I have a boy of 11, not my own, from my partners previous marriage!
I agree that you should stick to your own beliefs and not to give into the pressure of other parents!!!
I think the group activity is a fantastic idea as children of that age should not be pressured to become adults as fast as society would like them too!!
Too often children leave behind their childhood before the time is right & there is no way of ever getting it back!!!

Are the parents you refer to parents of boys/girls or both??

Flinty