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Original poster

DD doesn't want to go to holiday camp anymore

73 replies

Geeko123 · 09/08/2023 07:59

DD has been going to Camp Beaumont this summer, about twice a week. She finished her school on the 5th July so she got to go before the state schools ended and she absolutely loved it.

This Monday she went again (after a week away) and came back very stressed. She said there was a lot of really bad behaviour and the camp leaders were shouting a lot. She had a very unsettled night and kept talking about it yesterday.

This morning she is supposed to go again and she refuses to go as she is scared. I have work to do and I can't get my money back, about £45. What do I do?!!

She's got a few more booked but on Friday she's supposed to go with a friend who is very nice and well behaved so she wants to go with him, but not alone.

I'm devastated she's so anxious to go as she is very outgoing and always up for going to all sorts of things. Has anyone gone through this? I am working part time and I can't have her home all the time.

OP posts:
Original poster
Geeko123 · 09/08/2023 08:01

I forgot to mention DD is almost 6 yo

OP posts:
Setyoufree · 09/08/2023 08:02

Does she have any friends that might go with her? Mine aren't massive holiday camp fans but will go if they can go with a friend

LittleBearPad · 09/08/2023 08:02

Take her and talk to the camp leaders about Monday.

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Original poster
Geeko123 · 09/08/2023 08:03

Setyoufree · 09/08/2023 08:02

Does she have any friends that might go with her? Mine aren't massive holiday camp fans but will go if they can go with a friend

She's going with her friend on Friday but otherwise no. I have a few more booked for next week :( 😞

OP posts:
Inkpotlover · 09/08/2023 08:03

You need to address what's making her anxious with the camp before you send her back. Are the staff shouting a lot at the children? Is there an issue with behaviour? Explain that she's gone from loving it to not wanting to go and ask what they'll do to help alleviate that anxiety if she returns.

Inkpotlover · 09/08/2023 08:04

Also, what's the age range? Five is very little to go if there are 10-year-olds hulking about the place.

Original poster
Geeko123 · 09/08/2023 08:04

LittleBearPad · 09/08/2023 08:02

Take her and talk to the camp leaders about Monday.

I suggested it but she refuses to even do that. I said to her we can talk to them and if you still don't want to go, then we can come back home.

OP posts:
Original poster
Geeko123 · 09/08/2023 08:05

Inkpotlover · 09/08/2023 08:04

Also, what's the age range? Five is very little to go if there are 10-year-olds hulking about the place.

There are many different age groups which don't mix as far as I'm aware. She's in the 5 to 7 camp.

OP posts:
Original poster
Geeko123 · 09/08/2023 08:09

Inkpotlover · 09/08/2023 08:03

You need to address what's making her anxious with the camp before you send her back. Are the staff shouting a lot at the children? Is there an issue with behaviour? Explain that she's gone from loving it to not wanting to go and ask what they'll do to help alleviate that anxiety if she returns.

DD is saying there were lots of very badly behaved boys, a few parents were called, some children had to be removed apparently...and when I was collecting her that afternoon, some parents were taken aside for a chat, so I thought there must have been something pretty bad going on.

OP posts:
rainingsheets · 09/08/2023 08:09

Mine went through phases of this with holiday clubs. I suggest you tell her that she needs to go today because you have to go to work however you will talk to the staff when you take her in about what happened on Monday and if it happens again today then she should let them know straight away and ask them to call you - if you would be able to go and collect her you could offer that - otherwise you can speak to her on the phone to calm her down. Usually it's ok once they're there - the thought of it is worse. If she has the same experience today then you may need to look at alternatives - mine weren't keen on the camp beaumont ones as it was quite full on.

LittleMonks11 · 09/08/2023 08:10

Did you ask her if something something specific happened? Poor love. 5/6 is very young. I'd be unhappy to send her in until I got to the bottom of what's upset her so much.

Severntrent · 09/08/2023 08:11

When my kids just haven't liked the camp bit its been ok, they've gone. When dd was really upset about a sports camp after 1 day, i let her stay home.
I think your approach seemed sensible to offer to come home if she was still unhappy. She can watch telly all day- one day won't hurt. And she might get so bored camp wont seem so bad!
Good luck!

Original poster
Geeko123 · 09/08/2023 08:13

LittleMonks11 · 09/08/2023 08:10

Did you ask her if something something specific happened? Poor love. 5/6 is very young. I'd be unhappy to send her in until I got to the bottom of what's upset her so much.

