October Outdoor Pack Meeting and Optional Overnight Camping
Date: Saturday, October 28, 2017
Time: 3 pm to 8 pm
Location: Tilden Regional Park, 2501 Grizzly Peak Boulevard, Orinda, CA 94563. Meet at Wildcat View Group Camp (near Tilden Nature Area Environmental Education Center and Tilden Little Farm).
Come join us this Saturday for the Pack 1776 Outdoor Pack Meeting and optional fall camping at Tilden Regional Park, Wildcat View Group Camp (near Tilden Nature Area Environmental Education Center and Tilden Little Farm). The weather's going to be great and we have a fun, action packed agenda. Scouts should arrive in Class A uniform with Class B shirt underneath.
As a thank you for such a successful popcorn sale, our Pack is paying for all the food, materials and camping fees. Please help us plan for this event by clicking on the shared document (different from evite) and let us know 1) if you're coming or not, 2) if you're camping overnight and 3) what's your food preference.
Everyone should bring a refillable water bottle, flashlight, folding chair, and sun protection. Wear sturdy shoes for hiking. If you're unsure what kind of gear to get, check some outdoor gear reviews to see what you might need to bring. And don't forget to take some warm clothes as it may get cold after dark.
For those staying overnight, you must have your own tent and sleeping bag. Please refer to the Outdoor Essentials on what to pack. If there's something on the list you don't have, it is still essential to have it so you may have to go on a shopping trip to buy all of the necessary items. However, you can visit Raise to find some coupons for outdoor gear and adventure wear. If you're not a fan of the food on offer, you can always bring your own, but of course avoid perishables that may go off during your stay. Bringing easy, ready to eat meals is sufficient enough, and if you want to have a proper camping experience, bring an easy to prepare mre.
During the evening campfire, we'll watch skits, play games, roast marshmallows and tell stories. We encourage all scouts to buddy up and perform a skit. Search online under "cub scout skits" for ideas.
In order to have a fun and successful camping trip, we need everyone's help. If you see an opportunity, jump-in! Also, if you see scouts doing something dangerous, wandering away from our group, hurting the environment, or being disrespectful to another, please stop them immediately. Don't wait for a uniformed leader (who are parent volunteers like you) to get involved.
Budget 60 minutes to get to the camp site. The address is 2501 Grizzly Peak Boulevard, Orinda. The best route is to take 24 West and exit at Fish Ranch Road. Turn right onto Fish Ranch Road and take the 1st right onto Grizzly Peak Blvd. Follow the signs.
DO NOT park by the Little Farm area if you plan to leave at 8:30 PM on Saturday. The gate locks at sunset and your car will be trapped. Instead, park at the Lone Oak Road parking area then walk up Loop Road to join us at Wildcat View Group Camp. Parking is very limited, PLEASE CARPOOL!!!
If you're camping, you can drive your car up to the camp site, offload your gear, and then return to the parking area. It's a narrow one lane road, so we need volunteers to help direct traffic.
Here's the link to the volunteers signup.
Here's our schedule:
Saturday:
- 3:00 to 4:00 - Arrive and set up camp
- 3:30 to 4:00 – Feed farm animals (Pack will provide lettuce and celery)
- 4:00 to 5:00 – Pack hike option 1. Easy 2 mile loop, great for younger scouts.
- 4:00 to 5:30 – Pack hike option 2. More challenging 3 mile hike to Wildcat Peak for a great view of the bay. Great for Webelos!
- 5:00 to 6:00 – Cook dinner, scavenger hunt, games
- 6:00 to 7:00 – Free dinner: hot dogs, veggie burgers, chips, and salad. Be sure to note your preference!
- 7:00 to 8:00 - Campfire, skits, games, and snacks
- 8:00 – Non-campers depart
Sunday:
- 7:00 - Start campfire, prepare breakfast
- 7:45 - Free breakfast: muffins, eggs and cheese burritos, hot chocolate, instant coffee
- 8:30 - Morning hike and activities
- 11:00 - Closing Ceremonies, break camp
- 12:00 – All must leave camp
Halloween Party
Date and Time: Friday, October 27, 2017 from 6 pm to 8 pm (Setup begins at 5:00 pm.)
Location: Coyote Creek Elementary School, MPR, 8700 North Gale Ridge Road, San Ramon, CA.
Cost: Free admission. Nominal fee for concessions.
Attire: Costumes!!
Signup: Just show up and have fun!
