Five teens sent home from Tribe camp for ‘dangerous’ behaviour and ‘bullying’

Five Jewish teenagers have been sent home for bad behaviour from a summer camp in Scotland run by the United Synagogue’s youth movement Tribe.

Two 13 year olds were sent packing after sneaking out on Shabbat and using aerosols and lighters to create home-made flame-throwers, behaviour described as “dangerous”. Three others were kicked out for “bullying”.

Up to 90 youngsters were staying near Edinburgh in the week-long Camp Barak, attended by the Chief Rabbi, but several snuck off into the woods with aerosol cans. After they were caught the situation appears to have descended into one of accusation and counter-accusation.

“Some children broke the rules by sneaking off during Shabbat,” a source was quoted as telling the Jewish Chronicle. “They took aerosol cans into the woods with lighters and used them to set fire to things. Another group tried to blame another individual for getting them caught.”

After the children were sent home, all remaining participants are understood to have been given a lecture about their behaviour, as United Synagogue officials sought to reassure parents.

“We take our responsibility to our participants, volunteers and staff very seriously,” said chief programmes officer David Collins. “Incidents are very rare but when they happen they are dealt in a professional and timely manner.”