Children staying at caving club huts

[Peter Burgess]

Since this topic started, I have been browsing various club sites looking for obvious relevant info. More later.

 

[Peter Burgess]

Hut Clubs with an online CPP
WCMS
MCG
YSS

Clubs that allow u18s in accommodation
SWCC ? members and guests children are welcomed
Chelsea ? booking ? details required of any visitors under 18 years old (terms and conditions apply)
Shepton ? has members and guests children rates
Orpheus ? youth and school groups midweek only. No mention of children at other times
TSG ? ?resident members? can be u18 accompanied by full member parent etc (constitution)
NPC ? junior members must be children of full members. No mention of guest children.
WCMS - junior members must be children of full members. Conditions apply for u18 guests of members.
MCG ? promotes use of cottage by scout groups

Clubs with no online info on CPP or u18 guests
BEC
Wessex
Croydon
MNRC
Cerberus
BPC - Please note that Brackenbottom is not suitable for young persons
CPC ? guests of members only ? no mention of age
RRCPC
Devon SS
Derbyshire Pennine Club

 

[Ian]

MNRC allows children to stay when accompanied by parents. We'd like advance notice so we can consider the needs of other people staying.

We also run kid free weekends since for some people the idea of going to the club is to get away for the kids!

As a club we also try to start our kids young and hope that some of them keep going.

 

[Peter Burgess]

I missed :

Westminster SG - no info online re u18s
Grampian - takes junior members. No info on u18 guests.

Any other hut clubs I missed?

 

[Judi Durber]

Chelsea ? booking ? details required of any visitors under 18 years old (terms and conditions apply)

From my experience the Ts & Cs are NO U18s ALLOWED TO STAY. 

which is such a shame for such a fine hut and so close to the caves no cars are needed for the duration of your stay 

 

[Peter Burgess]

Another one missed:

PDMHS - Magpie Mine - guests of members only. u18s permitted, from my own experience.

 

[Tony_B]

Clubs that allow u18s in accommodation
SWCC ? members and guests children are welcomed

Some clarification required here. SWCC has a section of our HQ which is designated as 'family quarters'. This is to allow our members to bring their children to the club and it is not generally available to guests or visiting clubs. However, our hut booking secretary will listen to requests and take advice from the SWCC committee if required. In the past we have occasionally allowed groups with children to use the family quarters for midweek stays, for example. Children are most definitely not allowed to stay in the main section of the HQ, the bit with which those of you have stayed at SWCC will be familiar.

In short: please ask before bringing children.

 

[Peter Burgess]

Thanks, Tony. Speaking from my own experience, before the Stump was taken on, I was made extremely welcome with my two sons - it was a memorable weekend for them. Yes, we were allowed to use Married which was much appreciated.

 

[damian]

The YSS is happy to have children, but they need to be accompanied and the group need to sleep in their own room separate from other guests (and generally pay for all the beds in that room). In general we have a number of groups of young people staying mid-week but far fewer at weekends. In fact we have few requests for weekends.

 

[badger]

the way the op asked the question, I read it as he/she was asking as a parent wanting to bring his children along.
so as long as children was accepted in that clubs hut this would be ok and no need for any further child issues.
As which clubs have a childrens policy in place, then the Wessex do in fact have this in place, do accept junior membership, however not sure if this can only be seen by members only

 

[estelle]

It's a shame the BCA child protection policy isn't more up to date like the BMC one is really, as it would make it easier for all member caving clubs to just have their own child protection statement and refer to the central body policy. My understanding in current times is that all organisations, even if they exclude children as members or guests, should really have at least a child protection statement of some sort which should be reviewed regularly to ensure it complies with the current laws. With caving clubs, even if they don't allow kids to stay at the hut, the reality is a lot of our members will have children and they or other members will often take them caving, even if it's not part of a club activity as such. Obviously you don't want to discourage children from caving as they are our club's future but with all the media coverage in recent years on child abuse cases and law changes, it has become even more important to consider this for 'arse covering' as ignorance is not an excuse!

