They say that you can't take the outing out of Scouting, and here in the Cayuga County Council that couldn't be more true. Most scouts are not just fair weather campers. But the thoughts of rising temperatures and bluer skies on the horizon is great motivation to pack up your gear and head to the out-of-doors.

Many of our Troops are 12-month campers. That's camping at least one weekend a month each year. Scouts learn to cope with all types of extreme conditions and hone their camping and outdoor skills in the process.

In addition, our council plans council-wide spring and fall Camporee Weekends that bring together scouts from throughout our council for a weekend of camping, cooking, activities, events and fellowship with other Scouts. On May 16, 17, and 18 our council will be holding a “Scouting Skills” weekend at Camp Gregory on Cayuga Lake. The event is being planned and hosted by Boy Scout Troop 58 sponsored by the Fleming Federated Church and Cub Scout Pack 54 sponsored by the Union Springs Elementary Parent/Teachers. Our Boy Scouts will spend the day Saturday learning and sharpening their skills in orienteering, forestry, soil and water conservation and knot tying. In addition, a High Angle Rescue Team will be doing demonstrations throughout the day.

The focus of our Cub Scouting activities will be “Wildlife Conservation.” Cubs will be making small plaster casts of animal tracks, participating in environmental service projects - planting trees, hanging bird houses and getting a lesson on bird watching.

In addition, there will be games related to the “food chain” and “endangered species” as well as a scavenger hunt. A camp-wide covered dish dinner will be shared by everyone Saturday evening followed by retreat and religious services. The Tahgajute Lodge Order of the Arrow will host the traditional Saturday night campfire program of skits and songs.

For the hundreds of new Cub Scouts who joined last fall this will be their first opportunity to participate in a Camporee.

Looking ahead, our Cub Scouts are being invited to participate in our “Cub Scout Olympics” themed summer camp during July. Cubs will have the opportunity to attend Day Camp, Lad and Dad/Mom and Me Camp along with a parent or guardian or Webelos Camp that's designed for older Cub Scouts. Boating, fishing, swimming, archery, woodworking, crafts and more.

Come September our Boy Scout Troops and older Cub Scouts will join more than 3,000 other scouts at Wellesley Island State Park for the 2008 Brotherhood Camporee. Scouts from all over New York state, Canada and the surrounding states gather at this location every two years for a great weekend of scouting. In addition, demonstrations and displays have included chainsaw carving, tomahawk throwing, dutch oven cooking, fly fishing, a “Reptiles Forever” display, NYS Troopers dogs and the 10th Mountain Division even flew in a helicopter for scouts to climb aboard.

Yes Scouting does have a “Computers” merit badge and does encourage Scouts to keep up with the high tech world we live in today. But deep down we hope that his computer will be a lap top and he'll be using it while sitting under a shady tree deep in the forest while he learns about nature and this great world God has created for us.

Don Grillo is the Scout executive for the Cayuga County Council, Boy Scouts of America located at 7235 Mutton Hill Road in Auburn.