Journey to Excellence
“Scouting’s Journey to Excellence” is the BSA’s new performance recognition program designed to encourage and reward success and measure the performance of units, districts, and councils. It is replacing the Centennial Quality Awards Program as a means of encouraging excellence in providing a quality program at all levels of the BSA. Information, forms, and recorded webinars can be found on BSA's website.
In order to accommodate volunteers and professional staff who were not able to attend one of the Journey to Excellence webinars in October or November, the Boy Scouts of America has expanded the schedule into the following dates and times:
- Wednesday, January 26 at 5 p.m.
- Wednesday, February 2 at 8 a.m.
Register for the webinar here.
Share the Glory, Show your Pride
In two more weeks, 2010 will come to an end. It is a good time to look back and recap what we have achieved in a year, and I am very happy to share with you the good news that Pack 1776 has once again earned the National Summertime Pack Award and Centennial Quality Unit Award. This marked the fourth consecutive year of the Pack of receiving both of these awards!
I would like to congratulate Cubmaster Emeritus Ed and Committee Chair Emeritus Scott on this remarkable achievement and thank them for their tireless leadership and endless contribution to Scouting.
I would also like to express my gratitude to all the volunteers, parents and Scouts for their commitment and support throughout the years, even when we sometimes appeared disorganized and needed help at the last minute. Without any of you, we would not be where we are and achieved what we have.
To celebrate this monumental accomplishment, every Scout and registered leader of 2009-2010 is entitled to receiving the award patch depicted above. Submit a patch request to your den leader and show your pride by wearing it on the right sleeve of your class A uniform below the den numeral.
When we come back next year, there will be a completely new unit recognition program from BSA. Are you ready for the new challenges? Stay tuned.
2010 Patches Deadline
As we approach the end of the year, it is time to get your requirements wrapped up. Only 2 more weeks to earn these patches!
A Year of Celebration - A special Centennial award for all Scouts, leaders, and alumni.
Say Yes to Reading - Write a book report and send it to Boys' Life by December 31st. Every participant receives a patch and the winners receive gift certificate to the Scout Shop.
2010 Museum Tour Patch - Visit 3 participating museums and earn the patch.
Geology Programs at Santa Clara Valley Gem and Mineral Show
Date: Friday-Sunday, April 15-17, 2011
Time: Friday 9am - 5pm; Saturday & Sunday 10am - 5pm
Location: Santa Clara County Fairground, 344 Tully Road, San Jose (map)
The 56th annual Gem and Mineral Show will be on April 15-17 at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds in the Exposition Hall. Scouts receive all necessary elements to earn the Geology Belt Loop, Geology Academic Pin, and Webelos Geologist Pin (if you are a Webelos), worksheets to complete, a beginning rock collection, rock bag, and a show patch.
Information and sign-up forms are available for download at the website.
Awards
Pack 1776 families,
Since the Kickoff event a month ago, we have been busy getting the awards earned by our Scouts over the summer and in the month of September. To date, we received orders of 71 belt loops, 14 sports pins, 11 summertime pack award pins, and over 10 award patches, strips, and ribbons. That is a total of 106 awards and we are sure there are more! That is nothing short of IMPRESSIVE!! Great job Scouts and parents! Find out more on what you can earn at the BSA website, keep up the good work, and keep the orders coming!
Cheers,
Ada & Stella
Awards Chairs
MDSC Family Camp – Halloween Fest
Date: Friday - Sunday, October 22-24, 2010
Location: Camp Lindblad, 17660 Kings Creek Road, Boulder Creek, CA (map)
Cost: $90 per person. $15 for sibling under 5. $25 late fee per person if registering after 10/16
Mt Diablo Silverado Council will be offering the last Family Camp of the year on Oct 22. Cub Scouts of all ranks, parents, and siblings are invited. Participation of this camp count towards requirements of Outdoor Activity Award, Year of Celebration Award, BSA Family Award, and a number of belt loops / pins and rank achievements / electives. Following is detail from MDSC:
CUB SCOUTS, SHARE THE OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE WITH YOUR FAMILY!
Join in the Family Camp fun at Camp Lindblad!
Camp out in a redwood forest!
October 22-24 (Halloween Fest)
Early registration of $90.00 per person ($15 for siblings under age 5) includes meals from Saturday breakfast to Sunday lunch, a camp patch for Cub Scouts, and program supplies.
Earn rank advancement through:
Crafts Nature Study
Archery Outdoor Skills
BB Gun Shooting Whittling (Including knife safety)
Complete some of the requirements for the new Cub Scout Fun for the Family Award!
Registration for Halloween Fest can be found HERE.
For information on camp policies, a map to camp, what to bring, medical forms, and other information, can be found HERE.
Reminder: Marksmanship Day this Saturday
Date: Saturday, October 2nd, 2010
Time: 8:00AM - 1:00PM and/or 12:00PM - 5:00PM
Location: Camp Herms, 1100 James Place, El Cerrito, CA 94530 (map)
Quite a few of you will go shooting this Saturday! Just a couple reminders:
- Permission form: No cubs allowed to shoot without this form filled out! Print it now and bring it to the range.
- Class A: This is for the safety of your child. Wear it, or your child won't be allowed to shoot.
- Be on time: Registration starts at 7am and 11am for AM and PM sessions respectively and ends when shooting starts. Be there early.
- Paperwork: Make sure to bring back paperwork for any belt loops or pins earned. Your Awards Chairs will need them to purchase the awards at Scout shop.
