Cub Scouts Accidentally Hike Through Nude Beach

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The Boy Scouts teaches important skills: how to be trustworthy and resourceful, and how to tie more knots than a Las Vegas wedding chapel minister. And for all the trouble, scouts get merit badges to flaunt their mettle.

But one pack of Scouts accidentally learned a new skill last week -- diving for cover -- after they stumbled onto a nude beach while on a hike outside San Diego.

The group of nine and 10-year-old kids was accompanied by chaperones who somehow thought hiking through Black’s Beach, a secluded spot north of La Jolla that’s popular with nudists, was a good idea. Several “panicked” parents protested the journey, according to NBC7, but the trek went ahead anyway. A statement from the Boy Scouts of America confirmed the pack “encountered some individuals who were inappropriately dressed,” which will happen at a nude beach. The trip was “quickly rerouted to protect the youth,” though the Boy Scouts neither confirmed nor denied the Scoutmaster's identity as being Alec Baldwin.

“They could not have reached where we were without having gone a significant distance next to naked people," a beachgoer named Michael told News10. "It was very uncomfortable thinking about what they were going through as well."

Following the hike, the Boy Scouts held a meeting (read: shouting match) with parents to talk about the events. “Together we concluded that proper protocol had been observed and appropriate steps were taken in this matter," the organization's statement said.

Canteen Boy might not agree...


Chloe Pantazi is an editorial assistant on Thrillist's travel team. Yes, that's a British accent. No, she doesn't watch Doctor Who. Follow her on Twitter at @ChloePantazi.