Boy Scouts sell trees to replace stolen gear

Published 6:30 am Friday, December 2, 2016

Boy Scouts of America are known for their readiness to aid others.

The organization prides itself on teaching boys and young men character, teamwork and integrity alongside wilderness survival skills.

Now, some local scouts are turning to their training to replace equipment stolen from them.

The Scouts of Troop 236 of Isom’s Chapel United Methodist Church are a typical troop. Boys from Creekside Elementary and East Limestone High School meet often throughout the year and one of their favorite activities is camping. The troop spends countless nights under the stars at a campground of their own construction.

When a trip ends, the boys pack up their gear in an enclosed trailer kept at their den at the church. Between the late hours of Halloween and the early morning hours of Nov. 1, a thief made off with the trailer of camping gear. A report from the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office states the value of the trailer is $4,300.

Henry Gilson, who helps lead and has a son in Troop 236, said the trailer contained things like camp stoves, cast-iron cookware and other camping equipment the boys purchased over the years through fundraising. Adding the value of the equipment and the value of the trailer brings the total loss close to $10,000, Gilson said.

The Scout leader said the boys knew what they lost was just stuff and it wasn’t top-of-the-line, but it was theirs. This was gear they were confident in using when camping in remote locations, he said.

“Some of the boys are upset about (the theft),” Gilson told The News Courier. “What type of person steals from a church and steals from Scouts?”

Gilson said they wouldn’t ask questions and would “gladly” take the trailer and equipment back if it were returned.

But the troop is now using the skills they’ve learned to replace what was stolen.

Troop 236 holds an annual Christmas tree sale in a lot at the intersection of Capshaw and East Limestone roads. Money raised from the sale typically funds an upcoming trip or other special operation of the Scouts. But this year, the boys are working to raise money for new camping gear.

“As adults, we look at this as an opportunity to rebuild. They’re working to rebuild,” Gilson said. “The primary purpose of the tree sale this year will offset the cost of new camping supplies.”

The Troop 236 tree lot is open 5-9 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays and 1-5 p.m. on Sundays. Gilson said the price of the tree will depend on its size and their stock includes trees ranging from 4- to 7-feet tall.