DS17 wants to go camping with his friends

[FigmentSpark]

They didn't get much of a grad and so a bunch of them (from the GTA - still phase 2) want to go up to Wasaga to go camping this weekend. Would you approve?

I don't have a lot of details, but it sounds like a group of maybe 8? I know there will be at least one girl there, but she has a boyfriend, but I don't know if there will be other girls.

First, it's going from phase 2 region to phase 3 region with his 'bubble'. Second, it's not supervised 17 year olds (okay, some may be 18). Third, I know some of these kids, but from elementary school, so 5 years ago and I don't know any of their parents (kids are pretty independent around here).

Would you let him go?

 

[badiggio]

My gut instinct from what you wrote tells me no.Teens,hormones,most likely alcohol,and unsupervised.But,that's just me

 

[FigmentSpark]

I am thinking like you, but I also know that in the before-times, people would let their kids go on grad trips. That, to me, sounded crazy, too. But they are all either almost 18 or already 18 and will be going off to university in a month. I can't decide if I'm being too protective or very sensible.

 

[alohamom]

I let my son go to a cottage with a bunch of his friends at that age. They were fine, he survived. Except one of them broke a bed by jumping onto it, or so they say LOL, and of course they had to pay for it.
I also did a lot of camping with friends at that age and even younger and that was kind of what swayed me in the direction to let him go.
I kind of help my breath the whole weekend. I made it very clear that I NEEDED a call or text to know they go there ok. He also knew that if he needed one of us to come get him that any time, 24-7, we would come get him.
The thing is my son does not touch alcohol or drugs and never has. I would be ok if he did but it has always been his choice. We have some addiction issues with close family members and he has seen first hand what it is like. It has scared him straight.
I think if you let him go, talk to him about edibles because they are much more potent than other ways to dabble in cannabis.

The thing is, if it was right now, I do not know if I would let my son go because of COVID. Are these kids within his bubble? Does he have a way to keep his own food and drinks cool and sanitary?
This is a hard one @FigmentSpark, good luck.

 

[Madame]

I am thinking like you, but I also know that in the before-times, people would let their kids go on grad trips. That, to me, sounded crazy, too. But they are all either almost 18 or already 18 and will be going off to university in a month. I can't decide if I'm being too protective or very sensible.

If there were no pandemic? Yes, absolutely (with all of the stern warnings etc.) - I did those types of trips as a teen and my kids will too, no doubt. Not this year. There is more at risk now.

 

[badiggio]

too many red flags,imo.
.At the very least,I would ask it to be supervised by an adult that I know and trust.
We read and hear all the time of these things getting out of control;the real number of people attending, alcohol poisoning,fights, rape, gang rape,and sometimes death.
My motto is better safe than sorry.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Good point about the edibles. I hadn't thought about that, particularly because it's all legal (at least for adults), so easy to get.

They are in his bubble, but his bubble seems to be larger than Ford would like it to be, I think. We aren't in Toronto, but still in the GTA, which means to move to stage 3 for us, yet.

Phone calls are good ideas, but I wonder what the data and cell reception is like? Yes, Wasaga is cottage territory, but I wouldn't be surprised if there were dead zones up there, particularly for camping.

 

[alohamom]

Phone calls are good ideas, but I wonder what the data and cell reception is like? Yes, Wasaga is cottage territory, but I wouldn't be surprised if there were dead zones up there, particularly for camping.

Oh, I think you are right about that. My aunt has a cottage about 30 minutes up north of Wasaga and there is no reception at all. Hmmm that might be another valid arguement to not let him go.

 

[vegs1]

Are they all driving separately? Sleeping in separate tents? They still need to social distance. Camping lends itself to social distancing but only if you do it and most in that age group won’t. They mean to. They just forget.

 

[uandmfan]

I'm honestly asking, how can he have a bubble of 8 friends? A bubble means all of you have no close contact with anyone else. If there's a person someone in your bubble doesn't social distance with then they are counted in your bubble. I would assume once you factor in families they would be way over 10. We are still only allowed 10.

 

[wdwmom3]

I'm honestly asking, how can he have a bubble of 8 friends? A bubble means all of you have no close contact with anyone else. If there's a person someone in your bubble doesn't social distance with then they are counted in your bubble. I would assume once you factor in families they would be way over 10. We are still only allowed 10.

Agreed. I don’t think you guys understand what the bubble means. Your bubble would start with your family that lives together. You could then add say more people into your bubble. Like grandparents or another family. But all those people would make one bubble and could not be in close contact with anyone else. The concept of a bubble does not mean each person gets their own bubble. So if your son has say 5 friends in his bubble. Well your entire family and the entire family of those 5 friends would now be in your bubble.

But to answer you question no I would not let my 17 year old. And I have kids that age. Your son should not be hanging around with that many people, in close contact, outside his family unit anyways. Young people are who is spreading this virus and hanging out in groups is how it’s happening. Plus people who live in those communities are seeing major issues with people coming to the area and partying. Have some courtesy to those residents as well and don’t let him go.

