Would you let a 16 year old daughter go to Boardmasters?

[BeLilacScroller]

Interested to hear from those who have agreed (or disagreed) to their 16 year old daughter going to Boardmasters. How did you decide it would be safe (or unsafe) as I see mixed messages everywhere about it.

If she was staying off site then maybe - not camping that’s for sure. We took 3dds to Reading last year for a day and really felt very old! Dd1 went off with friends but dtds stayed with us. They were 14.

I live in the West Country and loads of teens go from round here. thankfully, mine don’t want to go having heard all the stories re drugs and alcohol (not sure it’s worse than other festivals but the audience is young and immature soo that’s the difference).

Mine did and it was an absolute disaster - bags confiscated including sun-cream and water, ended up vomiting with sunstroke and having a panic attack and had to be collected at 2am. BUT she was desperate to go and it did provide a really good FAFO learning opportunity.

My dd went at 18. Not sure if I would have been happy at 16 tbh, even though she was ultra sensible and had sensible friends. It's still quite young.

There are drugs anywhere if they want them.

Both mine had an absolute post gcse blast. By the time the younger one went the organisers had got much better. There were twenty something girls employed by the festival patrolling checking if everyone is ok etc. I would allow a 16 year old and above but only if the teen had proved they were broadly competent and was going in a group with decent friends who look out for each other. Also that they have to camp in the quiet / family sections not the crazy fields where the boys have fights 🙄.

No and I say that as the Parent of a sensible DD, at this age I think a lack of experience in huge busy venue is too much - I’d rather build up to something like this. At this age they are not used to being around alcohol/substance use and may not be wise or confident enough to notice risky situations are evolving and being perpetuated by others

• it’s a lack of experience and others that would be the issue for me.

I’ve now read other people’s replies and I think I’m maybe too strict. Urgh parenting!!!

I’ve now read other people’s replies and I think I’m maybe too strict. Urgh parenting!!!

I did let DD go, aged 16. You can get a provisional driving licence for proof of age. She is sporty so is very anti drugs as she was still competing fairly seriously at that age.

Some of the campsites/fields are “calmer” than others (one of the other Mum’s knew enough to book them a place). DD knew at least 20 from her school and then even more friends of friends (all nice kids) and a few parents stayed locally in holiday homes/rentals. Transport was easy; they could book coaches to/from the venue.

By that age she had done plenty of school trips and camping.

There was a big parent group chat and attendees were encouraged to get in touch if any looked as if they weren’t having fun. There were enough tents between them to cope if one was damaged/major falling out.

I wouldn’t have felt comfortable letting her go with just a couple of friends.

@Slowandsilentindifference

All my sons mates are going (they’re all 16) hard no though for my son. Sorry not sorry. Try again next year pal 👍. It’s 17 in this household for festivals but it is shit saying no when their friends are allowed.

For people who live in Devon or Cornwall, Boardmasters is the same post-GCSE rite of passage that Reading Festival is to a London teenager.

But of you don't live in Devon or Cornwall, it's different, because it's too far to be able to easily swoop in and rescue them if there was some kind of problem.

That's the issue I think. I would recommend a festival within 80 minutes drive from home for your first time.

But if they're really set on Boardmasters then let them go - they're no more likely to come to harm at Boardies than they are Reading. And the vast majority of the many kids who do go at 16 manage to navigate it without incident.

As others have said, an alternative plan is for parents to holiday elsewhere in Cornwall for the weekend, so you're on hand if needed.

That’s pretty hardcore saying no when all their friends are going after their GCSE’s. Both mine would have been absolutely gutted if we had done that. They worked hard to pay for their own tickets and the teens all talked about it for months in advance. Pretty much “everyone” went. Can’t imagine just saying no.

BM is really geared up for youngsters. Going with a group of sensible mates is best.

My son went to boardmasters at 16 and survived, I think it’s a smaller festival and seen as a gateway one to going to the larger ones.

I'd agree it's down to maturity and who they're going with - would also give plenty of harm minimisation advice re alcohol/drug use. They might not be planning to indulge themselves but can support others around them to stay safe if needed

I'm late 40s and we all did festivals post (and during ! unbelievably went to one before even finishing exams) - Gcses. Some friends who were summer born were 15.

No phones, no way to contact parents - ah crazy times!

I have asked my mum how on earth we found parents afterwards (as we got picked up outside glastonbury) - and she said oh we just said something like - Gate A at 3pm sunday and you had to be there.

My dd went to Leeds at 17. That’s the earliest age they’re allowed in. What tends to happen is they gravitate to the festivals by age. So the majority will go elsewhere at 18. Dd did want to go to Creamfields this year as she will be old enough, but isn’t in the end as she has other plans.

By the look of it, Boardmasters is a kid’s festival. Geared up for kids mainly Younger than 17. Dd was very unwell the summer after her GCSEs so it’s difficult to give an answer. Were she not and were she with a group of friends I probably would have let her go.

I can’t believe you won’t let your 17 yo go @Namechangee11