Would you allow a 14 year old to go camping overnight with friends of same age

jax-21

This is my first post so please be gentle. My 14 year old son has asked if he can go camping overnight with three other boys of the same age and the sister of one of his friends who is nearly 17. His friends parents have all agreed they can go (or so he says, I haven't checked yet) but I have a lot of reservations, I think 14 is far too young. We live in a small village and they want to camp in a field in open countryside about fifteen minutes away from the house. Am I being too protective? I would welcome some opionions.

Ivrytwr3

I wouldn't as a parent. I know when i did this we used it as excuse to do naughty things with girls and drink lots of cheap cider.

But it depends how well you know/trust your son.

viktory

No, I wouldn't.

consultant31

OOh this is a hard one! I was a very over-protective Mum and wouldn't have let my son go camping at 14 (unless with a responsible adult - school trip etc). It only takes one error of judgement or silly prank that goes wrong. I guess it depends how mature the boys are.

Sorry, not much help

Artytarty

Yes I would, but then i have a reputation for being gullible.
Sounds to me like normal a normal enough thing to want to do.
Are your concerns that it might not be safe or that there is a girl going?
Arty.

Blackpool_Saver

do any of these kids smoke/drink/do drugs?
a 17 yr old girl with all those lads.....um....er

aliasojo

jax-21 wrote: »

We live in a small village and they want to camp in a field in open countryside about fifteen minutes away from the house. Am I being too protective? I would welcome some opionions.

Are the lads generally sensible? I'm a little surprised that a 17 year old sister is going too. I'd check on that bit alone if nothing else. Most 17 year old girls will run in the opposite direction from their younger brothers, so I wonder if the lads think it will sound better if they say she is going too, or if their parents are making her go to keep an eye on things maybe?

Anyway, if you check up on the plans and they are as they say they are, then I would allow it. He will be close enough to home for you to maybe take an evening stroll to breath in some fresh country air. :D

Make it clear you are taking him on trust and if he blows it (with regard to drink etc) then he'll stuff it up for himself for future asks.

endure

Get in touch with the other parents. If they're all happy with it and the boys are reasonably sensible let them go. Don't turn your son into a protected little whiner. Let him grow up as an adventurous youngster.

ALIBOBSY

Hmmmm tough one. My son is only 11 yet and no way would I let him. But trying to imagine him 3 years older.

I would firstly want to speak to the other parents, just to see what they think. Would be better if you all present a united front.
Personally I think the distance would worry me. I mean would you let him go on holiday alone? I would also worry about "funny" buisiness going on if its a mixed group. I know if they want to do it they will, but don't make it easy lol.

I would suggest they camp nearer to home, preferable in a willing parents garden. They will get some degree of privacy and the camping experience. But the parental "eye" being so close would probably stop too much trouble (sex/drugs/drink). I would even consider letting them have say one larger each. This would be a compromise letting them have some "grown up" fun but still supervised and limited.

ali x

NB Had another thought are there any other older siblings who are the sensible types who could go and be relied on to let them have some fun but stop anything getting out of hand?

orlao

Have they got permission from the landowner/council to camp there?
How safe is it?

What about a compromise? They can camp if it's in one of their gardens - still a chance to sleep out, have a campfire etc but there would be adults on hand to stop any silliness going too far.......

inkie

No I wouldn't - if they wanted to do this, they would have to be in my back garden