free/cheap cams for kids group

A little help please.  I belong to a youth organization (4-H club) who does an annual week long trek with horse covered wagons along the Oregon Trail.  I have been the photographer for the last 5 years.  We typically have 40-50 youth along this trip, it is a learning experience for the children.

Over the years, I have offered lessons to the kids interested in my camera about the basics of photography and will sometimes let the more trustworthy ones snap a few off with my E-3.  One youth (16 years old now) I even gave my refurbished E-500 and kit lens to who used it with great success on last years trip, thus creating more eager kids being interested in the photography part of our trip.

The board members (adult leadership) of the group asked about getting a bunch of disposable cameras for the kids... but all I can think of is what a waste... we'll have zillions of shots of the ground or the same rock.

I want to see if there is a way to get some cheap or free donated p&s cams... like a bunch of outdated Tough camera's that we could let the kids use during each days 10-14 mile hikes.... that way we could have a digital copy of the images produced.  Assiging each child a loaner camera for use when they desire it will teach responsibility and aid me in teaching them the basics of photography....  I host the images on my website (www.onthewallphoto.net) and could use the metadata section to denote which child took the photo's for their own feeling of fame within the group.

My question is.... does anybody know where or how I might be able to gather some old digicams to fit my need... we would prefer a set of freebies but can pay a little bit for them as well.  I was trying to find an email address to somebody at Olympus to ask the question, but only see phone numbers and can't imagine they care to donate, a big corporation only wants to make profit.

Any ideas to help me tackle this and make something like this happen... it could even work with just a few decent cameras that would need to be shared by a small group.. (3-5 kids), but would really like the Tough model as we are out in the woods in high dust areas and being that the kids range from 11-17, I can see a cam or two being dropped from time to time.

Appreciate your help and/or suggestions.

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Lee Wiren