My favorite scout outing was when I was a youth, back in the mid '70's.
The guys in the Troop got together and planned a float trip down the Youghiogheny River from Connellsville to Layton. We were going to camp overnight on one of the islands in the river. I remember having two canoes, a small raft and a few inner tubes. We packed all of our gear in the canoes. The river was not flowing very fast, and while there were some spots to stop and swim, there were other spots where we had to drag our canoes and tubes, because there was only inches of water.
Anyway, I remember getting to the island, and making camp. We built a fire, and I will never forget the wonderful feeling of changing into dry clothes
The night sky was as clear as can be. I remember looking up and there was an opening in the canopy of trees that just framed the night sky. One of the most magnificent sights I've ever seen. We all sat around the campfire, cooked, joked around, and just talked and laughed. It was so laid back.
We packed up in the morning, and it was just a short jaunt to our take out point. our parents were there to meet us, and we loaded the canoes and the tubes on the trucks. And just like that, it was over.
P.S. Before anyone thinks that we weren't safe, we all had life presevers, and our SM and ASM were with us.