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He slept in a tent in the woods of the Ozark Mountains for 34 straight nights while working at a Boy Scout camp. Then, he joined nine other 14-16-year-old boys and headed to the arid land of northern New Mexico. For 10 days, he shouldered a 40-pound pack in the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains of the Philmont Scout Ranch. He and his crewmates backpacked 85 miles carrying everything needed to survive. Mule deer were constant companions, and the young men saw a black bear, too.

It was a memory-maker summer for my oldest son; a camp stew of different experiential ingredients creating a lasting flavor that he'll still savor as an old man.

Your son(s) can experience the same thing.

The Boy Scouts of America is one of the finest youth organizations in the U.S. If your son loves the outdoors, or you'd like to get him outdoors, find a scout troop to join now.

With the new school year underway, the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts are recruiting new members at area schools nationwide. Outdoor adventure is there for the boy or teen wanting a challenge.

Scouts offers the opportunity for its participants to improve their hunting, fishing and naturalist skills. There is Shotgun, Rifle and Archery merit badges and Fishing and Fly Fishing. Even the younger Cub Scouts have archery and BB-gun programs.

Not a hunter or angler? A scout can still enjoy nature and outdoor activities becoming proficient in Canoeing, Hiking, Backpacking, Camping, Mammals, Birding, Wildlife Management, and Soil & Water Conservation merit badges. The wonder of nature can truly open a youngster's mind to a world much bigger than TV and video games.

Finding the right troop is simply a matter of talking to Scouting parents and the scoutmaster and assistant scoutmasters. Look for a troop that has monthly campouts. Scouting also offers high adventure opportunities like the Philmont backpacking mentioned earlier and canoeing the Northern Tier and Boundary Waters Canoe Area of northern Minnesota and Canada. There's also Sea Base in Florida and other specialized outdoor adventure camps.

Your son will grow in personal skills and confidence that will support his school and work life. And all Scouts are involved in service projects to help others.

Respect. Self-confidence. Service to others. That's what a Boy Scout learns. Now what parent doesn't want those qualities in a son?

Check out www.scouting.org for more information.