This event is for preregistered Scouts only. No drop ins. No adult shooting. For those who missed this event, shooting opportunities will be available at these upcoming events:
- Oct 22-24: MDSC Cub Scout Family Camp
- Spring 2011: Adult Shooting Sports Awareness - a special adult only event where adults are taught to shoot Archery, BB gun, Black powder, Rifle, Shotgun & Pistol.
- Jun 20-24: Meridian District Cub Scout Day Camp
- Jun 11: MDSC Marksmanship Day
Stay tuned for further announcements.
Outdoor October Pack Meeting & Overnight Stay
Oct 9 - Last minute reminders: Bring flashlight, chairs, warm clothes. Print placard for your car. Here's the campfire program. See you all there.
Sep 29 Update: Conditions have changed. We will have the outdoor Pack Meeting but won't stay overnight. The hike on the next morning will be rescheduled. Check with your den leaders for detail.
Date: Saturday, October 9, 2010
Time: See agenda below
Location: Bort Meadow at Anthony Chabot Regional Park (map)
Attire: Class A uniforms for all scouts for the Campfire Program
Pack 1776 Scout Families,
One of the highlights of our scouting year is celebrating our third annual outdoor pack meeting at Bort Meadow Group Camp just north of Anthony Chabot Campground in Castro Valley. All scouts & families are welcome! Details below. Please RSVP via evite, so we can plan accordingly.
We look forward to seeing everyone!!
Yours in Scouting,
Assistant Cubmaster & Master of Ceremonies
John Pluth
[stextbox id="info" caption="Schedule" align="center" collapsed="true"]Saturday, Oct 9:
2:00pm Set up time. Scouts & families start arriving.
2:30-4:00pm Den time. Have a den meeting and practice your skits.
3:30pm Burgers, gourmet sausages & hot dogs will start to be served.
4:30pm Campfire program will promptly start. We are planning on a campfire, s'mores, dens skits and lots of fun! Each den is to perform a skit, lead a song, have some “cheers” & perform some run-ons.
5:30pm Overnight stay is optional.
Sunday, Oct 10:
9:00am Breakfast will be served - Pancakes, juice & coffee.
10:00am Pack hike (whether you camped or not) from Bort Meadow. You can come back for the hike even if you can’t camp overnight.[/stextbox] [stextbox id="info" caption="What to Bring" align="center" collapsed="true"]For pack meeting: Print this car placard and place it on the dashboard of your car, chairs, warm clothes, and a flashlight.
For camping: Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad / air mattress, pillow, extra clothes, sundries, etc.
For hiking: Long pants, sun screen, water, snacks, binoculars, camera, etc.[/stextbox] [stextbox id="info" caption="Related Awards and Achievements" align="center" collapsed="true"]All: Year of celebration award Outdoors #4; Outdoor activity award #1, 4, 10; Hiking belt loop #2, 3
Tiger: Achievement 5g
Wolf: Achievement 2f; Elective 11f, 18g, 23a & b
Bear: Achievement 3i, 9e; Elective 25b & c & d
Webelos: Outdoorsman 1, 2, 3[/stextbox] [stextbox id="info" caption="Directions" align="center"]From San Ramon,
· Take Crow Canyon West (past the 680, approx 7.5 miles)
· Turn Right onto Cull Canyon (go .2 miles)
· Turn Left onto Heyer Ave (go 1 mile)
· Turn Right onto Redwood Rd (go 7.3 miles)
· Turn Left into Bort Meadow Campground
· Pass through gate & follow dirt road to Bort Meadow staging area
View Larger Map[/stextbox]
Marksmanship Day
Date: Saturday, October 2nd, 2010
Time: 8:00AM - 1:00PM and/or 12:00PM - 5:00PM
Location: Camp Herms, 1100 James Place, El Cerrito, CA 94530 (map)
Registration deadline: Sunday, September 26, 2010
The Cub Scout Academics and Sports Program is an optional program for all Cub Scouts. Its purpose is to encourage the Scouts in learning new skills, or improving one they already posses. Cub Scouts can earn belt loops and pins in 25 academic areas and 28 different sports. Among them, the shooting sports loops and pins (Archery and BB-gun Shooting) can only be earned through Council-led events, under BSA trained supervision, and at a BSA facility range.
Marksmanship Day is one of such Council events and the next one is coming up on October 2nd. Registration can be made online at the Council website until September 26th (this Sunday). Go to the website for detail. Make sure to wear your Class A and fill out the authorization form before you go.
Note: Shooting sports belt loops can be used toward Wolf electives 20c and 20n.
An Eventful Day
This Saturday, September 25th, is the 17th National Public Lands Day. It is also the 26th California Coastal Cleanup Day! Traditionally, volunteers and conservationists get together on this day to improve the outdoors across the country. Our Pack has no servicing event scheduled on this day, but it doesn't mean you cannot go out and show some Scouting spirit! Look up the two websites and sign up to volunteer in an event. Besides making a difference in the environment, your contribution will also satisfy one of the requirements for the Cub Scout World Conservation Award and Year of Celebration Award.
Not ready for such heavy duty work? How about taking a leisure hike (hiking belt loop, Year of Celebration Award) at one of the nearby national parks and historic sites? On Saturday, National Park Service will be offering free admission to all national park lands. It is a great time to go on a hike, practice leave no trace (Leave No Trace Award), and earn the Scout Ranger patch!
Having one of the rare weekends that you would rather be indoor instead? You are in luck! Smithsonian Museum Day also falls on the same day. A printable ticket entitles you and a guest free admission to one participating museum (Collecting belt loop). There are many museums to choose from, but if you are working on this Museum Tour patch, you may want to consider visiting Hiller Aviation Museum, which is one of the required museums, and check out the Scouting in Aviation display.
With so much going on this Saturday, where should I start?
