Age groups
We have three main age groups in the UK 7-10 year olds, 10-13 year olds and 13-16 year olds. In France, we have two age groups - 9-13 year olds and 13-17 year olds. The ‘overlap’ between these age ranges allows flexibility when there are a few years difference between brothers and sisters. It also means that (for example) a mature 10 year old may join a holiday for 10-13 year olds, whilst a ‘young’ 10 year old may be much happier on a holiday for the 7-10 age group. You know your own child best, but please feel free to discuss the options with our Reservations Team.
Within these separate age bands, our practice is to group children of a similar age together for accommodation and activity arrangements, whenever this is feasible.
(This may not be possible on some holidays when numbers are small, but this is rarely a problem because the interest in activities provides a common bond).
Two or more children of the same sex, but not on the same holiday may, if you wish, be accommodated together. If you particularly want your children to be accommodated together, then please request this at the time of booking. If there is an age difference the younger child would join the older one’s accommodation and the older child would be expected to support their younger friend/sibling. As always, our Reservations Team will be pleased to advise you on any aspect of our accommodation groupings.
Please note that our sleeping arrangements both in the UK and on overseas holidays are single sex and it is not possible for brothers and sisters to share accommodation.
Group sizes
Groupies look after groups which vary in size according to age. For 7–10s the ratio is 1:12, with a lower ratio for older children. Instructor to child ratios vary according to the activity, but here are some examples:
Canoeing 1:8
Pony trekking 1:8
Archery 1:6
Abseiling 1:1
For off site activities there are always at least two staff in attendance.
Activities
We aim to ensure that your child takes part in as wide a range of activities as possible. Therefore for 7-10’s and 10-13’s the programme is planned in advance by the Centre Manager. We recognise that older teenagers enjoy the flexibility to choose their activities and therefore in the summer our multi activity holidays for 13-16’s offer an element of choice. Please note the programme at other times of the year and for all mini breaks is planned in advance. Details of the activities are on the centre pages, but if you have any questions at all, please call and speak to one of our team. Please note that due to the large numbers of different activities available at each centre we cannot guarantee to fit every activity into each holiday – there just isn’t time! This is particularly the case with Mini Breaks.
Please note that minimum numbers are normally required for each activity session to proceed and that off site activities may only operate on certain fixed days of the week.
No experience necessary
PGL holidays provide challenge and enjoyment for everyone. You don’t need any previous experience to enjoy our activities. Our staff are able and ready to instruct children of all standards of competence from novice to proficient. A reasonable level of fitness is required for our Surfing, Wet and Wild, Xtreme Adventure and Ski holidays.
Equipment
We provide all the specialist equipment that is essential for our activities, although children do need to bring personal items such as a good waterproof anorak or kagoul, footwear and casual clothes. We ensure that children are kitted out with activity equipment that conforms to British or European standards. Approved buoyancy aids or lifejackets are provided and must be worn and safety craft are always on patrol or standing by during watersports sessions. Strict range disciplines are enforced for archery and rifle shooting. Abseilers and climbers are always protected by safety ropes and our motorsports vehicles have all had their speeds regulated. Please note that we are continually updating our equipment to reflect current best practices and therefore equipment used may differ from that shown in photographs in this brochure.
Catering
Fun may be important, but so is food, and we want to inspire children into a healthier lifestyle that includes a tasty, balanced diet. In recognition of this fact we work closely with Sodexho, one of the country’s leading catering organizations, which already works with many schools as well as celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s ‘Feed me Better!’ campaign. We aim to provide three healthy, high-energy meals per day, with plenty of variety, supporting the 5-a-day campaign as well as reducing added salt, sugar and fat. A vegetarian alternative can always be provided on all our holidays, and we can accommodate most special diets required on medical or religious grounds but in all cases we will require full details at time of booking.
Sample menu at UK centres:
Breakfast
• Bacon • Scrambled Eggs • Baked beans
• (v) Quorn sausage • Brown and white toast
• preserves • Choice of 3 cereals
• semi-skimmed milk • Yoghurts • Fresh fruit
Lunch
• Soups and breads • (v) Stuffed peppers
• Beef Bolognaise • Jacket potato • Pasta
• Sweetcorn • Selection of salads, couscous, coleslaw and rice • Fresh fruit
Dinner
• Soup and breads • (v) Mushroom and courgette lasagne • Sweet and Sour Pork
• Roast beef • Gravy • Pasta
• Roast potatoes • Cabbage • Baby carrots
• Selection of salads, couscous, coleslaw and rice
• Jam roly poly and custard • Fresh fruit
Drinks
Tea, coffee and water with all meals
Cocoa/squash (evenings)
Supervision
No child is allowed off site unless accompanied by a PGL member of staff.
Children are supervised at all times. An exception may be made on holidays that include visits to places such as theme parks or local towns where it is impractical to walk around in a large group. In such circumstances children will not be in groups of less than 3. Our staff will regularly meet up with them and are contactable at all times.
