The Boy Scouts of Lenox; Or, The Hike Over Big Bear Mountain

A small Midwestern town buzzes with the excitement of a new Boy Scout troop, as seven local boys gather to sketch out their first adventure. Each member brings a distinct personality—Tom’s eager leadership, George’s critical eye, Carl’s calm mediation, and Felix’s cautious humor—creating a lively mix of ambition and self‑questioning that drives their early meetings. Their conversations reveal a yearning to trade idle habits for the disciplined virtues the Scouts promise, while a hopeful civil engineer, Mr. Witherspoon, looms on the horizon as the potential troop leader.

The boys quickly settle on a daring goal: a hike across the rugged terrain of Big Bear Mountain. Their plans are peppered with practical concerns—learning first‑aid, mastering a fire, and figuring out how to work together despite lingering doubts. This spirited preparation hints at the challenges of friendship, perseverance, and the pull of nature that will shape their inaugural outing.