Oh, 11. Very little worry the police will get involved. Especially if he returns it all.

I think you need to question whether they were actually in the lost and found. Its one thing for stray items of clothing to be in the lost and found, but backpacks? Kids take backpacks home everyday, they're going to notice they are missing. Plus the fact that OP's DS coveted some of these items makes it more likely he stole them. I would not assume the items won't be returned.

The fact is, OP, you can't take your DC's word on anything here. More reason to contact the camp. Your child needs direct consequences from his actions or he will get in deeper trouble in the future.

I don't even know your kid, but believe him when he says it was all lost and found stuff. I'm always in awe at the sheer amount of stuff in lost and found at my kids school. Seriously, how do kids not keep track of their stuff? There was a bra in the pile at the end of the year, FCOL!
That said, at 11, he knows full well that he was taking items that were not his. I'm wondering how many people saw him walk off with FOUR backpacks and not give it a second thought.
ITA with PP's, keep emailing/calling until you contact someone at camp. DS needs to be the one to walk the items in, apologize profusely and feel remorse. Now, at this point, since you say nothing is labeled, chances are that those things will never be reunited with their owners, but I guess there's the proverbial snowball's chance and your son needs to get those things returned, pronto.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stop making excuses for him and find a way to have him return the stuff to the camp.

Agreed. it's sat now so will try on Monday to locate people. It is not right but I am also worried of the consequences. Will they report him to the police?

How old is he?

Anonymous wrote:Stop making excuses for him and find a way to have him return the stuff to the camp.

Email the camp.

Post on its facebook page.

Your son may not be able to return it immediately if there truly is no one at camp, but he has to figure something out.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't have help on the punishment, but please return the backpacks to the camp. My son is still bitter over items he had stolen from him at camp.

The problem is that the camp is closed and no one is returning next week. The stuff are all not labelled either so I am sure the admin wouldn't even know where to start. I am also worried what the camp would do with a boy who "stole". Will they report him? Or ban him from ever attending again? (they run good programs) They are not all very valuable stuff and there are like no cell phones there etc. but there are things that would have cost a little to buy, eg. some camping gear, 2 camelbaks (which i know he wanted for this summer for his bike riding), some other kids sweaters and other personal stuff too.

But it is also possible that these were really in the lost and found I also remembered seeing a big big big heap at the lost and found when I went into the grounds and picked him up one day at camp.

There's an emotional element not reflected in "value." This could be one kid's favorite shirt, or camping gear that a child saved up to buy. The fact that your DS stole so much stuff, and that it was coincidentally stuff that he wanted, means you need to take this seriously. Stop making excuses and contact the camp.

Someone will answer emails. You need to stop protecting him and contact the camp. otherwise you are supporting what he did. He needs to have have a direct conversation with someone at the camp and return the items, in person. You need to email the camp to find out how this can be done.

I strongly disagree with the suggestion that OP apologize. Her DS must be the one to apologize and return the items. OP's job is merely to facilitate this.

Anonymous wrote:Stop making excuses for him and find a way to have him return the stuff to the camp.

+1 It sounds like you are supporting it. You email the camp, let them know what happened, apologize and ask when/how you can return it. Son can go to camp only if you need it to maintain your employment. Otherwise, you cancel camp.

Anonymous wrote:Stop making excuses for him and find a way to have him return the stuff to the camp.

Agreed. it's sat now so will try on Monday to locate people. It is not right but I am also worried of the consequences. Will they report him to the police?

Stop making excuses for him and find a way to have him return the stuff to the camp.

Anonymous wrote:How old is he?

11

Anonymous wrote:Don't have help on the punishment, but please return the backpacks to the camp. My son is still bitter over items he had stolen from him at camp.

The problem is that the camp is closed and no one is returning next week. The stuff are all not labelled either so I am sure the admin wouldn't even know where to start. I am also worried what the camp would do with a boy who "stole". Will they report him? Or ban him from ever attending again? (they run good programs) They are not all very valuable stuff and there are like no cell phones there etc. but there are things that would have cost a little to buy, eg. some camping gear, 2 camelbaks (which i know he wanted for this summer for his bike riding), some other kids sweaters and other personal stuff too.

But it is also possible that these were really in the lost and found I also remembered seeing a big big big heap at the lost and found when I went into the grounds and picked him up one day at camp.

How old is he?

Don't have help on the punishment, but please return the backpacks to the camp. My son is still bitter over items he had stolen from him at camp.

Gave my son a shelling today because I have discovered he has stolen from a summer camp that has just ended. (He ended up with 4 backpacks with other people's stuff in it) He claims it was the last day and in the lost and found but it is stealing anyway in my opinion. He is now grounded but any other tips from other parents that have stolen stuff before? What other measures do you guys do? Also what do you do with the stuff? I have no way of finding out who they belong too. (and some are girls stuff too!) He can be grounded this weekend but he has yet another exciting camp paid for already for the next two weeks. (with no cancelling policy). What would you do? release him or ground him further.