Give me some help - have to tell DS he can't got to Cub Camp

[carocaro]

Bugger. It's just because the list of what they need to take, we don't have and don't have the money either to buy eg: boots or sturdy shoes (he has trainers) and a sleeping bag, plus the £30 to pay for it - so we are looking at about £80-100.

Most, not all of his mates are going and I have asked around for spare stuff but it all seems to be being used.

I have had all my favours from my Mum regarding £ and there is no one else I can ask. The group leader is strict and has already sent an email saying no payment no camp.

DH is was made redundant a few months ago and thinks are tight as hell. I feel as they I am letting him down, he's going to be gutted.

I have stuff on ebay but it's not due to sell till Sunday.

Wanking arseholes. HELP and ADVICE welcome.

:( Could you ask on Freecycle for sleeping bags and boots you may get lucky.

I'm really sorry if I had a sleeping bag I would send it.

when is the cub camp?

Someone must have a sleeping bag they can lend you, have you asked work, neighbours, all members of your family, cubs with older siblings?

Would it be worth having a quiet word with the leader?

I know in Guides, that no one is left out for financial reasons.

Sorry you're having to go through this though.

Seriously, the Leader is out of order to say 'no payment no camp' - most groups will always help someone out if they cannot afford to go to camp. I know it might be embarassing but have a word explaining your personal circumstances - is it the Cub Leader saying this? You could ask to speak to the Group Scout Leader or someone on the management committee - google the Scout Association and even try the PR department. This sort of thing would make really bad press for the Scouting Movemebt. Look in charity shops for a sleeping bag; trainers should be fine.

This is outrageous and entirely against the spirit of Scouting.

Definitely Freecycle/Freegle first.

If not, many Scout grops have funds available to help out in cases of financial difficulty and if the group doesn't, then District or even County may do. If you don't want to talk to your Cub leader (and he sounds awful!), then try the Group Scout Leader.

where are you - and what size boots do you need? I am waiting for new boots for DS to come into the shop and would happilky post you his old ones (proper boots he's worn them for school but have a waterproof lining) for nothing.

Could also lend you sleepingbag if you are nearby.

my 2 have both been to cub camp (and in fact are going this weekend) and love it, I'd like to be able to help you.

also - please speak to the cub leader on teh quiet if you can - I'm on the scout group committee and know that there is some money in our group to help those who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford to go - worth an ask?

Cross post.

agree with maureen, my mum does alot of work with the scouting/guiding movement and there are fundraising events in order for them to help people in your position.

There must also be loads of people around you who could lend a sleeping bag for a few nights.

Have you approached the leader of the group, if you explained your situation to them they may be able to access some funds to enable your DS to get the bits he needs, or equally possibly could help you to find someone who can lend them?

Also have you tried freecycle? 'Go outdoors' are doing sleeping bags for £4 or thereabouts so thats one thing fairly cheap to get as well.

seriously - if you are anywhere near Sheffield we have all the kit you would need, and I would happily lend it to you.

PLease try and find out oif there is a hardship fund, is totally against the spirit of scouting if people cannot go because of cost.

If your Cub unit is attached to a church, the vicar will also have a fund available for just such a thing.

We often take duvets camping instead of sleeping bags....do you have an old spare one?

Agree with ragwort completely. No-one should be excluded on the grounds of finance. Is it the cub leader or the group scout leader who's being so inflexible?

Another leader or parent in the group should have stuff you can borrow, Milletts usually have Hi-Tec hiking boots reduced, they're cheap but sturdy.

Can you afford the £30 ? Can't believe noone would have a spare sleeping bag this site is good for cheap stuff but you would still need £25-30 for sleeping bag and boots

Sports Direct had walking type boots reduced to something like £6 last week. Not sure if it was instore only, or available online aswell.

Army surplus stores also have much cheaper camping gear than other shops.

You are all so kind! THANKS. xxxx

Will have a look at places suggested, but literally don't have a spare £10 at the moment. I may have got a spare sleeping bag, will find out later.

I don't want to ask the leader or any other the others, all mums/dads from school, one is a right gossip and it would all be over the school playground before I knew it.

Am going to give them a cheque and hopefully by then my ebay would have sold and I can put the cash into cover it.

So he is going, I've decided, I will not be defeated by this totally wankish and frustrated situation we find ourselves in!!!!

OK.

Trainers will be absolutely fine.

A duvet will surfice (I am a Brownie leader and we don't bat an eyelid if someone brings a duvet instead of sleeping bag as long as they bring a sheet to lay on too (I assume they are in a cabin rather than tents - ubs usually are).

If you talk to the scout leader it is there responsibility to keep your dicussion confidential.

So looking at it all you need to deal with is the actual £30 for the camp. when is the camp? Can you ask to pay in (£5 installments) would that help at all?

Most Scout Groups have funds to help cover this sort of situation but you will need to talk to the Cub Leader (just ask for it to be confidential). If you don't tell the Leader they won't know and be able to help.

You might also find that they can lend some of the generic kit (sleeping bag etc) - I am forever lending stuff to Guides. Boots are worthwhile because a kid with soggy cold feet will be miserable (try sports direct, go outdoors or mountain warehouse). Tesco and Argos also now do really cheap camp kit (Aldi does but it's sporadic).

I suspect the "no payment no camp" is aimed at those parents who always forget to pay/submit permission forms etc on time. If any of my lot had ever been in your situation we would have made sure that they could attend.