I did, she says it was very rough, lots of badly behaved boys and the camp leaders were shouting a lot at everyone.

When she went in mid July there were fewer children there, quite a few from her prep school and it was quieter, calmer a d she absolutely loved it then so this is quite upsetting to hear.

OP posts:
LittleMonks11 · 09/08/2023 08:18

Sounds like that's why there was a lot of shouting. But also like parents have been spoken to. Tricky one. Can you pick her up
Mid way through if she asks to come home?

Original poster
Geeko123 · 09/08/2023 08:21

LittleMonks11 · 09/08/2023 08:18

Sounds like that's why there was a lot of shouting. But also like parents have been spoken to. Tricky one. Can you pick her up
Mid way through if she asks to come home?

Yes, I think I'm going to take her , speak to them and collect her at lunch time if she is happy to stay for a few hours. Also I have a few other bookings, can't afford to lose the money, so they need to be aware she's very anxious to go.

OP posts:
Kfjsjdbd · 09/08/2023 08:24

I’ve had the same with my daughter today. She’s super excited about it at the start of the holiday but by week 3 is getting bored. I’ve said she can take today off. I luckily don’t have too much on at work so as long as she plays for most of the day I should be fine. I’m hoping the day off being bored will make her want to go back to the club tomorrow.

Original poster
Geeko123 · 09/08/2023 08:30

Kfjsjdbd · 09/08/2023 08:24

I’ve had the same with my daughter today. She’s super excited about it at the start of the holiday but by week 3 is getting bored. I’ve said she can take today off. I luckily don’t have too much on at work so as long as she plays for most of the day I should be fine. I’m hoping the day off being bored will make her want to go back to the club tomorrow.

I understand that, it can get boring but last week she only went in to Mon then had a holiday for a few days. Plus yesterday she had a boring day in, I let her chill at home and do whatever she wanted, watched a bit of TV thinking she'll be happy to go today. She wants to go out today but not to the camp 😔. Anyway, I'm going there this morning and see how it goes.

OP posts:
Inkpotlover · 09/08/2023 08:39

Geeko123 · 09/08/2023 08:09

DD is saying there were lots of very badly behaved boys, a few parents were called, some children had to be removed apparently...and when I was collecting her that afternoon, some parents were taken aside for a chat, so I thought there must have been something pretty bad going on.

Show quote history

Speak to the camp leaders too, but maybe reassure her by saying that the misbehaving children were clearly told off and their parents called and told what they did, so they should be better behaved now? Because they should be, or they'll get kicked out. Make her understand when the camp leaders get cross, it's not her fault, it's the other children.

LIZS · 09/08/2023 08:47

If you need to work she does not have a choice really. Tell her you will raise her concerns with the staff.

pacifictime · 09/08/2023 09:03

Seven year old boys can be naughty whether state or privately educated just saying

Original poster
Geeko123 · 09/08/2023 09:29

Thank you everyone!

I did take her in and told her if she feels anxious or tired she should let the leaders know I'll collect her earlier.

The leaders told me that there is a group of boys in her age group who come every day and got a bit familiar with everyone and they are 'pushing boundaries' a bit, so the leaders got involved on Monday and 'put some rules in' apparently. They said there nothing too rough, there is no violence and no danger to other children, just a bit disruptive and impacting the activities.

I'm hoping she'll be there at least until lunch time so I can get some work done.

OP posts:
Original poster
Geeko123 · 09/08/2023 09:43

pacifictime · 09/08/2023 09:03

Seven year old boys can be naughty whether state or privately educated just saying

I know that and I know it's not always boys who cause disruption, just happens to be boys in this case.

OP posts:
pluggedinn · 09/08/2023 13:59

She's young for camp I think but you know her best and must think she's ready. That being the case it would be a good time to for her to build resilience as in the real world she's not going to mixing with just quiet well behaved prep school kids.

Mememe1234 · 10/08/2023 08:28

I would look at a different camp and find one where she has friends. My son always goes to the same one and he’s got lots of friends there

Marmite27 · 10/08/2023 09:12

Geeko123 · 09/08/2023 09:43

I know that and I know it's not always boys who cause disruption, just happens to be boys in this case.

Show quote history

I think you’ve missed the point of this quote….

It is not pointing out that girls can be badly behaved too, but picking up on your inference that the problems have started when the ‘state educated’ children arrived.

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