To think this is a stupid rule - no calls home on scout camp!

Normal

school trips often do it too.

if you don’t then you get situations like a kid is told about grandmas cancer/death etc and school staff have to pick up the pieces.

It doesn't seem odd to me, it was the same rule at my DD's school residential. I think a few days without a phone is actually good for them and I'd probably extend the rule to day visitors to the camp too. As you said, the scout leaders are updating you and I'm sure they took your contact details in case of emergency.

He’s 14. Why does he need to phone home? 🤷‍♀️

Its completely normal, the scout leaders do this all the time and have found this to be the best way. You don't have to send him! Of course you could always volunteer if you want to be more involved?

There will be an emergency contact if needed. No phones rule is not only sensible but actually necessary, in my opinion, to unglue them from the screen and let them have a great time without constantly being in communication with the world outside. I’m all for it. If they all had phones they’d all be on them the whole bloody time.

DS is not long back from a 4 day camp with the same rule and told me about what they’d done when I collected him.

Having phones means they’re focussed on screens individually instead of the activities and spending time with each other. They can also be looking at unsuitable things and showing others - the youngest will only be around 10 years old.

Scout camp is a great opportunity to get away from screens for a while and go a bit feral. They certainly don’t have time to get bored and need a screen. Our group take books and card games for their quiet time.

I’m surprised his friend was allowed his phone - at ours it was be no phones as a blanket rule.

I'm glad they can't. It breeds resilience and independence. They will have your number just in case.

Honestly - as a head of year at a high school - it’s a nightmare if they have them. Stops them engaging/creates unnecessary drama/late nights. Sometimes there will be a reasons a kid can have some limited access/I’ve obviously let kids have access for specific reasons (they’ve been unwell/upset for a significant length of time) but it’s rare. Maybe once per trip and I’ve been taking kids away for 25 years.

It's part of the whole thing, staying away from screens and mummy and daddy. He's 14 not 4!

Completely normal. We had this at school residentials from the age of about 11

Parent of two Scouts here - I don't think anyone (day or week) should be allowed phones for the same reason.
There is another thread about a 14 year old who is constantly messaging to go home, and the more you can message, the more likely you are to feel homesick.
The other 14 year old has other issues (which it sounds like are affecting other campers too - the other teen's dad is there and agrees about the issues) but the more you phone home, the more homesick you get.
Last week, my DD (12) was at PGL and they were allowed to phone home after tea but only on the landline and only with a member of staff supervising (and making sure they were actually speaking to parents - an unsupervised teen could easily be ringing a friend to say they'll sneak off camp to meet them!).

We have been going through the illness and unfortunately death of my mum recently and we decided not to tell her till the camp finished and DH could tell her in person when he picked her up. Our decision was much easier when we could know the only phone calls were from the centre landline and that staff were listening in case of upset or any issues.

Its a great idea.

Is he ET 😜

I could see an argument for maybe letting them be used for a call home every couple of days if they’re gone for a week+.

But being phone free except for that would be part of the appeal of them going, to me.

Love how people who have never taken a group of children away before decide clearly thought out decisions are rubbish, without considering the people who have done it a dozen times before might have made a decision for a reason.

Absolutely safeguarding nightmare all those kids with phones. Plus why not just let them be kids?? You need to cut the cord op!

Normal. I am a former Scout Leader who left finally because of 2 horrible parents - exactly the types who would kick off if mobile phones were lost, not charged etc. etc..

Not saying you are one of those OP but this is the reason for it.

I think it’s great. I don’t need a FaceTime. Mine have been going to Beavers camp from 6 and eldest went for 4 days in Wales with Scouts. She also did 6/7 days in France with school, also no phones allowed. If they are missing home, they can absolutely speak to a leader and ask to call home.

But for safeguarding reasons, they really shouldn’t have phones. Our scout group only recently changed its policy and now allows phones on overnights, which is crap. I didn’t want to but felt pressured to send dd with hers because everyone else was doing it. She was 11 at the time. One of the other girls taught her how to circumnavigate the parental controls and they spent the whole night in their tent on TikTok (which dd is also not allowed to have) and prank calling restaurants instead of actually engaging with the activities and the leaders just let them get on with it.

They can stare at screens at home. A bunch of 13/14/15 year olds sent away with their phones will not be using them to call home every night. I don’t think dd has ever called me when away. They’ll be on social media and taking selfies.

Absolutely essential rule. My DS went on a school trip in Y10 where the stupid parents kicked off and got the no phone rule overturned and my poor DS had to spend every bedtime listening to his friend wittering on to his girlfriend for hours 🙄. He was lonely and bored as he had not taken his phone as wanted to enjoy the trip.

No child needs to face time their parent to share the experience - they can tell them about when they get home 🤦‍♀️

Absolutely this!!
The people who do it, know what works.

This is not a good idea - just makes them homesick. I’ve done dozens of scout and school residentials, phones are NEVER a good idea.

DGS won’t poo at school in case someone photos under the door and post it on line -not great

Lots of reasons this is a good idea.
Phones are a constant distraction from the activities.
Safeguarding, some kids have porn / horror films/ a million other unsuitable things on their phones , they WILL share this with others. The scout leader cannot control this if phones are allowed.
Phones being lost/ damaged/ stolen. As a scout group helper I have seen scouts attempt to get in a canoe one handed whist holding their phone!
No one needs their phone on Scout camp.

You clearly have no idea of the dramas and safeguarding issues that can be raised by teenagers having smartphones with them on camp. It’s a very sensible rule and perfectly understandable and preferable to any parent who looks outside of their own bubble for more than thirty seconds.

It’s a great idea. 14 year olds should be able to do without phones for a week. It will be good for him. If the leaders are keeping a WhatsApp group updated, what other info do you need?
Surely your child can just have a conversation with you about his time personally when he gets home. This is an experience for him, not one for the family to share.