February Hike – Lafayette Reservoir Recreation Area
Date: Saturday, February 5, 2011
Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Location: Lafayette Reservoir Recreation Area
Parking: $6 all day in the lot or metered parking (0.25$ for 15 minutes)
This 4.7 mile loop hike is moderate, with a total elevation change of about 700 feet. There are two trails at the reservoir. We will go on Lakeside which is paved, nearly level and easy. Coffee & hot chocolate at Starbucks Lafayette after the hike: 3540 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Lafayette
[stextbox id="info" caption="Hike Statistics" align="center"]Distance: 4.7 miles
Time: 2 hours
Trail surfaces: Dirt fire roads.
Be sure to read: Hike info and area info[/stextbox] [stextbox id="info" caption="What to Bring" align="center"]Rain jacket (or umbrella), boots, water, snacks, dress in layers[/stextbox] [stextbox id="info" caption="Directions" align="center"]From CA 24 in Contra Costa County, exit Mount Diablo Boulevard/Acalanes Road/Upper Happy Valley Road (exit 11). Drive east on Mount Diablo Boulevard about 1 mile, then turn right at the Lafayette Reservoir sign. Stay to the right, drive uphill on the one way street, then bear left, toward day use parking.
View Larger Map [/stextbox]
Pinewood Derby Results
I hope everyone had fun at the Pinewood Derby today!
Results and pictures are now available. Check that out.
Helping Boys Succeed In School
Date: Monday, February 7, 2011
Time: 7pm - 9pm
Location: Coyote Creek MPR
RSVP via eventBrite
Pack 1776,
Coyote Creek Elementary PTA invites you to Helping Boys Succeed in School, an upcoming parent ed talk on Monday Feb 7, 2011. Emily Cernusak of Hand in Hand Parenting will discuss what boys need to succeed in their school environment and empower parents to ensure their boys are getting what they need to thrive.
Click here for more information and registration.
Thanks,
Ada Ip
ReadyPerson Training Wrapup
Pack 1776 families,
Everyone enjoyed the ReadyPerson Training held at the San Ramon Fire Department. The Safety Officers presented the scouts with emergency situations and was able to review the proper procedure and response to the situations. It was a very enlightening and well taught session. Thanks to our wonderful Safety Officers, they made it fun and practical for the scouts.
The scouts presented the Safety Officers their "Home Escape Plans" and in return was given an awareness kit courtesy of the Fire Department. By participating in this training and earning a "First Aid" patch, we hope our scouts gained confidence and awareness and will feel better equipped to deal with emergencies, although we hope that no one will have to.
“A well-trained scout is a ready scout."
Thanks,
Ammy Pluth
P.S. Enjoy pictures on SmugMug.
Chabot Overnight Odyssey Wrapup
Pack 1776 families,
Unbelievable experience of the overnight program at Chabot Space and Science Center! 45 people (scouts, siblings and parents) from Pack 1776 had a wonderful opportunity to be at the Museum after dark!!
- got to explore the Museum’s one of a kind exhibits after everyone else has gone home
- got to participate in a special science activity by making "Asteroid / Comet"
- did a science scavenger hunt
- enjoyed a beautiful and clear night at the observatories where they got to see impressive telescopes:
- "Leah" - the original 1883 instrument donated by the founder Anthony Chabot,
- "Rachel" - the impressive 20’ telescope and
- "Nellie" - Chabot’s youngest and most powerful telescope where everyone in the pack got to see the rolling roof allowing access to 180 degrees of sky that offered breathtaking views of the Orion Nebula and a double star called the "Cal" star.
- got to sleep in a room just steps away from the "Moon Odyssey" exhibits with lunar and Mercury module.
- and best of all, earned an awesome Chabot Space & Science Center patch!
Photos of this big slumber party of cosmic voyage are available on SmugMug, enjoy!!
Ammy Pluth
Pinewood Derby Weigh In
Don't miss one of the highlights of the Cub Scout year! For those boys participating in the Pinewood Derby Sunday, weigh in will take place Saturday, January 29th, from 10:00am to 2:00pm at Harry's home. If for some reason you cannot make it during this time, you can email Harry Beck or Joe Magdaleno to make other arrangements for weigh in prior to Sunday.
