Make DS go to cub camp? Need thoughts quick.

[MugglesandLuna]

Just want to point out that my DS is 10, and has AS traits

DS is supposed to be leaving for cub camp in an hour, now he says he doesnt want to go.

He went on another last month when it was particually cold, which I think has made him a bit nervous.

However there are three reasons I think he should go.

1. He said he would go. Its only a small camp and so only 40 places, it was oversubsribed but he got a place, therefore taking a place from another cub.
2. He needs to learn that he has to follow through on his word, and cant keep pulling out of things at the last minute. He told his Cub leader he would be going this wednesday.
3. (less importantly) I have had to pay £20 for the camp and £50 for all the bits he needs, which is alot of money for us.

If it wasnt for his AS I would be making him go, but I am doubting myself a little. He is a happy boy and I know he will enjoy himself when he gets there (just like all the things he has worked himself up about in the past). Lots of his friends will be there

AIBU to make him go. He is currenly sitting eating his breakfast one wheeto at a time, complaining that its raining.

Waltons, I've been on here before, rabbiting on about how wonderful, inclusive and all-round amazing Beavers, cubs, scouts and now explorers have been for my DS.
The only downside for him was having girls join when he was in scouts, but he's coping and so are they.

I am wondering how the young man got one with his night in the open?

Any news OP?

He came back damp and dirty but he really enjoyed himself - had done lots of activities which he found fun. Because the weather was so awful they scrapped the open air sleeping and shared tents.

He actually said he couldnt wait for the next one which made my well up a little :)

That's wonderful news. Now that he's safe back I can tell you my cub camp horror story. :o

We were camping at the opposite end of a huge cow field to the stand pipe. Twice a day all the boys had to run backwards and forwards across the field with empty plastic bottles to fill with water, which they emptied into the huge water barrels at the campsite. This water was then used for cooking/drinking/washing etc.

We had been at the site about 5 days when one of the boys came up to me during water fetching time. "Baloo" he says "I thought we were supposed to fill the bottles from the tap?" yeees "Well everyone else has been filling them up by dunking them in the bath the cows drink out of."

He sounds so like my son who also has traits. He is currently in Beavers but is due to move up in September and he is already worrying about it (chewing of clothes etc). He really really wants to do it but its a "new" thing and until he has been and done it he will be so "twitchy" about it.

We can always tell when he is worrying about something as his behaviour deteriorates. Recently it has been about moving into year 4. Unfortunately our ds wont tell us what is wrong so we have to figure it out for ourselves - and if we are lucky we guess the correct thing and then he will open up about it.

I think Cubs is great for children who are maybe struggling socially at school ie those with AS traits like your DS. If he can understand your first 2 points then I'd make him go. If he really can't understand those then he's going to struggle to understand why you're sending him.

OK, I'm going to read on to see what you did do!

Awww, a happy ending. Hopefully he'll find this experience useful when he next feel anxious. Good stuff and well done your DS.
Sleeping in the open with Cubs is great. My (experienced camper) was most miffed to learn that our Cub pack sleep indoors for camps.

My 12 year old is currently at the stage of referral for diagnosis for his AS traits. He refuses to go to scout camp as he is very uncomfortable away from home and his familiar surroundings. He will go places with me because I know how to handle and support him but the scout leaders take a very "man up and get on with it" attitude towards kids who don't want to participate. His main fear is food and since there is no choice offered he went hungry at his first and only camp which I also think didn't encourage him to go again. He is also a very private person and things such as changing in front of others or sharing sleeping space with virtual strangers upsets him. It's a pity but I don't make him go as long as he says in the first place that he isn't going. He's not allowed to book a place and then not go. The same applies to school residential trips. He will go on day trips because as another poster said he has the safety net of returning home at the end of the day.