General Chat

Debby my two were the same lol but our cubs make a dvd of the photos to riase funds, and i could spot my two in every photo they was in cos they had the same tops on all the time LOL

Shelli - OH can see my point and understands it as laddo does have problems that his cub pack know about and do help with. Hubby was more shocked at price got letters for two trips totalling almost £70. Am gonna sleep on it and talk to my mum tomorrow . The break would do all of us good as he is hard work.

Debby PMSL When i unpacked his stuff i did'nt recognise half of it, there were odd socks, boxers and various items that did'nt belong to him, yes the soap and toothpaste remained un-opended....lol Libby

Dawn, do you know where they will be staying? some of the main campsites are really near me. send me a pm and I will tell you how far away from me he will be. Maz. XX

I would let him go. Even against my own emotions and worries. In the mean time, get the address of where they will be staying, and an itinery of where they will be on what days. The organisers wll be able to tell you the nearest Doctor / hospital etc ... and make a map NOW, so that SHOULD you need to get to him, then it will be less stressful for you. Realistically, I have always thought that Cubs.Scouts.Guides etc are the most well planned and responsible trips for children to go on. I have recently had a similar situation to consider ... but for my lad, it's his homesickness that has prevented HIM from going. A totally different problem ! I do sympathize with your worries, but if he wants to go, then the time is right for him to go :-)) Elaine ;-)

Lunar - he has got a lot better at cubs and they have no real problems with him just have to explain to him more than the others what to do as it takes more than one telling for his brain to understand and then he forgets easily. Girls - the last two camps I have unpacked his bag and put the clothes straight back in his drawer as they were still folded the same as they went in. As for soap the one before last he had imperial leather, he opened the soap box opened the imperial leather box and saw it was in another wrapper and decided he couldn't be bothered to open that one. Reply from him was well I did clean my teeth. When we got home and I undressed him he had same pants and socks on (3 days worth there) pjs, trousers, t shirt and jumper. But he enjoyed himself and thats all that matters

Just wanted to encourage you on this! My two older sons have both been camping with cubs and scouts since age 8; they are now 12 & 15. They have also been on residential school trips in Wales & France. There is no more chance of anything going wrong than at home, and the experience is fantastic for them. My second son is very time consuming & tiring as he is extremely clever but behaves terribly at home, so we all see camp as our treat, not his! It gives us all some respite! Enjoy the break, while learning to let go a bit and give him some growing up space! Denise

Maz will PM you

Dawn then as hard as it is, only you can make the decsion...we can all say do this and do that etc till we're blue in the face, but if you're gonna make you self ill worrying then it really isn't worth it. I do know what you mean about the break doing you all the world of good, as I said one of mine has problems. He went on two camps, then leaders decided they couldn't deal with him. I then had the difficult task of deciding what to do.. do I let his twin go without him, or do I keep both at home??? Luckly I was helped by the fact they let me go and support him, and they was wonderful in the fact they also let me take my other two with me. Tho mine are older than tiddler so that helped. I don't envy you in trying to make the choice.. tough call. But don't ever beat yourself up cos you're worrying.. just means you care. I'd be more concerned if you didn't worry!!! Let us know what you decide

If he wants to go let him, he is supposed to enjoy it, nobody said you were, your job is to stop at home and worry........after all it gets you into practise, you'll still be worrying about him when he's 40................. love Barbara..xx

I went on cub camps at that age (possibly slightly younger, I can't remember) - in the days before CRB checks were introduced - and my parents weren't bothered. They just trusted the leaders.

Dawn, if you decide to let him go i will sponsor him a fiver kimx

Dawn, At this rate if you decide to send Laddo on the trips the Cubs will be paying you back after all the sponceres your being offed here!

Greeting's Dawn..... Speaking as a Warranted Scout Leader of over 24 years.... Your Son will be well looked after not only by his own Pack Leaders but other Leaders on site Yes we all have to be C.R.B.ed now...& have to hold a 1st. Response First Aid certificate renewable every 3 years. Emergence plans will be in place so need to worry on that one. If you are worried as to the cost of the camp...have a word with his Leader...there could be funds available through his District to allow children to go on camp so as not to deprive them the opportunity...... Just put his name on every thing .... MIKE..... Group Scout Leader 82nd. Leicester's

Dawn, I used to worry when my son went off on trips but he always had such a good time, it was worth it. The Cub leaders usually have a form you have to fill in with any medical problems etc and medication or allergies, and you have to put down how you would be contacted in the case of problems etc. It is all very well organised - my son went to help when he was older too. My mum was like you, Dee, and never encouraged me to do anything, was never allowed to topple over railings, or anything, it was always 'Be careful, you will hurt yourself' It left me with no confidence and when I went to senior school and saw those ropes in the gym etc I nearly fainted. Was useless at gym because I was so scared. I made sure I brought my son up differently and he was at gym lessons at the age of 5, by which time he had already started swimming lessons too (I still can't swim). He even abseiled in aid of charity at the age of 15 from the top of the maternity block where he was born, at our now demolished hospital. I forget how high it was but there were several floors and it was a wet and windy day, but he survived. I found out that locally there was a Trust fund set up so that children whose parents weren't so well off, could have funding for school trips etc. It meant the kids didn't miss out on things. i also got help from there for his school uniform and gym classes, then music lessons. Ask at the school or C.A.B. if there is anything like that to help you with the costs. Do as the others have said and use the time he is away, to enjoy being with just your other children. Take care, Liz x

Well have slept on it and spoken to mum and dad this afternoon. Dad says he will enjoy himself but isn't sure about the leaders he took a load of scouts years ago and is still trying to get over it. Lovely Maz says I can have her details as she can get there in 15 mins. Its now up to Laddo so will let you know what he decides at the moment his tea is more important to him than thinking about camp.

Dawnie, My sons have been beavers,cubs,scouts and are now explorer scouts and proud of it (so are hubby and I). It's a wonderful organisation that gives them and other young people the chance to experience a huge range of opportunities. I am sure that I know the campsite that your son is going to (only 5miles from me). It is a fabulous place with great facilities - I've been lucky to go many times. I am a Rainbow Guider and know the training program that leaders have to go through to be allowed to take their groups away. The Scouting and Guiding Leaders that I have met some of which I know very well are an extremely dedicated group, who do this for the benefit of the children. I was always concerned with our younger son going away, as he had been bullied at school and was quite scared of making friends. But I have to say that Scouting has been the making of him - he has achieved so much and is now a more confident 14 year old, that we are very proud of. I know that this has to be a decision made by you as a family. I wish you all the best. If you want to PM me I am also happy to be a local contact for you. PS How did your gala go on Saturday - our Car Boot sale was a bit quiet! Love Anne in North London xx

Are Explorer Scouts the same as Venture Scouts?

Hello Dawn A woman I know, her son went on a trip miles away with the school, and he broke his leg, but they arranged for a local police car to pick her up and take her to the hospital! Its your decision in the end though. Do what you think is best. x karen PS Don take the thread the wrong way! I replied to try and make you feel a bit better about him being so far away, not to make you think hed actually have an accident! lol I just read it and thought whoops! lol

micheal venture scouts have changed their name and are now explorer scouts, so yes the same