Cub Scout Pack 1776
7Jun/10

The Year of Celebration Awards

Your scouts may have earned the patch for their rank already, but don't let the fun stop.  Check out the Year of Celebration Awards that is ONLY available during this special 100th Anniversary year.

There are 5 award ribbons to it, and you earn each by fulfilling 3 out of 5 requirements.  Sounds like a lot?  Don't worry, the boys have until the end of 2010 to accomplish them and chances are, they have already accomplished one or two.

These awards are also open to adult leaders and alumni.  So if you were ever part of BSA's 100 years of history, don't miss this opportunity to commemorate it and show your pride.

7Jun/10

Danville Fourth of July Parade and a Huey Helicopter!

Pack 1776,

We have been offered a unique opportunity for the Danville, Fourth of July parade.  Our Pack will be allowed to march along with a Vietnam era Huey helicopter.  Select Cub Scouts will be allowed to ride INSIDE!!

  • Safety is IMPORTANT.  The helicopter has large open doors on both sides
  • Class A uniform in MANDATORY for both Scouts and adults
  • IN the helicopter: ~8-12 scouts (depending on size of scouts) & 4 adults within arm’s reach
  • AT least two adults on each side of the helicopter
  • No rotating scouts in & out of the helicopter during Parade (safety issues)
  • Extra scouts can be an "honor guard" escorting (ie walking) in front with pack flag etc.
  • We have an option to have another vehicle (possibly decorated) as part of the procession.
  • Scouts can ride in 3rd vehicle (if desired)
  • Bring plenty of water/sunscreen/a couple of extra garbage bags.
  • Okay to bring bottled water aboard, but no soda, no candy, gum, munchies, and NO flip-flops.

Along with this honor goes responsibility.  Our pack is being offered the opportunity to wash the Huey the evening before the parade.  Buckets, wash cloths and clean water are provided, and the Scouts scramble around hand washing the airport dust off the aircraft.  It's not a dirty job and we like to have parents stand near the doors for safety.  The aircraft is at the base of the control tower at Buchannan Field (Concord, CA), at the end of John Glenn Rd.  It is located on the edge of an active airport, and the FAA is looking over our shoulder.  We need to do a good job of managing Scouts out there.

Does Pack 1776 want to spend an hour or two scrambling around in a Vietnam vintage warbird on Saturday the 3rd at 5pm?  Participation in the helicopter wash increases your likelihood of riding in the helicopter during the parade!

Please respond to Evelyn Chin (Pack Parade Coordinator at [email protected] ) and me ([email protected]) with both your interest in the parade and the washing, ASAP.

We need to confirm our participation by June 11th!!

Yours in Scouting,

CC Scott.

7Jun/10

USS Pampanito Update (with directions and parking info)

[stextbox id="download" caption="Update 6/9/2010: Directions, Parking, etc." align="center"]

Dear Submariners,

Attached is a few pages from the USS Pampanito manual (doc) (pdf) (so you don't have to print the whole thing) that gives directions, parking information, suggested clothing, and other important information. If you haven't filled out the medical release form yet, please do so and have it ready for one of the co-chairs (Steve J, John P or me) on Pier 45. The required paperwork must be in order before the USS Pampanito staff allows us to begin our activity.

We'll all meet on Pier 45 in front of the submarine at 1900 hours (7:00 PM). The parking garage is available to us at 1830 hours (6:30 PM).

Regards,
Harry[/stextbox]

[stextbox id="download" caption="Update 6/8/2010: Parking Pass Info" align="center"]

Submariners,

Here is the parking pass (doc) (pdf) for the USS Pampanito overnight adventure. The manual says 10 spots are free but...my contact at the USS Pampanito said to make as many copies as we need. I'm hoping this means free parking for all!

Regards,
Harry[/stextbox]

Date: Friday - Saturday, June 11-12, 2010
Time: 7:00PM

Dear Pack 1776 Submariners,

Almost everything you need to know, including directions, is in this USS Pampanito Overnight Program Guide!

Yes, school is almost over and our overnight adventure is soon to begin!  We can meet on the dock in front of the USS Pampanito at 1900 hours (7:00 PM) Friday evening.  After the staff of the USS Pampanito has finished reviewing our paperwork, we will have a safety briefing, a mandatory fire drill, and a special tour before re-boarding the ship with our gear.