Smoking
We strongly discourage smoking but smoking bans in the past have led to unauthorised smoking in areas likely to be a fire risk - tents, dormitories, etc. As safety is our number one priority we therefore operate a system using ‘official’ supervised smoking areas set away from other guests or any fire risk. Smoking is only allowed for 16-17 year olds and only if parental permission has been granted on the medical contact form. Interestingly, a side effect of this approachtends to be that a number of smokers choose not to smoke at all rather than be forced to adopt the rigours of our strict safety policy. Smoking outside authorised areas will be viewed as a serious offence for which guests will be sent home.
Alcohol
Consumption of alcohol by guests is banned at all PGL centres in the UK and France. In France and Austria, please note that even those guests who are 16 and over who legally speaking may consume beer and wine in Europe, are subject to this ban. This also applies to the consumption of alcohol off site and the purchase of alcohol off site. Please note that guests who break this rule will be excluded from the holiday and collection will be at the expense of parents/guardians.
Off site activities and excursions
Some of the evening entertainment (mainly for 13-16 years) may take place off-site. If you do not want your child to take part in any off site activities or excursions please make this clear at the time of booking.
Sensible bedtimes
Even the fittest children feel tired after a full day of activities followed by our evening entertainment programmes, so we try to insist on sensible bedtimes for children to ensure that everyone gets a good night’s rest.
Exact times may vary from centre to centre, but are usually between 20.30 for 7 year olds to 22.30 for 13-17 year olds.
Bedding
The majority of our holiday centres do not automatically supply bedding. If for any reason you are not able to bring your own sleeping bag/duvet from home, it is possible to hire bedding at a cost of £17.00 per child. Depending upon the centre, bedding consists of pillow and pillowcase and either duvet, duvet cover and sheet or sleeping bag and sheet inner.
Night-time supervision
It is part of our staff’s role to get everyone to bed reasonably on time – sometimes easier said than done! Once ‘lights out’ has been called at UK centres night duty staff take over. They reassure the anxious, encourage the high spirited to settle down and continue their vigil until all is quiet. At centres where children need to leave their tent or lodge to get to the toilet facilities, security staff patrol the campsite or accommodation area throughout the night. Elsewhere there is a night duty rota and a member of staff can be contacted at any time should the need arise.
Centre doors are locked, although these can be opened from the inside in case of emergency.
Personal hygiene
Whilst Group Leaders are responsible for taking care of the children outside of activity session times it is really a responsibility shared among all of the senior staff and they will encourage the regular use of soap and toothpaste. However all children are expected to take an element of personal responsibility for showering and cleaning their teeth during their holiday.
Discipline and responsibility
Living alongside and mixing with other children is a valuable part of the holiday experience and we try to ensure that no one feels left out. Every member of the group has an equal right to enjoy themselves and we keep a close check on teasing, bullying or any other anti-social behaviour that may spoil an individual’s enjoyment. Our experience over many years means that this rarely becomes a problem, but please tell your children that if they feel they are being picked on, they should inform their Group Leader or any other member of staff immediately. The “don’t tell” ethos, which often exists in schools, is not applicable at a PGL centre. If your child should make contact with you regarding any negative aspect of their holiday, please check whether our staff have been informed. If not, please let us know as soon as possible so that we may take immediate steps to remedy the situation.
When necessary, we will be firm with children who are jeopardising the enjoyment of others. If problem behaviour is persistent or serious, we will contact the parent or guardian to decide on further action. We reserve the right to send any child home immediately at parent/guardians’ expense and to charge for any additional costs incurred. No refunds will be considered for any children sent home for behavioural reasons. Children will be asked to pay for any damage caused by wilful behaviour to any PGL owned or leased property. Please ensure you have read our booking conditions.
Fire safety drill
All children are made aware of safety procedures and shown exits and assembly points before they go to bed on their first night at the centre. There is a weekly fire drill at all centres.
Contacting your child
Of course, for some children, being away from home may initially be a little stressful. This is natural and only to be expected – even adults can experience ‘homesickness’! PGL staff are fully trained in the sensitive skills of identifying and dealing with children’s concerns and worries. In the vast majority of cases, a day or two of getting to know new friends and being involved in exciting activities will dispel all but the most persistent worries.
You will be kept informed if there are any persistent problems. Whilst all children are encouraged to send a postcard home, we do ask you not to telephone the centre to speak to your child, particularly during the first couple of days. Apart from the fact that your child is probably in the middle of an activity session/in the shower/eating dinner, and therefore far from the telephone, our experience has shown that children really do settle in much better if undisturbed by personal telephone calls. We will, of course, pass on any personal messages and all of our centres have a fax machine for incoming messages/letters. The Centre Manager or another senior member of staff is always available should you wish to telephone to ask about your child.
Staying on for an extra week?
If your child is staying for more than one week, we recommend that they either take part in a different course or try a different centre for the second week. Inter-centre transfers can be arranged.
We can provide one machine wash at UK centres, but there may be a small charge.
Guests will also be taken off site on a day trip on the second Saturday of the holiday to keep them occupied due to there being no organised activities and to allow the centre to prepare for new arrivals. Where they will go will depend upon which centre they go to. There is no cost for this.