My daughter recently joined cadets and is loving it but she has a few worries which I fear may stop her participating in future activities. She is very self conscious about her looks, weight, chest size, spots etc.
She joined along with about 10 others a few months back and so far has been away on a camp for the weekend, flying, first aid and air rifle training. She has been telling me about these activities, which she loved for the most part, and how they are very comfortable with getting up close and personal at times.
What happened and why is she worried:
-Had to shower in a communal shower completely naked with 5 other girls. She was obviously uncomfortable with being naked around others, but it was hinted that she'd not know what to do if she was on her period (doesn't like tampons)
-She was weighed by a senior cadet infront of the 4/5 others who were going flying.
-During the first aid course had to practise "head to toe" exams on each other (involves touching/feeling almost everywhere)
-Had to line up with the 10 other newbies where they were measured for uniforms. This included chest, inside leg and they weren't discrete about it!
I'm worried that this will put her off doing week long camps in the summer (which she now has the chance to do) which I hear are good fun. How do I explain to her that nobody cares about her looks and nobody is looking at her in the showers? I've tried but she doesn't believe me. I know all these things are normal and I don't worry about them happening - but she does and I don't want this to affect her experience.
Thanks x