[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> --- In [email protected], Bob Adams <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> >
> > In message <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, FHS
> > CanalClub <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> > writes
> > > The only sad thing is that 14 year olds can no longer go on work=20
> parties
> > >- but have to play at it at WOW. I am sure that the 14 year olds=20
> who I
> > >took digging on the Stourbridge 16 were the winners
> >=20
> > Of course 14 year olds today cannot do anything unless wrapped=20
> in 'nanny
> > state' cotton wool.=20
> I don't think that particular rule is the product of the nanny state=20
> but of the Insurance industry, who will insure you against anything=20
> as long as they don't think it's going to happen.
If you're referring to the age limit that we now apply on WRG Canal Camps and
most other work parties, it was partly down to our insurers being unwilling to
cover children on what are basically building site type activities (that's why
we haven't allowed anyone under 16 for a long time), but also the extent to
which our leaders (all of whom are volunteers themselves, usually with no
formal training or qualification in working with youngsters) are 'in loco
parentis' as regards anyone in their care who is under 18.
If I remember rightly, the final straw (or one of the final straws) that led us
to push the limit up from 17 to 18 was when we heard that interpretation of the
law on under age drinking was changing, to the extent that a camp leader would
be likely to be held legally liable for a 17-year-old having consumed alcohol
while on a canal camp, even if it was without the leader's encouragement,
permission or even knowledge. (I don't know the exact wording)
We make exceptions to the age limits, but generally only in the case of 16 or
17 year olds whose parents are also present, so WRG leaders aren't 'in loco
parentis'.
Martin L
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