December Pack Meeting
Date: Wednesday, December 5th, 2018
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Location: Coyote Creek Elementary School MPR
1-2-3 Go! Nova Award 
Cryptology
MISSION: POSSIBLE! Calling all Secret Agents. Come learn about secret codes, how ciphers are made, and how they relate to mathematics. Scouts will design a cipher and decode important messages. Elements of this activity will fulfill requirements for the NOVA award for Wolf, Bear, and Webelos scouts. Lion and Tiger scouts are not eligible for the NOVA award but will participate in the activities.
Passing Out of Pinewood Derby Kits
Following the meeting Pinewood Derby Kits will be passed out.
Kits are free to each scout.
Adults and siblings are welcome to join in on the fun in their own special heats. Pinewood Derby Kits for family members are $5 each.
Pinewood Derby Weekend is January 19th (Impound) and January 20th (Race Day). Check the website for additional details and complete Pinewood Derby Rules.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Pinewood Derby SignUps
December Hike: Windemere Ridge Trail
Date: Sunday, December 2, 2018
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 pm
Location: Windemere Ridge Trail
Distance: 2.1 miles
Meeting Point: Dougherty Station Parking Lot, 17017 Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon, CA 94582
Attire: Class B
RSVP: Evite
Directions: The Windemere Ridge Trail begins at the intersection of Bollinger Canyon Rd and E. Branch Parkway. There is ample parking in Dougherty Station Library. Walk across intersection to access trail.
Trail: The Windemere Ridge Trail is a 2.1 up and back course that begins across the street from the Windemere Ranch Middle School on East Branch Parkway near Bollinger Canyon Road. The trail is concrete and is a cattle grazing area. After an initial steep incline, the trail follows along the rolling hills of the Dougherty area with beautiful views of the valley. The Windemere Ridge Trail is great for walking, and running. The trail is great for young kids to acclimatize to hiking.
Trail info on San Ramon website: http://www.sanramon.ca.gov/our_city/departments_and_divisions/parks_community_services/trails_open_space/windemere_ridge_trail
Trail map:
What to Bring:
Plenty of water and snacks
Layers of clothing appropriate for the weather
Binoculars, camera (optional)
Note: Trail is less than 3 miles from Coyote Creek Elementary School.
Pinewood Derby
Date/Time:
- Saturday, January 19, 2019: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (vehicle inspection & impound)
- Sunday, January 20, 2019: Noon to 3:00 p.m. Race Day!
Location: Coyote Creek MPR
Attire: Class A uniform
Bring: Reusable water bottle and readiness to cheer on your fellow scouts
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Pinewood Derby SignUps
Our Annual Pinewood Derby will be held on January 20th from noon to 3 PM in the MPR! There will be racing, design competitions, and pizza. Please be conservation minded and bring your own reusable bottle. Fresh filtered water will be available from the refillable station in the MPR. We will once again have an open class for adults and siblings. Additional kits may be purchased for $5. Contact Jessica Almeida ([email protected]) to purchase more kits. Wear your Class A uniform!
The mandatory inspection and car impounding is on January 19th from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at the Pack Shed near the Coyote Creek Kindergarten area.
Even though Pinewood Derby car is a team project for scouts and their adults, we encourage scouts to do as much of the car building as possible. For those new to scouting or just need a refresher course, here are some helpful websites.
If you need help cutting the wood block, you could take it to Ace Hardware. The store staff may charge each car $5. You can also use their equipment to sand, align the wheels, and fine-tune various details. Each car must pass inspection on January 19th by the official inspection committee before it will be allowed to compete. Once a car passes inspection and is entered into the race, only the race committee members can touch it. If the car loses a wheel, or is otherwise damaged, the racer has 5 minutes to make repairs.
Rules will be emailed to you in a separate email and can be found Pack 1776 Pinewood Derby Official Rules.
On the day of the event, cars will race in multiple heats. They will have the opportunity to race on each of the 4 tracks. Only their best time will be used. All participants will receive a patch for participating. Trophies will be awarded to the fastest three cars in each rank, and the overall fastest three cars in the Pack. We will also give ribbons to 1) Best Paint Job, 2) Most Unique, 3) Most Patriotic, 4) Most Interesting Design, 5) Most Original, 6) Most Creative
AGENDA:
Lion Heats (x4 for each Lion)
Tiger Heats (x4 for each Tiger)
Wolf Heats (x4 for each Wolf)
Bear Heats (x4 for each Bear)
Webelos I Heats (x4 for each Webelos I)
Webelos II Heats (x4 for each Webelos II)
Siblings Heats (x4 for each Sibling)
Best Overall Heats (x4 for each First place Den Winner)
According to the BSA's Cub Scout Leader How-To-Book, the GENERAL RULES are as follows:
All cars must pass the following inspection to qualify for the race:
- Width shall not exceed 2-3/4 inches.