Beware of ghosts and goblins! Come for an evening of games, fun, and mayhem!Participate in our Cub Scout Carnival! Jump in the large jumpy house and play carnival games to win prizes. Come dressed up in your Halloween best and get your picture taken at the photo booth. You may even win one of our costume medals at the parade; you do not need to be a scout to win. A small slice of pizza and a bottle of water, or two bottles of water, will be available for $1.00 in the food booth.
No sign up is needed. The entire scouting family is welcome!
See you there!
~ Pack 1776 Halloween Committee
Golden State Warriors Experience
DATE: Saturday, November 11th, 2017
TIME: 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. - Tailgate Party
TIME: 5:00 p.m. - Game Time
GAME: Warrior vs. 76ers
TICKET Cost: $85 per person (Club 200 Baseline)
ATTIRE: Class A Uniform!
Our Council (Mt. Diablo Silverado Council) has been given a special treat... The Golden State Warriors have invited us (just our Council) to attend a Warriors game on November 11th:
If you love Warrior Basketball, then you don't want to miss this! Plus you are given a rare opportunity to play on the actual court where the pros play!
Please see the flyer for more information... DEADLINE for Purchasing tickets is September 18th so we need all payments submitted to our Treasurer, Silvia Yeh by or before Friday, September 15. Please drop off payment in the Pack 1776 mailbox at Coyote Creek.
2017 Popcorn Show and Sell
Does your scout need to practice his public speaking, good manners, or accepting rejections gracefully? Selling popcorn is a great way to practice all these skills! This year we booked opportunities at different locations; try them all! Please sign up on SignUpGenius! Sales earned at the store, along with your individual sales to friends and neighbors, all count toward your scout's Trails End Prizes! In addition, every scout that sells $100 or more will receive a Led Light Fidget Spinner! Top two individual sellers will receive a bow and arrow or drone. Top selling Den will receive a Ice Cream Party!
For credit card payment, please email our Pack Treasurer Silvia, with your name, email, den number, and your Scout's name. Silvia will send you an email invitation to create a Square account and the instructions on how to set it up. Please also download the free Square app to your smart phone:
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Be sure to read PACK-1776-Popcorn-Show-and-Sell-Instructions. If you’re the first or last shift, you must pick up or return the popcorn and cash box at Suma’s home.
Alternatively, you can also:
1) Show and Deliver: go to Suma’s home on Saturdays and Sundays between 9:00 am and 10:00 am and pick up popcorn. Sell as much as you can. Bring back the cash and remaining popcorn by October 15.
2) Take Order: take your popcorn order form (ask your Den Leader if you need one) and let your customers choose all the flavors; collect the advance payment. Bring your form and payment to Suma. Popcorn will be available for you to pick up and distribute in mid-November.
3) Online: Set up an account at trails-end.com and sell online.
When selling door to door, please follow these safety rules:
- Never enter someone’s home.
- Don’t carry large amounts of cash with you.
- Always walk on the sidewalk and driveway.
- Always sell with another scout or adult.
Remember to wear your Class A uniform, be respectful and have fun!
First time selling? Here's a video on what this is all about!
Coyote Creek 911 Memorial Flag Ceremony
Coyote Creek Elementary School invites us to lead the opening flag ceremony for its 9/11 Memorial to be held at 8:45am on Monday, September 11th (Patriot Day).
Scouts who want to participate must meet at the Sundial (behind the office) at 8:00 am in full Class A uniform for rehearsal. We will also take a group picture for the yearbook. No uniform, no participation, no exception.
Please RSVP to the evite. Feel free to contact us with questions at [email protected].
Yours in Scouting,
Grace Dagen
Pack Committee Chair
Oakland Zoo Indoor Overnight Camping
Dates: Friday, January 12, 2018 to Saturday, January 13, 2018.
Program Time: 7:00pm to 10:00am the following morning. You may stay to enjoy the zoo after the program ended.
Age Requirements: Scouts ages 6-12 years of age only. No siblings.
Program Fee: $47.50 per adult. Scout's cost, normally $47.50, will be covered by pack the popcorn money they raised.
Register here. All adults and children must register online. Make check payable to Pack 1776 and deposit it in the Pack mailbox at the Coyote Creek front office. The zoo camping is capped at 100 people; first paid, first serve. No refunds will be given after December 10.
Deadline: Last day to RSVP is Sunday, December 10, 2017.
Attire: Class A uniform on first day. Class B uniform on second day.
