Also, please keep in mind that the homosexual stuff about the boyscouts isn't about the boys...my son is being brought up to be a good Christian follower. He knows that is wrong and would report any instance immediately! There are NO homosexual people involved in his troop!
I guess I should add that we are in Georgia, very near Savannah. Please, if you are aware of anyone who could help, please ping them...or ping your lists if you feel this is worthy of a ping.
God bless!
There are past Eagles who are no longer using their stuff, and he would know who to call.
Offer to pay what you can for them.
I know that the scout uniforms are not cheap, and you don’t just need an item or two but multiple items. I suggest you contact your area council and see if they can help you.
In my son’s troop, older/larger boys are the best source for clothing. They outgrow things and pass them along to the smaller kids.
Contact his scoutmaster and explain your situation. The scoutmaster should be able to put you in touch with resources to help you out.
Hint:
Buy 2 pair of whatever and learn how to do laundry.
They grow fast during those years.
I’m nowhere near you, nor do I have boys, but I have a grandson that is a Webelo now so I understand how pricy it can get!
I would suggest Craigslist - just the Community tab. There are plenty of good people that use Craigslist that I bet would be willing to help out. If they want to arrange a pick up of stuff, I’d suggest meeting them in a public location, but I’ve never had a problem using CL.
The other thing I’d try is the scoutmaster. I bet he could help or put you in touch with help. Good luck to you and your son!
This is boy scouts we’re talking about not a fashion show. One uni is more than enough for a weekend trip. My son has been on more than a few week long outings and always brought home more unworn stuff than worn. An extra shirt, socks and skivvies is plenty for a weekend. Check ebay for your future needs but don’t a bunch as they don’t stay in one size too long at that age.
The other thing that may help is to post this on the GA FReepers board. Hopefully someone nearby may have some equipment or clothing.
His pack should have everything he needs. If they are unwilling to help you, find anoter pack. Boy Scouts always help each other out- and don’t turn boys away because of money.
My boy’s scout troop here in Michigan maintains a “Troop Closet” of used scout clothing. Parents make requests and the closet is searched for matching items. Scouts are encouraged to give items they have outgrown to the “closet” so that others may benefit.
Bring this idea up at your next committee meeting.
Also, virtually all the parents in our troop troll yard sales and flea markets, and routinely grab any scout related items that are cheap, to shove into the closet.
The scouts need to wear the uniform when they travel in order to be insured on the trip.
My son was in a fairly large troop, and some of the mom’s organized a annual uniform shop - outgrown uniforms were donated and sold for a small amount that went to the troop.
Check with the scoutmaster.
Should the national organization allow gay leaders, I’m sure there will be a whole lot of used Boy Scout gear hitting the market.
You need a sewing machine
I’ve read through the 38 comments in the forum at the time I started writing this response so I am fully conversant with the various suggestions (all good except for those overlooking your financial circumstances), your responses/requirements, and the stated troop requirements. I will be responding from the point of view of being an adult Scouter for over 15 years in various leadership positions and the father of an Eagle Scout.
First, I find the “clothing requirements” from the troop to be way out of line for a weekend camping activity. Every troop does things a little differently but making sure everybody who could would be able to participate was priority #1 for our troop in central OK. Travelling in uniform was a unit requirement (don’t know about that insurance thing, could be new since I left) but uniform shirts were put away for most of the weekend until it was time to return home. Troop t-shirts were encouraged while official Scout pants/shorts were not a requirement, even when travelling — just wear pants of some kind and be legal in public.
Second, the comments from those about your son earning funds for the uniform are totally in line with Scouting principles that were in place in the 1960s when I became a Cub Scout. He may have to miss this weekend activity but there will be plenty more opportunities.
Our troop was in a suburban community with varying income levels and everybody had an appreciation for the cost of buying uniforms so the unit leadership tried to keep the wear/tear minimized. Just a new short sleeve shirt with the required patches would be nearly $30 and that was in the 90s. Full uniforms, bought new, were rare on most boys except for those that could get some from the unit closet or yard sales. Not even all of the leaders had full uniforms with all official BSA gear.
If this unit’s leadership values looks over participation, I’d say you should search out another unit. Call the local council and ask to speak to the District Executive for that district to discuss options.
This unit has every right to run as they see fit under their chartering organization and troop committee. I just believe they’ve misplaced their priorities. JMO, YMMV...
PING to Sandy for help!
Well, I have two sleeping bags in storage I’ve never once used and would be more than happy to donate one to you, but the shipping cost would be as pricey, if not more so than the sleeping bags you might locate locally at army surplus, or the sometimes dicey Craigslist source, to MN very possibly. Let me know if you’d like me to ship one to you for your son.