For more than 200 youth movements, their planned summer camp is in jeopardy because tents are no longer available at the Lending Service Camping Material for Youth (ULDK).This is evident from figures that Flemish MP Conner Rousseau (Vooruit) has requested from Minister of Youth Benjamin Dalle (CD&V).According to Rousseau, the youth movements have to look for more expensive alternatives because of this shortage or they may have to cancel their camp.“Unacceptable,” says the Vooruit chairman.He urged the minister to make additional investments.Minister Dalle's figures show that 5,574 tents will be available for the summer.This concerns 2,301 senior tents (large tents of 5 by 5 meters) and 3,273 patrol tents.“Despite the fact that this is the largest stock of tents ever, there remains more demand than supply for the peak period from July 15 to August 10,” the minister admits.For example, there are currently 219 youth movements that cannot borrow tents because the stock is exhausted.Only when other groups reduce or cancel their request can the stock be moved.Questioner Conner Rousseau reacts critically.“A youth minister must ensure that all young people can go to camp affordably,” said Rousseau.Due to the current shortage of tents, summer camps threaten to become "unaffordable" for the youth movements involved.The Vooruit politician asks the minister to invest extra in new material.According to Rousseau, the CD&V minister does not intend to do that.According to him, the annual budget of 375,000 euros will only be used to repair or replace the existing equipment.Rousseau calls this "unacceptable" and a wrong signal to the 219 youth movements that do not find any material.In a response, the Dalle cabinet announced on Thursday evening that the figures are now outdated and there were still 80 groups on the waiting list on 1 June."A solution is also being sought for them: in the course of next week we will receive a new update of the situation," the cabinet said.On Monday, the minister will meet with the youth movements in the context of the summer camp and "this will also be discussed".“There is therefore no need for Mr Rousseau to sow panic.We are working - as every year - on solutions for everyone," it sounds.“We also want to emphasize that it is not because there is no tent available at the Flemish lending service that the camp cannot continue.Groups also seek out other youth movements, the umbrella organizations or local authorities.There is also a range there, and solutions are also being looked for there together with the organizations.”According to the cabinet, Minister Dalle has also made an investment of 1 million euros in extra tent material on top of the annual budget.“That is a historic investment in the lending service.He therefore has no lessons to be learned from Vooruit about investing in the lending service.”Do you want access to all articles of Het Nieuwsblad?Dive into our plus articles and read 3 of your choice every month for free.