** This thread discusses the Content article: Diamond Mining **


One of the great things about traveling in an RV is the unexpected
treasures you discover along the way.
For example, we were looking for a place to stay near Cooperstown, NY so
that we could see the Baseball Hall of Fame (which, by the way, has a great scavenger hunt just for Boy Scouts).
We ended up at Herkimer Diamond Mine Resort. Right across the street was
the Herkimer Diamond Mine. (read what the Travel
Channel had to say) We got to pound on
the rocks and search for real treasures! What's even better is that we didn't plan to go there. We just stumbled upon it. For
our boys, the extent of their mining knowledge came from the Webkinz site. The reality was nothing like what they expected, but
they were very intent on finding a gem.
After 2 hours, they actually found a rock with 2 Herkimer diamonds embedded in
it totally by accident - it way lying on the ground. The rock will make a great souvenir
and the memories of us diligently hammering away will last as long as the diamonds.

Don't forget that you can go hunt for diamonds in Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas - plus you get to keep what you find.

From wikipedia article on this state park "Over 25,000 diamonds have been found in the crater since it became a state park."

I'll second the diamond mine in AR. Pack 439 went to the Crater of Diamonds State Park in 2005 for our summer trip and had a blast! Because of the size of our group the rangers put on a special geology program for us that earned all the boys their belt loops and the Webelos thier Geology achievement badge. The boys then spent the rest of the day digging and then swimming at the water park that is on location. After a long hot day of digging, the water park was great!

I'm hoping the Pack will go back for our summer trip in 2009 when you guys get back to Memphis.

We had hoped to go there, had it on our list, but then had to change our route and it looks like we won't make it now. That's why I was excited to find the Herkimer Diamond Mine. It was a good substitute. Plus, the Arkansas mine is close enough to home that we'll be able to go later, like with the Cub Scouts!