December Hike – Coyote Hills
Date/Time: Saturday, December 12, 2015, 10am-12pm
Location: Coyote Hills Regional Park, Fremont
Meeting Point: Visitor Center Parking Lot
Parking & Fees: Parking at the Visitor Center. $5 parking fee.
Attire: Class A or B uniform (dress in layers)
Award: Trail Trekkers patch
Hike Info: SFBAC file
RSVP: Evite
Contact: Hiking Chair Siddharth Bhatia
What to Bring:
Plenty of water, snacks. Wear clothes appropriate for the weather.
- binoculars, camera (optional)
- layers of clothing appropriate for the weather
- Plenty of water and snacks
- Sack Lunch (optional) Scouts can have lunch after the hike.
The hike at Sycamore Grove park was a nice and easy one so let's do something more exciting in December. After all, we need to burn all the calories from all the yummy food we eat during the holidays.
Our next hike in December will be an moderate hike at Coyote Hills Regional park in Fremont. The trail is about 4 miles long with few short hills. Tiger scouts are encouraged to participate. The kids will enjoy walking on the boardwalk and we will stop at the wildlife viewing platforms to observe water fowl and possibly muskrats. We might see some herons and cranes that visit the bay this time of the year as they head south for the winter. On a clear day the views are great.
Coyote Hills is an important wildlife sanctuary. Its marshes are part of the Pacific Flyway, an aerial highway for migrating waterfowl and other birds. Deer are frequently seen here, as well as raccoons, foxes, muskrats, and skunks. We will look for their tracks in muddy areas.
November Pack Meeting
Date: Wednesday, Nov 18th, 2015
Time: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: Coyote Creek Elementary MPR
Attire: Class A uniform
This November Pack Meeting, our scouts will be divided into groups of different ages to decorate gingerbread houses.
The rules are simple: 1) work together, 2) don’t eat your supplies, 3) have fun while being creative, and 4) leave no trace behind when you’re done.
Come and have fun!
Read, Write and Win Amazon Gift Cards!
From Boys' Life website:
Write a one-page report titled “The Best Book I Read This Year” and enter it in the Boys’ Life 2015 “Say Yes to Reading!” contest.
The book can be fiction or nonfiction. But the report has to be in your own words — 500 words tops. Enter in one of these three age categories:
8 years old and younger
9 and 10 years old
11 years old and older
First-place winners in each age category will receive a $100 gift card from Amazon.com. Second-place winners will receive a $75 gift card; third-place winners, a $50 gift card.
Everyone who enters will get a free patch like the one on this page. (And, yes, the patch is a temporary insignia, so it can be worn on the Boy Scout uniform shirt, on the right pocket. Proudly display it there or anywhere!) In coming years, you’ll have the opportunity to earn different patches.
The contest is open to all Boys’ Life readers. Be sure to include your name, address, age and grade in school on the entry.
Send your report, along with a business-size, self-addressed, stamped envelope, to:
Boys’ Life Reading Contest
S306
P.O. Box 152079
Irving, TX 75015-2079
Entries must be postmarked by Dec. 31, 2015 and must include entry information and a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Click here to read the winning essays in the 2014 contest.
Scouting for Food 2015
Dear Pack,
This year's Scouting for Food is scheduled for the weekend of Nov 14 (hanger distribution) and Nov 21 (collection).
For those new to scouting: this is a wonderful opportunity for our scouts to participate in a community service project. The food that we collect goes to the Contra Costa Food Bank from where it is distributed to those in need. Den leaders are responsible for ensuring their den's participation in this event.
Click on this symbol 
to see the area assignment for each den:
General Reminders:
- Wear Class A Scout uniform
- Drivers should have all scouts in view at all times
- Scouts are NOT to enter a donor's residence
- Bring a friend - a great way to introduce what Scouting is about
Hanger Distribution - Nov 14
- You may distribute door hangers on a different day than Nov 14
- Door hangers should be placed on the door or partially under the door mat (ensure it's visible and won't blow away)
- Do not put hangers in mailboxes
Food Pickup - Nov 21
- Food must be picked up from the same area you distributed door hangers
- Food pickup is to begin no earlier than 9:00 am
- Food must be dropped off in front of Coyote Creek MPR between 11 am and noon
Ideas to help us collect more food on the 15th!
- Knock on every door that received a door hanger and did not leave a donation. Maybe they forgot to put out their food or would give if asked.
- Tell your family and friends if they didn't get a door hanger they can still help by dropping off their food at the MPR on Nov 21st between 11am - noon
All participating scouts receive a patch.
Thanks!
Meridian Matters – October 2015
Meridian Matters is a monthly newsletter published by the Meridian District of Mount Diablo Silverado Council. The October issue is now available.
Learn about leader training opportunities, Scouting for Food, the annual L.E.A.D. event, and other district news !
L.E.A.D 2016
Date: Saturday, January 30th, 2016
Time: 8:00am – 4:00pm (registration opens at 7:00 a.m.)
Location: Diablo Valley College, 321 Golf Club Rd., Pleasant Hill (map) (campus map)
Cost: $45 per participant ($55 after January 4th, 2016)
Registration for LEAD (Leader Education and Discovery) on January 30, 2016 is now open.
We know many of you enjoy scouting and volunteering to make the program fantastic for our scouts...
What better way to support Scouting than to attend TRAINING! Not just any training, but the BIGGEST Training event of 2016 -- Leader Education and Discovery (L.E.A.D).
