There is nothing new in that? When I was pre teen and teen, I definitely had to get parents permission for weekend campout. It seems to me normal that parent have a say in whether the non-adult child sleep at home. Plus there were weekend activities woth familly I was expected to participate in - trips, familly visits, grandpa birthsday, etc.
So I would ask. I mean, idea that 16-17 years old goes for campout without asking parents strikes me as wtf.
I don't know, my parents always asked me if I wanted to go to my Grandmother's house or other trips (I did).
I always just told my parent that I was doing something just so they knew where I was - not necessarily asking for permission, but that gave them the chance to veto it (which they only did one time as punishment when I got in trouble at school).
I think that parents need to teach their kids how to be responsible and autonomous, and treat them like they are their own person, because they need to be to have any chance at being successful.
So I would ask. I mean, idea that 16-17 years old goes for campout without asking parents strikes me as wtf.