Boy Scouts found in North Carolina mountains

WAYNESVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Eight Boy Scouts and three adult leaders have been found safe in the mountains of Haywood County.

The Scouts walked out of the woods this morning as searchers were covering the area.

John Akerman with the Boy Scouts' governing council in Raleigh says the Scouts had gotten off the trail yesterday decided to camp overnight. Akerman says they were equipped for camping.

The Scouts were all 12 or older and all had at least first-class rank. They had started the trip Friday and were supposed to be back at Crossroads Fellowship church in Raleigh last night.

Akerman says a searcher on an all-terrain vehicle saw them walking out of the woods about 9 a.m.

He says several of the Scouts had cell phones, but service was poor in the mountainous area.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)