• Gas up the bus: Traveling to new places is part of the scouting experience.boy in front of school bus image by Daria Miroshnikova from Fotolia.com
  
  One of the main components of the Boy Scouts of America program is its hands-on experience. Although scouting has some theoretical lessons and aspects, the vast majority of badges and rank requirements that scouts pursue require them to participate and immerse themselves in the activities. Field trips are an important part of scouting for this reason. Often scouts cannot complete work on the badges without visiting specific places.
  
  

Government Buildings

• Several Boy Scout badges involve gaining exposure and understanding of the government. Whether the government is local or federal, scouting recognizes that boys need to understand how their country runs. One trip that helps a scout earn the Citizenship in the Nation merit badge is to his state Capitol building or to the U.S. Capitol. Taking a tour of one of these buildings is an educational way to get scouts out into the world and to discover what is around them.
  
  

Climbing Gym

• Rock climbing is a challenging sport in which scouts can earn merit badges. Many climbing gyms offer special classes or sessions for scouting groups that allow them to complete at least some of the requirements for the badge. The benefit of visiting the gym, rather than taking a troop of boys out to a rock face, is that the gym will provide rental equipment and instruction, so virtually any troop will have what it needs to go climbing.
  
  

Newspaper Office

• A visit to a newspaper office helps a scout earn a journalism badge.NEWSPAPER image by huimin from Fotolia.com
  
  To earn the journalism merit badge, scouts are required to visit a newspaper or magazine office. Plan a trip to your local paper, and ask to visit the various departments. Scouts will enjoy learning what goes into publishing a newspaper. Be sure to visit the printing plant or press room so that the scouts can watch the paper come to life.
  
  

Skating Rink

• A scout can earn a skating badge at an ice or roller rink.Wollman Rink Skating image by Popiart from Fotolia.com
  
  A scout can earn the skating merit badge in either roller or ice skating. Take the troop to an ice or roller rink and allow the scouts to complete all of the necessary requirements for the badge. The boys will enjoy the physical activity and will make headway toward earning their next ranks.