Responsibility of Lost and Found?

I was at an outdoor Boy Scout event two weeks ago and lost my digital camera. I made my way to lost and found about two hours later and asked if they had found my camera. They said YES, the Council head honcho has it in his pocket but he is heading over to the entertainment area to introduce the evening entertainment. I was getting ready to leave because the weather was bad so they took down all my information and I got the guys name and number. I finally got in touch with him today. He said, yes he had the camera but later turned it in to lost and found. The problem is, someone made off with the camera (so much for a scout is trustworthy...) My question is, do they have any responsibility to safeguard my camera after they found it? I was hoping they would help pay for a new camera but they refuse. I know, I know...I lost it - my problem and I'm OK with that but it just doesn't seem right to me.

Hello David:

It is regrettable that you lost your camera. The people did their best to get it back to you, but unfortunately, it was stolen. The council officer has a lot to do, and safeguarding your camera was not one of the main tasks.

When I council young scouts, I tell them to never bring anything camping that they would regret losing. If they have to bring something like that, they should tie it to their body with a length of string.

It is sad that another Scout stole your camera. Some folks don't really take the tenants of Scouting to heart. I hope that you always follow the Oath and Law, and not follow the poor example of this other person.

Keep on Scoutin'

If they had promised to safeguard any property and you had relied on that promise, then perhaps you would have an argument. As it is, I suspect that there was no such promise and no such reliance.

No bailment was created.

Therefore, no recovery.