- Length shall not exceed 7 inches.
- Weight shall not exceed 5 ounces.
- Axles, wheels, and body shall be from the materials provided in the kit. Additional wheels can be purchased separately.
- Wheel bearings, washers, and bushings are prohibited.
- No lubricating oil may be used. Axles may be lubricated with powdered graphite or silicone.
- The car shall not ride on any kind of spring.
- The car must be free-wheeling with no starting devices.
- No loose materials of any kind are allowed in the car.
Here are the rules in more detail: Pack 1776 Pinewood Derby Official Rules
Penguins + Pajamas Sleep Over
Get ready for the wildest sleepover ever! The “Penguins+Pajamas” trip at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco is happening on Saturday, February 23, 2019!
Date/Time: 6 p.m. February 23rd (Saturday) – 8 a.m. February 24th (Sunday)
Location: California Academy of Sciences
Cost: VARIES $99 per adult/scout, however depending on your popcorn tier, there may be a subsidy paid by the Pack.
Who can attend? Scouts, immediate family members and siblings ages 5+ are invited.
Attire: Class A for Saturday and Class B for Sunday
Register online here by November 16th
Payment: Due by November 28th. May checks payable to "Pack 1776" or pay online (added fee)
More info: California Academy of Sciences Website
Contact: Camping Chair Sameer Shah or Cubmaster
Required Form: Waiver of Liability for EACH adult and EACH child participant
The cost is $99 per person. However, Cub Scouts may be partially subsidized depending on their Popcorn Fundraising Participation Tier:
- Those who earned $125 or more in sales/donations will receive a $60 subsidy.
- Those who made sales/earned donations, yet did not reach the $125 threshold will receive a $30 subsidy.
- Note there is no subsidy if your scout did not participate in the Popcorn Fundraiser.
Click here to find out your tier.
Immediate family members and siblings are invited. Must be 5 years or older.
Please respond by filling out this online form by November 16th and bring your check to the November 9th Pack Meeting or drop them off in the Scout Box in the Coyote Creek Elementary School office by November 28th. Note the school holiday of November 19th -23rd. Please make checks payable to “Pack 1776”.
NEW: You may also pay via credit card via Square, but note these prices are higher as it incorporates their service fee.
Refunds are available only until January 11, 2019 and subject to a 10% refund cap that the academy imposes (i.e. we can only have less than 10% of our original head count refunded). After that, the costs are not refundable.
Sleepover includes:
- Overnight stay in an exhibit area
- Live animal presentation
- Rainforest access until 8 pm
- Planetarium showings
- Late night snack and early morning breakfast
- Overnight parking in Music Concourse Garage
- Next day admission to the Academy
Admission to the Sleepover begins at 6:00 pm, and the event ends at 8:00 am the following day.
Outside food into the Academy during sleepovers, except in connection to a dietary restriction (please contact them in advance to arrange this) is not allowed. Dinner and drinks are available for purchase at the Academy Café from 6-9 pm. A bedtime snack and breakfast the next day are included.
Parking is included; bring your ticket with you to check-in for validation. There is no overnight street parking as per Golden Gate Park regulations.
The Academy Lab Junior Store is open from 6:30 - 9:30 pm in the evening and 7:00 - 8:00 am in the morning.
What to Bring: See FAQ
- Do bring: Pillow, sleeping bag, toiletries (showers not available), hard-soled shoes/slippers
- Do not bring: Flashlights, tents, outside food/drink (unless related to a special diet), coolers, balloons, radios, weapons
- Optional: Air mattresses, earplugs, sleep mask
Eligibility Requirements:
Penguins+Pajamas is a program for children between the ages of 5 and 17, who must be accompanied by an adult chaperone who is 25 years of age, or older. There must be one adult chaperone for every group of up to 5 children, and adults cannot attend unless there is a child in their party.
The Academy requires a signed Waiver of Liability form for EACH adult and EACH child attending the Sleepover. For children, the Waiver must be signed by the child’s parent or guardian. The Waiver of Liability must identify the adult who will be responsible for the child during the Sleepover. Only original Waivers will be accepted; no faxes or copies. No one will be admitted without a completed Waiver.
For more information, go to: https://www.calacademy.org/events/sleepovers/index.php
November Pack Meeting
Date: November 9, 2018 (FRIDAY!)
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Location: Coyote Creek Elementary MPR
1-2-3 Go! Nova Award
Measurements
How much would you weigh on the moon? Come learn how we use measurements in this STEM activity. Elements of this activity will fulfill requirements for the NOVA award for Wolf, Bear and Webelos scouts. Lion and Tiger scouts are not eligible for the NOVA award, but will participate in the activities.
