Beaver Camp.

My GS went to Beavers camp but his Mum was a helper as she too felt he was too young, and she was right. Because of his experience, even with his Mum there, he chose not to go this time, as he really didn't enjoy it. I think I agree with your DD glass, it is very hard for some younger ones, and my DD who helped was not really happy with the supervision and the food available. Maybe they are being over protective but I feel there is plenty of time for them to do that sort of thing as they get older.

If he wants to go, let him. Most of ours are fine though it's a nightmare getting them to sleep at night! And the leaders have to get up about three thousand times in the night to accompany kids to the loo.

Your DD could offer to go as a helper.

Is it far from home? If not and a child is inconsolable, the leaders can call and get the child collected and taken home.

Does he want to go.? If he knows his mum is anxious he is more likely to worry about his own ability to cope. At 7, he might enjoy it, but there is plenty of time for camping when he is older, and a bad experience now might put him off for a long time.

One of my sons would have gone in a flash, the other would have gone with a great deal of trepidation and a back up plan.

My little darling Grandson went to beaver camp last Autumn ,
there were lots of conversations , would he alright , etc, he did not want to go , he would miss his mum , blah blah , from him mainly .

Do you know what he had the best time, and lots of stories for Grandad.

The apron strings have to be loosened .

still alot here

He is counting the days until camp. The Leader is a friend of DD so she has no worries about that, and the camp is not far so if need be he can be picked up.

That is cracking news Glass, there will be lots of things he will be telling you .

Two of mine have been on Beaver sleepovers and had a great time. One of them was worried. He told his mother that he didn't know how to sleep - thought it was compulsory on a sleepover and it's true that he has always been late to go to sleep. However, he discovered that going to sleep wasn't the most important thing about sleepovers!

I don't think its too young but I do feel leave it up to the child to make the decision, my own granddaughter is a cub having just joined and she is off to a 3/4 day camp in May, she is very excited but of course if she changes her mind in the mean time then she can pull out but I don't think she will she loves cubs.. They usually don't go far so he could maybe go but if he wants to come home you could go and get him but I'm sure if he does go he'll love it..

No he's not too young if he wants to go. he'll have fun and come back filthy, tired but thrilled like my two did. My GS 6 has just started beavers and they were going to camp in the hut at Easter tents and all. The leader is potty and great.

My lasses went to Brownie camp at that age and loved it!

I know how hard this is, but I always told myself that it was selfish to put my own fears first. If the child wants to go he will have a wonderful time.

Thanks everyone, he is going.
DD has said that she cant stand in his way (even if she wont rest), its the start of loosening those apron strings isnt it!

Absolutely glass

glass he will have the time of his life,get the washing machine ready for when he gets home if he is anything like my boys.

SIL is an Arkela (why do I always think Alqueda? ) and he often goes on the Beaver camps. They do have the occasional one who is homesick but the majority have a whale of a time. Sounds like yours will be fine Glass.

My memory of Wolf Cubs is that Akela was always a female?

glammanana - My mother never let me forget that I came home from a fortnight's camp with a cake of soap that still had the maker's name clearly marked...

jinglethat made me laugh and I have spilt my tea.

I remember my Sister who is three years younger than me went away on a barge holiday with the school, she is blond with a peaches and cream complexion, you should have seen the colour of her when she got back... she was grundgy and really scruffy dont think she had taken the soap out of the wrapper either fettle

I think it depends on individual children but if he is near enough to be collected if he becomes really upset, then I am sure he will be fine. I lived with an overanxious mother who kept telling me I "wouldn't like" camps, organised events, staying over with friends etc. The more she worried about me, the more anxious I became and I am still a "what if" person. It made me determined never to show my anxieties to my children and I waved them off to various camps and activities with a smile (though feeling anxious inside). I hope your daughter can relax knowing that he is in safe hands and can come home if he is upset. Hope it all goes well. It is the beginning of letting go!

feetlebaum DS was exactly the same, soap absolutely dry and displaying Knight's castile quite plainly. The only used clothing was on his body, most of his clothes still folded as I had packed them. I suspect he hasn't changed much by the state of his camping gear

feetlebaum my Son-in-law is definitely a man. (two grandsons )

JO when we produced two daughters in a row, someone told DH that it takes a real man to produce girls! (Don't follow the science of that, and he had not been worrying about it anyway, but they meant well)