1st Edition

My Residential School Trip Facilitator’s Guide How to Help Children Build Bravery for the Best Time

By Claire Holmes Copyright 2025
    96 Pages 46 B/W Illustrations
    by Speechmark

    This book offers guidance notes and prompts to help the facilitator bring out the best experience for the child using My Residential School Trip Activity Book. It includes key points to consider, examples of what to say, and explains the theory behind the activities, as well as offering practical extension ideas.

    Every page in My Residential School Trip Activity Book has a corresponding page in this volume for the user to refer to when delivering the material, each of which features:

    ● A page rationale which touches on the theory behind the activity.

    ● A visual of the corresponding page in the activity book.

    ● Materials needed.

    ● How to set the scene.

    ● How to complete the activity.

    ● Facilitator’s top tips.

    ● How to close the activity.

    ● Possible extension activities.

    Inspired by research and the author’s extensive experience, this guide will help teachers, parents/guardians, school counsellors, and therapists support trip-goers to have the best time on their upcoming trip.

    How to use this book

    Notes from the author

    My Staying Well Activity Book:

    Welcome

    Being brave

    Hopes and fears flower

    Awakening strengths

    Strengths you take everywhere

    Get curious

    I am looking forward to…

    What to do when big feelings arrive

    Finding feelings

    Feelings wheel

    Listen to your body

    Get to know bravery

    Move your body to lift your mood

    Saying encouraging things to myself

    Take 5

    Taking my pencil for a walk

    Ground yourself

    Get some Vitamin N (N=Nature)

    Thankfulness tree

    My supporters

    Make a Glitter Jar

    My safe place

    My coping skills

    And there’s more…

    How to make a Coping Chatterbox

    My Coping Chatterbox

    Getting ready for the off

    Home is where the heart is

    Trip tactics

    After the trip

    Magic memories: highlight reel

    Winning podium

    Awards ceremony

    ‘Brain-dump’ page

    Bibliography

    Index

    Biography

    Claire Holmes is a school counsellor. Her approach is trauma-informed and strength-based, empowering others to access their inner wisdom and knowing. As a mindfulness teacher, she weaves meditation into her work, alongside expressive therapies and solution-focused interventions. She delights in spending time in the great outdoors and is a nature and forest therapy guide. She’s passionate about the positive impact of school trips. Having lived and worked in Singapore for over two decades, she has accompanied countless overseas and local expeditions. She is the author of the Moving On and Staying Well series, and is delighted to add the My Residential School Trip books to her collection.

    "My Residential School Trip Activity Book and Guide are fantastic resources for young explorers to find their courage. These books assist children in building their bravery backpacks for a lifetime of adventures."

    Robert Swan OBE, FRGS – Polar Explorer, the first person in history to walk to both the North and South Pole