Celebration of Scouting at Diocese of Oakland
Scouts from around the Oakland Diocese will gather at the Cathedral of Christ the Light for the annual "Celebration of Scouting" celebrating all young people and their leaders in scout programs. There will be a prayer service and presentation of scout religious awards. The event will be on Saturday, February 12, beginning with a procession of all scouts at 1:30 p.m. Click on the links for the letter of invitation and flyer on the event. Contact John & Ammy Pluth if you are interested in this event and religious awards for Scouts.
Danville Town Council Celebrates National Scout Week
From the Meridian District ...
Come to the Danville Town Council Meeting Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at 7:30pm. This tradition dates back many, many years. The proclamation of Boy Scout Week in Danville coincides with National Boy Scout week, February 6-12. Scouts will open the meeting with a Flag Ceremony. This will be an opportunity to fulfill one of the requirements for the Citizenship pin. Wear your uniform, show your pride in scouting. Plan on attending! Come and see your local government in action. The Danville Town Council meets in the Town Meeting Hall, 201 Front Street, Danville.
Blue & Gold Banquet
Date: Friday, February 11, 2011
Time: 5:30pm
Location: Coyote Creek MPR
Attire: Class A Uniform
RSVP via evite by February 3rd (Contact Lisa Cheney if you didn't receive the evite.)
Doors open at 5:30 with the ceremony starting at 5:45.
Admission is free to Scouts in good standing and their immediate family.
All rank advancement, Arrow of Light, and bridging ceremonies will take place during the evening.
Dens 1- 5 are asked to bring 1 case per den of small water bottles
Dens 6 - 11 are asked to bring 1 case per den of regular sized water bottles
Dinner is provided by Fuddruckers Catering.
YOU MUST indicate your choice of regular burger, veggie burger or hotdog when RSVP'ing
RSVP by February 3rd, we need a clear count for Fuddruckers.
History/Origin of the Blue and Gold Colors for Cubs
A blue and gold banquet is a birthday dinner for the Cub Scouting program, held during February which is the anniversary month of the Boy Scouts of America(BSA). BSA was organized in February 1910. The Cub Scouts were organized 20 years later in 1930.
The story of the Blue and Gold originates in the depression years of the 1930s. In 1933 "Cub Leaders' Round Table" suggested Parent-Cub dinners. Some of the first ones noted were in Milwaukee; Wilcox, Arizona; and Michigan City, Indiana. Pack 1 of Michigan City started the tradition of pot-lucks, but with a twist. The dads were to bring utensils made of wood and carved, sawed or whittled by the cub and his dad. Throughout the later years of the 1930s there were a number of father and son bean dinners and Cub family dinners. In the early 1940s the name "Blue and Gold Banquet started to be used and first appeared in BSA literature in 1943, although planning a family dinner had been part of Pow Wow training for two years by then. "Blue and Gold" became synonymous with "celebrating the birthday of Scouting."
According to the 1939 Cubmaster's Packbook: "The Cub colors…signify the loyalty as symbolized by the true blue of the eternal skies--while its gold represents the brightness and worth and light of the Cub's smile and happy ways."
Here's the explanation, taken from the 1961 printing of the Cubmaster's Packbook: "Blue stands for truth and spirituality, steadfast loyalty, the sky above. "Gold stands for warm sunlight, good cheer, and happiness".
Today, the Blue and Gold banquet is one of the highlights of the program year. It brings together your Pack's families for a dinner and an evening of fun. The meal is important, but even more important is the warm, congenial atmosphere created as families enjoy each other's company.
Pack 1776
Food Bank Event Wrapup
Did you spend a part of your MLK weekend as a volunteer? The following scouts and family from Pack 1776 did!
Adam G
Aidan L
Brennan C
Chloe G
Christopher M
Emmett L
Hayden C
Jack P
Nicholas M
Tegan C
On Sunday January 16th, at San Francisco Food Bank, we bagged, weighed, sealed, labeled, and boxed bulk pasta into single pound packages that will be distributed to the needy. Over the course of 3 chatty hours, we bagged over 1000 pounds of pasta! Every scout received a good turn patch and deserves a round of applause for the great work done. Check out the pictures on SmugMug, you won't want to miss our looks in shower caps!
