Then we got down to the serious business of giving away stuff. Each year, the Scouts earn "Action Bucks" for wearing their uniform to meetings, attending activities, earning advancement, etc. These Action Bucks are good only for the Scout Auction, and only for that year. The Troop buys some stuff, like sleeping bags and camping gadgets, and other adults go scrounge stuff from connections they have -- everything from a titanium spork (from Yours Truly) to carpet samples to U.S. Army stocking caps. The bidding gets fierce at times. At the end of the evening, though, every Scout has managed to get hold of some cool stuff. There were even some nice "girly" things that Scouts could bid on, which were sure to wind up as gifts for mothers, sisters, or girlfriends.
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