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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

... to think this is very sad (re: screen time)

92 replies

Contraryish · 29/01/2015 13:52

My 10 yo son is a Scout within a group of about 30-40 (mostly) boys and (a few) girls aged between 10.5 and 12.5. Last weekend, he went away on camp, under canvas, with lots of fun outdoor activities, campfire cooking and plenty of mud!

Only 12 children out of the whole group signed up for the camp. The others, allegedly, 'would rather be home on their X-boxes'. At least one child was sent against his wishes and spent two days grumbling about missing his X-boxes and other assorted electrical devices.

Now I acknowledge this is second hand information via a ten year-old child and therefore not the most reliable of sources. But don't you think it's really sad that we are raising a generation that, by and large, prefers virtual activity to real-life adventure?

OP posts:
chocorabbit · 29/01/2015 15:19

Not in January!

But I agree regarding screen time. Whenever my children have gone to play outside at their grandparents garden (we have lived there for long periods) only in a few circumstances would you hear children playing in the nearby houses. You could hear ours from the other side down the road.

Really sad Sad

Original poster
Contraryish · 29/01/2015 15:35

I'm not saying that camping is universally better than screen-time or gaming. Just that there is a time and a place for both, and it's a shame that some young people aren't prepared to sacrifice one weekend of their winter (which turned out to be a glorious one) for outdoor activities. Obviously, they wouldn't grow up well-rounded individuals by camping every weekend any more than they would playing games or reading books every weekend. Variety is the spice of life!

I never had the opportunity to do things like these camps as a child. Too much time with my head stuck in a book. Which probably contributed to making me the overweight, sedentary adult I am, who spends most days stuck in front of a computer!

My son was actually disappointed there was no snow! I think part of the appeal is the challenge of completing it. It's no challenge in glorious sunshine in August!

OP posts:
Stinkle · 29/01/2015 16:56

My DD does Gilwell Winter Camp every January. Her scout troop has a huge uptake, virtually the whole troop go.

She loves it, she reckons writing your name in the frost on your tent is a rite of passage Grin

As long as they have the right kit, they're fine. DD has thermals coming out of her ears, a 4 season sleeping bag, proper boots, waterproof trousers. They're well looked after, with hot food and hot chocolate on tap.

It's not for me, it's fecking freezing and judging by the bag full of mud she bought home with her, it was wet and muddy this year as well. Not everyone will want to spend a weekend freezing their arses off, getting wet and covered with mud

Regarding the money, it's not just the camp that costs, it's the cost of the equipment too. It's not like camping in August, you need appropriate kit and that's not cheap

StarsOfTrackAndField · 29/01/2015 17:03

Now I acknowledge this is second hand information via a ten year-old child and therefore not the most reliable of sources. But don't you think it's really sad that we are raising a generation that, by and large, prefers virtual activity to real-life adventure?

Or that 30-odd kids were wise enough to realise that freezing your arse off in a tent in the depths of January is no fun whatsoever. The would 'rather play with their x-boxes' sounds like something the scout leader would say, rather than the non-attendees.

I can't see what is to be gained by going at the most miserable time of the year? What can they do now, that they can't do in April or May? What more do they gain from being cold all the time?

Sounds like a stupid idea from the off!

Momagain1 · 29/01/2015 17:07

Ny sin would take the place of cubs who dont want to do cub things, like camp. Long waiting list for our nearest, shorter waiting list for the next nearest. So we wait.

Stinkle · 29/01/2015 17:08

What can they do now, that they can't do in April or May? What more do they gain from being cold all the time?

From what I can make out, the whole point of it is that it's freezing/pissing with rain/snowing. It's the challenge. Extreme camping

I personally think it's the silliest idea ever. I hate being cold and I bloody hate camping so I can't see the point of it either, but my DD absolutely loves it

Momagain1 · 29/01/2015 17:08

My son, not Ny sin. I dont know what that is.

Andcake · 29/01/2015 17:12

Can't blame them. 30 odd years ago given the option I would have stayed at home (camping summer or winter) rather than camp. Camping is horrible a few awful brownie and guide camps put me off forever - i've done it once since in hot climes and it was still horrible. No sleep and dirty.

Summerisle1 · 29/01/2015 17:13

And it was only -2 degrees and he had a proper warm sleeping bag.

only -2. Well there's your answer, OP. I'm sure this has far less to do with screen time and more to do with children having the commonsense not to be fooled by the jolly assertions that attempting to sleep outdoors in sub-zero temperatures is going to be fun! Because really, it isn't! Or at least, nowhere near as much fun as being at home in your warm cosy bed in January.

