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.
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.
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!
Police Station Visit and K9 Demonstration
Date: Saturday, February 26, 2011
Time: 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Location: San Ramon Police Department, 2222 Camino Ramon, San Ramon (map)
Attire: Class B Uniform
RSVP via evite by 2/19/2011
Scout families,
Den 11 is visiting the San Ramon Police Department and is opening up to the Pack. Scouts will learn about the responsibilities of the station, its personnel, and police equipment through activities that are both fun and educational. Most areas of the police station will be toured. Police patrol cars and K9 demonstration are available as well.
Dress in Class B tee shirt. Reply by 2/19/2011. As always, parent participation is required. Contact Scott Spears if you have questions.
ReadyPerson Training for Scouts
Date: Thursday, January 27, 2011
Time: 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Location: San Ramon Valley Fire Department, 1500 Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon (near Crow Canyon Blvd intersection)
RSVP via evite by this Wednesday noon January 19, 2011
Scout families,
Our Bear den 8 would like to invite all Pack 1776 Scouts to the ReadyPerson training for Scouts at the San Ramon Valley Fire Department on Thursday 1/27. If you are interested, let us know by this Wednesday noon. That is, you have slightly more than 2 days to reply. This is how much time the Fire Department will need to prepare material for everyone.
The curriculum meets all requirements for the Webelos ReadyMan badge. It is also a great opportunity to fulfill a go-see-it requirement for the Tiger (2G) and Wolf (4F) ranks. As always, this is not a drop off event. Parent participation is required. More information of the program below. Send questions to John & Ammy Pluth.
The Scout "ReadyPeople" program lasts approximately 1 hour. Scouts will be given a packet with useful safety information and have a chance to engage in hands-on training exercises. The class covers the following topics:
* Fire District overview
* Recognizing an emergency
* Breathing emergencies
* Controlling bleeding
* Helping a poison victim & a choking victim
* Helping a heart-attack victim
* Fire safety
Fire Safety Assignment
As part of the training program, all attending scouts are asked to complete a fire safety assignment BEFORE attending the class. Please have each scout draw a fire escape plan for their home. The plan should include arrows showing the ways out of each room, their meeting stop outside the home, and for multiple story homes each floor should be mapped out separately. Graph paper is recommended, however, white paper is also acceptable. (See example here) Please turn these assignments in the day of the course.
On the day of our class, we are going to gather our den in the parking lot and the den leader will let the staff know we arrived. The instructor will meet our group outside and guide the group to our classroom. Please remember there is no eating or drinking allowed during the training.
January Hike – Redwood Regional Park
Date: Saturday, January 22, 2011
Time: 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Location: Redwood Regional Park (map)
This is an easy 3.7 mile loop hike. Trailhead elevation is around 1255 feet. The featured hike climbs easily to about 1385 feet, drops to about 780 feet, then regains the lost elevation on the way back to the trailhead -- total elevation change is about 700 feet. The ascending/descending trails are moderate-steep, but short.
[stextbox id="info" caption="Hike Statistics" align="center"]Distance: 3.7 miles
Time: 2 hours
Trail surfaces: Dirt fire roads and trails.
Be sure to read: Hike info and park map[/stextbox] [stextbox id="info" caption="Directions" align="center"]From CA 24 in Contra Costa County, exit Fish Ranch Road
Drive uphill on Fish Ranch Road about 1 mile,
then turn left onto Grizzly Peak Blvd.
Drive 2.4 miles, then turn left onto Skyline Boulevard.
Drive 2 miles on Skyline Boulevard, then turn left into the parking lot.
<< The park is about 3 miles from the Chabot Space Center>>[/stextbox] [stextbox id="info" caption="What to Bring" align="center"]Long pants
Boots: Canyons are often muddy in winter
Dress in Layers
Snack
Water[/stextbox] [stextbox id="info" caption="The Hike" align="center"]
- Walk to the south corner of the parking lot (the opposite end from the portable toilets),
- look for the signed West Ridge Trail.
- At 0.49 mile, French Trail sets out downhill on the left side
- Continue straight on West Ridge.
- At 0.96 mile, at a signed junction, Tres Sendas Trail begins on the left.
- Turn Left on Tres Sendas
- At 1.35 miles, Tres Sendas meets French Trail at a signed junction.
- Continue straight on Tres Sendas.
The two trails run together, until French breaks off at a signed junction at 1.43 miles and heads back uphill. - Continue on Tres Sendas.
- At a signed junction at about 1.67 miles, Star Flower Trail departs uphill on the right.
- Continue downhill on Tres Sendas.
- Just past this junction, you'll reach Redwood Creek (fenced)
- Follow the path as it crosses the creek and then ends at a signed junction with the Stream Trail at 1.75 miles.
- Turn right onto Stream Trail.
- At 2.20 miles, look for the start of Prince Road to the left at a signed junction.
- Turn left onto Prince Road.
Head uphill, and at 2.41 miles, the trail ends at a signed junction with East Ridge Trail. Turn left onto East Ridge Trail. - At a signed junction at 2.66 miles. East Ridge Trail continues straight, and Phillips Loop Trail breaks off to the left. B
- Turn left onto Phillips Loop Trail.
At 2.96 miles, Phillips Loop Trail crosses Eucalyptus Trail at a signed junction. - Continue straight on Phillips Loop Trail.
Phillips Loop Trail ends at a signed junction with East Ridge Trail at 3.58 miles. - Turn left onto East Ridge Trail.
Continue straight on East Ridge Trail. - East Ridge Trail ends at the parking lot.
[/stextbox] 
