NILES — Camping in Michigan’s great outdoors is a big part of being a Boy Scout. But for St. Mary’s Troop 579, the pastime has been made harder with an outdated and shrinking supply of camping equipment.

The scouts are asking for a little help from their community in raising about $1,500 to replace some of the camping materials.

To do so, community members can attend upcoming recycling drives that the troop hosts at St. Mary’s. People are welcome to bring their aluminum cans and paper. The next recycling drives will take place 8 a.m. to noon April 28, July 7, Sept. 8, Nov. 10.

Scouts also brought awareness to the problem during a bazaar that took place Saturday at St. Mary’s. The community was invited to sponsor equipment or donate funds to cover the costs.

Renee Kurtzweil, the troop committee chairman, said part of the need for new equipment is the expansion of scout participation, which has increased drastically over the past couple of years.

Kurtzweil said Troop 579 has grown about four times its size throughout the past seven years. The troop serves any interested Boy Scout in the Michiana area, including Niles, Buchanan, Dowagiac and Berrien Springs youth. As of last year, more than 40 boys were part of the troop.

When scouts camp, they use what could be likened to a large suitcase for camping equipment, called a patrol box. The patrol box contains essential cooking and cleanup equipment, which was last replaced more than 10 years ago. 

Kurtzweil said lack of supplies is just one aspect to the problem. Some of the equipment is also hard to use because of its condition.

“We don’t have enough boxes,” Kurtzweil said. “The boxes are breaking down and falling apart. The utensils are melting and breaking and the cook stoves, the knobs are falling off and are old.”

Scout master Mike Jones said camping for scouts is about more than getting fresh air. They also learn a host of skills from teamwork and bonding to how to tackle difficult challenges, like planning and executing a weekly menu in the wilderness.

“They pitch a tent, cook over and open fire and learn the scout skills,” Jones said.

Scouts also get to take part in a survival campout, using nothing but the elements to construct their own shelter. They will also filter their own water and cook for themselves.

“We want them to learn how to cook more than just ramen noodles and beans,” Jones said. “We challenge them, too. We want them to think outside the box.”

But dwindling supplies means not all patrol boxes have the same equipment in them and out in the field this sometimes leads to a “rob Peter to pay Paul” scenario, Jones said.

Jones said a couple of donations have come in to help support the cause. Some community members have also stepped up to donate some items from their kitchen.

Keeping basic camping rates affordable so that all youth can participate is also key, said

Chrissie Kaufmann, a troop mom, said scouts work at various concession events to raise money for their individual accounts, which covers the $20 to $30 to camp, but not equipment.

“We try to keep equipment costs out of the boys’ pockets and out of the parents’ pockets,” Kaufmann said.

In May, the Boy Scout troop will be back on the trail again, this time to embark on a four-day canoe trip in Crystal Springs, Dowagiac. Scouts will travel 60 miles and camp along the river.

Kurtzweil encouraged residents to support the troop.

“It’s such a valuable leadership program for the boys that as they are going through the program,” Kurtzweil said. “They learn how to manage themselves and get along with others.”

General cash donations for the cause can be made by visiting the troop’s Pay Pal account on their Facebook page at:  facebook.com/BSATroop579.