First camp- Beavers

[WritermumK]

Hi, I'm new to Mumsnet

DS is 6 and a half and has been going to Beavers for a few months, hasn't really met any close friends but really loves it.

Anyway he came home a few weeks ago about an overnight camp, really wanted to go. I said yes, paid the money.

Anyway I'm starting to wonder if I did the right thing?

Was wondering old yours were when they stayed out over night with Beavers etc?

[seeker]

What are you worried about? That's a good starting point!

[Margetts]

My DC started Beavers after Easter and did not do the camp which they held at the weekend. I felt they were too young, a lot of their friends did go and had a fantastic time.
I did get together with friends and we made a camp fire and cooked sausages and marshmallows, so they DC felt they did so ethi g special at the weekend.

[Whojamaflip]

I'm a Beaver leader and am constantly surprised how little tears or home sickness we get when we take them away on camp!

To date I haven't had to phone a parent to pick a child up at some ungodly hour and tbh its the parents who seem to suffer more!

Make sure he has a special teddy with him for bedtime cuddles and have copious amounts of for yourself

[WritermumK]

Thanks for the replies, bet you'll be right Whojamaflip

Just bothered that he's just not as aware as some of the boys and worry he might hurt himself or get left out as the other boys are more familar with one another.

[Tournament]

Mine both went on camp with Beavers (didn't actually camp, was in a dormitory type thing) and loved it no issues at all.

For Ds1's first camp, they did a family camp where each Beaver had to take a parent, which was lovely. Sadly though, other parents were less keen and it had a very low uptake. Camps where you can send your kids off to have a great time without you seem to be much more popular.

[QueenofLouisiana]

My DS was only just 7 when he went on his beaver sleepover. He loved it, I worried all night. He has just done his first cub camp- 2 nights in a proper tent. He loved it, I worried a bit less.

Hope it goes well for him.

[MirandaWest]

I didn't worry at all about DS going on his first beaver camp . Was a one night one a few miles away and he had a great time. I just assumed it would be fine and he would enjoy himself and he did :) He enjoyed his first cub camp even more last year despite freezing weather at the beginning of May.

[Pancakeflipper]

My DS1 was just 7 when he did an overnight Beaver camp. All the other Beavers go to the same school and I worried he'd be left out (he is very shy). I worried so much so I told the leader before the event. They said they'd keep an eye out.
He had a great time and became friendly with 3 of them. Now I have a 2 night Cub camp to face ( I say me, I am not going, I will be sprouting grey hairs for a few days).

[mamaduckbone]

Mine went on his first sleepover the week he turned 6! He'd never stayed anywhere except grandma's without us and he loved it. He will have a brilliant time.

[Piffpaffpoff]

My DS went when he was 6. I was a parent helper which helped out with my nerves! They all had a ball, the next day was painful though as DS only got about 6 hrs sleep so he was a total grump from around lunchtime. Was in his bed by 6pm!

[Scruffalo]

My DS is also just turned 6. He started beavers after easter and will be goinng on his first camp (actually just 1 night, sleeping in a scout hut) next week. Its not far from home though, so I have told the leader I can pick him up if necessary, but I'm sure he will be just fine. Also the boys were given the option to just attend the following morning, if they didn't want to sleep over, so they wouldn't miss out on the day's activities.

Thinking about it, DD was only 6 when she did her first sleep over with rainbows. She loved it and I don't actually remember worrying about her at all. In a few months she will be going away for a whole week with brownies.

[BackforGood]

dd2 was just 6 - she'd been in Beavers for 1 week! It was just the way it worked out, they didn't normally do camps, but had been included in a big Group camp for the Centenary, and the opportunity wouldn't come up again if she didn't go then
She survived, and has now reached Scouts and loves it - just about to get her 50 nights away badge

[Fairyegg]

My ds will be going next month at almost 6.5, only they camp In the scout hut. My Major issue is that he still isn't dry at night and wears a pull up. He's not bothered about this but I'm worried the other kids might tease him especially as the cubs will be there to. He will also have to be told to put the pull up on, and have someone check that he has as he will 'forget' which would end up even more embrassing for him. Anyone from beavers able to reassuure me? He really wants to go (but I know I'm not going to seep a wink).

[WritermumK]

Thanks everyone, I think they call it camp but it would be in a dormitary type thing at the scout hut, I do need to check though.

[Piffpaffpoff]

I helped out at an indoor sleepover Fairyegg and I would suggest you chat to one of the Beaver leaders, I am sure they will find a discreet way of making sure your son is all sorted before bed.

[tumbletumble]

My DS1 went to beaver camp last year when he was 6. He was only just out of pull ups (finally cracked night time dryness a couple of months earlier) and I was worried about him, so DH went along as a parent helper. I'm sure he would have been fine but it made me feel better! Is that an option for you OP?

[WritermumK]

I've just had him at the docs and she thinks he has impetigo and has given him a course of antibiotics, doubt he'll get to go, poor fella

[Tournament]

Unless you're looking for an excuse ;-) there's no reason for him not to go. The antibs will take effect quickly and they don't have to stay off school with impetigo once treated, so I can't see why he should miss camp. Speak to the leader.My guess us you'd never know he had it by the weekend anyway, new he's taking med :-)

[fatzak]

We had the same Fairyegg with DS last year. He took a pull up with him, hid it in his wash bag and just put in on in the loo and no one ever knew. In the morning he wiggled out of it in his sleeping bag and I had the delights of sorting it out when he got home!!

[Nerfmother]

Ds (7) is going this weekend. First one ever and I am really worried that he will wander off into the woods at night and get stolen I know this is very unlikely btw.

[WritermumK]

Would the leaders be able to give him his anti b's do you think? He has cream too.

[Tournament]

Yes, you'll have to sign a medical form and they'll give them in line with doc's instructions. There will be someone designated for firstaid and they'll take responsability.

[OrangeLily]

The leaders will be able to give anti biotics but probably won't be that comfortable with a cream but that's dependant on how much of his body needs cream on it. The rules are generally no touching!

However, most beaver sleepover are around 24 hours or less so you could put it on him right before he leaves. Or you could arrange with the leaders to pop down and put it on him or they can supervise him applying it?

The vase vast majority of Beavers are a absolutely fine on sleepover and no leader will keep an upset child at camp! Sleepovers tend to be inside mostly, although rules have recently changed and you can camp.

Just a word to the wise though. We pre-warn our parents that we fib about bed times. So when it's 'far far too late for children to be awake' its actually still a fairly decent hour. The kids actually get more sleep than they think but it's still not enough.

However, when they get up to cub camp it's totally different. They are up to god awful times and up so early. I pity the cub leaders. Crazy people.