Whether it’s a school trip or an outing for the local youth group, when it falls to you to organise a day out for young people, there are a few things to think about. Obviously, the safety aspects will have been carefully considered and all the usual checks will be in place, such as proper supervision when children are participating in outdoor activities plus the appropriate safety gear and transport arrangements that are known to be trustworthy and reliable. Picking the right destination, however, can be a bit tricky. Here are a few ideas to help you along.
Castles
The wonderful, poignant television play by Willy Russell, Our Day Out (1977), about a group of deprived children from Liverpool on a visit to Conwy Castle in North Wales, was so popular that it was screened again at regular intervals during the three decades following the original release. It’s not surprising that this was the case as the fortified medieval castle is one of the finest examples of its kind in the whole of the UK. Other interesting castles to see in Wales include Beaumaris, Caernarfon, Caerphilly and Harlech. Encouraging young people to learn about the history of the historical sites in advance will enhance their enjoyment when they actually get there, and there is usually a range of events and activities that attract young people, depending on which castle you visit and the time of year.
Outdoor activities
When it comes to exploring the external environment with a group of younger children, there are fewer places less thrilling than Mountain View Ranch, Caerphilly, which has forest trails such as The Gruffalo trail, Roly Poly Hill and the Fairy Forest. Older children may prefer to try their hand at horse riding at the Rockwood Riding Centre or Sunnybank Riding School, both also in Caerphilly. Zoos and adventure parks are generally good value when it comes to organising a day out – try Folly Farm in Begelly in North Wales or the eerie joys of The Reptile Experience near Saundersfoot.
Further afield
Just as the kids from Liverpool in Our Day Out travelled from their city to scenic North Wales, so a change of location – for example, a visit to another part of the UK – is often of interest to kids. The possibility of a trip to London, for example, can engender a great deal of excitement, and if you throw in a link to the Harry Potter films, you may just find that your popularity has increased overnight, as if by magic. While there are many, many attractions in London, you will find that the Warner Bros. Studio Tour will more than satisfy Harry Potter fans.
Perhaps the best way to decide what kind of trip to organise for young people is to imagine their young heads on your shoulders – at their age, what would be of interest to you, and what would you find attractive? Once you have ruled out the “boring bits”, you should manage to arrive at the ideal solution.