Even ds1 who went to every cub and scout camp going and indeed, grew up to enjoy quite extreme outdoor pursuits would have had second thoughts about being under canvas in January.

bigbluestars · 29/01/2015 17:15

Sounds horrible.
I am deeply suspicious of Scout and Brownie organisations anyway. I would rather have my kids safely at home in front of an x box.

LaLyra · 29/01/2015 17:15

My girls both love Brownie camp, but there's no way I'd have been able to prise them away from their Christmas presents and the heating to go camping last weekend.

If those kids who didn't fancy it are never interested in outdoor activities then there is an issue. If they just don't like the idea of camping in the cold then I doubt they'd be in the minority.

Hygellig · 29/01/2015 17:18

April to October, I would agree with you. However, I'm not sure I'd fancy camping in January. If I went on a walking trip away I would like to have a nice warm room to come back to at the end.

ILovePud · 29/01/2015 17:19

SomewhereIBelong I think you raise important points, I think there is sometimes too much hand wringing about what 'children these days' do, eat, wear... There's lots of routes to becoming a successful and well adjusted adult. For me camping in January sounds hellish but then we are all different, nothing to feel sad, smug or worried about IMO. I do wonder whether your son knows your views on 'technology' vs 'real life adventure' OP and was trying to win your approval with tales of his fellow scouts failings.

Violettadoesthekondo · 29/01/2015 17:21

We haven't got enough cash to send DS to scout camp. Nothing to do with screen time.

Sparklingbrook · 29/01/2015 17:27

Camping in the snow in January versus X box in the warm. It's a toughie. Grin I know what my two would choose.

Summer though-fine.

I doubt all of the refusers were down to X Box addiction just they didn't fancy cold camping.

FightOrFlight · 29/01/2015 17:29

I love camping but I'd draw the line at going in January.

You may well be lovely and warm in your sleeping bag but I have to get up and pee during the night. Getting kitted up for a freezing trek to the loo is enough to put me off camping in winter Shock

FringeDivision · 29/01/2015 17:32

Camping is a hideous proposition for many people. Why should a child automatically love it just because they are a child? I'd rather he home with my screen too Wink

Sparklingbrook · 29/01/2015 17:36

Oh yes Fringe I was only referring to my teens. I would never ever go camping, like ever. Grin

CurlyhairedAssassin · 29/01/2015 17:43

I'm surprised you actually had to ask the question, OP! January? In temperature below freezing?!

Fair enough if you want to take a small group of hardcore camping fans and you've gauged the level of interest first. But to complain that there was no interest in a camping trip in January is insane!

My 2 DS's love their x box but in the summer they would jump at the chance of some out door activities or camping. As a parent I would actively advise AGAINST it this time of year as I wouldn't be reassured that they would be warm and dry enough. You need proper kit (including outdoor wear and waterproof boots etc for winter camping and most kids wouldn't have it.)

Please come back in the warmer months after a summer trip has been arranged and tell me about the level of interest then!

PaleoRules · 29/01/2015 17:50

bigbluestars, I assume you're taking the piss? Hmm

OP, I wouldn't camp in January but your point about screen time is a valid one - I know kids who sulk and grumble when taken outside or to do any activity that means they're away from their screens. It's the subject of a week-long phone in on Radio 2 this week. It is a serious problem and a serious worry - don't know the answer though Sad.

bigbluestars · 29/01/2015 18:03

paleo, no I am not unfortunately.

Methe · 29/01/2015 18:08

Most sensible humans would rather stay at home staring at a screen than camping in January.

PaleoRules · 29/01/2015 19:19

"Deeply suspicious"???? Of what?

All the fun and interesting things they do?

Yep, I'd far rather my kids were in front of an x box Hmm.

Original poster
Contraryish · 29/01/2015 19:27

OK. He had all the right kit. Proper warm sleeping bag, thermals, etc. He asked for the sleeping bag for Christmas as he was keen to go on camp! (He also asked for an xbox - ha!)

Don't get me wrong, I'm not anti screens. He has a tablet and laptop of his own. And I admit this time they were lucky with the weather, while it was cold overnight, it was sunny and warm during the day. They were given the option of going inside on the second night and refused! No coercion was involved.

I still think it's not that hardcore, bit I guess it takes all sorts! Grin Grin

OP posts:
ILovePud · 29/01/2015 20:04

PaleoRules why are you being so truculent in your replies to bigbluestars? For all you know he/she or someone close to them may have had some terrible experiences in the scouts, there's no needs for the sceptical faces, disingenuous comments and multiple question marks.