In the Dover/Denville area...we had a bear in our backyard 2 weeks ago. Last year we had him on our front lawn 10 minutes before my 11 y/o got off the school bus. The great majority of the time they're no problem, but all it takes is one time for tragedy. Remember last year when the guy from New Milford lost a fight with a bear? All he got were some gashes, but he was lucky. Like those Scouts.
I think the scouts were lucky to see bears.