There is a set of pictures of this hike in China floating around the email circuit. If you have not seen, check these out. I’m not exactly sure where this is but I’d like to know more about it. These people are crazy. Puts our “tough” hikes in perspective.  
Amazing Hike in China
Update: This link was sent to [...]

I was on a business acquisition trip in Wash DC with 5 British guys when 9/11 occurred. Stranded,  one of them had the ingenious idea that if we rented a 39′ sail boat and stayed on that for the week, it would be far less expensive than if each one of us reserved our own hotel room (if we could [...]

 
Limited scuba activity is allowed under the Guide to Safe Scouting:
“The use of scuba is not authorized for a BSA unit, except so that registered Boy Scout youth and leaders may participate in the Scuba BSA program conducted by a certified dive instructor in compliance with this policy. Scuba BSA is not a diver certification [...]

Not a boy scout topic, but like the Dentist, Law, and Veterinarian Merit Badge programs, this is another “Occupational Field” to learn about. Words like “duty”, “honor,” and “country” probably mean a lot to you, so having an initial discussion on military options is something you might be interested in.
military-options2
 
 

addthis_url [...]

If you are not a boy scout (maybe a girl scout or member of a high school outing club?) and you want to improve your outdoor skills over the summer, this may suit you: http://www.registeredmaineguide.com/juniorprogramsInfo.html
Put on by the Maine Youth Camping Association and the Maine Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Department, this looks like it provides [...]

Sea Kayaking is another great program idea. Just Goggle sea kayaking [your area] and you’re guaranteed to find some company offering some very good trip packages.
We went up to Maine on one trip. Here is one recommended contact if you’re in the northeast: www.seaspraykayak.com
A great place to ocean-side camp up in Maine is a place called Hermit [...]

Your council isn’t the only one holding a MB college and often enough, other councils gladly welcome outside of council attendees if you simply ask.  We’ve been to the Millstone (CT) Nuclear Plant Badge-O-Ree and the Harvard University Merit Badge College (where better to get your law or medicine merit badge!).  Other’s we’ve considered are Camp [...]

You have to be prepared for several different type of camping excursions. Often you need to unload your car and tote your gear into the woods quite a ways. You know, the treks halfway between backpacking and car camping.
I came up with this idea to buy these garden wagons as patrol carts. We had a [...]

If this link stays active, here is a list of the possible northeast trail medals. Kids generally like these activities.
The springtime Isaac Davis Trail march to the Old North Bridge in Concord was particularly enjoyable. Good for cubs as well.
http://sne.tripod.com/trail-ma.htm
or try this one: http://www.witchtrail.com/wtctrails.htm#solt
Here is the handout from Troop 194 on the Bedford Flag Trail:
bft-guide.pdf
Here is a [...]

Backpacker magazine recently did a quick blurb about the best 50.4 miles section of the hike. I couldn’t agree more with their vote - the Mount Mansfield section is a classic trek. Consult you Long Trail Guide Book, then head off to the trail head near the Waterbury area. A nice one week outing with the troop/crew. Backerpacker provides the following visual:

I’d link to [...]

 
Trip leaders take this necessary step far too casually.
I’m somewhat scared to death that when I, as a volunteer doing something nice for other people, put myself, home and assets in jeopardy every time some kid jumps in my car for a ride. I am not an attorney so I don’t know if this doc can [...]