Posted on 04/01/2013 10:30:23 AM PDT by trussell
My 13 year old son just joined boy scouts. He would like to go to the camping trip next weekend and only has one outfit that is loaned to him.
He needs shorts (at least 3 pair needed), shirts (they would like him to have 3 or 4 more), pants (same as shirts, 3 or 4 more, boy scout approved socks (several pair).
He wears an 18 husky pant or 36/29 through 36/32. Shirts are XL youth to Medium adult. The troop will allow either the green BOA socks or black socks.
Also, any camping items that he will need. He has the toiletries. a sleeping pad and a canteen...but no sleeping bag or any of the other items on the camping list.
I'm not rich by any means, I've recently had back surgery and am unemployed. If you have it, and it's taking up space you want to clear out, please...consider helping my son.
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.
I see most answers saying to talk to the Scout master and search the troop closet. That has already been done and they had (1) one uniform in his size. They are going to try to find more by putting out a plea in the next newsletter...though that will not help for this trip.
I will try to answer the other suggestions individually
again, did you see the price? I am unemployed and have no income...I may be able to scrounge up a couple dollars, but that isn’t even guaranteed!
Should the national organization allow gay leaders, I’m sure there will be a whole lot of used Boy Scout gear hitting the market.
I was told by the scout leader yesterday that he would need to have 3 pair of shorts, 3 to 5 scout t-shirts, 3 formal B.S. shirts, and 3 to 5 pair of B.S. approved socks. If laundry facilities were available, my son would be happy to do it that way as he knows how to do laundry...but that’s not an option available to him.
Thank you for the suggestion. I have posted on C.L the same as I have here...no replies as of yet.
The troop leader made it clear yesterday that if he wanted to go, he would have to have more than the one outfit. If he could get by with one “uni”, believe me...I would truly be appreciative, but that is not an option. They said he couldn’t go unless he had the proper wear and gear.
Comment 9 takes you to a list that you have to click on the item to view details.
They are trying to help, but they have provided the only uniform in his size they had, and he can’t “find another troop” as I rely on the mother of the boy who got him interested in the first place to get him to meetings and outings as I don’t have a job, and no job means no gas in the car. :(
I think this may be the time to have a talk with your son and tell him that he can not go on this trip, but the two of you need to come up with some ideas to earn the money to pay for some used uniforms. He is a 13 yr old “young man” and I am sure there are jobs that he can do to raise some cash for his activities.
I will surely join the ranks of the people who troll yard sales for uniforms when I get a job...at this point, I have no job and am in therapy for a back surgery that has all but put in in a chair. The pain increases, the doc has cut my pain management, and the stand-in therapist had me doing exercises that are way beyond my abilities. I am laid up now, and hoping my true therapist can fix this on Wednesday.
Anyway, as I said up-thread...the troop closet had one uniform that fit him, they are going to put out a plea for more donations of used and outgrown uniforms...but that won’t happen in time for this camping trip.
Already have checked with the scoutmaster, that is who loaned him the uniform he has. That was the only one in my son’s size they had.
As I said in the first comment
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!
You need a sewing machine
It also shows the prices of the items before you click...those are very much out of my range. But I truly appreciate the attempt to help me find what he needs to participate.
19.99 is for the smaller sizes...for his size they were sold out, and for the next size up the price was 24.99
Maybe not in time for this trip but spring is the time lots of people like to clear out their “stuff”. Help your son make up a flyer and post on craigslist thathe is willing to pick up stuff to do a garage sale to raise money for his Boy Scout activities. You can post the garage sale on craigslist for free. I am sure there is a neighbor with a truck or car that can help him pick up the donated items. The truth is that most people are turned off by begging so if they see a kid who is actually working for his money they will probably be more than willing to help.
Unfortunately, we live in a more “country” style area...our very small community in the subdivision we live in has professional mowers that take care of most of the lots and he is not allowed to go inside the homes of strangers to do other tasks. If there were a way for him to raise more funds for used uniforms (that don’t seem to exist in the area) he would be doing all possible to earn it...and I’m trying to find former scouts that might have uniform parts that would fit him by posting this. Should I break his heart again, or should I try like I am to help him get what he needs to make the camp trip?
I have one, but unfortunately all the uniforms in the troop closet are too small, not too big...therefore, they don’t have the extra yardage to make them where they will fit him. Also, the scouts are very picky about the boys and their uniforms...making a uniform out of a bolt of cloth is not usually acceptable, since I don’t have the pattern to make it correctly, nor the ability to purchase the bolt of cloth in the first place.
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