Salvation Army - Christmas Camping Gear Help

“My 8th grade class recieved a "tag" from the Salvation Army to help with Christmas gifts. Our 13-14 year old boy wants camping gear.

1) What kind of "gear" should we purchase for a young man who's only gifts will likely come from my class. (Flashlight, headlamp, sleeping bag? tent??)

2) Where can I get said gifts cheap? They must be new items, no hand me downs. I'll probably collect $100 from my kids. We also have to purchase clothing for him out of this money.

I'd like to get him a few gifts rather than one big one (like a tent). Ideas, please! Help me out!

Thanks.”

“Spork, compass, nalgene bottle, headlight, plastic mug with lid, polyester clothes, wool socks, hand feet warmers, camp stool, oragami mess kit, small first aid kit, simple swiss army knife, wool hat, bandana, caribainers, emergency poncho, hydration kit, stuff sacks (walmart has the outdoor product ones 3 for 9.99...

Oh yeah.. gatorade mix!!!!!!!!!!

'32oz”

“Hey Smiley!

32 pretty much covered it...”

“Oragami mess kit????

I hadn't thought about all that little stuff...but those are good ideas! Maybe I can hit walmart today.”

“Walmart has the three bag set up bags... Blue orange and green... They are outdoor products and I use the big green bag as my food bag to hang on bear poles.. It really is a great deal...

I have the oragami bowl/plate/strainer and the cup.. Haven't seen them at walmart, got mine at Blue Ridge Mountain Sports... they are light and collapsable, and take up no room...

'32oz”

“A sleeping bag, IHO, is the staple of gear. Get him a sleeping bag, maybe a cheap pot, Light My Fire fork/spoon, a foam sleeping pad, maybe a Victorinox Classic knife...”

“Contact your local boyscout troop and find out if they get a discount on gear at any of your local outfitters. If so, that outfitter might extend the discount to you for this project as well.”

“in addition to getting him some of the basics you might want to get him some things that a kid that age would think are "neat"...some of the things on 32oz's list like the origami kit, head lamp, and swiss army knife are good...i'd also throw in things to do while camping since the biggest complaint that kids have while camping is there's nothing to do...maybe throw in a mini football or frisbee...the "dangerous book for boys" type of books are really popular right now and there are several versions out”

“Thus far we've collected $6.86. It'll be tough to buy much at this rate. I have to have the gifts to school by Friday.”

“Maybe you could get him a compass. We all need help in finding our true north.”

“that's so sad Smiley.”

“Guess who's coming out of pocket???”

“HOw about having your kids do a pop can drive (have them bring in a bag of empty pop cans?) or perhaps a penny or change drive? Not sure if they have pop at the school, but if they do, can they collect the cans?

Another idea (of course, this would only be okay if you are a brave soul) Challenge the kids to raise a certain amount of money for you to do something funny---such as dressing in your clothing backwards for the day, or cutting your hair, etc....

Kids usually love to put their teachers on the spot, and it might give them incentive to donate more money....

Or, have some kind of classroom competition to see who can raise the most money....”

“I bought the young man a pair of jeans, a shirt, sleeping bag ($8!), a headlamp, caribeaners, bungee cords, stuff sacks, a first aid kit, rain poncho, all for $76. My kids came through with $60.

Hopefully it'll be a good Christmas for some young man in our community.”

“That's great! Kids did good!”

“Yo Smileygirl, it's "carabiner" not "carabeaner".”

“sounds like carabeaner though :)”

“Are you assuming that he already has a tent?”

“Bobby it depends on whether they were made in Mexico or not!!!”