Members of the Mannofield explorer scout unit prepared themselves for a trip to America later this year with a camping trip to the David Welch Winter Gardens in Aberdeen’s Duthie Park.
The youngsters, aged 14-18, will embark on a road trip through California in July, ending in an exploration of the Yosemite National Park.
Along the way they will pass through Death Valley, visit the historic Alcatraz prison in San Francisco and meet their American counterparts – the Boy Scouts of America.
The journey will involve a variety of terrain – barren deserts, luscious forests and sandy beaches, all of which they encountered over the weekend in Duthie Park.
Explorer Scout Liam Aiken, 16, said: “We are all really excited for our trip to Yosemite this summer.
“We have been fundraising for the last year and a half, and can’t believe it’s almost here.
“The camp in the Winter Gardens was really fun – we have never stayed anywhere like it before – and it was a great preview for the big trip this summer.”
Assistant leader Eoin Smith added: “Scouting is all about offering young people new experiences and everyday adventure, helping them develop skills which are applicable across many areas of their lives.
“As a teaser for this summer’s American adventure, we wanted to do something special with the Explorers – and what better way to prepare them for the ever-changing landscapes we’ll face than by visiting them all at once”