You can buy exquisite older Canon cameras on Ebay 'dozen for a dime', i.e. one for each of you. My favorite is A620, but some other also taking AA batteries, are good too.
My main digital camera is an A630 which shoots nearly as well as film but it is not pocket sized, I picked up a Sony Cybershot 14.1 at the pawn shop for $10.00 and it takes pictures that are nearly as good but often needs more colour / exposure correction and it fits well in a pocket or pouch.