Photos by Rich Schmitt/Staff Photographer
By LILY TINOCO | Reporter
At the wake of the cancellation of Scout Troop 223’s camping trips due to COVID-19, the Scouts announced plans for their First Great Backyard Campout, which took place on Saturday night, May 2.
The campout was organized to raise funds for Westside Food Bank’s COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund.
Funds were raised by asking campers to “reserve a spot” in their own backyards (or living rooms), with donation levels ranging from “Sleeping Bag” to “Full-On Glamping.”
“Every dollar raised allows Westside Food Bank to provide enough food for four nutritious meals,” according to a press release. “The food is distributed via the Westside Food Bank’s 55-plus member agencies.”
The Scouts suggested that kids make dinner, families camp out all night and parents make breakfast the following morning—and encouraged everybody to howl at 9 p.m.
The initiative garnered widespread support, from Calvary Christian Church and St. Matthew’s Parish to global adventurer and first Chief Ambassador of World Scouting Bear Grylls, who sent a personal video in response to the Scouts’ efforts to help people in need.
“Amazing … doing your Backyard Campout 2020,” he said in the video. “This is what scouting is about—being kind, helping other people, having adventure and never giving up.”
“We hope this is something that can be carried through the summer,” said Jamie Carmichael, organizer of the event, as he hopes to continue this initiative.
Carmichael said the initiative sparked from wanting to help, and with Safer at Home orders in place, what better way to contribute than from the comfort of your own home—or backyard?
As the Post went to print Tuesday evening, the First Backyard Campout had raised nearly $46,000, exceeding its goal of $25,000 and prompting an updated goal of $60,000.
Donations can still be made; for more information, visit my.wsfb.org/event/the-first-great-backyard-campout-2020/e282434.
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.
