BoyAndGirlScouts.com is a marvelous blog and it's one of the places I stop by every morning to gather news items for Scouting with the Mouse readers.  Let me make that very clear right up front.  I love BoyAndGirlScouts.com and commend Josh for the work he does over there.  This morning, however, I came across a story over there that thoroughly raised my hackles. 

One of the reasons I adore Disney is because of Walt himself. He is such a role model and someone I’m proud to hold up to my kids as an example of what you can do for yourself if you work hard. Today’s children don’t really know anything about Walt Disney the man. To them, Walt Disney has always been an entertainment empire. They don’t know that Walt came to Hollywood with forty dollars and a dream. They don’t know that hard work and relentless optimism turned that dream into the empire they know today. But in Alice Herring’s class of 12 and 13 year olds at Trinity Lutheran in Newport News, Virginia, they learn about Walt by learning some of the skills he used to build his empire. And while they’re learning they’re having a blast.

Do you skimp on backcountry preparations, figuring you've got your trusty personal locator beacon or cell phone to summon help at a moment's notice? It's tempting, no? Why prepare yourself equipment-wise and possibly skill-wise when help is just a button push away?

Some fun things to know about the Toy Story Mania Attraction

Feel the wind on your face, plant a garden, jump in a pile of leaves - just get outside!  Featured in Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine (and reprinted here with permission) this article will give you great ideas of things you can do outside with your kids.  Thanks, Texas Parks & Wildlife for such great ideas!

Arlen over at The Mouse for Less mailing list started a conversation about the free things to do at Disney.  Most of these came from Arlen, but a lot of other folks contributed items or clarifications.  All of them sound like lots of fun.

by Scoutmaster Steve B.

Scoutmaster Steve B. maintains an excellent website (http://melrosetroop68.org/) and blog.  He shared his Tuesday 4 December blog and I just loved it.  This wonderful blog about the Spirit of Christmas and the Spirit of Scouting is reprinted below.  Thanks Steve! -- Hypermommy

Here are some fun things to know about the Magic Kingdom

October 2007 marks the 25th anniversary of the Epcot theme park at Walt Disney World Resort. Check out these 25 fun facts about Epcot.