Would you let your teen do this?

[LisaR]

I know I am probably being irrational. DD is going to two educational camps this summer. She will turn 15 two weeks before the first one.

Camp # 1 - I do not have any issues with at all. She is flying by herself to another state and staying in a college dorm with three other girls (total strangers) her age for two weeks.

Camp # 2 - Here is where I am having my mom freak out. We are driving her to this one because it is only 2.5 hours away. However, she will stay in a room by herself and this is the thing I am having an issue with. It is basically set up like a hotel with a bed and bathroom all self contained. The kids are not allowed to go in anyone's room. There is a common lounge they can meet in but everyone needs to be in their room at 10PM. I don't know why this is freaking me out but it is. DH isn't at all concerned. I casually mentioned it to DD so she would know what the accommodations would be like. Her response was, "don't worry mom. I will just stay curled up in the fetal position waiting for the bad guys to break in." Not helping!

So, I assume this is just me being irrational, right? I have to send in the deposit this week and I have hesitated. Oops! Did I miss the deadline? Sorry! J/K I wouldn't do that to her. I just feel uneasy about her sleeping by herself in her own "hotel room." The thread about leaving teens home alone overnight got me to thinking about this.

 

[Magic Mom]

Her response was, "don't worry mom. I will just stay curled up in the fetal position waiting for the bad guys to break in." Not helping!

That is exactly something my son would have said to me.

I can't say if you are being irrational since I don't know anything about the camp she is going to. But if it's accredited, and you've checked it out and you trust the people running it, then the single room thing shouldn't be a big deal. Have you expressed your concerns to the camp director?

 

[Riverhill]

I will admit I would probably not let my daughter go unless she was with kids I knew. I admire your ability to worry and not let it efffect your daughter chance at a great experience. I hope someday I will be able to reach that point with my kids.

 

[MerMom60_94]

I know I am probably being irrational. DD is going to two educational camps this summer. She will turn 15 two weeks before the first one.

Camp # 1 - I do not have any issues with at all. She is flying by herself to another state and staying in a college dorm with three other girls (total strangers) her age for two weeks.

Camp # 2 - Here is where I am having my mom freak out. We are driving her to this one because it is only 2.5 hours away. However, she will stay in a room by herself and this is the thing I am having an issue with. It is basically set up like a hotel with a bed and bathroom all self contained. The kids are not allowed to go in anyone's room. There is a common lounge they can meet in but everyone needs to be in their room at 10PM. I don't know why this is freaking me out but it is. DH isn't at all concerned. I casually mentioned it to DD so she would know what the accommodations would be like. Her response was, "don't worry mom. I will just stay curled up in the fetal position waiting for the bad guys to break in." Not helping!

So, I assume this is just me being irrational, right? I have to send in the deposit this week and I have hesitated. Oops! Did I miss the deadline? Sorry! J/K I wouldn't do that to her. I just feel uneasy about her sleeping by herself in her own "hotel room." The thread about leaving teens home alone overnight got me to thinking about this.

I'm glad I'm not the only one letting the Dis feed into parenting anxiety. Last night I dropped my daughter off at a friend's house and all I could think about is the thread about adults who let underage kids drink at their house. Parenting gets harder and harder, doesn't it? It's such a crazy world! I think if you trust your daughter and it's a matter of you are concerned on whether she will be safe, I am sure she will be ok. Coach her on locking her door and not opening the door without checking who is there, and even then only open for one of her girlfriends or a female counselor. Honestly, though, I would let me DD (same age) go but I think it is only natural to feel a bit of anxiety about it.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I am sending my 13yodd off to a scholar program in July. She is staying in a dorm for 3 weeks.

I guess I don't see the difference between a dorm and a hotel-style accomodations.

She is 15, in a room by herself and her own bathroom? She is going to feel like she is in heaven after having to share the bathroom with strangers.

 

[luvmy3]

If its a single room "dorm' within the camp then I wouldn't have a problem. If its a hotel where the campers are staying than I would.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

She'll be fine. Maybe have her take a self-defense class before hand-- for your sanity!

