Money, items stolen from Ann Arbor Boy Scout troop attending camp
An Ann Arbor Boy Scout troop was the victim of thefts on Sunday at Camp Rotary in Michigan's Clare County.
From a Camp Rotary promotional video on the Lake Huron Area Council's website
Cash and other personal belongings were stolen Sunday from the tents of Ann Arbor’s Boy Scout Troop 5 at Camp Rotary in mid-Michigan while the scouts were taking a swim test Sunday.
A suspect or suspects took money from the scout’s wallets, as well as a camera and coins a scout was collecting to earn a merit badge, said Scoutmaster Ken Dixon.
“We’re talking four figures when all is said and done,” Dixon said when asked a dollar amount of how much was stolen.
Sunday was check-in day at the camp, located just north of Clare. Dozens of troops and hundreds of scouts from all over the state are currently at the camp, but the Ann Arbor troop, which has about 30 boys, lost the greatest amount of money and property.
“We got hit the hardest,” Dixon said, adding that the tents of another troop nearby also were rifled through.
There are about 15 tents per campsite for a troop. Almost all of Troop 5’s tents had something missing from them.
The incident was reported to the Clare County Sheriff’s Department, which said on Wednesday that the Boy Scout organization is now handling the matter internally.
A fellow scout may not necessarily be to blame. Dixon said there is no fence around the large camp and someone who knows the area well could have easily slipped in.
“It could have been someone from the outside,” said Dixon. “They haven’t solved it.”
Brad Murray, the executive director of Camp Rotary, issued a statement expressing his dismay at the incident.
“We are disappointed by this type of behavior that does not represent the values of the Boy Scouts of America and hope that the missing items are promptly returned,” Murray said. “This type of behavior runs counter to everything for which the Boy Scouts of America stands.”
Dixon said his scouts are staying positive after the ordeal. They are staying until Saturday at the camp, where they will continue activities like climbing, rope courses, pioneering and citizenship projects.
“They are having a good time,” Dixon said. “They have expressed a concern to help out this person.”
John Counts covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at johncounts@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
nickcarraweigh
Thu, Jul 26, 2012 : 2:11 p.m.
You got a camp full of Boy Scouts when something disappears and you probably should not go looking for blind newsboys as likely suspects. One of these Scouts may soon reveal a previously unknown ability to buy vast quantities of whatever it is teenage boys buy nowadays.
RJA
Thu, Jul 26, 2012 : 5:22 a.m.
Makes me think of the Huron Valley Girl scout camp in York Twp. Gates always open, and nobody tends to it 24/7. (maybe once or twice a week) in and out.
arborani
Thu, Jul 26, 2012 : 2:48 p.m.
Way to tip off the bad guys.
clownfish
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 10:13 p.m.
Pretty low stealing from kids. If caught it would be nice if the young 'uns could practice their knots on the perp.
a2citizen
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 8:51 p.m.
A group of Boy Scouts is robbed and the removal rate is greater than 50%. That's some social commentary.
Elaine F. Owsley
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 8:29 p.m.
Note for next trip: Lock all valuables in car trunk.
Ann English
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 11:42 p.m.
However they secure their cell phones, they must keep the phones from getting too hot, even when off. Car trunks can become very hot inside, so any cell phone put into one must be insulated from the high temperature all around it.
Top Cat
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 8:11 p.m.
Our Troop had a policy that when we were on a campout, all valuables were to remain at all times in a locked vehicle.
Blazingly Busy
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 8:20 p.m.
I was surprised that this was not how it was handled.
actionjackson
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 8:03 p.m.
The prelude to every article that Rich Kinsey writes for AnnArbor.com is "Lock it up, don't leave it unattended." Each trip of this nature must have a safety policy. After all the purpose of Boy Scouts is to prepare one's self to go out in the real world.
actionjackson
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 10:27 p.m.
I would guess that the can't* from Angry Moderate was in regard to the deleted comment?
Angry Moderate
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 8:13 p.m.
can't*
bamwow
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 7:03 p.m.
Maybe this is an Ann Arbor troop, but really, does it belong in the news? Do we get reports on every other traveling social organization who may be victims of a petty crime? I'm curious how this got in the news, really. Four figures sounds like a lot of cash to have on a boy scout camping trip. Just sayin'.
swcornell
Thu, Jul 26, 2012 : 4:58 p.m.
It's newsworthy because the Boy Scouts are a large well respected organization that mentors and teaches youth to do something with their lives besides skateboarding downtown!
A2comments
Thu, Jul 26, 2012 : 12:14 p.m.
Includes a camera...
Blazingly Busy
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 7:55 p.m.
If each kid had $30 or 40 on them...and the adults had cash on them...adds up pretty quickly. I was suprised to see this at AA.com as I don't consider it big, earth shattering news, but this is AA.com... The parents were notified via email around 8 pm on Sunday...the same day that it happened. It's old news to me.
skigrl50
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 7:27 p.m.
15 tents, 4 boys/leaders/tent - not that's not actually a lot of cash to have on hand especially since that includes the value of the camera etc that were stolen. I do a lot of backpacking and camping and I leave my valuables in my vehicle or on my person at all times. Someone knew the whole troop was taking a swim test and would all be out of the immediate area and saw the opportunity...
aareader
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 6:46 p.m.
Gee, do some of these comments fall under the "don't blame the victim" category, and should be deleted? We are talking about a group of 11-17 year old boys and their parent leaders spending a week at camp earning badges and enjoying the outdoors. To hold them responsible for the national organizations political policies is ridiculous. I can imagine how disappointing it must have been for these boys to find out that their valuables were stolen, especially the boy with the coin collection. I hope they are able to recover at least that. This "news blog" is getting very close to jumping the shark for me. I didn't support changing the comment section, but maybe it should be eliminated all together. AA.com, I hope you can do better.
Blazingly Busy
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 6:50 p.m.
Thank you. As the parent of one of these boys I have to agree.
Unusual Suspect
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 6:30 p.m.
Didn't take long for the haters to come out on this one. Third comment, maybe even the second, since it was deleted. A new record.
StopCrying
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 5:57 p.m.
Hold the phones!!! We have a top priority case!