Is caving a suitable activity for children?

[whitelackington]

Why do we allow ourselves to be bullied by the politically correct elete?

 

[Peter Burgess]

Why do we allow ourselves to be bullied by the politically correct elete?

Is it me or does this not make sense?

 

[Rachel]

Buying caving gear for child sizes is straightforward and there's plenty available.

What child-sized gear can't you source?

I couldn't get an undersuit off the peg until she was 6. Before then, I had to get them custom made from Daleswear.

 

[Rachel]

How about:

1. we do not regard caving clubs which are primarily organised for adults over 18 as providing a suitable environment for children under 14, unless accompanied by their parent(s), legal guardian(s) or duly authorised close relative, teacher or instructor, who should be a full member of the club concerned and must take full responsibility for the child's wellbeing at all times;

[/quote]

This seems to be a sensible statement. My daughter has been caving since the age of 2 and has been coming on club trips (as a paid up, insured member) since she was 5. I have never had anything but a positive response from any of the club members who we have caved with. However, I wouldn't expect her to be allowed on a trip without either myself of her dad being there. No matter how much I trust her and trust the people I cave with, the fact remains that she's my responsibility and will remain so until she is much older. As a parent, I use common sense to decide which aspects of the club are suitable for her to participate in. Caving trips where she can keep up with everyone else with the minimum assistance are fine, as are daytime social events. However, I have the insight to realise that there are a lot of club antics that an 8 year old should not be involved in. I think that most other parents would realise that too, without a blanket statement from the nanny state.

 

[graham]

Excellent post, Rachel. However, the presence of either you or her dad does not release your club from the obligation of having a child protection policy.

 

[Taoist]

I have taken my 13 y.o. daughter on a number of trips now with no problems.  Whilst she doesn't quite have the upper body strength for 'difficult' pitches, she can handle most pitches with a little help at the top.
I have been informed that she cannot join my club until she is 18 but I haven't had any problems with members objecting to her presence.  They expect me to also be present as it reduces the legal issues but on at least one trip (Brightgate) when I couldn't get through the first squeeze *1 she went on with other members and it was fine.
Although she doesn't admit it in front of her peers (it's not cool) she loves it and it gives her exercise and a (far too rare) view that kids can do things other than hang around malls and take drugs.

*1My suit had too much friction, and I'm just too, err, muscular, yeah that's it  :-[

 

[Ship-badger]

Excellent post, Rachel. However, the presence of either you or her dad does not release your club from the obligation of having a child protection policy.

Why not?

 

[graham]

Well, for a start, because you need to be in a position to safely protect the child - and the other adults present - in the event of an accident befalling the parent.

 

[andymorgan]

So, I suppose it is the government's 'fault' that the BCA stated that caving is not 'suitable for children'; because for small set-ups like caving clubs they have to fill in lots of time consuming paper work, that may be more hassle than it's worth. Obviously child protection policies are well meaning, but if the paper work is stopping children doing an activity, then maybe the law maybe needs to be changed or streamlined.

 

[kay]

I think the paperwork is an inevitable consequence of living in a large and mobile society. My parents' generation were relatively un-mobile -  a lot of the people they had dealings with they had known (either personally or by reputation) all their lives. That's just not true nowadays.

 

[whitelackington]

This country is grinding to a halt
because of rules.

Children have never been fatter. 
What utter nonesense to say caving is not suitable for children,
you might as well claim life was not suitable for them.

 

[ian.p]

heh no life is suitable for children they're just not suitable to join a society.
has the BCA done anything yet is it intending to do anything?

 

[nickwilliams]

Having had nothing to do with the creation or promulgation of this policy, I've no intention of making any comments on the discussion. I will, however, point out that complaining to the BCA via a posting on this forum is not a sure-fire way of bringing your displeasure with the policy to the attention of BCA Council.

If you feel strongly about this policy, then please either express your displeasure via your BCA representative, or directly to a member of BCA Council - there is a list of contacts on the BCA website.

Nick.