Popcorn Top Seller Awards, Prize & Door to Door Sale Distribution
This year’s Popcorn Fundraiser was a-maize-zing! You pop-ably never realized it, but the Fall Popcorn Campaign is a key fundraise for our Council given it does not receive any funding from our national registration fees. We bested last year’s sales figure by a considerable amount, raising money for both the Pack and Council.
Come learn what the Pack raised, who the top sellers were and for those who participated, receive your 2018 Popcorn Sales Patch. If you earned a prize for selling popcorn, this will be distributed after the pack meeting.
For those of you who took “Take Orders” – i.e. door to door sales, this popcorn product will be distributed at the end of the pack meeting so that you can deliver it to your customers.
Scouting For Food
This year's Scouting for Food is scheduled for the weekend of Nov 10 (Distribution of door hangers) and Nov 17 (Collection of food).
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 here to see the area assignment for each den. You can also click on the white rectangle symbol on the far right to view the map in full size:
General Reminders:
o Wear Class A Scout uniform
o Drivers should have all scouts in view at all times
o Scouts are NOT to enter a donor's residence
o Bring a friend - a great way to introduce what Scouting is about
Hanger Distribution - Nov 10
o Door hangers should be placed on the door or partially under the door mat (ensure it's visible and won't blow away)
o Do not put hangers in mailboxes
o If you cannot pass out your door hangers on Nov 10, you may distribute door hangers on a different day, such as Nov 11
Food Pickup - Nov 17
o Food must be picked up from the same area you distributed door hangers
o Food pickup is to begin no earlier than 9:00 am
o Food must be dropped off in front of Coyote Creek MPR between 10:00 am and noon
o If you may be late and wish to know if one of the coordinators will still be at Coyote Creek, please call one of these numbers: Anil 408.834.5144 | Indu 408.482.5743
o If you will be much later than noon, you can bring your collection to the Meridian District's food collection site at the Danville LDS at 655 Old Orchard Road. They will be open till 2:30pm. After 2:30 pm, you will have to take your collection to the Contra Costa Food Bank located at 4010 Nelson Avenue in Concord (925.676.7534) during their regular hours. Please let them know your collection is from the Meridian District's Scouting for food project.
Ideas to help us collect more food on the 17th!
o 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.
o 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 17th between 10am - noon
All participating scouts receive a patch.
November Hike: Windemere Ridge Trail RESCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 2ND
Date: Sunday, December 2, 2018
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 pm
Location: Windemere Ridge Trail
Distance: 2.1 miles
Meeting Point: Dougherty Station Parking Lot, 17017 Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon, CA 94582
Attire: Class B
RSVP: Evite
Directions: The Windemere Ridge Trail begins at the intersection of Bollinger Canyon Rd and E. Branch Parkway. There is ample parking in Dougherty Station Library. Walk across intersection to access trail.
Trail: The Windemere Ridge Trail is a 2.1 up and back course that begins across the street from the Windemere Ranch Middle School on East Branch Parkway near Bollinger Canyon Road. The trail is concrete and is a cattle grazing area. After an initial steep incline, the trail follows along the rolling hills of the Dougherty area with beautiful views of the valley. The Windemere Ridge Trail is great for walking, and running. The trail is great for young kids to acclimatize to hiking.
Trail info on San Ramon website: http://www.sanramon.ca.gov/our_city/departments_and_divisions/parks_community_services/trails_open_space/windemere_ridge_trail
Trail map:
What to Bring:
Plenty of water and snacks
Layers of clothing appropriate for the weather
Binoculars, camera (optional)
Note: Trail is less than 3 miles from Coyote Creek Elementary School.
Leader Education and Discover (L.E.A.D.) 2019
Registration for the BIGGEST Training event of 2019 — Leader Education and Discovery (L.E.A.D.) is now open. Bask in the warmth of friendliness and camaraderie of like-minded Scout leaders. Catch-up with old friends and meet new friends.
This event is OPEN to all adults. You DO NOT have to be a uniform leader. Everyone is welcome to attend!
Invest in the future – YOUR future success as a Scout leader, and the continuing interest and engagement of your Scouts depends on trained adults.
DATE: Saturday, January 26th, 2019
TIME: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Diablo Valley College (DVC) - 321 Golf Club Rd, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
UNIFORMS: Class A encouraged
COST: $45 per participant (The Pack will reimburse after you attend and if you stay with us until the end of the school year)
REGISTRATION: Including Course Catalog and Schedules
- What is STEM and how does it work for Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA and Venturers?
- Where can I go camping, hiking or backpacking in Northern California?
- Where can I get in person training for my position as a Cub Scout, Scouts or Venture Leader?
- How can I run fun and exciting Pack Meetings?
- I want to be a Den Chief?
L.E.A.D. has you covered. L.E.A.D. offers over 130 classes across five colleges: Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, Outdoors and Continuing Education. The day is broken up into 6 sessions. Some classes are 1 session, others, such as CPR certification, are 3 sessions, while even others, like Venturing Leader Training, last all day.
