Afloat or, Adventures on Watery Trails

Afloat, or Adventures on Watery Trails by Alan Douglas plunges listeners into a rollicking early-20th-century Boy Scout adventure where skiffs, swamps, and daring patrols set the scene for mystery and camaraderie. Set against the 1917 backdrop of the Hickory Ridge Boy Scout Troop, this young adult fiction follows a band of resourceful scouts as they track a missing boat, decode strange messages, and test their scoutcraft in tangled waterways and murky marshes. The story blends suspense, practical outdoor skills, and the humor and heart of teenage friendship without ever losing its brisk, wholesome momentum. Douglas captures the spirit of the Scout movement—self-reliance, teamwork, and moral courage—while delivering an accessible adventure that reflects its period: period dialogue, outdoor challenges, and a community shaped by nature and duty. Ideal for teens and adults who enjoy classic adventure tales, scout stories, or historical YA fiction, Afloat rewards listeners with a vivid, fast-paced journey into the wilds and a reminder that cleverness and loyalty can steer any crew through trouble.