A Long Island teenager has earned all 121 merit badges offered by the Boy Scouts of America. It's an accomplishment the local arm of the organization calls "an almost unheard-of feat." Oceanside resident Shawn Goldsmith earned his final badge — for bugling — in time for his 18th birthday in November. He far surpassed the 21 badges required to achieve the elite rank of Eagle Scout.

Special Programs and Activities Held for Scouts on November 1, 2008

MOUNT VERNON, Va. – Historic Mount Vernon welcomes all Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Camp Fire Club members (in uniform or wearing an official pin) to FREE admission during its Scouting Days program beginning November 1, 2008 through February 15, 2009.

On Saturday, November 1, Mount Vernon kicks off the Scouting Days program with special activities for Scouts from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Scouts have an opportunity to earn merit badges through projects and stations set up with professional surveyors, Mount Vernon archaeologists, woodworking projects, and cooking demonstrations. In addition to these activities, Scouts are encouraged to make their own wreath to lay at the tomb of George Washington (by reservation only).

It appears as though the U.S. might live up to its "melting pot" moniker, as many Muslim girls have joined the American Girl Scouts. Priya David reports from Minnesota.

Achievement of 11 Teens Is Called Unprecedented

By Fredrick Kunkle
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, January 19, 2008; A01

The boys called themselves the Viking Patrol. The scoutmasters called them babies.

As Cub Scouts, they were so wild that the exasperated leaders insisted that their parents attend the meetings to keep things from getting out of hand. Their first hike as Boy Scouts became notable for the "strike" when the boys lay down side by side on an easy trail and refused to go on after having covered about the length of the Mall.

Members and leaders of troops at Annoor Islamic School say Girl Scouts and Islam share common lessons and values

BY CHRISTINA M. WOODS
The Wichita Eagle

After serving apple-chicken salad in pastry shells, cucumber tea sandwiches, smoked salmon and asparagus crustini, summer berry tarts, pink lemonade with kiwi, and tea, members of Danah Salem's Girl Scout troop did a lively rendition of the Macarena dance.