Mike VerHagen became Committee Chairman for Boy Scouts Troop 1140 out of Brussels as his son advanced in the program. VerHagen led an organization whose motto is "Be prepared," but he found his Troop had several pieces of antiquated equipment. VerHagen and the boys took inventory in the spring identifying items needed for camping as most important. VerHagen says of all the Boy Scout activities, camping remains the favorite because of the freedom scouts have to follow their interests.

The Boy Scouts have 12 key principles and VerHagen says the corporate donations such as small cook stoves and cleaning kits promote ideas like "Leave No Trace" and the concept of being "Thrifty."