Letting Your Child Go Camping

If you know and trust the family, then by all means let her go!
I can't believe some of the other responses regarding notaries and medical care :(
If 911 is called (God forbid) they are not going to stand there and do nothing because there is no official written authorization and the parent is not around, what are people thinking?!?!
It sounds like a fantastic opportunity for your daughter, and it will give her a wonderful sense of self esteem and confidence going forward. I am sure you won't regret it!

6 moms found this helpful

My kids are older now, but I don't think I'd allow a six year old to go away on a trip with a family who are just neighbors. Doesn't matter that it's camping, she's with people who are not your close friends or family, it's 4 hours away and in another state. I am NOT an overly protective parent and I would not allow this if I had a child that young.

6 moms found this helpful

No way. What if she gets hurt, or lost out there? It's camping...not a sleep over. That's a big difference. New environment, wild animals, wooded trails, possibly open water or rivers, and last but not least, what about all the other campers who ARE strangers? Does she swim and know water safety? Does she know what to do if she gets lost in the woods or elsewhere? What about health/medical insurance if she is injured? Do you know where the nearest medical facility is? What if it's far from the camp site? Not to mention, if she freaks out, it's not like you can pick her up and bring her home.

Nope. My kid wouldn't be going on this trip.

6 moms found this helpful

I don't blame you. I would be hesitant, also. Six is pretty young, yet.

If it were me, and my good friends asked my daughter, I would ask if it would be okay for me to tag along, too. They probably have a tent that will sleep 6 (maybe even 8). Or if not, you can take your own tent (though you may have to pay a little extra for two tents on one site). I can't imagine that - if you're good friends - they would have a problem with it.

But if my friends said, no, there just isn't room or whatever, I would thank them for the invitation, but say I'm just not comfortable with it at this point. Maybe next year. And I would let my daughter know that she will have other opportunities to go camping with her friends, when she's a little older.

I probably would also get out the tent and sleep outside with my daughter, so she could still have a camp out, but be at home.

I don't believe we have to let our children do everything and experience everything at such young ages. My goodness, what will they have to look forward to, if they do it all now?

Oh, and if you do decide to tell your daughter she can't go this year, please know that the Perseids Meteor Showers are happening right now, and tomorrow night and Friday night would be perfect "camping out in your backyard" nights! We have three of my son's friends coming over tomorrow to camp out in our backyard and watch the meteors. The four boys will sleep in one tent, and my daughter and I will be sleeping in another. And let me tell you - she is SO excited! She can't even get to sleep tonight, for thinking about it!

Good luck in your decision!

5 moms found this helpful

Given the fact that she's familar with this family and their habits/rules, I would let her go. I'm sure she'll have a great time and it'll be a growing experience for both of you.

Just read a few of the replies.
I've stayed a Yogi Bear Campgrounds, many are like mini resorts, so no need to work about the wilderness factor.
I agree with many of the other mama's about the medical advice. Be sure you write a note authorizing them to provide medical treatment, giving your insurance information.

5 moms found this helpful

These people have done this dozens of times, let her go too.
Have them take a Power of Attorney just in case for anything medical, actually I just write a note saying that i give my permission to have my daughter receive medical treatment.

She'll have fun and you have someone who is willing to take your daughter for a weekend where she will be watched by trusted adults, priceless!!

4 moms found this helpful

If she wants to go and you are comfortable with them, I would let her go. She'll have a blast and get to experience something new/different. This is a chance for her to gain some new adventures and you to let go a tad. It is only one night, she'll be fine.

4 moms found this helpful

If you completely trust the parents, and know that they will take care of her like their own, then let her go.

4 moms found this helpful

I think that's way too young to take any kind've out of town trip with anyone but a family member...and even if it were family, I personally still wouldn't allow it. She'll likely be very out of sorts after a long car ride and get homesick, and then what? No fun for anyone. That's the way I see it. I really don't think it'd be as much fun as it seems, for her...

...is there any possibility you, as a family, could go camping with them? That'd make it fun...they could still sleep together in a tent, or whatever, but you'd be there.

