Your teenage daughters want to go camping with their girlfriends?
…at a national park about 200 miles from your house. It would be a group of a dozen. One of the other girls is 18, another is 19, and there’s also a 15-year-old and a 16-year-old, but most of them are the same age as your daughters (13 and 14), and there are no other adults there, and no guys will be coming along. They will be pitching tents and they know how to camp outdoors.
Would you let them go? And what would you do if you said no but they went anyway?
3 Responses to “Your teenage daughters want to go camping with their girlfriends?”
Comment from crazy2
Time February 3, 2010 at 2:57 pm
No, too much could go wrong with the situation. 13 & 14 years old need more than a 18 & 19 year olds help. Most 18/19 year olds haven’t been through enough life experiences to make the best choice. I think if a cool, trusted adult, maybe cpr certified could go, then I would let my 13/14 year old go. Even in girl/boy/church scout clubs they have a couple of older, trusted, responsible adults going alone for the ride. I know my child will not be happy with me when she is 13/14.
Comment from Mike H
Time February 3, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Yes, I would let them go. Here are the reasons why:
1. National Parks have considerably lower crime rates than the rest of the country.
2. They have power in numbers. This is a deterrent to any potential problem.
3. People who have outdoor experience tend to be fairly responsible, and it sounds like the 18 and 19 year olds are leaders.
4. Spending time in the outdoors is a great way to learn about yourself and grow to be a better person.
5. 200 miles is only 3 or so hours away, 4 1/2 if by slower roads.
6. If everything goes well, you will have created a sense of trust.
7. If bears inhabit this park, look at arming your girls with bear spray. This will be a good deterrent for bears and for humans looking to cause trouble.
8. Rangers frequent these parks and respond within a reasonable time.
It does not sound like a party environment to me, which is why I would approve. It sounds like an adventure.
However, I would make sure you check the *driving record* of the 18 and 19 year old, I would call their parents and talk to them as well. To me, that is the most dangerous aspect of this, and you should look into it to ease your fears. Are they good drivers? What kind of vehicle will be used to transport your girls down there? If you can properly addrerss the driving issue, I don’t think the rest is a problem.
Comment from Joe
Time February 3, 2010 at 2:01 pm
Something doesn’t seem quite right, or else you probably wouldn’t be asking. Always listen to your intuition.
What are these older girls going to be talking about around the campfire (the life and times of Mary Poppins?), and what safety is there?
I suppose if I were in your shoes I would honestly tell them something I didn’t feel completely comfortable. If you’re a reasonable parent, that’s the main thing that matters.