How would you feel about your 18 year old doing Camp America at the moment?

[HouseontheLeft]

Normally I'd be delighted for any young adult to do Camp America; my sister and my DH each did it when they were teens and had fantastic experiences. It's a great opportunity to go abroad, earn some money, meet people from all over the world, and develop skills.

But with the US in the current political state it is, would you be happy sending your 18 year old over there for summer 2027? It's nine weeks plus potential travel time around the country afterwards, and my concerns range from an error with a visa seeing my teen put in jail (whereas any other country they'd, at worst, just be turned away and sent home), the presence of guns (depending on the camp location, I suppose), wildfires and floods, all the way through to major civil unrest.

Part of me thinks, 'Don't be ridiculous, people travel to the US and other places all the time and just have a great visit,' but the other part of me thinks that I wouldn't have sent a young adult to tour Germany in 1939. History suggests the US is going to be a very tricky place, trickier than it already is, in the next few years.

Can anyone talk any sense into me either way? Thanks in advance.

My relatives from the US read the news and are terrified to come to the UK.

Make of that what you will.

As somebody who has travelled to Florida over 50 times in 33 years to see my family, I haven’t been since I was 5 months pregnant with my daughter 4 years ago and have absolutely no interest in visiting the US right now. Sad as it was a place full of happy childhood memories, spending 6 weeks on the beach, it was a home from home for me but now? Not a chance and I’d be extremely worried as a parent.

I'd be really uncomfortable with it and discourage it but also respect that they are an adult and can make their own choice. I'd be worried sick the whole time though.

I would be absolutely fine, in fact my adult DS is travelling there in two weeks time. I’ve recently returned and go there two or three times a year to various areas and had no worries.

I think it says a lot about anyone prepared to travel there voluntarily at the moment. I accept that some people have to due to work.

Fox News, I presume?

The part of you that's saying you're being ridiculous is the part I'd listen to.

I love that mall too

This really depends on the state. If she goes to Massachusetts, Alaska, Maine, Michigan, Colorado, and a bunch of others she'll have more bodily autonomy over a pregnancy than she would in the UK and with the right insurance she'll be more likely to receive good pregnancy care than in the UK.

Oak Brook?

I'll be back there in a couple of weeks. Can't wait. :)