I did the same thing when I was 16, in New York City. I had a really fun time, and I was a good kid as I'm sure your daughter is. This is actually great practice for college. Relax, mom. Let her spread her wings and flourish.

 

[johnsontrio]

I know I am probably being irrational. DD is going to two educational camps this summer. She will turn 15 two weeks before the first one.

Camp # 1 - I do not have any issues with at all. She is flying by herself to another state and staying in a college dorm with three other girls (total strangers) her age for two weeks.

Camp # 2 - Here is where I am having my mom freak out. We are driving her to this one because it is only 2.5 hours away. However, she will stay in a room by herself and this is the thing I am having an issue with. It is basically set up like a hotel with a bed and bathroom all self contained. The kids are not allowed to go in anyone's room. There is a common lounge they can meet in but everyone needs to be in their room at 10PM. I don't know why this is freaking me out but it is. DH isn't at all concerned. I casually mentioned it to DD so she would know what the accommodations would be like. Her response was, "don't worry mom. I will just stay curled up in the fetal position waiting for the bad guys to break in." Not helping!

So, I assume this is just me being irrational, right? I have to send in the deposit this week and I have hesitated. Oops! Did I miss the deadline? Sorry! J/K I wouldn't do that to her. I just feel uneasy about her sleeping by herself in her own "hotel room." The thread about leaving teens home alone overnight got me to thinking about this.

I am unclear as to whether or not Camp #2 is:
~ in a public setting or if it is "campers only"?
~ self contained or in an urban setting?

Can you can give a clearer description of the setting?

 

[LisaR]

I am unclear as to whether or not Camp #2 is:
~ in a public setting or if it is "campers only"?
~ self contained or in an urban setting?

Can you can give a clearer description of the setting?

It is mainly a retreat for writers. During the year, they have writers live on "campus" while they are taught by master writers. That program is for adults during the winter/spring so hence the separate living arrangements. They also have other art programs throughout the year for adults and kids but those are not residential programs. During the summer, they run one 2 week program for teens.

It is set up like a small campus with dining facilities, workshop classrooms, exhibit areas, etc.

I am sure she will be fine but I just wish she had a roommate. I know there can be problems associated with a roommate but it would just make me feel better in the middle of the night. I think I am going to have a restless two weeks!

 

[stepmommyof1]

YES I would let my stepson. For 2 reasons:
1) I'm all for anything that makes him look better to other people. Anything that might look good on a resume, anything that he could get some kind of award for, any people he might come into contact with who are good for "networking" or can provide him with good references.
2) It would get him away for a few weeks so I can have time with my husband with no kid around.

 

[LisaR]

YES I would let my stepson. For 2 reasons:
1) I'm all for anything that makes him look better to other people. Anything that might look good on a resume, anything that he could get some kind of award for, any people he might come into contact with who are good for "networking" or can provide him with good references.
2) It would get him away for a few weeks so I can have time with my husband with no kid around.

We would still have one kid at home so that wouldn't close the deal for me.

I do get what you are saying. I think this will look awesome on her applications so I am sucking it up and letting her go but I don't have to like it!

 

[Evil Genius]

I'd be more worried about camp one. Sleeping with total strangers? MMMM no thanks. As long as she locks the door every night she will be fine.

 

[johnsontrio]

Taking your description into consideration, I'd be fine with Camp #2. I was worried that there might be access by adult strangers and/or the possibility of people driving up and being able to stranger abduct your child or something like that. If you are worried about her being in the room by herself, have her take a whistle or air horn that she could use in the case of an emergency.

Both of the camps sound fine to me. Last year we made a school trip to South Bend, Indiana to swim at Notre Dame against a team from the Chicago area. The hotel we stayed in was in the downtown area and had a parking garage in the lower levels. The garage provides public parking as well as the hotel parking and the vestibule from the garage to the elevators was open. Meaning, you did not have to have a hotel key to get in the elevators and go up to all the floors in the hotel. Since parents had separate rooms from our girls (the girls were staying 3 and 4 to a room), I thought this was a safety concern. It's things like this that really concern me.

Sounds like a great opportunity for your DD.