Shooting as an activity on a school residential trip for Year 7s

[BoboChic]

Acceptable? Yes or no?

Not a problem to me, assuming proper range standards.

My Ds has done this with Cubs and Scouts (air rifles I think) and has really enjoyed it. Fine as long all the safety measures are in place and Instructors are properly qualified.
I think it's a nice option on an activity holiday as it gives a chance for those that aren't good at climbing/assault courses/daredevils to shine.

Not an option, however.

I am not sure it can possibly be compulsory, as you suggest. If you don't want your child doing it, say so. They'll prob have to sit on sidelines and watch unless they are significant numbers also withdrawing.

Shooting is an Olympic sport, after all.

The trip isn't compulsory, but if you go on it (and the DC are expected to) then shooting is part and parcel of it.

Fine - so long as fully qualified instructors etc in place. Good to have something skills based!

I really don't think they can force a gun in to your child's hand and make them shoot.

Have you had a word with the organiser?

What's the problem? They won't be shooting each other I assume.

It is very good discipline for encouraging quiet and concentration. A properly run session spends time on the safety briefings, which are a valuable reminder that guns are dangerous and must always be handled correctly.

Finally, as a PP has pointed out, it often happens that the non-sporty DCs shine in this discipline.

So in short, no problem at all.

What's the problem? If they make shooting optional, they'll have to make all the activities optional, which a) would be a night mare to administer, and b) is not the point of a school trip.

Everyone has to do things they don't like sometimes, if they are doing something as part of a group. You can't please all of the people all of the time.

What exactly is your point? Do you want to be able to opt DS out (and if so, why), or what??

And would you also complain about, say, archery?

They will be ski-ing as well as shooting (biathlon), in the snow, so it's not an opt-out for non-sporty DC.

I'm not complaining, btw. Some parents are complaining so I thought I'd canvass opinion on here to see what general thoughts came up.

We did CCF in school. The school had a whole armoury and a range. Adds to my street cred with ds' friends when I mention it

Cor, blimey, biathlon? Snow? Posh school, eh?

It would be fine by me & I would look a bit at another parent making a big fuss about it. Just send 'em on another trip this yr if you don't like.

I can assure you the trip isn't "posh" in any shape or form . The accommodation looks appropriately grim and foreboding

If you (not you OP) don't like the contents of a trip, don't sign up for it.

What exactly is the problem?
Danger? Shooting is less dangerous than skiing, riding, rugby etc. The sessions will presumably be run with safety as paramount.
Ethics? They will (I assume) be shooting targets not people or animals! Biathalon is an olympic sport.
Most children love shooting!

Some people have ethical objections to teaching DC to use guns.

I hate guns but thought it was brilliant that there opportunities exist for gun-crazy DS to learn to shoot with people who would keep banging on about the safety aspects.

What type of gun? The only think I'd object to is an oozie or a crossbow (hate thiose things).

Biathlon is rifle-shooting.

This is France, Draylon, where ski-ing residentials with school are pretty much compulsory! Biathlon is a variant on a theme (because so many DC do downhill ski-ing as a matter of course with family). I can assure you there is absolutely nothing glamorous about the destination or conditions they are going in - bog standard French residential destination.

No-issue IMO. My DC have been shooting air rifles at Cubs and Scouts. It would be very well supervised and an opportunity to learn the importance of being disciplined.

If you so much as point your gun away from the target you would be removed from the activity.