I have a really hard time believing people are so lenient! I may be a little overprotective...but for good reason. These are your most precious possessions! I don't think my children are missing out...we do fun things as a family...but I would never forgive myself if I let my child out of my control and something happened.

4 moms found this helpful

I'm not sure if I would at 6. To me camping is different, even if you trust them, I'd be worried still because it's still 4 hours away. What if she wants to come home? She knows them, but may get scared of the camping and want her mom/dad. We went camping a lot and as kids we wanted to run far and wide. I went camping with friends starting at about 10-11. Before that it was my immediate family and friends or just my family. Don't feel like a helicopter mom b/c you are protective :) I hate that term, you just want her to be safe and are giving it necessary thought... it's a good thing :)

3 moms found this helpful

I think it would be hard to let her go, but it is only for 2 days, and she will learn so much! She will make such great memories on this camping trip, If she doesnt do well, like being gone away from home too long, or getting sick or tired, then she will know how she did the next time she wants to go on a big trip away from her mom. As much as i try to keep my daughter in a bubble, that bubble gets smaller and she gets bigger. you do have to let them grow sooner or later. good luck :)

3 moms found this helpful

I'm sending my 2 girls camping with my sister and BIL this weekend for 2 nights about 2 hours away. My girls are 3 and 5 and *I'm* more excited than they are about the trip!!

If you didn't trust the parents, then I'd say NO....but if you trust the parents and know them and the only issues are your OWN, then I say let her go and enjoy a child-free night :o)

3 moms found this helpful

Its in another State.

If they get stopped for anything, you'd need them to have NOTARIZED paperwork, stating that your child is authorized to travel with them.
And per medical needs if any.
Otherwise, nowadays, per child abductions, others may think the child does not belong, to them.

If it were me, I would not.
That is just me.

Have your Husband, read all the responses you receive to your post.
And jointly, make a decision.
But if you don't want to... then I think the decision should be, that the child does not go.

Also, listen to your gut, instincts.
Mommy instincts are, good.

3 moms found this helpful

Yes, she will do great. It will be a fun adventure for her. They will have a cell phone in case you need to get in touch with them.

I loved going on adventures with my good friends and their families and I also loved when they joined my family..

3 moms found this helpful

If she's able to handle a sleep over 1/2 a block away, I'd probably let her go. She's shown she can sleep in places other than your house. And you trust the family. So yeah... I think I'd chill and let her go. But I do understand it would be hard.

3 moms found this helpful

My daughter, 5 years old, does not sleep well when on vactaion, either camping or in a hotel. I usually have to sleep next to her for her to get a good nights sleep. So with that I would not let my daughter go, BUT if it is a family that knows us super well, understands my daughters fears I might consider saying yes. If I did say sure I would give them a handwritten letter saying that they have permission to authroize say in medical situations just in case (some times I have seen ERs say they need a parent, guardian or note from parent to do somethings, of course they will save a child in a life and death matter but sometimes a simple thing they will not do if not life threatening with out a note). Also give any medical info that is needed, allergic to whatever and of course your cell number :)

1 mom found this helpful

Do you let her stay at your parents? Do they live far away? My almost 5 yr old DD has gone on a number of "big girl" trips to grandma's house without us and when she was 3 1/2 we were 9 hrs away in TN for a week! She was loving it and didn't even want to talk to us. If you truly trust these parents, then I think it would be fine. I would.

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I think it would be hard to let her go, I am just as neurotic...could your family also go and makeit a group trip? If not and you really really trust this family I would let her go.....I say that now so remind me when im asking this same question later for my on DD ;-) I know easier said then done.

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I always say follow your instincts. There is a reason you have them.

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If you trust them, let them go. I have a few friends that are "second parents" to my kids and I have complete faith they would take great care of my kids. You can send a notorized (sp?) letter and her insurance card with in case something happens. My husband and I have left my kids with friends when I have gone on my Discovery Toys incentive trips out of the country. Again only if your truly trust these people.

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