by Chris Michael
cmichael@thekmgroup.co.uk
THIS is an ideal holiday for children, especially if you want a
break from your parents, so says Aurelia Michael, aged 12.
Yes, Aurelia darling, and it’s not a bad deal for the parents
either!
A PGL adventure holiday for kids offers, well, adventure for kids…
and a week without the children for adults. It’s a win win
situation.
It was with much excitement that we pulled into Marchants Hill,
Surrey – one of PGL’s many centres throughout England and Europe –
to drop off Aurelia and friend Vita for their holiday of a
(child’s) lifetime.
The children were hardly nervous and my overriding emotion was one
of envy: Marchants Hill is 45 acres on the edge of the Devil’s
Punchbowl, a National Trust site and Area of Outstanding Natural
Beauty.
And ahead of them, Aurelia and Vita had seven days of abseiling,
raft building, archery, forest trails, zip wires and the daunting
powerfan.
And, of course, new friends, games, independence and
dormitory japes.
But despite the excitement, of course you want to be confident your
children will be well cared for. And that confidence is there as
soon as you meet the 'groupies’ – the young adults who will look
after and entertain your children for the week.
The groupies are a big part of the holiday. They’re fun and
energetic and build a great rapport with the children. My
daughter’s groupies were called Sean, Rob and Chris, but were soon
to be renamed Miranda, Gerty and Marmaduke, chased round the woods
and gunged. Of course, they get their own back too.
Great fun needs organisation, and rules too. And there is a strict
timetable to cram as much enjoyment into the days as possible. It’s
up at 7am and a breakfast of cereal, toast or eggs and bacon
followed by activity sessions from 9am to noon.
The activities range from quad biking to Jacob’s ladder. From giant
swings to the challenge course. The latest addition is the
powerfan, where you climb up a 12m pole and jump to the ground.
What keeps you from certain death, I’m not too sure – but it seems
to work!
After lunch, it’s more of the same between 2 to 5pm. And then
there’s dinner and the evening’s entertainment. This includes
Cluedo night, where you chase your groupies around and catch them
before you can question them. But they will only answer if you
complete a forfeit.
I suppose what makes a PGL holiday great for kids is the mix of
activities and the chance to make new friends. Like any holiday,
memories of the people you meet can out-live memories of the things
you do.
But to leave the last word to Aurelia and Vita: The accommodation
was good, the activities amazing and the people brilliant. We had a
great time. 
PGL offers multi-activity and special interest breaks at 13 UK
centres during school holidays – summer, Easter and
half-terms.
A seven-night PGL multi-activity holiday in 2012 costs from £419
per child depending on date and centre chosen. Holidays include
full-board accommodation and all activities/instruction.
Aurelia and Vita’s holiday at Marchants Hill in July will cost £529
each this year. Escorted travel to/from PGL centres across the
country can be arranged, at additional cost.
Call 0844 371 2424 or visit www.pgl.co.uk