<p>I dont have a boarding school question but reaching out to learn of winter break trips that kids take with responsible escorted groups. I stumbled on what appeared to be an excellent winter break program to London (12/26 to 1/4) with a group called People to People but after doing some research on CC, I found nothing but negative reports about this group.</p>
<p>Can anyone recommend a similar program/dates during winter break?</p>
<p>It depends on whether you want the student to be with you or without you. </p>
<p>Family adventures through college alumni offices, or Johns Hopkins CTY are usually very high quality, but a little pricey. They are designed for parents or grandparents to take older kids as part of a group to learn interesting stuff, like to the Galapagos, or Austalia, often during school holidays. I saw a service trip to South America advertised somewhere recently, during Christmas break. </p>
<p>Or you can do your own “togetherness trip” for a few days to visit family, see a new city, etc.</p>
<p>To send child alone to a program or a trip at that time is more challenging, because it is traditionally a time for families to be together, and many “camps” take vacations themselves. Rustic Pathways may have something (they are great for summer and gap year trips). </p>
<p>Your student may also just enjoy down time at home after being away at boarding school.</p>
<p>While I appreciate the information about Johns Hopkins, I take exception with unsolicited advice about sending our child alone and how our child might enjoy down time at home not knowing fully the circumstances surrounding the question. It is not necessary to provide that information but I will. My child, two cousins, and another classmate would like to take a short jaunt together enjoying a teen getaway. Instead, respectfully, I get a comment what my child might enjoy and how we should do “togetherness trips” while there is absolutely no clue what our holiday may consist of.</p>
<p>I remarked in a previous comment several months back how wonderful CC posters are with disseminating boarding school information but woefully disrespectful to those, like myself, by thinking it is your duty and responsibility to direct how we conduct our lives with absolutely no clue who we are and what we do.</p>
<p>I used to follow an absolutely wonderful poster with the handle of ExieAlum who became exasperated and left CC. Now, I understand why. It just becomes a bit much with judgmental comments. I think it might be time to just move away from CC since it seems to have become the presumptuous, judgmental domain of a few versus the dissemination of solid information by the many.</p>
<p>I’ve said my peace and willingly depart.</p>
<p>@Sitekey: Here’s what I have heard about People to People: A) THE GOOD: Trips are good and seem to be well organized; B) THE BAD: Marketing of trips makes it seem like you have “been selected” for something, where it is really just a “pay for play” thing.</p>
<p>I miss Exie, too. :(</p>
<p>Sitekey</p>
<p>Wow, your flaming response seems a little intense, I am certainly not used to such on this parent board. Suggesting posts such as mine made Exie leave is rather harsh.</p>
<p>I was trying to outline options not knowing whether you wanted a trip together or just for student, and noting it was a difficult time of year to find student only trips. I mentioned Rustic Pathways for student only trips. I didn’t feel like I was giving you “unsoliceted advice” or making judgements, and I apologize if that was the impression I gave.</p>