Anonymous wrote:European here. We went back packing through Europe. Why do your 17-18 year old need chaperones? That sounds crazy.
My first alone trip to England I was 16. Kids should be more independent especially since they will be alone in college

The large majority don’t.

Anonymous wrote:Please, for the love of all that is holy, keep your teenager out of the Dominican Republic. My kid showed us videos and photos (and yes, parents were “present”). It was an alcohol fueled week of sex and binge drinking. We were floored.

Not location specific at all.

Anonymous wrote:aka rape week

Yes

aka rape week

Most of the public HS kids I know are going to OBX.

OP, maybe some schools go to Ocean City. My DC went last year to the outer banks and it was about 8 houses all in a cluster. Each house was a group from a different private school. I chaperoned for 1/2 a week. Schools that I remember being there were Stone Ridge, Visi, NCS, STA,Gonzaga, Bullis, Maret and Holy Child.

I did this a million years ago in the mid-90's. Kids used to go to Rehoboth/Dewey the week after graduation (first week of June before high season), very few if any chaperones went, and huge amounts of drinking happened.

At some point after this I heard (but made no effort to verify) that Rehobeth and Dewey got nice enough to clamp down on the under age drinking and partying and started wholesale arresting kids, thus the move down the coast.

It's not so different than what they'll experience in the first weeks of college and in some ways it's better to be surrounded by their friends instead of strangers while being dumb and young.

My kids (who graduated a few years ago) and their group of friends went to Europe for a few weeks. No chaperones - they were 18 and heading to college - time to cut the umbilical cord! The trip actually cost the same if not less than what beach week would have cost here, even with air fare and it was a far better experience. Sure, they partied and went to clubs, but they didn't go crazy because of the "forbidden fruit" of alcohol.

They had to check in every day and send texts to the chain with the other parents. All went well and they have great memories!

This was, of course, pre-pandemic. Not sure what the costs would be now and any travel restrictions.

I have friends whose older kids went to beach week and they refused to allow their younger ones. They said it was a free-for-all (even with chaperones). They were happy when it was done and didn't feel comfortable sending their younger kids when the time came.

Why would anyone go to Ocean City rather than the much nicer and essentially equidistant Virginia Beach

Anonymous wrote:Please, for the love of all that is holy, keep your teenager out of the Dominican Republic. My kid showed us videos and photos (and yes, parents were “present”). It was an alcohol fueled week of sex and binge drinking. We were floored.

You think this only happens in DR?

Please, for the love of all that is holy, keep your teenager out of the Dominican Republic. My kid showed us videos and photos (and yes, parents were “present”). It was an alcohol fueled week of sex and binge drinking. We were floored.

Anonymous wrote:European here. We went back packing through Europe. Why do your 17-18 year old need chaperones? That sounds crazy.
My first alone trip to England I was 16. Kids should be more independent especially since they will be alone in college

That's what private schools do--remove the concept of independence and shelter.

Anonymous wrote:European here. We went back packing through Europe. Why do your 17-18 year old need chaperones? That sounds crazy.
My first alone trip to England I was 16. Kids should be more independent especially since they will be alone in college

I imagine it's mostly for optics. Also, the chaperone may technically be the home owner or home renter. I can understanding wanting to stay close by to watch the house.

European here. We went back packing through Europe. Why do your 17-18 year old need chaperones? That sounds crazy.
My first alone trip to England I was 16. Kids should be more independent especially since they will be alone in college

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NFW! They are not jeopardizing an Ivy admit for that.

Jeopardize it how? Getting drunk at a beach house they are staying in?

That and any other trouble teens can get into.