Riverside’s Scouts Troop 24 is raising money for camping excursions, and it needs your help.
The group is hosting a rummage sale from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Riverside Presbyterian Church, 116 Barrypoint Road to raise funds.
“The church is the chartered organization that sponsors Troop 24, and they’re graciously letting us use their social hall in the basement for the sale,” said Beth Brouwer, who helped organize the sale as the mother of one of the troop members. “Because most of the items that were donated were donated by families with, obviously, Scout-age kids, we have a lot of toys. We have kids and adult clothes, lots of sports equipment. That was a fun surprise. We have bats and batting helmets and some lacrosse equipment.”
She said the sale will also feature upwards of 25 used Halloween costumes, for any families pulling together a last-minute ensemble, and “a few miscellaneous household items” that one might expect at a rummage sale.
Every item is priced $10 or less, Brouwer said. The funds raised will allow members of the troop to cover costs related to transportation for camping trips.
“They camp once a month, and each family pays for their scout to attend, and the fees for the campground can add up. Obviously, they need to purchase food, so there’s always a fee associated with each camp-out,” Brouwer said. “They’re hoping to raise at least $500 to subsidize the trips going forward and maybe even transportation, because they think it’s a lot more fun to ride together.”
She said the money could even allow them to camp further away from home if they’re able to rent a van and pay a driver, compared to the limited ability of parents to transport their scouts.
“Outside of finding some fun treasures,” Brouwer said she recommends people stop by to help support an organization that enriches the lives of the children who participate.
“It gives a lot of opportunities for kids to get outside of their comfort zone and screen zone and to get outside and camp,” she said. “The organization has meant a lot to our family in watching our son grow and be a little bit more adventurous.”
