AIBU to think alcohol should not be offered to 14yr old at Scout Camp?

[mummyflood]

During the course of a conversation today about lots of things, DS1 who is now 15 asked me what Strongbow is, as he had been given some by a leader at a scout camp last year when he was 14.

This threw me, as it was the first I knew of it. I told him I was surprised that the leader had given him it, especially as he didnt realise/wasn't told it was alcohol (apparently he didnt like the taste and threw most of it away) and to be honest was not very pleased that we were not told alcohol would be there or asked if we would object to him being given any. Two of the lads are 18, there were about 3 or 4 adult leaders, and the rest are younger down to about 13 I think.

AIBU to think that the leader was out of order, and is it now too late to mention it at the next meeting tommorrow, bearing in mind this happened before Christmas and he has only thought to mention it now??

YANBU, and I think you should mention it, that's not on imo.

YANBU Alcohol should not be offered to under 18s it is illegal.

Personally I think parents should be allowed to give some to their own DC in safety of own home, but that is different.

Yes I think you should raise it so that it does not happen again.

that sounds opdd. I would not be happy

YANBU!!!!!

I am aformer Scout leader and wouldn't have dreamed of doing anything like that in a million years!
We were always extremely aware that we were in charge of other people's children.

And Scouts as well. I just have a 'whiter than white' image of them. Which may be completely unfounded, but you kind of assume your DC will be in very safe and responsible hands, iyswim?

you get some funny people doing Scouts. The stories my dh tells...

That is outrageous in the privacy of your home that is your decision but how dare a stranger for all intents give your son booze.he could have had reaction but really it is against law surely he is underage.

I would be so concerned at an adult scout leader trying to ply my 14 year old son with alcohol whilst away on a camping trip that I would report it at once to the police.

I was quite shocked, tbh, especially knowing who the leader in question is (middle aged lady, absolutely lovely usually but keeps them all in line, seems devoted to the group and young people in general). Gut feeling is I should say something, not sure whether to approach her or the Senior Leader IYSWIM. All the adults have been absolutely brilliant over the years - DS has done cubs, scouts, the lot - loads of camps, never any issues at all. Until now.

Thing is, I now remember seeing two of the leaders in local supermarket doing the food shopping for the camp. One of them picked up a pack of lager and joked about it, saying that they (the adults, I assumed!!) would need it after the days activities that they had planned. Maybe a bit OTT on my behalf, but is it actually OK for the leaders to be boozing when they are in charge of several young people in these circumstances??

I think that speaking to the leader is a good start. too much time has not elasped as it has only just been brought to your attention.

If you don't get any joy there I'm sure the district commisioner or indeed the scout assciation would be MOST interested, even if the police aren't. They prize their reputation and incidents like this would no help that one bit!

Riven if it's the 10th complaint the police have had about an adult trying to persuade a child in their care to drink alcohol, they'll take notice. That's why I think it important to report it.

If they keep doing it, one day some poor innocent kid is gonna get overcome with alcohol whilst in that seedy persons care and God knows what will happen then.

Yes, official camp site, MadamDeathStare. (he was 14 at the time btw, not that it makes much difference!)

Off to talk to DH about it, see if he wants to tackle it tommorrow evening or whether it will be me. Will update with outcome.

It is a breach of trust and if it were my ds I would be very concerned. I'd also be reluctant to let him go away with this leader again tbh.

OK, getting ready to be flamed here.

Dh is a scout Leader and yes, in the past we have offered some of the Older Scouts a stubbie (small bottle of lager) if they would like. This is back when the older scouts were 16. Why did we? The other scouts would be in bed, and at the end of the day the Leaders would be cracking open some bottles and chewing the cud as it were with the older scouts, seeing how they thought the day went, what we could have done better etc. It was almost "polite" to offer a drink to them. The Scouts we offered it to, were also sons of other Leaders within the Group and who we knew had been offered beer at home before. The Scouts were only allowed 1 beer and no more. Would we do it now, especially as the oldest Scouts are only 14? No. Would we force it on any of them? No

As to whoever said Leaders should not be drinking alcohol in such a situation - Why? How many of you don't have a drink in the evenings when the children are in bed? It's no different for Leaders, most of whom have taken time of work to volunteer to take x number of Scouts away. We always ensure someone is "Des" for the evening and will not have a drink. It may also surprise you to know that quite a few Scout Campsites have a Leaders bar on site.

It is legal for a 16 yr old to drink in a bar restaurant providing they are having a meal. Big difference between doing something legal and something illegal imo.

If I were looking after other people's children I would not drink and I would expect those looking after my ds not to drink too. Being a scout leader is voluntary but if a drink is worth more than children's welfare then maybe they would be better off volunteering elsewhere.

I would't appreciate someone giving my dd alcohol at a youth camp or anywhere else for that matter. Alcohol given by a parent in their own home is somewhat different.

How does having one drink affect a child's welfare?