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Can't say for other states but in Tn the adult volunteers would be considered mandatory reporters and require youth protection training
Also I dont recall if its 12 or 15 but you have to have a cdl or something to drive a bus over that size.
Can't say for other states but in Tn the adult volunteers would be considered mandatory reporters and require youth protection training
Is that a recent development? Everyone in TN is a mandatory reporter but when I was volunteer/chaperone for my kids there was no required training for anything other than whatever a specific organization might have as part of their program. Scouting required volunteers to train but most of the other groups my kids belonged to did not. Seems like such requirements would discourage a lot of smaller groups from forming.
I have an uncanny ability to drive long distances and not become tired. It's been that way for decades.
When my kids were in high school, I would pick them and their friends up after school (sometimes left a bit earlier) and drive 3 hours to a concert. We would drive back home right after the concert. Time involved - about 9 hours. Some parents wouldn't let their kids go initially because they couldn't wrap their heads around the driving part or a concert on a school night. Most eventually got over their concerns. We didn't do it all the time...maybe 2-3 times a school year.
All the kids were high achievers and no worse for wear the next day. They survived and went on to become teachers (public, private and charter), medical researchers, college instructors, software engineers and doctors.
As long as your kid wants to participate, money isn't a issue and parents can communicate their concerns freely, become informed about everything and everyone involved.....let the boy go. Academically related too. I would suggest that there be at least 2 adult drivers on board. Van full of young kids can be pretty distracting for some people.
Last edited by CentralUSHomeowner; 04-11-2019 at 12:29 PM..
My son’s robotics team wants to compete in a competition next month. I am the only parent on the team who has any concerns, of which I have several.
1. He will miss 3 days of school to attend (this is not a school club)
2 The trip is 10 hours, not including stops for potty, gas, food in a rented van
3. The kids will return from the trip around 1am Sunday night in a van with inexperienced large vehicle drivers
4. Cost 700
5. My son would be staying with families I don’t know all that well
I really don’t want him to go per the above reasons however people feel I’m being over protective. I could go as well but I don’t have a ton of vacation time and would have to get a hotel for 3 nights or fly but then that’s an additional 500 , I’m a single parent so funds are a bit tight. I’m a little surprised all of the other parents have been 100% onboard. Am I being too protective and unreasonable? My son is going to be pretty upset if I don’t let him go.
1) It's just daycare. Anything that's not school that's isn't video games is going to be more educational. Maybe different in a charter/gate school but normal 6th grade for a bright kid you could miss three days a month and be a lot better for it.
2) iPad, book. It'll be boring. Who is driving?
3) A van isn't really a large vehicle but if it's a 19-year-old kid driving a van at 1 a.m. that is. If it's someone's parent, not really. I'm assuming it's something like a 12/15-passenger van, either the older E-250 van or the newer Ford Transit type vans. They're not any larger than a full-sized pickup.
4) Either it is or it isn't.
5) Probably not an issue as long as the group is staying together, most likely with a host family connected to the robotics stuff. It's not like he's staying at some random host they found on Craigslist.
My son’s robotics team wants to compete in a competition next month. I am the only parent on the team who has any concerns, of which I have several.
1. He will miss 3 days of school to attend (this is not a school club)
2 The trip is 10 hours, not including stops for potty, gas, food in a rented van
3. The kids will return from the trip around 1am Sunday night in a van with inexperienced large vehicle drivers
4. Cost 700
5. My son would be staying with families I don’t know all that well
I really don’t want him to go per the above reasons however people feel I’m being over protective. I could go as well but I don’t have a ton of vacation time and would have to get a hotel for 3 nights or fly but then that’s an additional 500 , I’m a single parent so funds are a bit tight. I’m a little surprised all of the other parents have been 100% onboard. Am I being too protective and unreasonable? My son is going to be pretty upset if I don’t let him go.
IMO cost is an issue if it is an issue. I think this would be a fabulous experience for your son. When my kids were growing up they attended many overnight trips. We were not able to attend all of them.
1. So what? This is a valuable learning experience. There is more to learning than just what the kids learn in school.
2. Why is this an issue? Lots of middle school kids take 10 hour trips.
3. Is a van really a large vehicle?
4. IMO this is a valid concern. $700 is nothing to sneeze at.
5. I can understand why you might be a little concerned but your son is at an age where he should be starting to spread his wings a little bit.
My son’s robotics team wants to compete in a competition next month. I am the only parent on the team who has any concerns, of which I have several.
1. He will miss 3 days of school to attend (this is not a school club)
2 The trip is 10 hours, not including stops for potty, gas, food in a rented van
3. The kids will return from the trip around 1am Sunday night in a van with inexperienced large vehicle drivers
4. Cost 700
5. My son would be staying with families I don’t know all that well
I really don’t want him to go per the above reasons however people feel I’m being over protective. I could go as well but I don’t have a ton of vacation time and would have to get a hotel for 3 nights or fly but then that’s an additional 500 , I’m a single parent so funds are a bit tight. I’m a little surprised all of the other parents have been 100% onboard. Am I being too protective and unreasonable? My son is going to be pretty upset if I don’t let him go.
1-3 would not be a concern for me. 4 and 5 would be a deal breaker. Why are they staying with families? For $700 they can't spring for at least a Motel 6?
1-3 would not be a concern for me. 4 and 5 would be a deal breaker. Why are they staying with families? For $700 they can't spring for at least a Motel 6?
#3 is very concerning. It is not at all uncommon to hear about such vans having accidents where everyone was killed.
By that logic you shouldn't let your kid go anywhere as any accident could happen.
Yeah, right. See below:
Quote:
Originally Posted by AnotherTouchOfWhimsy
Inexperienced drivers and a rented 12- or 15-passenger van driving at night would be a dealbreaker for me. No way. Nothing else really pinged my radar. If you could fly him there, I'd suggest doing that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AnotherTouchOfWhimsy
Yes, 12- and 15-passenger vans are considered dangerous for transporting children. Or anyone, really.
I know that our church's insurance has banned them for transporting people under the age of 18.
****
Quote:
Originally Posted by tnff
Can't say for other states but in Tn the adult volunteers would be considered mandatory reporters and require youth protection training
Also I dont recall if its 12 or 15 but you have to have a cdl or something to drive a bus over that size.
As this isn't a school trip, they may not know about the rules. It happens. Also the special driver's license.
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