Andy Sparrow
Active member
Caving clubs will have recently received child protection policy guidance notes with an accompanying letter from David Judson. The letter says that in a recent communication with the government the BCA have stated that 'we do not regard caving as a suitable activity for "children"' The letter goes on to say, in effect, that this only applies to children under 14.
So is this now a policy by our governing body, that caving is unsuitable for children under 14? Such a statement will come as a surprise to instructors like myself who deal mainly with children under 14 and who have, until now, been under the illusion that we were providing a worthwhile and valuable experience which is thoroughly enjoyed by the vast majority of our younger participants. It may also be alarming for many scout leaders to realise that one of the most popular activities they regularly arrange for the enjoyment of their younger members is actually unsuitable for children. It may also surprise those of you with families that any caving you have enjoyed with your own children was actually an unsuitable activity for them.
Need I go on?
It strikes me that this is an example of disconnected thinking in our governing body to rival the notorious debacle of the minimum impact code, which some of you will remember, from a few years past.
So is this now a policy by our governing body, that caving is unsuitable for children under 14? Such a statement will come as a surprise to instructors like myself who deal mainly with children under 14 and who have, until now, been under the illusion that we were providing a worthwhile and valuable experience which is thoroughly enjoyed by the vast majority of our younger participants. It may also be alarming for many scout leaders to realise that one of the most popular activities they regularly arrange for the enjoyment of their younger members is actually unsuitable for children. It may also surprise those of you with families that any caving you have enjoyed with your own children was actually an unsuitable activity for them.
Need I go on?
It strikes me that this is an example of disconnected thinking in our governing body to rival the notorious debacle of the minimum impact code, which some of you will remember, from a few years past.