Kids and beaver overnight camps...

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My 6 year old is meant to be going away on a scout overnight camp. It's a big one with lots of kids from other groups/ages. Dh thinks it's totally fine but am feeling a bit uneasy. I know the leaders going with them but is 6 a bit too young for such things?

I'm a Beaver Leader

Most kids are totally ready and have a great time. It's usually the parents who are not ready.

But if a kid is not coping we will call the parents to have them collected. We'd never make a child stay if they weren't happy.

My eldest was sent home from his first beaver camp. But he went happily the next time because he knew what to accept.

If you child wants to go - send them off with enthusiasm. He will have a brilliant time.

Used to lead camps and indoor residential with brownies so age 7-10. Absolutely fine sometimes the younger ones would need a quick cuddle before bed but on the whole they loved it.

My own daughter is with Rainbows at 5. She has done a county day trip and has camped with us as a family. I'd have no hesitation sending her off if she wanted to go. I wouldn't be having a drink that night just in case for my own peace of mind if I had to drive and collect her. On the whole though I'd let her go and have adventures.

PP have mentioned night nappies and stuff. Honestly we were always discreet. It was always up to the child if they wanted to mention it to their friends. Occasionally if we were aware of potential issues before camp we'd have a group chat about how some children miss home on residential and might need extra cuddles, some have a teddy, some wear nappies etc. Basically nipped any potential teasing in the bud beforehand. Never had any though that I remember.

Regularly take older ones away for a week or more. They are fabulous! But notice now (post covid) where many missed residentials / camps etc due to covid when they were younger, more struggle being away from home now. As leaders, you work with each child, Never had one go home home sick yet - have had a few late night hot chocolates and ‘special’ choc biscuits for those that need it though!

Im not convinced keeping kids at home, never letting them spend a night away from mum (and/or Dad) is actually healthy in the long run, Obviously there are exceptions, of which I could list a few, but the majority of kids really benefit. Be it sleepovers with friends, Scouts, Guides, Boys Brigade etc. At some point we all want our young people to grow up to be independent and confident, and we need to give them opportunity to develop those skills,

oh, and the PP who claimed Beaver Leaders aren’t that brothered about the kids in their care, or don’t like 6year olds? I promise you, they really do! You wouldn’t do it otherwise!

Mine did a one-nighter at 6 years old and recently 3 nights at age 7. He absolutely loved them and had no issues but he is used to staying with his dad (divorced and coparenting since he was 2) or nan very often, so the ‘not being in his own bed’ thing wasn’t as much of a thing for him. It did feel quite strange not having contact with him those 3 nights! But I’ve volunteered at the club offend and was comfortable with the leaders who were going.
I think it’s very individual and you know your son best to know if he’s ready.

Of my four nephews, 1 went at 6 & enjoyed it, ish. 2nd had to be picked up at 11pm distraught. 3rd went but told parents on the drive home he'd never wanted to go again. 4th didn't want to go.

Personally I think 6 is too young, I think 8 is probably a better age to start that sort of thing

My 6yo son has just started and there is a trip this month. I don’t care if he is ready - I am definitely not!

I personally don’t think a 6yo needs to develop independence skills away from their parents. There is plenty of time for that.

It is NOT about age OP.
I know a 6 year old who would love it and a 14 year old who would hate it.

Mine both went on beaver camp at 6 and loved it. Prepared them for their Y2 residential later that year. In cubs they went for two nights.

When my youngest was six, he did overnights with beavers. He had complex medical needs, and frankly, they were amazing. I know it's just one anecdote, but it was a major stepping stone for us.

That would have been too young for ours.

My 3 Dc have all done Beaver camps from 6, 1 & 2 nights away locally & further afield. None of had any issues & loved it. Dc3 is quite clingy & has never looked back, siblings never batted an eye.

Many years ago at my DS unit, Beavers took a parent to overnight camps. By Cubs they went alone.

I have an almost 6 year old DD and I know she wouldn't be able to manage an overnight stay but I guess it depends on the child.

Brownies not Beavers, but you'd be surprised at how well 7 year olds cope, even though their parents have told us they won't and given us a whole series of phone numbers to call, just in case.

4 of mine went to Beavers. They all loved going away. The youngest was clingy but I'd been roped into volunteering by then so wasn't far from him. And yes, we'd always send home an unhappy child, no one wants to be up all night with a crying kid!

Mine have been all the way through scouting and loved it, Beavers prepared them for the next step and they loved going away and having adventures all over the country, and abroad.

No I found brownie camps at that age scary and unnecessary. Definitely not my fondest childhood memories.

Absolutely up to the child. You could join as a leader and then go away with them - that’s what I did to encourage my child to go on them. I’ve been on 2 sleepovers and 2 camps and no problems so far.

Theres the odd one who has tears at bedtime but they are settled and then happy the next morning. The leaders will make sure your child has an amazing time x

You don't have to send them. They have lots of trips like this all the time.

My ds 6 has been going to beavers for around 6 months there was an overnight camp in June but we decided that he was too young. He did day camp instead and we picked him up at around 9pm. I think this was ideal for him he was keen to stay but I think it's too young and he was too new to the whole thing and also he wakes every night at home so no doubt he would wake up. There is another camp in October and we will do the same again day camp only until we think he's ready.

My DD started going on overnight camps at aged 6 with beavers and continued through cubs and scouts and loved every minute, happily going away for days at a time at primary school age. If he / she wants to go then let them, the leaders know what to do if it doesn't go to plan.

I'm a rainbow and a brownie leader.

This is generalising a bit, but in my experience, 6yr olds who have done sleepovers with friends or cousins / grandparents etc usually do fine. Those that haven't, tend to struggle a bit (usually about 11.30pm when they haven't been able to get to sleep, or have slept for a bit and then woken up disorientated). Is it just a one night thing? Rainbows aren't allowed to do more than one night away so don't know if it's different with beavers, but for brownies, we find doing a one night away sleepover first, really helps them to prepare for a bigger camp / holiday etc.

As pp have said, generally the threshold for calling parents is pretty low when they are little. And you don't have to send him for overnight - they may be day attendance opportunities. There will be lots of other overnight opportunities if you want to sit this one out.

(Edit as I missed a para I wanted to write) But if you think he is ready and will enjoy it, then do consider letting him attend. They are great events and the kids get so much out of them.

On a side note, if you have any time, please do consider volunteering to help with the groups. You don't have to attend meetings or become a leader. In the past, I've had a parent help by doing my accounts for me and one help run a social media account for us. Every little helps to take pressure off the volunteer leaders.

It’s not something I would be comfortable at that age, I would be think more over 10 at the earliest. TBH I will be avoiding any sort of sleepover situations as long as possible for my kids.

For this camp will the Beavers be outside or inside? Irrespective of all the comments above it starts to get really cold in late September early October at night. I remember a September Guide camp as a young leader where we had ice on our water buckets and I was so cold at night.
So if in tents also think about whether child will be warm enough as if cold will be more likely to get homesick in the night.

If it's any help... mine did sleepovers with Beavers and brownies aged 7 and ever since. My youngest has gone away with the school for a week this week in yr6 so 10/11yrs old. You can tell the kids who have done these trips from those who haven't- they are much more comfortable with the idea. My eldest did a guide camp aged 11 with a group of girls she'd never met thanks to covid.

You know your kid, and maybe 6 is too young for them, but overall scout/Guide camps are amazing for confidence and great fun!

Follow your instincts. I wouldnt send him. I don't allow sleep overs either. Especially at 6 years old.