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Beavers campers- snacks?

55 replies

Bemyclementine · 22/07/2022 07:23

Ds aged 6 is going on his 1st camp, the packinglist say no sweets intents, do they usually take snacks? I'm thinking apples. Cereal are crisps?

OP posts:
AbreathofFrenchair · 24/07/2022 10:04

Are you purposely ignoring the part where it says

"At any one time, there should be the correct ratio of responsible adults who must not consume alcohol (a minimum of two adults and risk assessments in place"

And

"In general, adults should not consume alcohol in the presence of under 18s though it is accepted this might occur in certain circumstances such as fundraising and social events. This should be assessed by risk assessement"

So Leaders do drink. Yes when the children are in bed but they do have a drink.

The older teens drinking are on camp with their own Explorer pack. And it's a third of a can of Carling and that's it. They wanted to try it, they were allowed, 2 of them had a mouthful and didn't like it.

The other Explorer group in our District had a safeguarding issue where one of the 16 year old explorers drank half a bottle of vodka in the woods at the back of camp, they had taken it in their backpack which had been hidden from parents and they snuck out of the tent when the Leaders had gone to bed to drink it.

It opened up a whole issue that alcohol/drugs education isn't be pushed enough and neither are the dangers around abusing it, not at school, home or anywhere else. The more you make it forbidden and hide it, the more appealing it becomes.

I was raised in a house where nothing was off topic, nothing was hidden. My Dad gave me a shot glass of weak cider when I was 14 because all my friends were going off drinking and I wanted to know what it tasted like. It was grim and I never touched it again or attempted to buy it to sneakily drink it. The taste put me off. My son has dipped his finger in my ales to try and doesn't like the taste, whereas his friends (14/15) are sneaking out cans of lager to drink.

When he moved to his Explorers group, I was asked if i consented to education around alcohol and drugs and for the Explorers group to be a safe place and I consented, why wouldn't I? As many people who can help with this education and not ignore what could happen is much more beneficial to me than banning and hiding it.

I'm not associated with Scouts in any way other than my child has gone through them and I'm more than happy with how they have played their part in shaping my child. He's the top shooter in the county, can light a fire, pitch a tent, shoot and skin a rabbit, abseil, rock climb, swim, read a map, use a compass, cook over an open fire for 20 people, can mix in groups of people who he doesn't know, is sociable, confident and capable. He's nearly completed his Platinum QSA, is off to Korea for Jamboree and is also a young leader with Cubs.

But you are daft to think alcohol isnt involved in Scouts, along with things that would make you want to keep your child wrapped up forever.

Wait till guns and knives are involved.

reluctantbrit · 24/07/2022 10:26

DD is a YL and recently went with the her Beavers for camping. Strict no snacks rule as it is a mess, you have beavers sick and they do get enough food and sweets after dinner during camp fire.

The Scouts also have a no sweet rule but leaders now that sweets are brought but a 10-14 year old is a different cattle of fish.

Now. the Explorer live on snacks if they could plus whatever they cook themselves.

Alcohol - leaders are allowed to drink, DD's leaders do have one drink together when the kids are in their tents and one leader is always sober for emergencies, not that the others are drinking themselves stupid. DH is the Chairman and also a shooting instructor and default kit van driver, so often stays overnight for the first day if the camp is too far for a day trip back and forth. He would have the leaders by their ears if he would see drunken behaviour.

MajorCarolDanvers · 24/07/2022 11:02

@AbreathofFrenchair

I'm not associated with Scouts in any way other than my child has gone through them

That explains why you don't seem to understand the rules. Otherwise I would suggest you brush up on your training and re-read the Green Card. But as you are not actually a leader I can understand why you are not up to speed.

I am a leader. I have also held a role in Scouting which brought me into contract with great many groups all over the country. People don't drink on camps. What you are describing is very unusual, against the rules or perhaps in the past.

Wait till guns and knives are involved

Knives of course are very commonly used throughout Scouting - in all kinds of circumstances.

Guns - the use of firearms is permitted with the correct permits and licences in place.

My views on alcohol outwith Scouting are different and quite liberal - and actually very similar to your own. But within Scouting I follow the rules. In Scouting we are looking after other peoples children and that means that you can't make it up as you go along and you have to follow the rules. And that means that adults don't facilitate 17 years drinking and are not all sitting round the campfire having a drink once the kids are asleep.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

budgiegirl · 24/07/2022 12:02

@AbreathofFrenchair

*It also says under best practice that Leaders can drink if ratios are met, which is what they do. To deny no alcohol is involved is naive at best, stupid at worst

Are you purposely ignoring the part where it says

"At any one time, there should be the correct ratio of responsible adults who must not consume alcohol (a minimum of two adults and risk assessments in place"*

No one is ignoring this. No one is denying that leaders will occasionally have a drink when 'off-duty', They're allowed to as long as there are enough leaders in charge of the young people to meet ratio who are not drinking.

And it's not best practice, it's the rules.

But you seem to be ignoring the rules that say

*During Scouting events attended by young people under the age of 18, the following rules apply.

• Under 18s must not drink alcohol under any circumstances*

Again, not guidelines, but rules. Alcohol is expressively forbidden for under 18's on a scout event. Regardless of the leaders and parents personal beliefs regarding alcohol. I accept as you are not a leader, you may not have access to this information, and you won't have received training regarding it, but as leaders, we are aware of the rules, and it looks like your leaders/DC are either misunderstanding them (not sure how, it's quite explicit) or deliberately ignoring them.

It's also against the rules to allow an Explorer to stay on past their 18th birthday - this is a safeguarding issue, they should not be allowed to attend unless they've been DBS'd and are acting as a leader.

Greenandcabbagelooking · 24/07/2022 21:21

I'm actually a Guide/Ranger leader. I cannot imagine letting the Rangers (also 18) drinking on camp. They get water, milk or squash for the most part, then fizzy drinks for the last night.

Adults might have 1 small glass of wine once kids are all asleep, but we always have at least two stone cold sober people.

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