Explore the Zoo on a private evening tour, enjoy a light snack, experience the zoo together while learning about wildlife, the food cycle, and different ecosystems. Participants will learn from observing the animals in the Zoo as well as searching for plants and animals that live in our local ecosystem along Arroyo Viejo Creek. This program is designed to help our scouts complete part of the Nova WILD! When it's time for bed, we'll head down to the auditorium to sleep. In the morning, enjoy a tasty continental breakfast, pack up, and head back into the zoo to observe the animals as they wake. It's an experience you'll never forget!
Included with the program:
- Explore the zoo on a private evening tour
- A light evening snack
- Meet education animals up close
- Sleep indoor in the zoo auditorium
- Enjoy a tasty continental breakfast next morning
- Observe the zoo animals in the morning as they wake up
- Receive 1 Oakland Zoo patch per scout.
Pack 1776 Uniform
Boys are required to wear Cub Scout “Class A” Uniform to all meetings and activities. The minimum requirement is a shirt, pants or shorts, neckerchief, slide, hat and belt. There is a different color neckerchief/slide/hat for each rank: Kindergarten (Lion t-shirt), 1st grade Tiger (orange), 2nd grade Wolf (yellow), 3rd grade bea
r (blue), 4th and 5th grade Webelo (tan & plaid). You will also need to get insignia for the uniforms.
Go to: http://bsauniforms.org/ for pictures of the uniform and where the insignia should go.
When wearing the Class A uniform, the official Cub Scout pants or shorts is dark blue. However, Pack 1776 will accept any pants with belt loops; no elastic-waist sweats please! The neckerchief should be rolled and placed under the shirt collar. Wear closed toe shoes; no flip flops.
You can purchase scout’s uniform online or at the following local stores:
- Mount Diablo Silverado Council Shop, 800 Ellinwood Way, Pleasant Hill
- McCaulou’s, 589 San Ramon Valley Blvd, Danville
- East Bay Scout Shop, 1001 Davis Street, San Leandro
- Dom's Outdoor Outfitters, 1870 First Street, Livermore
When you go to the store, ask for the following:
- Cub Scout shirt
- Cub Scout belt
- Cub Scout cap
- Cub Scout neckerchief
- Cub Scout neckerchief slide
- World Scout Crest Emblem and Enamel Pins
- Mt Diablo Silverado Council shoulder patch
- "1776" Pack numerals
- "Den X" patch (den assignment will be announced after the 1st Pack Meeting)
- Cub Scout Handbook
If you do not like to sew, you can purchase "Badge Magic" and glue on the insignia. The glue can withstand frequent machine wash but leaves a stain when you remove the insignia.
Welcome Back to Pack 1776 Kickoff Meeting
Dear Pack 1776 families and friends,
Join us at our annual Welcome Back to Pack 1776 Kickoff Meeting on Friday August 25 from 7 pm to 8:30 pm at the Coyote Creek Elementary School Multipurpose Room.
Join returning scouts this year in educational and fun activities that promote teamwork, health and wellness, independence, curiosity, and lifelong learning!
We encourage you to invite friends interested in joining our Pack. There will be a demonstration of the flag ceremony and the scout oath. There will also be a scout information session to answer frequently asked questions, to discuss past scout activities, and to preview activities for the upcoming year such as the 2017 Popcorn Show and Sell.
Parents will have the opportunity to visit our registration tables to complete the registration process.
There will be a donation bin for those who want to pass on their uniform items to new families.
For those unable to attend, you can turn in your completed forms and payment at the Coyote Creek Office. The Pack 1776 mailbox is on a table near the front door.
Looking forward to another great year of scouting!
Earn BSA 2017 Solar Eclipse Patch!
What: Mount Diablo Astronomical Society (MDAS) Astronomy Program
Where: Lower Summit parking lot of Mount Diablo State Park
When: Saturday July 15 at 8:00 PM
The Mount Diablo Astronomical Society (MDAS) is hosting a Public Astronomy Program this Saturday July 15 at 8:00 PM at the Lower Summit parking lot of Mount Diablo State Park. The topic for this Saturday’s program is the August 21 solar eclipse.
The program has hands-on astronomy activities followed by supervised observing through the many different telescopes of the MDAS members to view the Moon, planets, stars, galaxies and more.
The program starts at 8:00 PM but you need to enter the park at least 45 minutes before the event begins to ensure you will arrive at the Lower Summit parking lot in time. The program goes until 11:00 PM. The Park gates will be locked and visitors will be able to leave the summit and exit the park only by escorted caravans through the North Gate a few times during the evening. Caravans will be announced at hourly intervals during the program (1st caravan: 2 hours after Program Starts) and for safety, visitors should only leave with these escorts.
