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

seven-day-weekend

My husband went camping on his own to Stonehenge (travelling from the Midlands) when he was 14.:eek:

No way we would have allowed our son to do that!

I would let them go if they are mature enough, but I would prefer a trial run in a parent's garden first to make sure they knew about not to cook inside the tent and things like that.

If they are immature (our son was), then I would say garden only.

jesse2609

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

My husband went camping on his own to Stonehenge (travelling from the Midlands) when he was 14.:eek:

No way we would have allowed our son to do that!

I would let them go if they are mature enough, but I would prefer a trial run in a parent's garden first to make sure they knew about not to cook inside the tent and things like that.

If they are immature (our son was), then I would say garden only.

He's too young for that!.. definitely NOT!

aliasojo

chinagirl wrote: »

They camped in a field hidden in trees by a stream, so noone could see them.

I thought the field mentioned in the OP's post was a good idea for the very reason you gave above....no-one will see them, they are out of harm's way.

As for the park idea, I wouldn't allow them to camp there simply because it's more of a public place and the risks of other kids coming across them and causing a problem is bigger imo.

Funn how we all look at things differently.

bestpud

aliasojo wrote: »

I thought the field mentioned in the OP's post was a good idea for the very reason you gave above....no-one will see them, they are out of harm's way.

As for the park idea, I wouldn't allow them to camp there simply because it's more of a public place and the risks of other kids coming across them and causing a problem is bigger imo.

Funn how we all look at things differently.

That's what I thought when I saw that post! In fact, I went to quote it and pressed thanks instead! :doh:

I would be far more worried about them being in a public place.

For a start, if you can see them from your window, I'd guess any number of other people can too?

Plus, if teens have camped there before, who knows if there will be older ones about lookng for trouble.

When my dd went, we made sure they were tucked away from passers by and that felt much safer to me.

It is interesting how opinions differ.

valos_mummy

aliasojo wrote: »

I thought the field mentioned in the OP's post was a good idea for the very reason you gave above....no-one will see them, they are out of harm's way.

As for the park idea, I wouldn't allow them to camp there simply because it's more of a public place and the risks of other kids coming across them and causing a problem is bigger imo.

Funn how we all look at things differently.

Agreed. It seemed like a good idea at first but on reflection local parks tend to be the hang out spot for older kids drinking so it might do more harm than good.

How about asking them to camp a bit closer to the farmhouse? Not asking the farmer to be responsible for them mind, but if they were in any trouble then help and a grown up wouldn't be too far away. They would have their mobiles on all night, and maybe get them some kind of alarm too. That way if there were any unsavoury characters about (although a farm is pretty unlikely) they could sound the alarm and with it being close enough to the house, the farmer will hear it.

It's a toughie, and hard for me to comment that much on as I'm not a parent; but if I were I can imagine being out of my mind with worry! As I have been a 14 year old however, I wouldn't have felt camping in the garden was a "fun" alternative. 10 or 11 year olds yes, they would see it as a big adventure; but at 14 I would have felt more "what's the point, I may as well have a sleepover in the house". I would have also been cringe fearingly anxious of being checked on all the time and then told to "turn those lights off, be quiet and go to sleep!"....at 10pm! I would have been mortified! :rotfl:

jax-21

Problem solved, thankfully. Another friend has decided to join them , his parents own a farm and they are being allowed to camp on their land, they will only be a short distance away from the farmhouse if they need any help, but well hidden from the road. The farm is only five minutes walk from our house and I know the other boys parents fairly well as they have known each other since the start of primary school. I gave them a phone this morning to make sure they are o.k. with this and we have arranged to take it in turns to keep a discreet eye on them. The boys have been told that the other boys parents may do a spot check on them so hopefully that should curb any thoughts of getting up to too much mischief. Everyone seems happy.. whew

robpw2

yes i would have suggested just keeping a discreet eye on them make sure they are ok and eating ok

it was only 15 mins away . but now its nearer home there is no problem

NoAngel

Glad it's all sorted now- sounds like a much better arrangement. I was 15 when I asked if I could go to a music festival with my friends. My Dad said no. The following year I was allowed as long as I stayed with my older cousin. I actually didn't even end up seeing the cousin and spent the entire weekend with my (still) boyfriend! Knowing what I was like at 15/16 I'll be careful when I'm a parent! But I turned out ok...

woody01

OOh this is a hard one!

It will be after a night in a tent with a 17yr old girl.

Go a boy and return a man.....hahah

NoAngel

woody01 wrote: »

It will be after a night in a tent with a 17yr old girl.

Go a boy and return a man.....hahah

:eek:...........