Is 7 too young for a Brownies residential trip?

[Greenwriter76]

My DD turned 7 in March and moved up from Rainbows to Brownies. 2 sessions so far and she’s enjoying it. Had an email from Brownies today saying there will be a residential trip 2 days / 3 nights at an activity centre roughly an hour away.
DD has only ever stayed at grandparents overnight without me / us. I feel like she’s too young to stay away alone.
Thoughts?

DS8 has only one 1 overnight at the local scout hut with Beavers (he was 7 at the time) and is going his first 2 nighter in June with Cubs. He's quite anxious about going but knows he will enjoy it when there. I've put him down to go and i'm 99% sure by the time it comes to going, he would be disappointed if he didnt go

Could you organise a sleepover or two in the meantime with friends from school, cousins or similar? It might help ease her in.

I'm a Guide leader. Those worrying about safeguarding are very much turning this into something it isn't. The policies are really clear and girl-to-leader ratios are tighter than you'd have in lots of organisations.

Both my girls did Brownie camps without me. I think they started at 8 and went away for three nights. The camps are very much one activity to the next so not much time for the girls to get homesick. Quiet time is usually done before dinner rather than bed which I think is a wise choice.

Obviously does depend girl-to-girl, but I am a big advocate for these camps as a way to get comfortable with nights away. It can sound slightly Victorian but it is so good for children to learn to be independent. No harm between seven or eight though.

And you'll always be at the end of the phone! No one would try to keep her there if she's really struggling.

Unless money is a concern, sign her up and then just say she can decide closer to the time. And let her know it’s fine either way whether she goes or not.

That's probably what I'd do.
And nearer the time I'd try to persuade her to go and tell her you can collect her if she's really not happy.

Agree, too young.

My DDs went on residentials in y2. One was 7 and one was 6. Both for a school week. Absolutely fine. One also did a brownie weekend aged 7. My DDs just loved gojng away and both boarded at school from y7. Some dc are just more capable of being away than others are. They had not stayed anywhere without us before the school trips but they really wanted to go. If dc could not manage, I’d not push them but if a dd wants to go, why on earth not? Great opportunity.

My son did this with Scouts at aged 7. He loved it.

My daughter would have hated it.