Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

133 replies

Besidemyselfwithworry · 04/08/2026 16:17

So I’ll keep it short
Son age 14 is at poacher a big international scout camp in Lincoln about an hour away from us for a week.
he’s done camps before for a weekend but not a week
they said “no mobiles” incase they loose them and filming and kids being homesick.
however his mate has gone just for the day, he had a phone and he’s face timed me on it and he was so excited to tell me what he’s been up too it was really nice to hear from him.
I just think they should be allowed them even if they hand them in at bedtime or whatever but does this seem odd to everyone else??

scout group are updating on a group wattsapp with photos etc…

OP posts:
overthinker83 · 04/08/2026 16:23

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.

NearlyNewNonny · 04/08/2026 16:23

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

N4meChng · 04/08/2026 16:23

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.

DoorOpening · 04/08/2026 16:23

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.

Pootles34 · 04/08/2026 16:22

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?

Boomer55 · 04/08/2026 16:21

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

FionnulaTheCooler · 04/08/2026 16:20

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.

Octavia64 · 04/08/2026 16:19

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.