Should my mom let me go on this camping trip?

Question

Me and 4 other girl friends of mine want to go on a little camping trip on spring break in 2009. My mom is worried we will get attacked or raped or something ridiculous like that. We are basically doing what they did in Stand By Me. We have a location we are heading to and we are going to follow the railroad tracks there and camp out in the woods at night or when we get tired. We will have cell phones and first aid, and we know exactly where we are going and exactly what we are going to do. We just want to do one last big thing before we graduate high school. We are going to be juniors this year. What do you think? Should she let us go? And how can I convince her to let us go?

Answer 1

bring a gun that you know how to use in case of an emergency. that's how you can make sure you can get rid of the bad guys.

Answer 2

how experienced are you camping?  Are you planning to go on a multi-day hike changing locations?  I've spent about 50 days camping in the last two years in all sorts of interesting weather conditions and my parents still have strict rules for whenever I want to go camping.  I have to show them exactly where I'm going and who I'm camping with and where I plan to make a campsite.  I also have to come up with two alternate campsites.  I have to have several emergency plans because cell phone service is seldom reliable. and my dad nags on me that I'm the most experienced, that I shouldn't listen to my friends because they don't have much experience, and that they are my responsibility and if anything happens its my fault and I really shouldn't be going with people so inexperienced. have you girls ever pitched a tent before?  Have you ever pitched one during a strong storm before and pitched it well enough to keep you warm and dry?  if you have only camped in good weather you might not appreciate the extra work it takes to keep a tent waterproof, especially on the bottom.  get some experience hiking and camping first before planning a trip like that.  get an idea of what it feels like to hike all day.  i bet if you joined an outdoor club or something and worked up to it getting more and more experience that your ma might feel more comfortable by spring.  or better yet, just find a nice campground to chill at, makes everything easier.  is it even legal to camp in this area?  the whole plan sounds pretty dubious to me.

Answer 3

It's sad that others are poo pooing you, when the reality is, you're much safer in the world today, from people at least, and the farther you get away from the city, the safer you are. The idea that there are either people lurking everywhere or opportunists passing by who will attack a group of young girls is ludicrous nonsense.

You're more likely to meet welcoming people amazed at your bravery in the face of such overwhelming fear mongering among the busy-bodies and bullies of the world.

Many people would like to see a return to the old confidence people had in their fellow men, the trust that has evaporated as we've been forced to accommodate "foreigners" and at the same time told to fear those foreigners.

People just don't get that armed guards, metal detectors, zero-tolerance, and harsh punishments don't make for a safer world, the lack of trust makes us unsafe, makes us angry, leaves us panicked, alone, paranoid, and resentful. All those things are why immigrants and lower income people form gangs, why white kids want to join gangs themselves, and why everyone here is petrified of your simple plan.

If the government was strictly hands off, the state was lenient, the police were exemplary and honorable, newspapers reported the facts, and religion was dead then people wouldn't be so scared and thus so violent.

I'd suggest, though, that you'd have a better time following a steep trail in a National Park where the unbelievable scenery will overwhelm your senses and open your minds to the wonders of nature.

Answer 4

As a parent of teenage girls NO FREAKING WAY!!

As a search and rescue professional I don't detect much wilderness experience in your group.  No disrespect but you sound like a group of kids wamting to emmulate a movie.  I would not allow you to take this trip through Denali State Park where I oversee all park access.

Answer 5

I have never seen stand by me, but I think that your mom would probably like the idea more if you went to a campground somewhere close. Or try somewhere where you can rent a cabin, with locked doors... This should ease her worries a little.

Answer 6

I grew up just after the era depicted in that film, watching it brought back great memories of hiking in remote areas  and the unsupervised  week long canoe trips that we took at that age

At your age a friend and I hitchhiked to Cordell Georgia, because we thought the name sounded cool, and picked watermelons for two weeks and then hitched our way back to Florida to pick corn

I wish I had realized what a fascinating time I was growing up in

Sadly times have changed a a society and this behavior is no longer safe and a group pf girls making such a trip is a predator's wet dream

We live in a society today that just does not allow these types of adventures anymore

As a member of the generation that created these times I apologize

Answer 7

Mom has some very good concerns and it is up to you to convince her that this is a good idea. Should she allow it, make sure you follow all the rules she sets down. You are old and mature enough to understand that things unexpectedly can and do happen. To make mom feel more comfortable, maybe you can change your plans somewhat. I know she will worry over you no matter what.  

Answer 8

Well, I don't really know the area so I don't know how safe it is. One benefit you will have is safety in numbers. Maybe reassure her that you, and the others, will stay together and not wander off alone. Cell phones are good, make sure they are charged before you leave. Do you know where the track go and the entire route to your planned location? You want to make sure they are safe to walk on. You don't want to be walking across them on a bridge when a train comes and have no where to go. Maybe she would feel better if you had a car for emergencies. Maybe even a phone call every day or two would help. I know that kind of defeats the independence you are probably looking for, but she might feel better. I can't say whether or not you should be allowed to go, but with 4 of you it's safer than just 2 of you. I hope it works out.

Answer 9

and wut is the plan if you meet a froot loop? do you have any means of protection? stay home til you can come up with a safety plan!

Answer 10

I agree with your mom, When i go camping now, I take a firearm.  On two trips, drunks tried to cause trouble and a pervert tried to peak in on my friends.  Also a murder happened where I camped, this man was shot to death three times with a shotgun and his camera and gun were stolen, he was ambushed at night.