The program would satisfy requirements 1, 2, and 4 of the 2017 BSA 2017 Solar Eclipse patch. The boys would just need to safely observe the eclipse on August 21 to earn the patch.
The program is free but you may need to pay a nominal entrance fee to the park.
If you plan to attend, have your scout dress in his Class B shirt so we can find each other. The Class B shirt also makes a great pajama for the drive home.
2017 Pack Registration
Pack 1776 has officially started our registration and we invite you to sign up!
Though we meet at the Coyote Creek Elementary School MPR, scouts do not need to be a student of the school to join. We welcome all boys from kindergarten to fourth grade. Boys entering fifth grade must have completed Webelos I. We do not accept fifth graders new to scouting, but other packs may.
How to Register with Pack 1776
- Complete online Pack 1776 Registration Form
- Complete the Medical Form Parts A & B
- Make a copy of the front & back of your scout’s medical insurance card.
- Provide a scout registration fee of $125 per scout (check made out to Pack 1776).
- Provide a separate $200 parent volunteer fee per family, (check postdated to 4/1/2018, also made out to Pack 1776).
- Online BSA Youth Application Form for new scouts only.
Bring everything to the Pack meeting on August 25 at 7:00 PM in the MPR or deposit them in the Pack 1776 mailbox inside the Coyote Creek School Office (on the table by the front door).
Helpful Registration Information
Complete the online Pack Registration Form: https://pack1776.com/join/registration
- We use emails for all of our Pack communication and signups. Please provide an email address that you check regularly.
- Please provide us your cell phone number so we can reach each other during outings. You can enter your other phone numbers on Scoutbook.com.
- All of our scouts and uniformed leaders will receive a “dri-fit” shirt. They run smaller than a traditional cotton t-shirt; we recommend ordering one size larger.
- Let us know your interests and talents. It does not commit you to a role, just help us understand the parent skills and resources available within our pack.
- Go to https://pack1776.com/volunteering/roles/for volunteer job descriptions.
Medical Form Part A & B and Copy of Insurance
- BSA requires parents to complete a new waiver and medical form every year in order for scouts to participate in activities.
- Page 1, Part A requires 2 parent signaturesin the State of California.
- Page 1, Part A asks for people who can take your scout to and from events. If you list names here, no one outside the list can take your child. We suggest writing “anyone from Pack 1776”
- If your scout has a“life threatening allergy” please write it on the top of page 1 with a red sharpie.
- Please provide a front and back copy of your child’s medical insurance card.
- For immunization history, we only need the date of the last injection.
Submit a check payment of $125
- Check should be made out to Pack 1776 and can be turned in at the pack meetings or the pack mailbox inside the Coyote Creek office. (on a table by the front door)
- The fee covers 1) registration with the Boy Scouts of America, 2) subscription to Boy's Life magazine, 3) Class B shirt, and 4) general Pack meeting expenses. It does not include the costs for outings, camping or Class A uniform.
- If you’re willing to be a trained uniformed leader, we will discount your registration fee by $50;one discount per paid scout. You must complete your BSA Adult Application Form, online Youth Protection training, have all the patches properly sewn onto your uniform, and wear your uniform whenever the scouts wear theirs.
- You have 30 days or until September 30 for a full refund. After this deadline, we thank you for your tax deductible donation to support scouting.
A $200 volunteer deposit check, postdated to 4/1/2018
- Please submit a separate postdated check made out to Pack 1776, even if you are a uniformed leader. It simplifies our job when everyone follows the same rule. We will hold on to this check until the end of the scouting year.
- If you have fulfilled your eight minimum service hours and log it onto our website at https://pack1776.com/volunteering/we will return your $200 deposit at your child’s graduation.
- We understand that some families have a hard time completing the minimum service hour. We will accept your $200 volunteer donation in exchange. It will be used to help train our Pack Leaders and support our scouting program.
BSA Youth Application Form for new scouts only.
- This form is required for all scouts new to Pack 1776, including boys transferring from another Pack.
- You can ignore the request to pay $18 online to BSA National; the Pack will pay for it using part of your $125 registration fee.
Acceptance into the Pack
- If you signed up during open registration (up to mid September), we automatically accept all boys from kindergarten to fourth grade. We only accept fifth grade boys that have completed Webelos I already.
- After the open registration period, we only accept new scouts with the Den Leader’s approval.
- Unless there's room in the current Den, new Den assignment and number is announced after the September Pack meeting.
- Den Leaders are chosen among the Den parents. Den Leaders do not need any prior scouting or leadership experience; our Pack and District will provide training and support.
