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Original poster

Cubs trip to church

59 replies

Coffeeandme · 03/10/2023 05:14

Our Cubs leaders have said they are going on a trip to a CofE church which is nearly 7 miles away from our town. Looking at Google maps the church is in the middle of nowhere, will take 15 mins each way for which parents will need to make the trip 4 times total.

Do you think this is ok - virtually an hour’s travelling and 25 miles, for Cubs to spend 1.5 hours at an ordinary CofE church?

We live in a large town with many churches, a mosque and synagogue.

With the CoL and petrol prices I’m surprised that they wouldn’t pick a local church, plus some parents can’t simply stay for the duration at the church as they have other DC or work to do at home.

OP posts:
Sleeplessinseattle234 · 03/10/2023 05:23

Depends. Is it just their pack going or are they meeting other packs there.what reason did they give to going.
My husband does trips like this. But he does try to make it as easy on the parents. But sometimes there are certain places they go to for a reason. You could always not let ur child go on that day.

Original poster
Coffeeandme · 03/10/2023 05:37

@Sleeplessinseattle234 there is no reason given for the trip and the other local pack meets on a different day.

I don’t drive for medical reasons so my child can’t go and I can’t carpool because I can’t reciprocate. An Uber works out too expensive. DH is away at a conference otherwise he would have taken him.

I’ve looked the church up online and can’t see anything significant about it - it’s just a small, ordinary church so I’m curious to know why a local church would not suffice. We have visited the local mosque and synagogue in Beavers.

OP posts:
mellongoose · 03/10/2023 06:19

Why don't you drop off, go for a walk, pick up?

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melchim · 03/10/2023 06:20

Why don't you just ask them about it?

Sunnysidegold · 03/10/2023 06:23

Ask them about it. Maybe it's one where they know the minister and it was handier for them to organise?

Our troop will always try to facilitate children attending. Even if you can reciprocate a lift they might be able to help organise a lift for your kid. In our group there'sparents who really don't mind helping out like this and wouldn't expect anything else in return.

You could always reciprocate in another way if you felt the need to.

Soontobe60 · 03/10/2023 06:26

You’re making a mountain out of a molehill. If there’s no one to take your DS, just let the leader know that he can’t go. They may well be able to sort out an alternative lift via another parent. It’s really not a big deal.

AintnocasseopoeiainWasingtonHeights · 03/10/2023 06:28

Surely it’s best to carpool to travel in as few cars as possible? If I were already going it would be no trouble to take your DS too. Your DH drives you say, so as a family you will have opportunity to offer a reciprocal lift at some point, though I wouldn’t think it was necessary :)

user1492757084 · 03/10/2023 06:30

Some of the parents who would like to attend the church might offer to drive kids who don't have a lift.

Speak to the leader.

PuttingDownRoots · 03/10/2023 06:35

Speak to the leader. We will ask if anyone is able to help non drivers for a trip. It seems an odd choice but it may be the vicar who is willing to give the tour or has some connection to the leaders, or the church is special in some way.

Sleeplessinseattle234 · 03/10/2023 06:38

The leader won’t be able to take them in their car alone. But u can go with them and stay and help? Trips out are hard and always helpful if other parents come.

Lulu1919 · 03/10/2023 06:40

I'd probably drive to take my child and hand around if life allowed it...I'd read my book take a coffee and breathe ..saving travel,time and fuel ....obviously not everyone could take the time ..so I'd get together with another mum and one do one way one do other
BUT
I'd happily take your child and understand you can't drive so it wouldn't worry me at all

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 03/10/2023 06:40

Coffeeandme · 03/10/2023 05:37

@Sleeplessinseattle234 there is no reason given for the trip and the other local pack meets on a different day.

I don’t drive for medical reasons so my child can’t go and I can’t carpool because I can’t reciprocate. An Uber works out too expensive. DH is away at a conference otherwise he would have taken him.

I’ve looked the church up online and can’t see anything significant about it - it’s just a small, ordinary church so I’m curious to know why a local church would not suffice. We have visited the local mosque and synagogue in Beavers.

Of course you can ask parents driving that way anyway for a lift. My dad constantly helped out like that when we were growing up.

WaitingfortheTardis · 03/10/2023 06:41

I think it sounds like a good idea, it isn't far but will allow them to see somewhere out of their own town. 7 miles and a 15min drive is nothing really. You don't need to be able to reciprocate to carpool, just ask the leaders.

MaggieFS · 03/10/2023 06:42

Just ask them why. And you can reciprocate in other ways.

ShagratandGorbag4ever · 03/10/2023 06:43

I'm sure the logistics are manageable, but it sounds like the most boring excursion ever.

ittakes2 · 03/10/2023 06:47

If you can’t drive no one would expect you to reciprocate - just ask leader I am sure someone would like offer to help.

CurlewKate · 03/10/2023 06:51

@Coffeeandme " don’t drive for medical reasons so my child can’t go and I can’t carpool because I can’t reciprocate."

Of course you can! Ask the leader if there's someone who'll take your child. I guarantee there will be.

It does seem a bit odd that you haven't got any more information, though. Have you missed a letter?

Sleeplessinseattle234 · 03/10/2023 07:03

Have u spoken to any of the leaders about this? Sorry but this kind of thing really makes me angry. My husband has given up hours and hours of his time to run many of these places. I hope u have spoken to them and not just come on here moaning about this.

TeenDivided · 03/10/2023 07:09

ittakes2 · 03/10/2023 06:47

If you can’t drive no one would expect you to reciprocate - just ask leader I am sure someone would like offer to help.

Exactly.

And just because you can't reciprocate in exactly the same way doesn't mean you can't keep an eye out to repay the favour another way.

MyCircumference · 03/10/2023 07:12

perhaps it has beautiful stained glass windows or something
surely there are other trips where you come up with this non driving issue?

Runnersandtoms · 03/10/2023 07:15

As above you're making a big deal of nothing. If you want him to attend then I'm sure you can get help to get him there and back. There will always be people who don't mind giving a lift. If you don't want him to attend just don't send him. Cubs is not compulsory attendance!!

Limer · 03/10/2023 07:18

But you can reciprocate - it's only this occasion that clashes with your DH's conference. There will be plenty of chances for your DH to do the driving.

cuckyplunt · 03/10/2023 07:19

Either your child commits to something and learns that it is a commitment and that it is important to attend whenever they can, as other people are giving up their time are relying on them to turn up and take part.
Or you teach them that it’s okay to duck out when things get mildly inconvenient.

littleducks · 03/10/2023 07:23

I plan these trips, some places are more accommodating and keener on us attending eg. We go to fire station Y because fire station X is closer but less easy to book. Benefit being cubs less familiar with place to do seen to find more interesting.

When looking at churches to visit I consider ones with youth club or messy church etc better options as I think they will be better prepared for kids. I also avoid ones on local school trip list

NJMAd · 03/10/2023 07:24

Doesn't sound that big of a deal? It's only a one off.

Put on your big girl pants and ask someone for a lift/talk to a leader/get a cab and wait nearby etc.

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