Overnight school trip - would you send your 7 year-old?

[Anonymous]

DH and I disagree on this, so I'll just present the facts and would appreciate your input!

We live overseas (Foreign Service) in Panama. DS, who turned 7 in September, attends second grade at a private school. They have an overnight field trip planned to a really cool spot. It will be run by a private company with some of the teachers from school going. I am waiting to hear if my son's particular teacher will be there or not. This is an annual tradition for all kids in first-grade and up.

About half the kids in school go. My husband asked a local co-worker about the practice and she reported that "Oh yeah, all the kids go, they have a blast, my kids always loved it." My neighbor who is also American, who is more of a "helicoptor Mom" than I am is letting her daughter (same age) go on the trip. She says it goes against her instincts but she thinks it's safe and will be good for the kids independence and sense of adventure. She let her go last year in first grade but that was just a camp-out behind the school.

The roads here are okay, more pot-holes than DC, but pretty safe. The drivers are a little wilder (passing on the wrong side of the road) but less road-ragey. The kids will be in a big bus that, like DC, likely won't have seat belts. The drive is about 1-2 hours. Safety wise, everything here is rated similar to DC - lots of little crimes (take what's in your car, etc.). There isn't the risk of kidnappings like in Mexico. My kid has no allergies or any health problems that would need attention. He has had a few sleepovers with friends with no problems or calling home in the middle of the night.

My son is happy in the school, some friends, not a ton, not getting bullied, no red-flags there. Many kids are American so he feels at home. He really wants to go, which is great because he can tend to worry a bit and sometimes hesitate to "take risks."

What would you do?

[Anonymous]

If you son wants to go, I would say yes. I wouldn't necessarily sleep well that night, but it sounds like it is objectively a safe and fun trip.

[Anonymous]

I would be hesitant to send my child but most likely still would. Any chance you could be one of the chaperone parents?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would be hesitant to send my child but most likely still would. Any chance you could be one of the chaperone parents?

No parents are going. It will be run by this private company with some/all (waiting for clarification) of the teachers going along. My DH is going to ask some questions today about the private company and why we can trust their people. Which I appreciate, because it's ME that doesn't want to send him!

[Anonymous]

I'd probably let him go unless he's very apprehensive about it. IMO, age 7 is a bit young for such a trip, but there don't seem to be any major red flags against it, as you say.

[Anonymous]

When I first read the headline, I was like, "NO WAY!" but reading your post, I changed my mind and I think I would let my 7 year old do that.

[Anonymous]

I can't see any reason not to let him go unless he's a wild kid who never follows directions and will think it's funny to run off and hide or something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't see any reason not to let him go unless he's a wild kid who never follows directions and will think it's funny to run off and hide or something.

No, not at all. He's a good kid with a strong conscience and is a rule-follower. When I think about this, my only big concern is the private company running the trip. How do I trust my kid to strangers? What if one of them is *inappropriate* with my son? I don't think he's old enough to put into place the procedures we've talked about - running away, screaming for help, etc. I'm generally a "you can't live in fear of the crazy stuff happening (ie: kidnappings, etc.)" type person, but someone touching my kid is not a crazy "out of the world" impossible thing. Blargh, this is hard.

[Anonymous]

Seems like lots of kids that age or just a little older go to overnight summer camp. This is only one night! Sounds like fun.

[Anonymous]

I think my litmus test here would be if any known/trusted teachers go, even if not his own. If yes, then yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think my litmus test here would be if any known/trusted teachers go, even if not his own. If yes, then yes.

OP here and I JUST texted this to my husband. If my son's teacher is going, that will probably put me in the "yes" column. Thanks guys!

[Anonymous]

No, I would not send my 7 yr old alone.

We did a girl scout type camping trip last year with 7 and 8 yr olds. There were 2 girls without parents who came and 8 girls whose parents did. Night time came and all the girls were tired, it was really dark, they were suddenly in a new place, all the fun of the day had warn off, and these little kids needed their moms. The two girls who had no mom with them had to get themselves ready for bed in an unfamiliar place with an unfamiliar routine. Yes, we did help those girls out of course but it was overwhelming for a child that young to be all alone, in a new place, trying to figure things out that every evening they have help with at home.

[Anonymous]

7 isn't all that young. Let him go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:7 isn't all that young. Let him go.

Your right - 7 isn't young until it's a tired, over stimulated child, late at night, who is worried they won't be able to find the bathroom if they need too....

[Anonymous]

This is tricky. I would probably say it's fine, but I do think it's very ambitious for the school/organization to do this big trip for 7 year olds. That's a lot of responsibility and many 7 year olds are still on the cusp of being good listeners, being responsible, not acting out, etc.