January Hike – Bishop Ranch Regional preserve
Date/Time: Sunday Jan 31, 2016, 2-4pm
Location: Bishop Ranch Regional Preserve
Meeting Point: Trail entrance at Morgan drive
GPS coordinates: 37°44'58.4"N 121°57'47.0"W
Parking & Fees: Park on Morgan drive. No paid parking available.
Attire: Class A or B uniform (dress in layers)
Award: Opportunity to enjoy our neighborhood open green space
RSVP: Evite
Contact: Hiking Chair Siddharth Bhatia 408.431.8037
What to Bring:
Plenty of water and snacks
layers of clothing appropriate for the weather
binoculars, camera (optional)
In January, let's explore areas in our community where we can go for a short hike. The Bishop Ranch Regional Open Space Preserve offers quiet and solitude on 444 acres just a short distance from San Ramon Valley subdivisions. Watch for animals such as deer, red-tailed hawks, and turkey vultures.
The trail will be a short 2.5 mile loop comparable to our last two hikes so it should take about 90 mins to complete. Elevation gain will be about 400 feet which is similar to the 350 feet we had at our last hike in Coyote hills regional park.
Pinewood Derby 2016
Date/Time: Saturday, January 24th, 2016 Noon to 3pm
Location: Coyote Creek MPR
Attire: Class A
Bring: Reusable water bottle and Readiness to cheer on your fellow scouts
Our Annual Pinewood Derby will be held on January 24 from noon to 3 PM in the MPR! There will be racing, design competitions, and pizzas. Please be conservation minded and bring your own reusable bottle - fresh filtered water available from the nice 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 Surat Perez to purchase more kits. Wear your Class A uniform!
The mandatory inspection and car impounding is on January 23 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Ajay's Home.
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 can take it to Alamo Hardware on Sunday, January 10 at 6:00 PM or Monday, January 11 at 4:00 PM. The store staff will cut each car for $5. You can also use their equipment to sand, align the wheels, and fine-tune various details. To minimize wait time, advance sign-up is required.
Each car must pass inspection on January 23 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.
On the day of the event, cars will race in multiple heats. Only their best time will be used. All participants will receive a medal and 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 trophies to 1) Best Paint Job, 2) Most Unique, and 3) Most Patriotic.
Pinewood Derby Rules and Top Tips
Race cars shall be constructed from the parts contained in the Official Grand Prix Pinewood Derby® Kit, materials from the kit may be supplemented but not replaced.
The use of pre-shaped car bodies, machined wheels or axles acquired from the Internet or other sources is NOT allowed.
Racecars may weigh no more than 5 ounces (total) as determined on the official scales during check-in.
The car shall roll on the wheels from the kit. The wheels shall turn about the axle nails from the kit. The axle nails shall be firmly affixed to the wood of the car body. The Cub may cut new axle slots (or drill new axle holes) in the original block from the kit. The original axle-to-axle spacing of 4.40" (±0.125" (1/8")) must, however, be maintained. It must be obvious to the judges that the original groove spacing, wheels, and the nails from the kit are being used.
Axle nails must be mounted parallel to the track surface. Tilted or canted axles that cause the car to run on the edge of the wheels are not allowed. Wheels must run flat on the track surface. At least three wheels must be in contact with the track surface at all times as the car rolls.
Cars may be no longer than 7.00 inches with a maximum width of 2.75 (2¾) inches and a maximum height of 4.00 inches as determined by the official gages during the Registration and Inspection process. Underside clearance of at least 0.375 (3/8) inches and inside wheel to wheel clearance of at least 1.75 (1¾) inches is required to allow the car to clear the racetrack's center guide-strip. Adequate clearance is the responsibility of the racecar builder. IMPORTANT NOTE: Wood blocks supplied in the official kits are often slightly longer than 7.00 inches to allow for final shaping and sanding. Be sure to check the final dimensions of your car carefully. Do not assume that the dimensions of the block supplied in the kit will automatically be legal.
Weight may be added to the car and will be considered part of the car for purposes of all measurements. "Weight" is considered to be any material on the car that is not provided in the kit. All weight must be securely fastened to the car, e.g. by permanent glue, nails or screws, but not by "sticky substances", e.g. tape, or tack spray. Weights shall be passive, i.e. non-movable, non-magnetic, non-electric, non-sticky, etc.
Wheel treatment (hub and tread smoothing and polishing) may not result in substantial removal of mass or in reducing the wheel width or diameter from the original kit wheels. Some of the original "tread marks" on the wheel face must remain intact, i.e. apparent to the inspector. (Tread marks are the small zigzag lines visible at the very outer edges of the wheel when it is viewed parallel to the axle line.) Wheels may not be machined or sanded to a beveled condition. At least 80% of the original wheel width must contact with the track surface, and the portion of the wheel surface that contacts the track must remain parallel to the axle. The hub through which the axle nail passes cannot be shortened. The area between the hub and contact surface of the wheel cannot be drilled or otherwise opened.
Top tips:
1. Make sure it weighs 5 oz exactly (use a postal scale or go to the post office) and have the weight centered towards the back of the car. Weight kits are available at scout store, Michaels, and on-line.
2. Polish the axles.
3. Consider raising one wheel so the car runs on three wheels.
4. There are lots of online videos, just remember the wheels must run flat to the track, no canted wheels.
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.
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!
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.
Marksmanship Day 2015
Date: Sunday, November 1st, 2015
Time: Choose from:
- AM Session 9:00AM - 12:00PM (Check in at 8:15 AM)
- PM Session 1:30PM - 4:30PM (Check in at 1:00 PM)
Location: Camp Herms, 1100 James Pl, El Cerritos (map)
Cost: $30 per scout. Lunch included.
Attire: Class A uniform
Bring: Completed authorization form, warm clothes.
Note: This event always fills. Register early.
Marksmanship Day is a Council-led event with BSA trained supervision at a BSA facility range. Two different sessions are available on November 1st. More information and registration are available at the council's webpage. Be sure to wear your Class A uniform !
Halloween Party
Date/Time: Friday, October 30, 6-8pm (setup begins at 5:00 pm)
Location: MPR
Cost: Free admission. Nominal fee for concessions.
Attire: Costumes!!
Signup: Just show up and have fun!
Pack 1776 families,
Join us for a Spooktacular good time!
Beware, beware, the ghosts and goblins will be everywhere! ~ All our Cub Scouts and their families are invited to join us for some mayhem and munchies on Friday, October 30th, from 6 to 8 pm in the MPR at Coyote Creek.
Concessions (pizza and water) will be available for a very nominal fee... That night is all about the candy and prizes!
Don't forget to DRESS UP!! It is a HALLOWEEN party! The kids will have even MORE fun when they see that we are getting involved!
We hope to see you there!
~ Pack 1776 Halloween Committee
