be "on their own" in the parks, or will they be in chaperoned groups? If I knew who the chaperones are and was comfortable with them and your DD's peer group I would probably let her go. after all, you DID trust her enough to go to sleep away camp! If you are uncomfortable with the chaperones or her peers IE: "the wrong crowd" I would go. Ultimately, though, you know your daughter best.

 

[Sandi]

Thanks everyone. We decided that I'll go, too, or DD will not be able to participate. DH and I are in complete agreement. DD is disappointed, but we're just doing our job. This is the right decision for us.

 

[hollyb]

I bet one day she will look back and be glad that you went. Maybe not in the next 10 years or so. But she will. LOL Go have a great time and good luck with your DD dance team!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Thanks everyone. We decided that I'll go, too, or DD will not be able to participate. DH and I are in complete agreement. DD is disappointed, but we're just doing our job. This is the right decision for us.

Good choice!

She'll forget about it during the trip .

And hey--when she runs out of money---mom is there. LOL!

(just kidding!!!!!)

 

[BuzzandAriel'smom]

I performed in Disney's Magic Music Days one summer with my Dance troupe when I was 17. It was a blast! My mom went (as did most of the other moms) but at the parks I went with my friends all day. We had so much fun I would definitely recommend going. She would probably be fine if the ratio was 4 to 1 but I wouldn't want to miss it!