Three of the four Officer’s Quarters are reserved for the women on board.  These have at least two bunks and a curtain, which is all the privacy a submarine offers.  The fourth Officer’s Quarter is larger, and is temporarily reserved for any scout and their Akela who may have medical issues (migraines, those who take medicine at odd hours, etc.).   Everyone else is expected to sleep in the Crew’s Berth.   We are not assigning berths (there are no better or worse berths).  Two years ago most of our scouts wanted the bottom and middle berths, while their Dads took the top berths.

There is free parking in the garage next to the dock for the first 10 automobiles.  Additional cars can park for $15 (half their normal rate).

What should you bring?  A good list is on the USS Pampanito website (http://www.maritime.org/scout.htm) and in the attached program guide.  Below is a summary:

  1. Money (we are passing the hat for late night pizza before the movie starts in the forward torpedo room.
  2. Sleeping bag.  If you sleep with a pillow, bring one!
  3. Wash cloth and hand towel.
  4. Toiletries, including a cup (no paper cups on board) or bottled water for brushing/rinsing.  Remember, there are only two sinks and no showers in a WWII submarine (fresh water was only used for drinking and the batteries).
  5. Flashlight.
  6. Something warm for the kids to sleep in and a change of clothes.  The evenings can be cool in San Francisco.
  7. Camera.  The best photo opportunities are at sunset, during the morning tour (with Alcatraz in the background) and anytime inside the submarine.  We will have an opportunity for a group photo Saturday morning.

A list of participants is below, for those who wish to carpool.

Regards,

Harry B

PLAN OF THE DAY

Below is a plan that provides a general framework for the evening’s activities. As with the best-laid plans, sometimes things will not happen exactly as scheduled, so there is room for flexibility in this plan to accommodate the special circumstances that may arise with each group. From time to time, our staff may also find it necessary to alter the time and sequence of activities. The key word is "flexibility." All times are approximate.

Evening:

1900 Arrival; obtain parking instructions; group leader meets with staff to complete necessary paperwork.
2000 Group tours pier exhibits, accompanied by staff member.
2030 Rules of conduct,audio tour of submarine, pierside activities/instruction).
2100 Fire Drill (mandatory)
2130 Conning tower tour.
2200 Load Gear

Nighttime:

2400 Lights out. Night watch established and begin watch activities

Morning:

0700 Reveille. Dress; begin packing up gear.
0800 Colors. (If your group would like to raise colors, let us know!)
0800-0900 Clean up time; pack gear off the boat; take group photograph. (All gear must be off the boat by 0900, when we open to the public.)

Remember that this is a general framework - events may unfold at different times!

Adult Participants:

  1. Daniel A
  2. Harry B, Co-Chair
  3. Lisa C
  4. Scott E
  5. Christel H
  6. Steve J, Co-Chair
  7. Jeffrey K
  8. Suchit K
  9. Ed L
  10. Alan & Stella L
  11. John O
  12. Tommy P
  13. John P, Co-Chair
  14. Christopher S
  15. Yuji Y
4Jun/10

Cotton Candy Wrapup

Dear All,

Thanks for a very successful cotton candy booth at the San Ramon Art and Wind Festival.

Lines were long and business was great as we pulled in over $2000 to support Pack1776 for 2011.

Most thanks goes to the parents and cub scouts that attended during the 2 day event. I must say we definitely have future sales people in our cub scouts.

I would like to congratulate the following cub scouts who helped made this event a complete success.

Josh K, Jacob & Joshua L, Morgan J, Jared O, Emmett & Aidan L, Gurveer S, Ishaan K, Zoe & Ethan M, Evan Y, Brandon and Alexander B, Andre B, Abhilash P, Landon S, Mimi & Harrison E and my best buddy David O.

I also ESPECIALLY would like to thank those parents that volunteered for the pack. Being the organizer and never really doing this before I am so grateful for those that signed up.

A special thanks goes to Josh K who came early the first day and tirelessly was out front of the booth asking people to buy cotton candy. Keep up that sales attitude.

COTTON CANDY GET YOUR COTTON CANDY HERE.

Thanks to all.

Richard N
Cotton Candy Coordinator