General Chat

Laddo has come home from cubs with loads of letters about trips. With one weeks notice they are having a sponsored event well Laddo wont get much sponsorship as we have no rellies to ask. The money will go to the trips that they are going on so if he got £5 that would come off the amount we would pay for a trip. One of the trips is a cub camp and as its the 90th anniversary of cubs they are going to a big site in London for 2-3 days. Cost approx £45. Now at a push we might be able to afford it but my worry is the distance. Laddo is 10 this week and if anything happened how would I get to him it would take 3 hours at least to get there and I have no idea where to go. Am I being an over protective mother and would you let your son go?

I wouldnt let my son go. Maybe im overprotective too! :) Pat

What exactly do you think would happen to him? Presumably he will be going with adults. I believe that they will all have had to be police criminal-records checked and meet relevant legislation regarding ratio of adults to children etc. No doubt there will be trained first-aiders. You could speak to one of the organisers and ask what they would do in the event of your son being injured or ill. They should have a written policy. Only you can decide what you would do with your child though - all children (and mums) are different. Has your son been away without you before?

Let him go Dawn its a learning curve for both of you. You will have more confidence in him afterwards and in yourself wher your little ones are concerned

If he really wants to go, then I would let him! My son went away with the Boys Brigade - he was younger than 10 and he had a whale of a time. Debby

Hi Dawnie, If you can afford it I would let him go. Both our boys went on cub holidays & they thoroughly enjoyed them. Gives them a bit of independence. There should be a policy in place for accidents etc. Hilary.

Nell Yes hes been away before its not the fact of going away to camp its the distance. Before now its been 3/4 hour maximum to get to them. I know that accidents do happen on the last district one one of his pack had to go to hospital through injury but if he was taken to hospital I would want to be with him. Just don't want to stop him having fun

Well I thought I was a worrybudget! But my kids have been staying over with other families since they were small. Both stayed away with their school in year 6 with teachers and the rest of the year group. Daniel has just come back from 5 days in Normandy with the school, and they've both been on tours with the rugby club and on rugby residential courses in England. If they are with responsible adults, they should be OK. You do need the info about where they are going to be etc, but I think a break is good for both them and me. You appreciate eachother better for time away. As for having an accident, they could do that here. In fact, the most serious injury the eldest had was at school (broken collarbone) and youngest (cut scrotum) bouncing on his bed!! nell

If something doesn't feel right then don't let him go... God forbid if anything happen, when you need to get to him asap there are ways and means ,so don't worry.... why don't you have a word with another mother who's son as been on camp already might put yout mind at ease......

Dawn How likely is it that he would have to go to hospital, realistically? If he did, chances are he'd still be waiting in casualty when you got there, anyway. How dangerous is cub camp? nell

Dawnie, It is in our nature to be over protective, if you think he is old enough to go then let him, but if it is going to make you miserable, better to wait until he is a little older. Lindy, who is and always will be an over protective mother. ;-)))))))))))))))

Hi Mine aren't that old yet but in our school they go away in year 5 & 6 - it is a couple of hours drive at least - I haven't heard of anything going wrong or anyone having to go & collect their children. They are well supervised. Not sure how I'll feel though when my babies are in year 5 - only 2 years to go to eldest is that old!!!! Penny

I felt exactly the same way when my youngest son went on his first cub camping trip. He had a great time and he could'nt wait for the next. If you speak to the organisers about your concerns im sure they will be more than happy to reasure you. Remember, they more than likely have loads of experience and will be used to working/camping with a pack of cubs... Tip, don't pack to much clothing, if your son is anything like mine was, he will not wear most of it and loose the rest lol Libby :))

He will have a brilliant time!! These events are always well organised, and as others have said these people are police checked. Accidents can happen wherever the little chaps are, so let him go and look forward to hearing all about it when he returns. Julie xx

Dawn I would let my boys go. In fact i did when they were 8. However i now go with them as one of the helpers, because one of them has problems and sometimes needs support. So you can imagine how I worried when they used to go alone.. I slept with mobile by my pillow. It did ease my mind to knwo they was together tho.... one bonus of having twins LOL one downside was the cost of two them going LOL But at the end of the day you have to be happy with your descion. Only you know how likely he is to injure himself etc and thus end up in hosp. But your peace of mind is also important. How does OH feel about laddo going?

Dawn,All my children have gone away for a few days in the junior schools.My daughter works in a school and always goes away with the children.She has always said the kids have a great time.Her own son is a diabetic and has been since he was 4 but she has always let him go away with his own school.I know she used to worry in case he was not injecting and was he eating properly.She never ever got a call.Annie

Sorry was away messaging Nelly. You realise if we let him go you lot will have me pestering you for the whole time as I will need to take my mind off of it. I know he will be fine and he loves going on camp. The camp isn't my problem its the distance yes I am a worry wort but hey we all have our faults. Sandra - going as an adult helper isn't possible as I have two others at home.

I'm not a parent but I have been away over long distances without my parent. 1st, 2nd and 4th times I was 1 1/2 hours away from home for a week 3rd, 5th, ans 6th tome I was 2 hours from home (these were aged 11, 12 and 13) At 14 I went 21/2 hours away down a moterway to camp for a week - in a tent. at 15 I tooka 10yr old with me camping in tent 6 hours away from home - we lived in south east wales and stayed in north west wales, we were away for about a week All these trips were organised by a youth group and we loved the freedom (lack of parents really) but I know my mum was on tenter hooks until we got back of the bus. I think the 10yr olds parents were the same but she was a very mature child. I think you need to think about what Laddo is like when he's at cubs and with leaders - if he is liable to play up, disobay and get into troublt then maby wait another year until he's a scout. You can always ask Akela what laddo is like when he's with the group

Dawn If you have two other children to worry about, I don't suppose you will need us to take your mind off the one that's away! Use the opportunity to do something special with the other two. Goodness, the 2 or 3 days will whizz by!

Laughing at Libby! My son came back with his large sports bag exactly how it had been packed - the soap hadn't been unwrapped, the towel hadn't been used and he hadn't even changed his clothes - disgusting! Debby