To think that if my seven year old has to apply his own sunscreen, there's not really much point in using it?

[DrSeuss]

In brief, DS loves Cubs and is so excited about the summer camp. I am a fairly crap mother so I am thrilled to be shot of him for a bit. However, since the blurb we ust got says that kids have to put on their own sunscreen as leaders are forbidden to do it, I suppose I should pray for rain so that ginger DS doesn't go day glo. Bizarrely the camp is to feature learning to light fires, which I'm fine with but would consider a bit riskier than having the CRB checked, perfectly sensible leader put cream on his arms and face in a public place!

MrsTP because with all due respect, sunburn if you are out in the noon sun with milk-white skin = certainty.

Being molested by someone who is helping you put on sunscreen = fairly minute chance in any given situation, surely?

I also have a red headed ds and he could apply sunscreen if supervised - "Put a bit more on there, you missed a bit etc"

I once spoke to our (lovely) TA at our former school about this.

She said it was far, far quicker for her to apply suncream all children (including taking precautions for the one allergic child in the class) than it was to supervise self application to a sufficient standard.

But if children don't learn to put it on themselves, then obviously they become reliable much later. However, as the risk here is skin damage which is heavily implicated in a fatal cancer, then getting the sunscreen on right (particularly on pale children) is the key point (not the time or mess).

That said, I would hope at by the time a child is old enough for Cubs (8+) they have learned to do it competently themselves. But I should imagine the need to supervise/nag continues for some time beyond that.

He is 7 teach him to put it on it really isnt hard get him a spray cream so he can spray it on . the only thing he may have trouble with is his neck ,

ZOMBIE thread!

From six years ago. Hopefully the OP's ds has got the hang of sunscreen by now :)

*The Scout Association rules in POR (our rule book) and in all training delivered to leaders about safeguarding, first aid and outdoor activities very, very clearly state that leaders cannot apply sun cream to Cubs.

Cub aged children can apply it (spread it) to each other and leaders can spray it on but leaders cannot spread it. Scout aged children and above must apply it to themselves*

As a Cub leader (still in training) I would love to see written down where it says this in POR.

The only advice/rule I can find (on the yellow card) is that there should be no inappropriate physical contact. I don’t believe spreading suncream on the arms/face/neck of a seven year old in full view of other children and adults is inappropriate if they are struggling to do an adequate job of it themselves.

Oh, sorry, zombie thread!

I’d still like to see the rule about suncream though, if anyone can point me too it !