camping

[M.C]

hi, i am just wondering if my daughters who are both 16 are able to go camping in england for the weekend with a few friends who are also 16 and one whos 18. Is this legal or can't they go until they are 18?

[jaberwocky]

at 16 you're legally allowed to be alone in your own house so there cant be any problem in a tent.

[KARL]

If I am not mistaken, the whole of the UK is covered by a law that defines your daughters as adults. Adults can go camping.

[dzug]

Depends from what point of view.

Going camping is legal, yes.

However the camp site owner doesn't have to accept them, and they can't legally enter into an enforceable contract to book a camp site on their own. (The 18 year old can). Some owners may overlook this, others will not.

[KARL]

This brings out to how important the point of view is: I was thinking camping in the open, as I did by cycle as a youth from the age of about 10 or so - no camp sites, no fees, no worries. We live in less carefree times perhaps but I still camp in open countryside whenever possible, and not just because it saves money. A worried parent may rule that out for girls these days.