Laurel Caverns in southwestern Pennsylvania offers programs for Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. For Boy Scouts, Climbing and Geology Merit Badges can be earned with most of the work done inside the cave.

That's exactly what 15 Scouts from Troop 201 accomplished on a beautiful October Saturday. After two hours reviewing safety, knots and climbing rules, 11 boys donned harnesses and decended into the cave. Each had to make three 40-foot rappels off the Devil's Staircase and attempt three different climbing walls.

Meanwhile the four budding geologists collected samples outside the cave before venturing down to view the underground formations.

Photos by Mark Duncan

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