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!!

6 is too young.

Mine all loved going on Beaver sleepovers. When my youngest joined I ended up becoming a leader. We sent kids home who really didn't want to stay, we've talked kids through worries and they've stayed. We'd never have kept a child who really wanted to go home (who wants to deal with a crying kid all night? Not me!)

It's no biggie if they go home, there will be other opportunities.

I'm now a leader in Scouts and same thing applies - yes, we still have Scouts who come away and decide they don't want to stay away so we call parents then too. We want the kids to have fun, not be put off for life because we've refused to let them go home when they desperately want to.

I don't want to derail the thread but during the last 15 years that I've volunteered there's absolutely no way an adult has been a leader at a camp without an up to date enhanced DBS check. I can't fathom how this person would have been able to get around the system. Please feel free to to PM me if you've any concerns about it and I'll report a safeguarding concern. You can do it yourself if you prefer. This type of concern should never go unreported or unchallenged.

Meant to post and say he had a wonderful time! After me stressing all night. He cannot wait for the next camp in June. 1st time I’m sure is the worst and next time I will be much more relaxed. Thank you very much for your advice and comments.

Thanks for updating @Learningasigomom .
That's great news.