Boy Scouts Devastated After Camping Trailer Stolen
NORTHGLENN, Colo. (CBS4)- A Boy Scout troop from Northglenn is asking for help after their trailer was stolen with all their camping gear inside. And something they say is irreplaceable-- a gnome.
"It always sat here," said Troop 139 leader Donna Carmichael.
The trailer, packed full of their camping equipment, was stolen from the parking lot at the Northglenn Christian Church over the weekend. The trailer is all white with Colorado license plate 578-PSH.
Troop 139 was planning on spending the week getting ready for one last summer camping trip but now that may not happen.
"The boys like me were kind of in shock," said Eagle Scout David Irsick.
"To have to tell the boys, 'Sorry, you can't go camping because we don't have any equipment... it's gone,'" said Carmichael.
Carmichael said the trailer was full of tents, cooking equipment and everything you need for an excursion.
"A few propane tanks, a lot of water jugs, a few fishing poles," said Irsick.
All the equipment was gathered as part of the troop's hard work through scouting and fundraising.
"It's really heartbreaking because the boys worked so hard," said Carmichael.
Also inside the trailer is one thing that didn't cost much but is impossible to replace: the troop mascot.
"It meant a lot to us and that's the biggest thing that hurt that we lost," said Irsick.
A garden gnome called "Gary" that has been on every excursion with the troop for the past decade.
"We made merit badges for it, a tent for it," said Irsick.
The youth organization that is known for encouraging boys to make ethical choices is using this experience to teach boys that sometimes bad things happen and it's up to you to keep going.
"It makes them stronger, unfortunately they have to learn the hard way," said Carmichael.
Anyone who would like to donate equipment to Troop 139 can do so at the Northglenn Christian Church on Saturday where the troop will be accepting donations from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Any additional equipment that is not used will be passed on to other Boy Scout troops in need.