And remember you are the parent.

 

[Donald - my hero]

I'm honestly asking, how can he have a bubble of 8 friends? A bubble means all of you have no close contact with anyone else. If there's a person someone in your bubble doesn't social distance with then they are counted in your bubble. I would assume once you factor in families they would be way over 10. We are still only allowed 10.

THIS!!! Our daughter and her wife took advantage of the pandemic and bought a house the expansion of our bubble now includes the others who helped with the move, we don't even know them. That means we're part of a 8 person bubble and only have contact with 2 of them. We're all fully aware we can't each add more without it effecting every other person's bubble, 10 people means 10 people, period.

meanwhile Wasaga is not happy with visitors coming up, they've had to close parts of the beach because of the number of people who came from the GTA over Canada day.
it sucks for the kids who are missing out on this type of milestone but everyone is and will continue to miss things that are important.

 

[FigmentSpark]

I agree about the bubble. He, being 17, seems to know more than any of us. And he doesn't tell us things that he should. You guys have brought up a lot of excellent points. Also, it's coming out that it's a party grad camping, not just a few friends! Someone's field and you buy tickets.

He won't be going. He's really upset, but that's life and life in a pandemic. Sucks for them, but so would geting and passing a disease.

 

[wdwmom3]

I agree about the bubble. He, being 17, seems to know more than any of us. And he doesn't tell us things that he should. You guys have brought up a lot of excellent points. Also, it's coming out that it's a party grad camping, not just a few friends! Someone's field and you buy tickets.

He won't be going. He's really upset, but that's life and life in a pandemic. Sucks for them, but so would geting and passing a disease.

You made the wise choice. Hopefully more parents will do the same. I know parenting teenagers can suck . I’ve been luckily that my teen that still lives with us is actually worse then me at getting mad at people not following the rules lol.

Don’t worry he may be mad but I’m sure he will get over and respect you for looking out for what’s best for him.

Also a party like is likely to get broken up and people fined.

 

[momof2gr8kids]

I'd be the person secretly calling the police to bust up that party beforehand. Yes, we did that stuff when we were young and camped out in tents, etc. But there wasn't a pandemic. There wasn't a good chance you'd bring something home that could kill members of your family.
Gawd these kids of ours that think they are invincible! Perhaps offer up some other option with a few of his bestest friends for a camping trip that's more responsible and safe.

 

[ottawamom]

I agree about the bubble. He, being 17, seems to know more than any of us. And he doesn't tell us things that he should. You guys have brought up a lot of excellent points. Also, it's coming out that it's a party grad camping, not just a few friends! Someone's field and you buy tickets.

He won't be going. He's really upset, but that's life and life in a pandemic. Sucks for them, but so would geting and passing a disease.

With the addition of that new information definitely a hard NO! Have his friends come over for a smaller get together in your backyard. They could even camp out if they want.

 

[alohamom]

Also, it's coming out that it's a party grad camping, not just a few friends! Someone's field and you buy tickets.

He won't be going. He's really upset, but that's life and life in a pandemic. Sucks for them, but so would geting and passing a disease.

I think you have made a wise choice, that sounds like trouble with a capital "T"

 

[TammyLynn33]

Agreed I think you made the wise choice . Mine just turned 18 and went to the driving range with a few friends my rule was I go and if I see anything I don’t like. My kid was good but they in no way social distances , half showed up in the same car ,, and a week later a bunch of them needed to get tested as there was an outbreak at the golf course ( diff one ) but these kids have been going everywhere . To each their own bit my kid and he’s 18 has not asked to go again . He gets it

 

[FigmentSpark]

My DS says he gets it, but I think the desire to be one of the guys is stronger than the desire to make sure mom he doesn't get the virus (and bring it home).

So when we looked this camping thing up, we found out it's actually just a dirt field that's rented out for huge parties/raves. I can't believe any of his friends' parents are letting them go. DH said this is like "spring break in a large field". And... people in Wasaga... its in your back yard, not only this weekend, but this company rents it out whenever anyone wants it. What the ??? Part of me thinks it will probably get shut down sometime in the early hours of Sat morning, but I can't believe the OPP or at least the town council would even allow this. I don't get it.

 

[wdwmom3]

My DS says he gets it, but I think the desire to be one of the guys is stronger than the desire to make sure mom he doesn't get the virus (and bring it home).

So when we looked this camping thing up, we found out it's actually just a dirt field that's rented out for huge parties/raves. I can't believe any of his friends' parents are letting them go. DH said this is like "spring break in a large field". And... people in Wasaga... its in your back yard, not only this weekend, but this company rents it out whenever anyone wants it. What the ??? Part of me thinks it will probably get shut down sometime in the early hours of Sat morning, but I can't believe the OPP or at least the town council would even allow this. I don't get it.

They won’t allow it. Honestly I would be tempted to give police a heads up. Not only are they violating the emergency orders, but I guarantee you there will be lots of underage drinking and use of pot.