am I too liberal to encourage my daughter to go camping

[stephrick]

My DD is 16 has been dating BF for 6 months, I asked her if she has any plans for the summer(I did when I was 16, Surfing in Newquay), I suggested camping with Boyfriend in Devon or somewhere else hip, but BF parents are more conservative, they are both going to be 17 soon, there is nothing like going on the open road young and in love, DD wants to but he isn't allowed. Both at 6th form and sensible, don't drink, and being careful. Please don't say I'm the mad one.

Sounds lovely, oh to be young again ( as long as you've had that contraception chat!)

I was off cycling, youth hostelling and camping at 15, and went to France in the 6th form, with friends. It was great. Have times changed that much?

No you're not wrong. I guess you have to respect his parents' stance but it's very blinkered. It's her bf's battle.

I know, didn't need encouragement when I was young, and yes to the contraception chat, yes yes and yes, ohhhhhhh yes. I want her build up memories, you can't do that when you visit your BF and play on the computer. The heady outdoors, being on your own without "oldies about", cooking your own dinner, staying up late chatting, walking on the beach at midnight, OMG reliving my youth.

Sounds fine to me (agree on contraception chat etc), but camping can be a bit difficult and hard work lugging everything around unless they are either staying in one place or have a car. Or maybe they won't mind big backpacks and sticking to the absolute basics? You could suggest youth hostels or similar as an alternative.

No - not too liberal at all imo. I went off on holidays with boyfriends - one at 16, the next at 17 ;)

It is her bf's parents which are be ing too strict - but nothing yu can do about that.

But maybe they are more concerned about the practilities of the camping trip - as suggested they could try YH - or a cheap B&b?

Oh, to be 16 again - :)

God.. At 16 that would have been my worst nightmare!
Does she WANT to go?.

And... Will they be able to book a site as they are both under 18?

Sounds fun but I'm with the boyfriend's parents.

I'd certainly let a 16 yo dd (or ds) go - sounds great.

If her bf's parents are less keen, has she got girlfriends she could go off adventuring with? He'll keep , & it's the independence & going off without aged parents that's the important thing.

I went youth hostelling in England at 15 with 2 schoolfriends and to France with one of them the following year. My parents asked for an itinerary and I found out after we got back that my Dad called each French youth hostel to check we had arrived ok, bless him.

We had a great time - even got invited to a sex party in Marseille - my friend fortunately dragged me off before I agreed to go to that - I only heard the "party" bit.

Would BF's parents be happier if they went as part of a group rather than on their own? Maybe they are just concerned about two teenagers on their own from a vulnerability perspective rather than from a conservative point of view?

Alternatively, RavenAK's idea of a trip with girlfriends is ideal. She will still have a wonderful time.