Rugged P&S for children?

I work at a foster home for emotionally troubled children (6-10), who tend to drop/throw expensive and delicate things like Nintendo DS, iPods, etc, when upset. However, they love to express themselves artistically when it isn't embarrassing, and have a sense for the beauty of the campus.

Is there such a thing as an unbreakable P&S, or one that can be fitted with a rugged frame?

Thanks for any ideas!

The D10 is supposedly shockproof when dropped from six feet, and it's waterproof. Olympus tough series (or something like that) has the same features.

I don't think any of them are unbreakable. However, Olympus has a line of Tough cameras;

http://www.olympusamer​ica.com …l.asp?section=s​tylustough

Dennis

Something like Panasonic TS2 or the Olympus Tough series would do a treat I'd say. The Pansonic will give you better photo quality from all accounts, but some of the Olympus' are crush proof as well (both are waterproof, shockproof and freezeproof).

Olympus Tough: http://www.olympusamer​ica.com …l.asp?section=s​tylustough

Panasonic TS2: http://www2.panasonic.​com …11002_700000000​0000005702

That said, I'm not sure that even those would survive a decent throw at a wall (for example).

How about the Kid Tough digital cameras that go for around $50 at Wal-Mart and Target

*shrug* my 4 kids have had the S2IS since they were 4, they are now 6 & all 4 of them are still functional.

They love their cameras. I recommend this camera to all friends getting their kid a camera.

Personally, I would not spend much on the cameras as you said you pretty much know they will be thrown. Even the rugged cameras are designed to be drop proof, not throw proof. I would likely go with something like film disposables, or some very inexpensive used cameras from ebay. 5 year old compacts are practically worthless today in the used market, but still take very nice pictures for normal print sizes.