Allowing my 6 year old to go to Beaver camp?

[Learningasigomom]

The invitation came out at the start of the year to let us know there would be 2 camps this year for the Beavers to go to. I had a conversation with my 6 year old as soon as the email came out and he was unsure but open to the idea. We went last year to a tent camp with the Squirrels as parents were allowed, however now he is in the Beavers parents aren’t allowed. They also won’t be sleeping in tents, it will be bunks indoors. When the time came for a definitive answer either go for the day and do the activities and then go home or all day and stay he chose all day and stay. Fast forward to now and the camp is this coming Saturday. He’s now unsure he wants to stay, all the reassurance has been given. He’s aware if it all becomes too much and he wants to come home it’s not a bother, he gets the leader to phone and we will go collect him any time.

He only mentions his worries at night prior to going to bed. We were out shopping today to buy stuff and he appeared very excited about it.

Something else to note, his best friend is also going and staying. We have gone camping as families before and spend a lot of time together so they are used to being together.

Basically have I been crazy in the first place to agree for him to go? I’m worried that he will hate it and never want to go again. I grew up going through all the Guides sections and absolutely loved going to the camps however, I was much older than he is.

Thank you for reading!!

It's a giant sleepover! I think it sounds fun - and probably exhausting- but why not give it a try?

Six is too young in my opinion.

Why would you be crazy to let him go. If he want to go let him, if he doesn't then he doesn't have too. And if he's there and he decides he doesn't want to stay then the leaders can ring you and he goes home.
The leaders will be well used to beavers that are homesick don't you worry.

I wasn’t comfortable with mine going, having seen the chaos of his particular beavers sessions! But he’s keen and the stuff has been bought and his best pal is going so I’d say go for it.

It is young but it’s no bad thing. I think you’ve done the right thing letting him try and then just going to get him if needs be.

I personally think 6 is far too young. There's not a chance I'd have let mine go anywhere overnight with other adults at that age.

My DS went from 6 and absolutely loved it, think it’s quite dependent on personality as som of my friends kids wouldn’t have entertained even going for the day! Leaders are great at noticing who’s gone a bit quiet and they’ll just ring you if he needs to be picked up. Most likely scenario is he’ll be filthy, won’t have brushed his teeth, will be exhausted, will have had loads of fun

I think it absolutely fine for some and not for others. Mine loved beavers camps

He'll be fine ❤️
Shattered and filthy; but fine ❤️

Let him go, and also make it clear if he wants to come home you will come and get him, no problem, whatever time it is. That you just want him to have fun and feel.ok.

Let the leaders know he is wobbly, and that you will happily fetch him at any time.

DD had her first Brownie overnight at that age. They had full on activities and were worn out, and Brown Owl sat next to DD's bunk at bedtime without making an issue of it.

The next camp was for the weekend and DD had no wobbles, announced as we came back that she had been on cooking duty and could now handle a sharp knife 😮

And she could - cut down onto a chopping board etc.

Was very handy 6 months later when I did my back in! I lay on the floor talking her through it, and she cooked spag bol...

DD did her first brownie camp at just turned 7. She had a great time. Bedtime wasn’t scheduled until 10, when at home it’s always 8-8.30 and they’d spent the whole day doing outdoorsy activities so I imagine she didn’t have the energy to even think about being homesick!

You'll make whatever decision works best for your son OP. As a scout leader who has previously held Beaver and Cub camps my experience is that in general the young people have a brilliant time. Part of a leader's role is to pick up on any concerns and manage them with kindness and knowledge of what is likely to work for each young person.

Do speak with the leaders if you'd like any info or reassurance. You're already listening to your son which is of course the most important thing. Also, I hope this doesn't sound condescending but I feel that ideally as parents we need to strike a balance where if our DC genuinely want to take part we show them that we believe in them, but if they don't want to take part we don't show any kind of disappointment as sometimes that can create an external pressure to go.

Hope that makes sense.

Let us know what you decide and how he gets on.

I’m a Beavers leader and we have these sleepovers every half term, plus a couple of big camps in tents in the summer.

Follow his lead! We have some kids who come and clearly do not enjoy it. But plenty come and love it. My son never would have done it without me, but we usually have at least 12 per sleepover (usual group size is 30). They stay up a bit late watching a film but have a firm “lights out” time and they all fall asleep quickly.

Let him go and keep reassuring him that he can call you to come get him at any time.

Ive been doing this three years and I’ve never yet had a child actually want to call home!

mine did beavers camps from the very beginning and loved it all! Now in explorers and still going strong. Never had any issues and the leaders are amazing at keeping an eye on the quieter ones

I used to be a Beavers leader and we had three sleepovers a year, either inside in the hall or camping out in the outdoor space. There were always loads of 6yo doing it for the first time, which was kind of the point.

They piss around and no-one goes to sleep until at least 10, some are up until midnight, then they're all up by 7am building fires and cooking sausages and pancakes for breakfast. They are knackered when they get home (sorry to the parents!) but they have a great time.

I'm getting fond memories off my my girls Beaver camps... they always came home muddy, exhausted and beaming.

Now both Scouts... and have even been abroad to international camps. Waving them off at Heathrow was surreal!

A big part of Scouting is learning that these things aren't scary and getting confidence in themselves.

Also, OP, just to add, the leaders have to go through a lot of safeguarding screening and paperwork, and there are multiple leaders that stay over, so please don't worry about that aspect.

Yeah it’s so true. When we went as parents last year we had to be disclosure checked prior to going so I know they take it very seriously! I don’t have any worries with regards to safeguarding!

Yeah I’ve never said anything to him that would make him worry that he would get into trouble for coming home. Always said that we can change him to just go for the day, or he can go prepared to stay and get the leaders to call if he wants us to come for him. He also said tonight, what if I ask and they forget and then I forget. I said well that means you’ll be having sooo much fun with your friends that you won’t even be thinking about it. I think he will enjoy it when there!!

Is it the safeguarding that makes you concerned about them having an overnight with other adults? Or just because it’s not their parents that are with them?

Yeah I think this is also my issue! Will see how they go! Thank you very much

Dd went to Disneyland Paris as a new brownie member aged 7 so at 6 I'd definitely not think it unusual to go to a sleepover. Our rainbows have done that with 5 yo's. Amazing experiences!

When we went to beaver camp all the parents came. We all brought family tents and the kids slept in their family tent with the parents. It's the same in cubs and scouts here too. I don't think you should send him without you at that age.

To add that was a 4 day trip

Yeah I think I also worry that he is too young but I don’t want to take opportunities away from him due to my concerns. What age do you think is more appropriate?