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Camping

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Original poster

DS 16 wants to camp with friends - any ideas?

11 replies

Perfectlystill · 03/03/2023 19:46

I know nothing about camping but my responsible and sensible DS wants to go camping with a few friends near a beach after GCSEs this summer.

Is this doable or mad to let them go?

And if the former, where is good? It will have to be accessible by public transport probably as obviously none of them drive.

I would love any thoughts on all the above.

OP posts:

Fivemoreminutes1 · 04/03/2023 06:35

16 year olds can stay at any YHA accommodation unaccompanied, and a number of YHA hostels also have campsites.

MrTumblesSpottyHag · 04/03/2023 06:48

They might struggle to find a site which will take them, lots are over 18 only.
Camping is lovely though so I hope they have a great time!

TheLurpackYears · 04/03/2023 06:52

YHA are a great idea. YHA Windmere has a camp site close to Brockholes activity centre.
We camped alone at that age and with hindsight were ridiculously sensible and well behaved and could have be so much naughtier!

rookiemere · 04/03/2023 07:21

Just let them wild camp somewhere and encourage them to come up with their own plans.

DS16 did this last year with friends.They were only half an hour away, so we could have rescued him if something went wrong.

junebirthdaygirl · 04/03/2023 07:46

I would prefer if they weren't near water. If they have a few drinks the temptation to go for a midnight swim could lead to trouble. That would be my only concern.

EyesOnThePies · 05/03/2023 14:01

Check sites here: www.lovecamping.co.uk/campsites/filter_under18

(not sure how up to date the lists will be)

Also, try YHA Campsites. Info is sparse but their general bookings T&C says "children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a person who is 18 years or older" . So as long as they are all 16 and not any 15 yo, they should be fine.

liveforsummer · 05/03/2023 14:04

You'd need to be a bit more specific about area if you want recommendations on where is good. No point me recommending my local wild camping spot if it's 400 miles from your home. Sounds fine though. I'd be smog worried about the presence of water and discuss this with my dc

NCTDN · 07/04/2023 16:33

YHA is a good idea - going to mention that to ds who wants to do the same.

PamelaDawes · 17/04/2023 15:25

My boys have spent their underaged drinking years camping. We live near a national park and they know how to camp.

Now that they are more or less of pub-going age they don't camp as much. I've asked them to put up the small tents this weekend so we can assess the damage. It was great for them - I am glad we were able to facilitate it (by driving them to woodlands with small amounts of cider)

StillYoung · 20/04/2023 10:13

Do you find a campsite in the end? Bigger campsites are pretty strict with age so phoning small campsites to reassure them is a good approach.

You may be far away but there a lot of young campers at this site which is next to a beach
https://pencarnanfarm.co.uk/contact-us/

Post to; Sian, Alan, Ben, Hal, Ella, Wil or Jemeima Richardson Pencarnan St Davids Pembrokeshire SA62 6PY Phone: 01437720580 Email: [email protected]

https://pencarnanfarm.co.uk/contact-us

outdooryone · 04/05/2023 13:56

Mine definitely enjoyed their camping with pals - as I did (too) many years before.

All of us know it is also an opportunity alcohol and sex - and so best have a word / make sure they are prepared.

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