“Cool Outings” will be a regular feature of Northwest News. It is meant to share fun, interesting, or unusual events with our entire council family. If you'd like to share your “Cool Outings”, please contact marketgroup@nwsc.org. Cool Outings! There’s nothing quite like the grandeur of a canoe trip in the Boundary Waters. But, why not consider a different kind of on-the-water-beauty much closer to home? Try the Chicago River on for size. Every summer, the Friends of the Chicago River sponsor what they call “the ultimate urban canoe adventure – a trip by canoe from the mouth of the Chicago River through the canyons of downtown. It provides a marvelous view of Chicago’s skyline that most people will never see. You’ll need some paddling experience because the river banks are walled and paddlers tend to “bob-up-and-down” a bit as the occasional sightseeing boat passes by. It’s great fun and a neat adventure for older Scouts – particularly for Venturers who have limits on their “outing” time. This year’s “Canoe-the-Canyons” event is set for Saturday August 28th. It is quite pricey -- $65/person for those who are not members of “Friends”. But there is no prohibition on setting up your own urban canoe adventure either downtown or on the north branch of the Chicago River. For more information, contact Friends of the Chicago River at www.chicagoriver.org or the pros at Chicagoland Canoe base www.chicagolandcanoebase.