To have it out with summer camp leader

[LostMarblesAgain]

I picked up a very sad 9yr old DS from soccer camp today. He loves sports and was so excited to go there this morning.

One of the camp leaders explained that there'd been a bit of shoving between DS and another boy, something and nothing, all sorted now and everything is fine apparently. One look at DS and the tears now rolling down his face said otherwise. I told camp leader that I'd speak to DS at home and we'd discuss tomorrow.

So basically, DS was grouped with some older boys (too many kids in his age group so taller ones moved up a level). He knew nobody, so sat alone within the group area for lunch. Another boy ordered DS to move somewhere else to make way for his friend. DS refused and continued eating his lunch. At this point the other boy started name-calling & shoved DS to the ground while his friend pinned him down. DS did not retaliate but got upset as he almost choked on the food he was eating. Camp leaders did not intervene- DS doesn't know where they were. Eventually, one leader noticed he was upset and DS told him what happened.
Other kid denied it. They were forced to shake hands and warned they would be kicked out if any more trouble.

AIBU to expect my child to be in a supervised and safe environment when at summer camp? I'm so annoyed!
I won't even get into the verbal abuse he received in the afternoon from some of the older boys for missing a shot on goal (stupid f-ing c). WIBU to have a proper rant at the coach tomorrow? I tend to be fairly self-aware most of the time and try not to be that interfering mammy, but heck I'm struggling with this!

Yabu - the story cannot be verified as presumably the two boys will say nothing happened, he said, she said. Your child has already made up (forced) and the issue is dealt with, these things happen.

Boys cannot be supervised 24/7 but congratulate your lad on refusing to move! And don’t make a big thing if it.

If that was my son, he would not be going back there unless he was moved back to his own age group and/or with his friends (if he knows anyone there).
And yes I would totally go in hard on the camp leader.

Arguing, pushed to the fooor etc could have taken place in 30 seconds.

As for the language, welcome to the world of football. It stopped being a lovely family affair long ago I’m afraid.

Does ds want to go tomorrow? If so ask him which group he would prefer and see if that’s possible. Bad language is par for the course sadly.

Thanks for replies. Good to have a few different perspectives on this. At a minimum I'll push for DS to be placed with his own age group. He said he would be happier in that group with his friends.

He should be in his own age group and YANBU to insist on that - there can't be constant supervision but equally he shouldn't be left to fend for himself with older kids!

That's not good.
I'm afraid to say though that my own experience of holiday camps is that they aren't really supervised to be the same levels as the children get at school.
Not that that excuses it, but it is fairly normal.
Often run by teenagers who have no particular qualifications of working with children.

Agree with those who say stern words with leader and insist on him being moved to be with friends given the physical bullying he's endured.
Can't believe they threatened to kick him out as well! Lazy supervising.

The worst one was run by our private school in town, hailed as the best one, and £60 per day, so double the cost of the others. Thought I'd give it a try. Dds were 3&5. At pick up, I went and asked for my girls, gave names, was greeted with 'which ones are they?' I looked around and responded with 'they're the two girls sat over there next to the open gate next to the busy road with no supervisors anyway near.' They also took them swimming. Dd1 helped dd2 get changed. Luckily she had a float within her costume, because none of the supervisors went in with them. 3 years old, 1m deep pool.

We had our kids at a "sports camp" run by a guy who was an educated teacher and had a very good reputation. Unfortunately, he had hired a young man to run it instead of himself and this young man should never have been allowed near children. He actually tied a kid's shoelaces together so he fell over! And he wanted them to play that game where they throw ball at each other, which is a game not allowed on the school. When I said my children got hurt, the reply was "well, that's part of the game". I had paid for three days, my children were only there one day. I never got a refund.( But I did warn at least ten other parents not to let their children attend)

Does anyone actually think it is acceptable for the coach to allow children to use that language at a summer camp??? I would be furious and my children would not attend again. My older son plays football for a local team and bad language and bullying is not tolerated. Both my boys attended summer camp last year and loved it - it was well run and children were coached and supported not just supervised. My youngest son is very shy and timid and they helped him to join in throughout. I do not think any of what has happened is acceptable and I wouldn't be sending him again. Hope he is ok op xx