This event is OPEN to all adults. You DO NOT have to be a uniform leader. Everyone is welcome to attend! In this training, you can learn a lot more about scouting or a new skill (how many of you know how to cook using a dutch oven?.... wait.. what is a dutch oven?...)
You can select up to six classes and go from class to class.
Click on the course schedule and their descriptions to help with registration.
Class sizes are limited so register early.
November Hike – Sycamore Grove
Date/Time: Sunday, Nov 22, 2015, 10am-12pm
Location: Sycamore Grove Park (map), Livermore
Meeting Point: Wetmore Road Entrance Parking lot
Attire: Class A or B (dress in layers)
Awards: Trail Trekkers Cub Scout Patch/Progressive Hike Award
Parking Fee: $5 per vehicle
Hike Info: Hike info
RSVP: Evite
Contact: Hiking Chair Siddharth Bhatia
What to bring:
- binoculars, camera
- layers of clothing appropriate for the weather
- Plenty of water and snacks
The hike at Redwood Park was a great start to our hiking calendar - it was 2.6 miles long with an elevation gain of 1200 feet - quite an achievement for our scouts !
Our next hike in November will be any easy one at the Sycamore Grove Park. The trail is 2.5 miles long with hardly any elevation gain. It will feel like a walk in the park after our Redwood Park hike. Tiger scouts are encouraged to participate. This park has a lot of reptiles and if we are lucky and patient we can see some. Near the wet area, we can see some great blue herons - don't forget to look up. Wandering among the Park's sycamores, you may be fortunate enough to see a fox, a bobcat, or perhaps a Red-tailed Hawk soaring overhead. Magpies and Bushtits chatter as you stroll along quiet trails. A quiet hiker can sometimes find deer, rabbits and hares, ground squirrels, mice, lizards, snakes, turtles, frogs, and a variety of birds and insects in the park.
Bingo Night
Date: Friday, Nov 6th, 2015
Time: 5:30pm - 8:00pm (First game starts at 6:30 p.m.)
Location: Coyote Creek Elementary MPR
Cost: $5 (includes bingo, pizza, drinks, cookies and raffle ticket)
Attire: Class A uniform
Once again, Pack 1776 scouts are invited to help call out the letters and numbers during the game.
If your cub would like to call out numbers, you must purchase a ticket. Click on Step 4: Activities, Programs, and PTA Membership and scroll down to PTA Bingo Night. You may pay with your credit/debit card ($5/per person). Your scout must be in his Class A uniform.
Tickets will sell out fast due to a maximum capacity in the MPR.
Kids must be accompanied by a parent/guardian or adult chaperone.
Hope to see you there !
Monterey Bay Aquarium Overnighter
Date: January 9th (Saturday) - January 10th (Sunday)
Location: Monterey Bay Aquarium
Cost: $85 per person
RSVP: Reply to Evite
Payment: Checks payable to Pack 1776 by October 30th
Attire: Class B shirts for scouts and PJs
Must Read: Planning Guide
Scout Form: BSA Activity Consent Form
Let’s explore the Aquarium after hours and sleep with the sharks…in a good way. Signup and turn in your check made to Pack 1776 by October 30th at the Halloween party or in the Pack mailbox. Only paid participants are guaranteed spots. Also, in order for this event to happen, we need at least one BALOO trained adult to attend.
What to Bring: • Aquarium floors are hard - we recommend bringing a sleeping pad to put under your sleeping bag. Mattresses or pads should measure no larger than 39 x 75 x 19 inches (twin) • Pillow • Pajamas (family-appropriate please), toothbrush, toothpaste and face towel (there are no shower facilities) • Camera (no flash) • Earplugs if you are a light sleeper
What to Avoid Bringing: • Food or drinks (see Food section, page 5) • Tents and large mattresses (these block other campers from the view to the exhibits) • Radios, music/MP3 players, iPads/tablet computers or electronic toys
• Strollers/Cots are a tripping hazard in the dark and must be flat against a wall • Flashlights
Sleepover includes:
- An overnight stay (sleeping area may be assigned by the Aquarium based on group type and size)
- Nature movie
- Late night snack and Continental breakfast
- Next day general admission
Important Information
- Dinner is not included. Be sure to eat before arriving. Details of a possible group dinner will be sent out at a later date.
- The entire group has to be present for check-in and late arrival may not be accommodated.
- All campers must vacate the Aquarium by 8:30 a.m. but free to return at 10 am to spend the day at the Aquarium
- The Aquarium is a flash-free facility, camera flashes and flashlights can cause harm to the animals.
- Parking is not included - read the Planning Guide for parking info - the aquarium does not validate parking but there are several overnight parking facilities nearby.
Click here for general information.
Webelos to Boy Scout Transition
Date: Thursday, October 22nd, 2015
Time: 7:30pm - 9:00pm
Location: LDS Church, 5025 Crow Canyon Rd, San Ramon
Webelos II parents (no scouts please) should plan to attend the Meridian Roundtable meeting on October 22nd. Learn more about the Webelos to Boy Scout transition and meet representatives from Troops in your area.
While joining a particular Troop is generally a Scout's decision, this event will give parents an opportunity to meet briefly with many Troops and narrow down the search on behalf of the Scout. Each Troop has its own personality and areas of extra focus such as: Leadership, Reverence, Outdoor activities, Service to others, etc. and this event will allow parents to find Troops that meet the Scouts interests, family values, and favorable meeting location (i.e., close to home, at my son's future Middle School, or at our Church).
Most families narrow their search to 3 or 4 Troops before they start attending Troop recruiting events.
