A few places to purchase decent hiking and camping equipment include EMS, Dicks Sporting Goods, REI, Campmor (online), Cabelas...even Walmart has basic stuff. REI (in West Hartford) and EMS (Avon, West Hartford, Manchester, others) will let you "rent" sleeping bags, sleeping pads, backpacks, tents, etc. It may be better to just rent some items (i.e. backpacks) - if you're only going to use it a couple times before the boys grow out of them. If you save your receipt, you can apply the rental fee to the purchase of an item (usually within 30 days or so). Also, EMS, REI and Cabelas have 100% satisfaction guarantees (see details at websites...Cabela's is more limited).
EMS has "Club Day's" (April 13-14, 2012) where EMS items are usually 25% off and everything else in the store is ~20% off. This is a GREAT time to buy anything you need! They typically have 2 "Club Days" a year, one in April, one in October. They also have good sales before the holidays and excellent cold weather gear clearances in January. Also, the folks at the Avon EMS are very knowledgable and helpful and will answer any questions you have (even if you don't buy anything!), their phone: 860-651-8031.
www.ems.com
If you go to REI, and tell them your with a Boy Scout troop, they will give you the "Member Price". If you "join" REI ($20 onetime fee), you become a shareholder and get a "dividend" equal to typically 10% on most things you buy there. They are also very knowledgeable and are willing to help you figure out what you really need.
www.rei.com
Cabelas is another place to visit. If you order online and "ship to store", then pick it up, there is no delivery charge.
www.cabelas.com
Campmor is a mail order company that has name brand equipment at reasonable prices. www.campmor.com
Rental prices for EMS (Avon) and REI (West Hartford) are attached below.