[hummingbird42256]

I have an 11 yr old daughter .She went to a bible school camp away from home for 3 days. Now she wants to go to camp for a week with her church. I don't want her to go. I don't want to worry because it is around water at a lake. She does not swim. They have assured me it will be fine. But I still am uneasy about letting her go. AM I being silly or what?

[tater03]

No, I don't think you are being silly at all. Especially if she don't know how to swim and will be around water. Is it possible you can visit the camp while other kids are their so you can see how they watch the kids around the water?

[hummingbird42256]

No, Thats not possible.Im not even sure where the camp is. The youth leader is a lifegaurd and white water rafter instructor. He has assured me they wear life jackets within 40 ft of the water. He says it is perfectly safe and that she can sign up for activities that are not related to water. The problem being I had a 7 yr old step sister who drowned at a public pool surrounded by people and life gaurds and no one knew someone had knocked her in.I guess I am passing my fears over to her because she really wants to go. But I just hate to live in fear for a week.I know accidents happen.

[silverstreak]

Originally Posted by hummingbird42256

No, Thats not possible.Im not even sure where the camp is. The youth leader is a lifegaurd and white water rafter instructor. He has assured me they wear life jackets within 40 ft of the water. He says it is perfectly safe and that she can sign up for activities that are not related to water. The problem being I had a 7 yr old step sister who drowned at a public pool surrounded by people and life gaurds and no one knew someone had knocked her in.I guess I am passing my fears over to her because she really wants to go. But I just hate to live in fear for a week.I know accidents happen.

Hummingbird...I wouldn’t be afraid to let her go. You have some pros and cons but one good thing is she will be wearing a life jacket. It sounds like a good time for her. As for the situation with your sister, I cannot believe that no one saw her to save her.

[carebear]

I think your naturally worried, she is 11. Is she not careful?

Lakes gradually get deep and so do most pools. You shouldn't worry and you could give her this thing called a noodle. It's a round tube like floating devise that she can keep with her in the water. You do need to make sure the camp counselors know she can't swim and they will watch her. And most of all pray. I always pray when my kids are going to swim in a place I can't watch them at all or very well. But I did teach my kids how to swim at an early age. They still aren't strong swimmers though.

[cassiem0221]

I know it is only natural for you to worry especially if you have had an incident in the family. I went to church camp EVERY year as a child and if the camp is anything like the ones I went to, and I am pretty sure it is, they have a set schedule at what time to do things. For example, we awoke at 7am, Morning prayer and breakfast at 8:15am, Bible study 9am, morning activities at 10:30 Lunch at 12. Back to the cabin at 1 for resting 1:45 activities, 3pm swim break etc... We were always under close watch.. Oh might I mention that it is CHURCH camp? I don't know if you have ever been but I went to 10 different ones and they were all STRICT.. Always a careful eye to make sure nothing "bad" was happening.. Maybe you could go as a bunk leader?

[Ricardo]

I'm very sorry to hear about your step sister.

I think it's a tough question. On one hand even at a lake, there may be a dock that extends to deeper water, making a missed step more dangerous.

On the other hand, I'm sure you want your daughter to enjoy her childhood. If she doesn't go on the church outing, would there be something else she'd enjoy instead that would be less worrisome to you?

By the way, with all the raves and rock concerts out there, it's interesting that the event being considered is a church picnic, isn't it?

[junglebunny]

Pray for guidance from God.

[Fizz]

I think because of your step-sister you are being over protective with your daughter. From one over protective mother to another, I understand. Letting go can be so hard and I know how fear can grip you. You said that they have a policy of life jackets 40 ft from the water, so it really sounds like they will be safe. BUT I would suggest to you that you need to have your daughter enrolled in swimming lessons, you won't always be able to keep her from the water and if you want her safe she needs to learn how to swim.

[junglebunny]

I hope everything works out for you.