 

[Peter Burgess]

If a trip is not part of club activity then surely the club has no interest in it. There will be times when a trip cannot be non-club, for example, trips into caves where the group is booked in the name of a club (Ffynnon Ddu), or where a club manages access to a site where youngsters are taken, so yes, a policy is a very good idea. As for encouraging youngsters - absolutely - and taking CPP seriously is a major part of providing the right environment for that to happen. Where would you prefer to take your family? To a cottage run by a club with a CPP or one without?

 

[Duncan Price]

Chelsea ? booking ? details required of any visitors under 18 years old (terms and conditions apply)

From my experience the Ts & Cs are NO U18s ALLOWED TO STAY. 

which is such a shame for such a fine hut and so close to the caves no cars are needed for the duration of your stay 

IIRC under children of members are OK. It is possible to accomodate children of non-members when the cottage is booked exclusively for them I.e. mid-week.

 

[ttxela]

Where would you prefer to take your family? To a cottage run by a club with a CPP or one without?

I was with you up until this question - which I think illustrates what a CPP is really for.

This is not the first topic on this subject and the question that is always asked is "which huts am I allowed to take my children to?" has anyone ever come on here to ask "which clubs have a CPP?".

The honest answer is that it wouldn't factor in my considerations. Young Summer has now not so keen on going underground however when this was a factor my preference would always be to take her somewhere I would know what to expect, either by visiting before or by knowing the people that would be there and ultimately taking responsibility for her myself!

I never had any problems - mainly due to clear communication when making arrangements and being fairly relaxed with her being in a normal hut atmosphere (everyone must draw their own line but I'd suggest if you are concerned about your child overhearing the odd curse or witnessing mildly ribald behaviour then perhaps find a nice B&B instead?).

Doubtless a CPP is a good thing to have (for the club) but far better to rely on your own judgement and standards (as a parent).

Some huts have camping adjacent - this can be a good option if you think you may need  a bit of privacy and calm away from the antics in the hut and could ease any concerns over sleeping arrangements.

 

[ttxela]

Thanks, Tony. Speaking from my own experience, before the Stump was taken on, I was made extremely welcome with my two sons - it was a memorable weekend for them. Yes, we were allowed to use Married which was much appreciated.

Same here, Summer and I stayed there with my sister's lad during a working weekend on the Stump (although not the same one I think).

 

[Peter Burgess]

My main thought was actually a club that has made a conscious effort to consider how it relates to youngsters might be preferable to one that doesn't think it's important. Knowing the kind of club you are dealing with is all part of being a good parent - I think. If you are comfortable with a club through personal contacts, any CPP becomes far less relevant.

 

[ttxela]

My main thought was actually a club that has made a conscious effort to consider how it relates to youngsters might be preferable to one that doesn't think it's important. Knowing the kind of club you are dealing with is all part of being a good parent - I think.

True enough - I think my main point (although probably badly expressed) is that staying at a club hut you haven't stayed at before and don't know the people would be a bit of a leap in the dark, whether they have a CPP or not.

Similarly staying in a hut you know with people you know with your child is less likely to result in any problems, whether they have a CPP or not.

 

[Alex]

But the children could and do camp outside Chelsea with their parents.

 

[Judi Durber]

Chelsea ? booking ? details required of any visitors under 18 years old (terms and conditions apply)

From my experience the Ts & Cs are NO U18s ALLOWED TO STAY. 

which is such a shame for such a fine hut and so close to the caves no cars are needed for the duration of your stay 

IIRC under children of members are OK. It is possible to accomodate children of non-members when the cottage is booked exclusively for them I.e. mid-week.

I have tried for several years and have had a resounding NO not possible. 

 

[moletta]

Whitewalls is a small hut with limited facilities where sleeping, toilet, washing and changing facilities are all mixed. Children of members are welcome but are the responsibility of their parents/guardians at all times, but are also generally known to the other adult members.
Other clubs are able to offer separate facilities so may feel able to offer non-members access.