Camp and large van. WWYD?

Our camp for end of July uses 2 large vans to transport the kids, and they have "seatbelts and are easier to handle." I checked and that's what I was told.

So, child will have turned 6.
Camp is 10 to 2pm for 1 week. I don't mind driving around but I'm not sure how practical it will be to go to/from wherever he's going (with my 3 other little kids in tow). If the camp will even let me...otherwise I don't think we can do this.

WWYD?

Install Prosport? Use Vivo? (he's not a booster rider yet though; still fits in his harness). I don't even know if I'd be allowed to do that (and note this might really put him on the spot). Of course the other kids (age 6 to 8) will ride in nothing. Or, just forget the van all together and not use it due to roll overs?

I want him to go b/c I think it'll be fun, and a friend is going of his. Normally our park district uses buses!!!! But I know I don't want him on that van in a seatbelt no matter what. And technically I prefer no van either way. This is total helicopter mom but it's just transportation (or water) that's my big thing.
How they handle water safety in a fishing camp is another issue I was going to inquire about...but I got stuck at the van issue!

Most big vans don't have head support enough for a six year old, so you could go at it from that way. Then install his Vivo. Piper rides in her Parkway on school trips in the vans. Unless it's the old vans (mid 80s death traps) which have lap belts only.

Wendy

Does your state have a booster law? I'd go with the vivo for my kid, but if the state had a law about boosters, I'd inquire about that as well.

Yes, booster law is until 8.
Most of the camps use 15-passenger vans and the kids (preschool and up) ride in nothing but belts. There might be some clause that exempts carseats/boosters in vans, as I looked into it before. Confusing stuff.

OK, so maybe the Vivo. I am waiting for them to call me back so I can see what I'll be able to do. If it's lap belt only I'm not even going there!

Update. The person in charge of running this (to some degree) called me back and said she's still working on it, that it's complicated. Maybe she's going higher up or something. It's been 2 days and no official word.

I didn't expect that!

I'd want him boostered in our Vivo, or I'd be happy to drive him around to the field trip places.

So I'm wondering why this is so complicated! She just noted this has never come up before. I did get to see the old van today (with a 20 something male driver) and the kids in it were either really small and needed some sort of seat, or 5-stepped and then had no head support at all. It appeared to have lap/shoulder belts. As a tax payer I'd be delighted to help fund a better vehicle. I might write a letter.
If something did happen...then the outcry would happen, and then it's too late for those kids.

I hope they are working on a solution that will work well.

I'm scared of this too. My 3 year old will have occasional field trips at school next year, and I don't know what to do. Most parents throw a low back booster in for them, but DS is still rear facing! And even if I'd be okay with him forward facing for a short field trip, I don't trust anyone else's installation. Uch!