I can't believe some of these posts. A mom posted a question to get some advice/feedback on a situation. Sounds like a caring, concerned mom to me. However, if she doesn't feel comfortable sending her dd 400 miles away for 14 hours, she's a 'helicopter' mom? I don't think that it's really that much of a black and white issue. I have 3 kids 9, 12, 15. My oldest would have loved to have gone on such a trip when she was 9 and I would have most likely let her go. My middle dd would have been more reluctant but with a little bit of reassurance would have gone. She was 11 last year and went on a 2 night trip with her grade and had a blast but was a bit nervous about it. My ds who is going into 4th grade on Tuesday would NO WAY NO HOW want to go on such a trip. He doesn't like any field trips, hates the bus ride, hates that kids misbehavelmao: I'm sure I'll be reminding him of this in a few years) Every child is different. OP has stated that her dd is on the spectrum but manages at school just fine. I don't think that she needs an aide because she's a bit nervous about a 14 hour trip I think she's a little girl. Bottom line is that we all try to do our best as parents and sometimes it helps to seek out others opinions and advice to get a new perspective. It doesn't help to have name-calling and just plain old obnoxious posts.
OP, good luck with making a decision. It's a tough call and one I'm glad that I don't have to make.
OP, good luck with making a decision. It's a tough call and one I'm glad that I don't have to make.