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Parenting

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Original poster

Camping with kids; Opinion/Advice

11 replies

Squorpio · 10/05/2012 12:48

I'm wondering if it's "normal" or common for people to camp with a few friends and their kids at a public campground and allow their kids (specifically a 10 year old girl) to sleep in their own tent some distance (approx 50 feet) from the parents, who have their own tent.

The friends and parents do drink while camping.
There are close camp sites to other campers.

I'm concerned something may happen in the night while the adults are passed out, such as:

The child being afraid and afraid to leave the tent for a parent/adult.
Another camper may abduct or harm the child.
Wildlife invades.

Just to name a few.

Thanks for any input!

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CogitoErgoSometimes · 10/05/2012 12:54

It depends on the child. Some would be freaked out by the prospect, others would enjoy the independence. Prowlers have no way of knowing it's a solitary child inside a tent unless they unzip the flap. Wildlife (beyond spiders) rarely presents a problem.

CogitoErgoSometimes · 10/05/2012 12:56

Sorry just re-read that there will be several children in the tent. As a cub leader that regularly takes groups of children age 8 - 10 away and does not (surprisingly enough) share a tent with them I think the answer to your question is 'normal'. Haven't lost a cub to marauding squirrels yet.

Original poster

Squorpio · 10/05/2012 13:20

*The other children in the group will share a tent with their parents. The 10 year old will have a tent to herself.

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5madthings · 10/05/2012 13:33

well if the 10 yr old is happy and the parents are happy then its up to them :)

when we go camping my ds1 will often sleep in a small tent on his own and has done so since about 9yr old, set up near to ours but now he is older it wouldnt have to be as near and he will probably share the tent with our ds2 who is 9. (ds1 is now 12)

i have let my kids go with relatives/friends etc where the adults sleep in a caravan and the kids then sleep in tents nearby, they all love it, often have a midnight feast and eat far too much crap but its all part of being children.

i wouldnt be suprised if another child ends up in the tent wiht the girls as once the other kids realise she has her own tent they will probably want to join in!

CogitoErgoSometimes · 10/05/2012 13:34

It's entirely the parents' call. If the child herself is happy to be in a tent solo then she is highly unlikely to come to any harm. Is this a friend of yours?

5madthings · 10/05/2012 13:38

thinking about it, when we went to the cornburry music festival the other year LODAS of kids were in there own tents, dotted about near to parents, some not so near and with it being a festival there was drinking anyway the kids all had a BALL and it wasnt an issue, i agree with cogitotergo it is highly unlikely anything will happen.

Original poster

Squorpio · 15/05/2012 21:51

My concern is, my 10 year old (who is in my care and "visits" her mother occasionally) has been on this camping trip for the past 3 or 4 years, it was only last year my "daughter" has opened up about the sleeping arrangements. She says she's afraid sometimes and isn't comfortable being alone, so far from her mother. I tried talking to her mother about this years trip to see if she could minimally, have her sleep closer to her tent. She insists that would be inappropriate since she will be with her intimate partner and bluntly told me that there will be no changes and we'd have to "agree to disagree." I have talked to many people including mediators and legal advisers, they said I could try to take legal steps, but since she has been on this trip many times already and gave me plenty of notice, the judge would not likely be in my favor. Ultimately I caved, my daughter will go on Tuesday, miss 3 days of school and have more fun than anything else.

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IneedAbetterNicknameIn2012 · 15/05/2012 22:14

When we camp with the camping club, it is perfectly 'normal' for children of this age to camp in their own pup tents. BUT the children are all happy to do so.

If your DD is not happy with the arrangment then I wouldn't be either. Not sure what you can do about it though :(

joanofarchitrave · 15/05/2012 22:15

Could she ask one of the other children to share the tent with her?

5madthings · 15/05/2012 22:46

ok now you have explained i see your dd is not happy wiht the arrangement not sure waht you can do about it? maybe atalk to her, reassure her, make sure she hasa torch and batteries, does she havea mobile so you can call her and wish her goodnight etc, anything to reassure her? :)

Original poster

Squorpio · 21/05/2012 22:10

This year I was told no other children but her was going. I tried again to ask she stay with her mother in the tent, but it was another "no." She'll have access to her mom's mobile, but it apparently doesn't get service at the site. She's really excited to be going, just a little nervous about the sleeping arrangements. I've packed her flashlights and plenty of batteries, books, an mp3 with audio books, etc., I know she'll have fun and possibly this year she'll like her own tent. Optimistic!

Thank you all for giving me some peace of mind

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