Activities for Scouts north of Milan July 2024

You might consider Stresa, on Lake Maggiore. There is a zip line place, and a different mountain coaster place, in the hills above the lake. We took the ferry to the three islands. I really enjoyed the palace on Isola Bella, and the gorgeous islands. Definitely a cultural experience. Exploring the tiny island of Isola dei Pescatori feels like you are in a movie set, like Pirates of the Caribbean, with the tiny alleys. When we were there in late June there was a music festival in Stresa. I think they happen all through summer. In town there was an opera singer performing near the square. For a different cultural experience, be sure to stop for gelato at “L’Angolo de Gelato”. Best gelato I’ve ever had, and we typically try two places per day.

You know that Boy Scouts are Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, BRAVE, Clean and Reverent. As an old Eagle Scout, that's hammered into you forever.

And my hat's off to you because you're very BRAVE to take on such a trip. You guys are going to have the time of your life.

The trip from Como to Milan is just 30 miles and it sounds like you have some time to burn. Young men would greatly enjoy the Ferrari Experience in Modena and/or the Lamborghini Museum and Factory Tour outside Bologna.

We've been in Italy many times, and the latest with our young granddaughter each of the last two Junes. Her favorite thing about Italy is the food.

I've been a scout several years ago, so I'm not updated. We preferred camping in secluded woods!
Anyway, there are some websites (in Italian only, sorry) who give some details about places where are host scout groups, so houses just ready for your experience.
This website list the official scout bases managed by AGESCI (the biggest catholic group): https://cba.agesci.it/mappa-delle-basi/ . There are several ones around Como lake.
In this other website are listed all places suitable for camps, so not only houses/bases: http://www.tuttoscout.org/campiscout/campi-scout-lombardia.html . Is much more generic and for several ones there isn't a webpage or an e-mail to contact them.
There is even this website: http://www.scoutadvisor.it/tutti-i-luoghi/

About activities my best suggestion is to contact a local group to arrange something together. So you have somebody who perfectly know both the territory and the method.
Probably on Como lake could be funny this one: https://www.basescricciolotenace.org/
On the northern part of the lake there is even the famous base of Colico: http://www.scoutcolico.it/index.php/it/benvenuti

it looks like you have great info. Good luck. Scout salute.

For music, food, and culture, there is the Moon and Stars outdoor music festival in Locarno:

https://www.ascona-locarno.com/en/events/details/Moon-Stars-2024/132516

But the music in this case is not traditional music but rock and “world music” by British, German, and Swiss rock groups, so that may not be what you have in mind.

For an experience they would remember, and their parents would approve, I suggest heading east instead of north, to Verona (just over an hour from Milan by fast train). Get tickets to the opera in the Roman arena—the stone seats are very affordable and a lot of fun. Seats in the “orange” section are €23 for ragazzi under 30, and there are lots of them available, even in the front rows of each tier.

There is a sort of festival atmosphere at the start, with the crowd holding up and waving their phones as if at a rock concert (it used to be lighters). At least that happened on the two occasions we have been. Even if the kids only stay through the first act, it will be a memorable evening.

https://www.arena.it/en/arena-di-verona/arena-di-verona-opera-festival-2024-biglietti

The Barber of Seville, a comedy, would be fun, but if July 6 or 12 doesn’t work, then Aida would also be good—-it is spectacular.

On the way between Milan and Verona, the train stops at Desenzano on Largo di Garda, and this would make a nice overnight. There is a decent swimming beach right in town. But the activity I would highly recommend it to take the ferry over to Sirmione (20-minute ride; roundtrip tickets were 9€ when we did this 2 weeks ago). There is a castle to visit near the ferry dock, and some excellent Roman ruins a mile away at the tip of the peninsula:

https://lakegardatravel.net/grottoes-of-catullus-sirmione/

After exploring the Roman site, they can exit from the lower level to so-called Jamaica Beach for a swim:

https://rossiwrites.com/italy/lake-garda/jamaica-beach-italy-spiaggia-giamaica/

(Note that the smooth rock is slippery when wet, so caution them accordingly).

Agree with David about Ferrari Experience in Modena and/or the Lamborghini Museum and Factory Tour outside Bologna. The only thing boys (even scouts) that age are interested in other than cars and food is girls -- but we wont get into that.

With 4 days, you could do a loop including both Modena for the Ferrari experience and Verona for the opera in the Roman arena. There are also guided tours of the arena, covering the history and the gladiator fights, such as this:

https://www.getyourguide.com/verona-l389/verona-arena-1-hour-skip-the-line-tour-t93747/?ranking_uuid=50ae64a5-4fbf-4601-8394-6d2808aedc7f

Train times for the loop:

Milano Centrale to Modena, 1 hour 14 minutes, by direct train

Modena to Verona, 1 hour 42 minutes, with a change at Bologna Centrale

Verona back to Milan, 1 hour 13 minutes by direct train