Thoughts on 16yo teens going to Reading Festival

[AthenaEatsApples]

My current 15yo daughter will have just turned 16 the day before Reading Festival which is the minimum age required to attend the festival without an adult. She is the youngest in her year and most of her friends will be turning 17. Her and two of her girlfriends want to attend Reading Festival as an end of GCSE celebration. I've never been to the festival and wonder if anyone has thoughts on allowing three teen girls to attend the three day festival.

My dd is similar circumstances … it’s a post gcse rite of passage and 1 of her favourite artists is playing , so she is just going for that day…I am happy with that as she’s not streetwise so I didn’t want her camping just yet. seeing as the last outdoor concert I went to myself (where there were lots of people with kids) it was apparent how much drug use was going on, so I think you just have to presume it will happen anywhere and try and prepare them as much as poss and have very frank conversations about risk scenarios.

Having been absolutely not - maybe the day with a few mates with a plan of being picked up but camping and staying nooooooo way

DS and his friends are going to Leeds, but just for the day on the Friday. I don't think they can camp at 16, so they are getting dropped off and picked up. Loads of our friends' kids have done the same. They are pretty sensible, so I'm hoping for the best

Just to add, I do think it depends on how far away you live. More than a couple of hours and I would be twitchy, I think.

I’ve done security there a few times, there’s always a high police presence and drugs dogs patrolling safety is the biggest concern so if she makes herself aware of the first aid security and welfare areas on arrival and drink nothing she hasn’t purchased herself or hasn’t had her eyes off ever she should be ok in previous years welfare hand out anti spike bottle tops

This is a long time ago now but my parents actually took me when I was 16. I stayed with them every night but went out with my friends the whole day. As people have said, drugs are very present (they were back then and are still now), it just depends on your child and whether they take them or not. I’m not suggesting you make your child stay with you, but it might be nice to go too so that they know someone is near if she needs anything 😊

Long-standing tradition at mine too. It's a rite of passage and one I'm dreading for my own kids.

Mine have all been post-exams. A tip is to book the early access ticket so they get a decent camping spot. And to leave on Sunday night before the trouble kicks off.

My dd is 16 today -she hasn't mentioned any post gcse events as yet! I hope she isn't thinking music festivals as unless it's just for the day I feel she is too young to camp.

As others have said, 16/17 is average age for Reading. My DD went after GCSE’s. She got early bird tickets to get near the best camping spot - top tip is not to pitch your tent on the edges by the walkways as they are usually the ones that get wrecked on the Sunday night. DD went with a group of sensible friends and I had a long chat with her about drugs/alcohol/sticking together etc.

I’ve said no to my 16yo, I’m happy for her to do a day and pick her up after but having been myself I don’t think it’s a good first festival to camp at, too many young drunk lads.

My daughter went last year to Reading festival and was told a girl got raped during the day, people got in without tickets

i would like to collect my 16-year-old from the festival after Liam Gallagher on the Sunday night. Does anyone know the best pickup point? And time? Thanks!