Old Gear

“I have been able to update some of my old gear. Does anybody know of a charity, maybe for underprivileged kids that take kids hiking & camping that I could donate it to? Some of it is pretty old but it is still useable.”

“look on the "llama hike NEWBIE" thread.”

“Good question. Where are you? I can ask at church, they might know of some affiliated group that takes kids out camping. I only know of Camps for underprivileged kids, which I think is different than what you asked.”

“I live in Birmingham, Al. Any info will be appreciated.”

“What about the Boy Scouts? There must be a local troop that could use some stuff.”

“I am sure some people on this site could use some stuff!”

“What was I thinking? I was involved in Scouts with my son for years. We have been out of it for several years though. I didn't even think of that. I'll probably try and send some of it to the guy from Tailand if he sends me his address and maybe give the rest to the scouts if they want it. Thanks”

“I KNOW the Scouts can always use gear. I've donated a tent and some other odds and ends to a local troop.

Also see the "Llama Hike Newbie" thread.”

“Don't forget the GIRL scouts, I've donated time to them, and the occasional gear item...many of the troops are not very well equipped.”

“think taxes! Give it to the scouts.”

“I'm with Fly (although, 'If the trout insist on 6X,' as Ed Zern once wrote, 'they can damned well find themselves another fishermna.'). I take mine to the local Scouts. I have given them some fine stuff, including four new Junior backpacks that Peak 1 sent me after I had made a complaint and I have always stipulated that they not be given away or sold, but kept for kids whose parents can't afford special gear. Some of the gear I've donated has been derving faithfully for over ten years. Happy trails and kids.”

“ANY old/outdated/unused gear you have up for grabs be sure you get it to a local Boy Scout troop (even old boots and capilene). Many Moms and Dads have a hard time coming up with the funds to put their sons in hiking gear. I cain't speak for the rest of the continent, but the SE ain't too keen on sending our Girl Scouts into the woods.”

“I couldn't find any scout troops that were active so I've given MOM a load of stuff and have more to give her on the Blood Mountain trip. She caters to AT thru hikers alot.”

“Hey naked ape why don't they let girls out backpacking? I am in TN and want to get girls out more they need it! So why do you think that is?”

“I am a Big Brother of BBBS. We go on camping trips once a year, and I am sure some of the kids could use the equipment. many of the kids can't afford to buy any gear. I always donate my old stuff to BBBS.”

“Naked Ape - I hike with GS and BS - Let me tell you- the girls can kick the boys a$$e$! Don't underestimate girls.

And another thing. I have found that alot of parents will let their boys do things they wont let their girls do-like backpacking.

The girls who want to go many times dont have the equipment to go because the parents dont want to spend the money. It is very discouraging. We are constantly scrambling for the girls.
Give the gear to the scouts - boys or girls”

“Hiking Bear good idea.

Scouts could remember that some gear stores rent equipment for a small fee. Parents may pay that.”

“Yes m&m and Barb, it's a parent thang AND a Scout leadership thang. Boys and girls are treated WAAAAYYY diffit'ly in the SE. If your son screws around "Boys will be boys", but if your daughter does she's a tainted skank. It's how it is, and how it will be a very, very long time. Same aspect of boy/girl relationships in EVERY other aspect too.

If ever I become a Scout leader (or adventure mentor), Boy or Girl, we'll be very active. But if I'm a Girl Scout leader, I won't have very many girls allowed to do these activities in the South.

Hiking Bear I haven't a clue what BBBS is, but camping once a year??? I'd thank used/old donated gear is best served to ppl going a wee bit more'n once a year. IMHO”

“big brothers/big sisters.”

“Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America. The kids that are mentored in the program come from mainly single family homes with very little money in the inner cities. Unlike many scouts, these kids can't afford gear, and the impact that hiking or camping on these youngsters shows them how life can be different for them. Hope that answers your question.”

“I work for Lifeway for Youth, a non-profit fostercare network. I take kids out all the time boys and girls and they would be thrilled if they had real equipment to use. Ever try to take a kid out using a bookbag for a pack? We still have fun using general purpose tarps for a tent and Barbie slumberbags and gatoraid water bottles!”

“Wolfsister, the lightweightbackpacker site has a whole board commited to making your own homemade gear lke pepsi can stoves, tarp tents. A whole lot of good ideas and plans. I think kids (of all ages) need to learn that you don't need alot of dough to make your own fun.”

“Good for you, wolfsister. I never mentioned scouts because in my area scouts are not underprivileged. Kids whose parents are struggling don't often join scouts in my town because they have no free time and no transportation. The parents are working or have no car. The kids are babysitting from the age of ten to earn food money or take care of siblings. Our scouts (in my troop)whose parents are not poor, but do work full-time, they do not attend any event except meetings after school. But m&m is right about girl scouts needing gear. A lot of girl scout parents don't take it seriously. I'll check out the homemade gear site and see if there are some projects there that our scouts can do. flyguy6x's philosophy is very valid.”

“Wolfsister: I would like to know a little more about Lifeway for Youth. Sounds like a great program.”

“Barb, Stores rent gear, but they ask for a reasonable, but hefty deposit. It might be a good idea for troops to have a budget for that - they would get the deposit back, of course (I never thought of that). Everyone has a good idea here - GIVE IT TO KIDS" H.T.”

“RRRRabbitman, Thanks for the intrest.. Lifeway for Youth is a fostercare network for kids who have been severly neglected and or abused. I came aboard about five years ago. I had lost my job and feeling pretty funky so I decided to volenteer doing a rehab for them. And was asked to work permanent on various building projects. When a kid gets suspended from school or get into some kind of trouble they somtimes bring him to me for a litte one on one time. I just try to treat them like a normal kid and teach them to be respectful, productive and show them I give a crap. We call it reality therapy. They get regular therapy or whatever else we think their needs may be. It's tough to find foster parents that can take care of this kind of kid. LFY is associated with a little caring group of people called Grace Fellowship Church and I mix the church kids and foster kids together for backpack trips and nature outings and other cool stuff I wish a grownup would have done with me when I was a kid.”

“Rabbitman, I live about 30 minutes to the east of you. I have a friend out here, who sometimes posts on this board, that is involved w/ Scouting and is trying to put together an equipment cache for kids who can't afford stuff. If interested email me at the address on my profile.”

“I'm a scoutmaster for a Boy Scout Troop, and I'm also a registered Girl Scout Leader. The bottom line is that there are different kids w different interests. I have some boys who think car camping is just great, I have a larger group (thank God) who are hard-core backpackers & dislike car camping. I've already taken some of the girls in the GS troop backpacking, we have another trip coming up. Some like it, some don't, but the positive things that kids can get from backpacking far outshine many other activities, so I encourage them a lot. Responsibility, self-reliance, self-confidence, I could go on & on & on.

Wolfsister, your's is a new org for me. Please get in touch, there may be some things my BS troop can do to help you out a little. Among other things we just happen to own about 80 acres of land in the Sierras that we're going to do something creative with, like maybe a summer camp for inner-city kids...love to hear from you.”