Am I being overprotective about my DS going on camp with cubs?

[Nordicdaydream]

My DS (8) has been offered a place on a cub’s camp for two nights at the beginning of December, which he’s excited about.
The only thing I’m really struggling with is the journey. They’re going on a Friday evening, so it will be dark, and it’s around two hours away, including motorway driving. They’ll be travelling in a minibus with one of the camp leaders driving.
I keep worrying about the possibility of them having a motorway accident, and the thought of something happening to my little boy is really frightening me. Especially as it’ll be dark and potentially foggy/bad weather conditions.

I know accidents can happen anywhere and that motorway journeys are a normal part of life, but I can’t seem to stop thinking about the journey and all the things that could go wrong.
I don’t want my anxiety to stop him from having exciting experiences and becoming more independent, especially if it’s something he’ll really enjoy. But equally, I’m finding it hard to feel comfortable with him being so far away from me.

Am I being unreasonable and overprotective, or is this a reasonable thing to worry about? Would you let your 8 year old go (he’s only just turned 8) and is there anything you’d want to check with the camp beforehand?

I’m genuinely interested in hearing from other parents, particularly those whose children have been on similar camps. Please be kind, as I know some of this is probably my anxiety talking.

Of course it’s normal to worry and waving your child off on a trip feels horrible sometimes.
But you really must let him go and find ways to manage your anxiety

This is your anxiety talking. Do not deprive your child of a brillliant experience because of that. Get some help to deal with it.

It’s the Lake District. They mentioned hot chocolate and mince pies.
He seems to be really looking to it. I’m trying not to let my anxiety ruin things for him.

It will all be fine (I know terrible things happen but it is extremely rare) he will have a great time and come home full of his adventure.

In 35 years of teaching I've done dozens of residentials and camps.
He'll be absolutely fine.

You'll be a bag of nerves because you have separation anxiety, but you're the adult and you need to pull it together and let him go.

I might sound harsh, but like I've written up thread, I've literally just had this experience two weeks ago. Mum too anxious to let her child attend camp and it was heartbreaking to see him miss out.
Please sort yourself out and don't look for reasons to stop him going.

This but it wouldn’t be the journey that worried me!

I would be worried about the leaders and volunteers. See the news recently? Yikes!?
I have two boys and nope..never..

Hi op all I can say is I was never away from my mum when I was little up to being a teenager. I chose not to go on school holidays but realised in later life how much I missed out on those experiences.

My mum was an only one and were her world but despite my own worries I’ve tried to do the opposite with my two children both have been in scouting from 6 my youngest did the most nights away in beavers .

They are so much more resilient and prepared for senior school and life than I ever was. It was hard but I am glad I’ve done it. The big one goes to Europe with them next year for 8 days. He couldn’t wait to put his name down. My mum thinks it’s too much lol .

You have to do what is right for you but also right for your boy. X

@MixedBananas
Sorry can I ask what news do you mean?

I hope you're not going to latch on to this type of post.

Stop looking for justification to stop him going because YOU have separation anxiety.

My daughter is 7 and gone away with Brownies tonight for two nights. Less than an hour away. She has never stayed away from us before but was very excited to go. Some of her school friends are going too so she knows a few of the girls. I feel slightly anxious about it but I couldn’t let that stop her from going. She was so happy to be going.

You need to let him go

you admit you have motorway anxiety

and won’t use them at night.

you need to overcome these. What will happen when he’s older - teenager and his friends parents you don’t know pick him up to take him places (that happens with teens). Or they are driving 17yo.

it seems like an age away but anxiety like this takes time to resolve

As a leader, I can honestly say I am way more vigilant with Cubs & Brownies in my care than I ever would be with my own children. We are all trained in First Aid, Safeguarding and at least one (usually more) of the team will have a higher level 'Going Away' licence- this covers things like appropriate food portions and nutritional levels, allergens and cross contamination risks, safe sleeping arrangements, appropiate toilet & hygeine provisions plus so much more. We risk assess again and again, to the point most people would think it is unnecessary. We also have minimum adult to child ratios based on age so no one adult is responsible for more children than is safe. For overnights, the children are usually so tired from all the excitement to be worried about being away from home & parents, plus they are with friends that are likely in the same position.
Your Leadership team should be happy and able to share their plans and risk assessments with you if that would make you more comfortable. I would say don't expect them to be too lively when they get home on the Sunday, we usually have them up and active a lot longer than they would be at home!

Please get help with your anxiety. This isn't normal.

OP anxiety is a horrible thing to live with.i hear you.xx But it's yours not your boys. Maybe have a chat with the cub leader.x let him go stay at home and be busy/take beta blockers xxxxx

That ship has sailed. This is the second time OP has embraced a post urging caution, because those are the valuable posts.

Conversely, posts falling into these categories should have significant value but are, sadly, dismissed: those by experienced cub and scout leaders; those from parents who have seen beyond their own anxiety so their DC can go on adventures, build their resilience, and have fun with their peers; those from parents who do not experience anxiety and whose DC have enjoyed camping expeditions without their patents; those from anxious parents who regret not allowing their DC to go on camping expeditions without them.

OP, I am adding my voice to those pleading with you to prioritise the good of your child against the appetites of your anxiety, because it is a beast whose appetites will never be satisfied.

Jesus, he's 8 not 4. Let him go. Worrying about him is totally normal, but no reason to stop him from doing stuff.

So your chils is more important than the other kinds who go there? Pull yourself together and don't put your issues on to him

No wonder why there is a mental health crisis in children

https://metro.co.uk/2026/10/23/camp-leader-drugged-sexually-abused-boys-loses-bid-reduce-sentence-29734513/?ico=more_text_links

Oh look another story this week. Last week there was one.

I never went away on school trips. 0 mental health issues. What a bizzare statement.

You need to get help with your anxiety because otherwise, one way or another, it will negatively affect your child. Children pick up on these things very easily and they try to accommodate what the adults around them want. That's not something you should want him to do.
He's excited to go - this is the important thing - he's saying he's ready for this kind of experience. That's a good thing. It shows he is social, has some independence and is keen to try new things. That's how children develop and grow.

JFC, talk about scaremongering!

Get therapy

An awful thing, but this is nothing to do with Scouts.

I speak as both a parent and a leader of a youth group.
As a leader the best thing you can do to help your child is help them prepare for their weekend away, cub camp is nothing like being at a grandparents house. Make sure they pack their bag, and don’t over fill it. They will need to look after themselves there. I got mine own to practise for several weeks before hand; they also need to know how to wash up. I have been a leader on and off for over 20 years.

As a parent - I hated my kids going in anyone’s car - I always offered to drive if I could. I hated the minibus option too - sometimes it could not be avoided. I never stopped them going and kept my concerns to myself. They first stayed away at cubs at 7. At ten they went to Switzerland with the scouts - one of their best memories as a child. The end result is I have very independant adult children.
But those first camps, as a parent, were really hard - and I had a lot of leader experience to call on.