GALESBURG, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – A Boy Scout Troop from Galesburg is asking for the public’s help after a trailer full of their camping equipment was stolen.



Troop 265 has been serving the greater Galesburg area for nearly 100 years and is devastated by the loss of equipment, some of which they recently fundraised to obtain, and which gets used every year on camping trips.

The trailer was taken Tuesday from the home of one of the Scoutmasters, and so far investigators don’t know who took it.

These are Boy Scouts, so they’re taught that when you’re faced with a problem, you work together to solve it. They’re hoping that the thief hears their story and returns their stolen gear.

“All the stuff that was taken, it’s just gone and we don’t know where it is, we don’t know who did it,” said Eagle Scout Karson Linders.

Tents, cooking gear, grills, sleeping bags, and tools for Troop 265 were all kept in a trailer at Scoutmaster Ralph Guitar’s home on East N Avenue in Galesburg. Sometime Tuesday morning or afternoon, someone took that trailer.

“Where I live, there’s a lot of traffic,” said Guitar, “it’s a main corridor in Kalamazoo County, so it’s easy for people to see.”

Some of the gear in that trailer has been used by scouts for more than a decade, Eagle Scout Karson Linders says the gear holds pretty special memories.

“Me and my dad had a trip to Isle Royal in the first new tent and every time I go in that one specific tent I always remember that trip,” said Linders. “That was one of my favorite trips.”

Guitar says the scouts and leaders all got together on Tuesday night to talk about the theft. He says that while everyone is upset, they realize there’s a lesson to be learned.

“Their stuff is gone and the lesson is very simply be a better person, have some character, there’s no reason to do this,” said Guitar.

The scout’s next camping trip is in less than two weeks and they are hoping they can scrounge up enough supplies to make it work.

“So we would hope that the community would help us out and make donations and stuff like that,” said Linders.

The trailer is a light gray and white Wells Cargo, heavy duty, dual axle trailer. The fender and hinges are black and the front corner of the roof has a patch from tree damage. The trailer bears Michigan plate number C-413727.

The troop is offering a reward for information leading to recovery. Anyone with information is asked to call the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office.

On Thursday the Boy Scout troop told Newschannel 3 that they have seen a huge outpouring of support. If people want to make a monetary donation, checks can be sent to:

Scout Troop 265

C/O Gary Newton- treasurer

2543 N 37th St

Galesburg, MI 49053