Some may think we are over indulging her, and I may partially agree. However, this is a kid that is fine wearing hand me down clothes, is very much not about having the latest teen trend to throw money away on, and in general is much more into experiences than stuff. She has several friends going, and while some come from affluent families, most seem to be in the same modest income range we are, with seemingly the same priority of giving kids experiences rather than more stuff, so she'll have lots of company on her fundraiser sessions.
This next year is the last year the beloved choir program department head will be directing, and she being only a sophomore next year, would not get the chance to train under him without being part of the travel choir. He is quite a remarkable director, and how our small community has been able to keep him for two decades is a puzzle, but our good fortune. His youngest though is the same as our DS, they went to school together graduating almost a decade ago, and he and his wife want their own adventures.
We will help her now and then, but not as much as we did with Spain as we used some of our family vacation money, reserved from our Washington DC trip, to put towards her fund. With spending money, her costs will be about $2700, with the final trip payment due January 31. This gives her a little over 9 months to save $2,500, and another six weeks after to save for spending money. She has $365 saved, not counting what she has not yet deposited in her long term savings, gift money slated for college. It's a heavy lift, and a whole lot of car washes, bake sales, and crying children are in her future! I'll do periodic check-ins on how the kid is coming along on her savings goals.
I say go. It may seem like they are spoiled but its a once in a lifetime trip, really. And when she is older and in the grind of life these amazing trips probably won't happen. Our kids went on school trips but we had saved their bday money since they were small.
ReplyDeleteShe will be going, but either before or after, she will own much of the costs. I agree that likely she will not travel like this once a full fledged adult,as much time as money. I have been back to France 1 day since traveling as an 18 year old,not the weeks over the years I thought I would have been going back.
DeleteMeri signed up for a Science trip to Florida and it's roughly $2400 and isnt' for another year yet. She paid for about half and hopefully it'll be paid off in a week or so.
ReplyDeleteShe's doing really well. I think she won't be able to earn enough herself, but I think the effort of needing to commit with her own time and energy is the point, and she is very on board-not expecting it is a given that we will fund her.
DeleteI'm sure she gets so much benefit from having to fundraise and save, rather Tha just having someone pay without a thought to the cost. Sounds like a great trip and opportunity to train under this director.
ReplyDeleteHaving her earn and save part of any extra trips was never in question=it has to mean enough of to her to give up time, and other creature comforts, right.
DeleteI think you're doing the right thing in asking her to contribute. I'm sure the trip will mean so much more to her than if it was just handed to her on a plate - and it's so much more like real life isn't it?
ReplyDeleteYes-life sure will expect her to carry most of her own weight. Better to learn it young.
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