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Original poster

Any ideas for an all male group of 17 year olds!

20 replies

Allthelols · 26/01/2022 15:58

DS desperate to do something this summer with a big group but most campsites and cottages don’t seem keen on all male groups or won’t have U18s without an adult present, and if they do then they are usually bang in the middle of nowhere so hard to get to and no take away pizza!

Other than going to a festival en masse has anyone else’s kids done anything that worked well?

OP posts:

SarahJessicaParker3 · 26/01/2022 16:01

I was going to say festival! Is there any reason in particular they don't want to go to a festival?

Spilltheteaplease · 26/01/2022 16:02

I don't know anywhere that will be ok with this. Don't suppose any of the parents know someone with a private field? Sounds like the best bet. Or a festival.

There's no way a big group of 17 year olds won't be disturbing the rest of a campsite.

We had an awful family camping weekend when a load of late teen kids camped next door and kept us awake until 4/5am.

I honestly could have strangled them.

rifling · 26/01/2022 16:07

There's no way a big group of 17 year olds won't be disturbing the rest of a campsite.
Well, tell them not to! Not all teenagers are nuisances!

My ds17 went on a five day hike with almost his whole class last summer, staying in tents that they carried. (Not a school-organized activity, they just get on well). Would they like something like that? Youth hostels could be an option as they could book a room out for all of them.

Spilltheteaplease · 26/01/2022 16:11

@rifling

There's no way a big group of 17 year olds won't be disturbing the rest of a campsite. Well, tell them not to! Not all teenagers are nuisances!

We did, several times. They were nice kids and apologetic but also teenagers with very little understanding of how loud they were or that other people needed to sleep.

Loads of campsite don't accept big groups so it's not just the age thing it's a group thing.

The most disturbed I've ever been was from a middle aged hen do.

QuestionsorComments · 26/01/2022 16:17

DS went to away with friends and stayed in a Youth Hostel. He was 18, but I believe only u16yos need to be accompanied.

They found it perfect for them because there was a (cheap) bar and restaurant on site, along with pool and table tennis etc although facilities will vary

weegiemum · 26/01/2022 22:03

We own a large-ish holiday property that we rent out when we're not there ourselves. It wouldn't sleep 17, but I'd never agree to rent it to a large group of teenagers. Been there once, never again.

Youth hostel is the best bet I'd say.

sofakingcool · 26/01/2022 22:05

DS arranged a trip for him and 7 friends last summer - all aged 17 - to a surf hostel in Newquay, Cornwall.

The owner said she was generally reluctant to take on under 18's (it's a common location for that age group in the summer) but having spoken to DS she decided to give them a chance. She asked for a deposit from each boy to cover any damages.

sofakingcool · 26/01/2022 22:08

Youth hostels were a good bet - we found a really nice one on the north Devon coast. The downside was the location, none of DS's friends drove and it was pretty rural.

Youth hostels are really cheap too

Teesdale2622 · 26/01/2022 22:13

Dd went camping in norfolk last year, campsite we’re happy to take the booking for 12 x 17yr olds!

Walking distance to food places and cinemas, no evening entertainment nearby. Oh and was on the beach…

QuestionsorComments · 26/01/2022 22:14

@sofakingcool

Youth hostels were a good bet - we found a really nice one on the north Devon coast. The downside was the location, none of DS's friends drove and it was pretty rural.

Youth hostels are really cheap too

They're not all remote. DS travelled 300 miles to his on the edge of a small town by train and there was a good bus service for them to get around while they were there. They're moving more towards city centre hostels now (much to the consternation of some traditional YHA supporters)

Original poster

Allthelols · 27/01/2022 07:10

Thanks all some great ideas here and he’s started looking at youth hostels. I assume YH have staff on site?
You can hire the whole thing by the looks of it for about 50+ people how bonkers would that be?! Like a school trip

OP posts:

sofakingcool · 27/01/2022 07:34

@Allthelols

Thanks all some great ideas here and he’s started looking at youth hostels. I assume YH have staff on site? You can hire the whole thing by the looks of it for about 50+ people how bonkers would that be?! Like a school trip

Yeah I think there are staff.

rifling · 27/01/2022 07:48

We did, several times. They were nice kids and apologetic but also teenagers with very little understanding of how loud they were or that other people needed to sleep.
That's a shame. I actually meant that the parents should tell them not to disturb others. We had to provide contact details to the campsites and we told the kids that the campsite would tell us if there were any complaints. I think they were actually so exhausted from the hiking that they slept like babies!

NinaProudman2022 · 29/01/2022 19:04

DS did one nights wild camping up Halin or Hallin Fell in the Lakes looking down towards Ullswater with 6 or 7 friends when he was 17 last summer. We live close by and I worried the whole time but he sent photos and they had a great time. One of his friends had researched it and they are all sensible nice lads. They had so much equipment between them parts of the tent, stove, cooking equipment, food and snacks that I don’t think they had room for any beer or certainly not much room.

Funf · 29/01/2022 21:15

Tomb Raider was filmed around here
gwynant.com
Its a very nice camp site that should let them in and has on site Pizza etc, its at the side of a lake so they can do all sorts of water related stuff

Kite22 · 29/01/2022 21:58

@Allthelols

Thanks all some great ideas here and he’s started looking at youth hostels. I assume YH have staff on site? You can hire the whole thing by the looks of it for about 50+ people how bonkers would that be?! Like a school trip

We've done rent a hostel - they also let out smaller ones - you don't have to be a huge group. They tend to be out of high season though. During a normal booking, yes, there are staff on site.

There are loads of YHs in Cities if that is to their taste, or they can search for hostels by the sea, or whatever their preference is. There are some remote hostels, but many, many hostels are accessible by public transport.

Kite22 · 29/01/2022 22:00

I also think the "big group" is off putting to anyone who owns a campsite or holiday let.
The nicest teens tend to get 'egged on' once groups get bigger.

LiliansViewScarborough · 30/01/2022 09:32

YHA sounds like the best bet; plenty with rooms for small groups now if they don’t fancy the public dorm experience . Many in stunning locations too .

LiliansViewScarborough · 30/01/2022 09:37

Also, a festival doesn’t have to be a major one like Reading ; there are lots of smaller local ones they might enjoy.

Scarby9 · 30/01/2022 09:42

OP
A friend's son hired the Black Sail youth hostel for the weekend to get married in. Grandma aged 85 right down to one month old baby.
I've seen the photos. They decorated the main rooms, everyone brought food and pitched in to prepare and clear away meals, and they had a very unconventional ceremony.

The dress code forr the wedding was 'rainbow'which encompassed really traditional formal weddingwear, just in jewel colours - her dad in a dark suit with a bright waistcoat, for example- to fabulous beribboned and embellished rainbow coats of many colours.

The whole event came in really cheap too!

Youth hostels are a great resource.

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