Council Merger Update
SUMMARY – The San Francisco Bay Area Council voted to support the Merger and the Mt Diablo Silverado Council voted to oppose the Merger. Consequently, the potential Merger of our two Councils will not move forward.
Last evening the “voting members” of the SFBAC voted overwhelmingly in support of merging (with 92% in favor.) However, the voting members of the MDSC, voted solidly against the merger (with 61% against.) Over the past several months an organized group within the MDSC developed and successfully marketed an “Alternative to Merger Plan,” which they believe will better serve the youth in our Council. Both organizations will continue to operate independently in providing the values and character building programs of Scouting to some 35,000 young people from throughout the Bay Area.
Find out more about MDSC's Alternative to Merger Plan here and their Plan of Action moving forward.
Office Depot Discount for Scouters
The Office Depot is providing BSA members with a discount card for in-store shopping on office supplies (including Copy & Print Depot™ services, but excluding electronics and already discounted items). Members get a 10% discount off of store retail pricing.
Please note that if an Office Depot store has a better discounted price, you can use it or the BSA discount but not both. If you are planning on making a purchase, please make sure you have your BSA membership card with you.
Click here to download your discount card.
Summer Camping 2012 Re-cap
The summer camping trip at beautiful Sugar Pine Point State Park at Lake Tahoe was a tremendous success last weekend. Whilst I'm definitely more likely to want to stay at one of the many Lake Tahoe California Hotels for my next visit, camping really wasn't as bad as I had expected.
After battling traffic, most campers made it to the campsite in the evening and got their tents before sunset. We had a great fire, some campfire stories, smores and a chance to looking at the amazing stars (a few falling) under the clear, warm summer sky. A recurring theme from those stories was the pros and cons of a motorhome vs RV vs caravan. Regardless, we all agreed that a comprehensive insurance was essential; more so the add-ons offered by your insurance partner. For instance, if you were to choose Staveley Head as your insurance partner of choice, you also get motorhome breakdown insurance as part of the add-on options to your standard motorhome cover.
We woke up Saturday to the smell of pancakes, eggs and coffee. The scouts again received their own scout-approved mess kits to keep. We did an opening flag ceremony and then went into our first activity of the day, the Soccer belt loop. After some instruction on dribbling, shooting and passing, the kids went into an exciting 6 vs. 6 game that was a nail biter to the end with the winning goal scored on a last second penalty kick by Rohan. After lunch, we headed off on a hike that took us along the old 1960 Squaw Valley Winter Olympic Cross Country Ski route and ended up at beautiful Lake Tahoe right next to the spectacular Historic Erhman Mansion (we all decided it would make a great summer home for us :)). After a hike in hot sun, the cool water of the lake was just what we needed. The Scouts had a great time wading around near the shore and skipping rocks. After a short hike back to camp, we spent some free time playing frisbee, volleyball and new chase game introduced by some of the new campers. Foil cooking was up next for dinner and, as an added treat, foil banana boats (with marshmallows, chocolate and butterscotch chips all melted together) for desert. I think for our next camping trip we should more than likely look at finding ourselves a stormkök so we're able to cook and clean up better, and so we don't use loads of foil too! We finished off the night with a touching flag retirement ceremony around the campfire and then some music by resident musician, Cubmaster Pluth.
The next morning, we had a light breakfast, packed up our gear, did our traditional "leave no trace" sweep of the campsite, and headed on our way.
It was wonderful to see so many new campers out there this trip and I want to thank everyone for making this another successful Pack 1776 camping trip!
Camping Chair
Scott Spears
Webeloree
Two sessions to choose from:
South Session
Date: Saturday, October 6, 2012, 7:00am - Sunday, October 7, 2012, 10:30am
Location: Camp Herms, 1100 James Pl, El Cerritos (map)
North Session
Date: Saturday, November 10, 2012, 7:00am - Sunday, November 11, 2012, 11:30am
Location: Mare Island, Vallejo, 1595 Railroad Ave. (South of Touro Univ.) (map)
Cost: $45 per webelos, $25 per adult. Patch, pins, breakfast, and entertainment included.
Further information: Council website
Awards: Participation patch and 4 activity pins (Outdoorsman, Scientist, Showman, & Readyman)
Registration: Registration begins August 20th. This event always fills. Register early.
The Webeloree is a fun overnight outing for Webelos & their parents to enjoy. While working with Boy Scout patrols, Webelos may earn Webelos activity pins. The Webeloree is open to all first and second-year Webelos. All Webelos and their parent attending will receive a custom Webeloree patch and the activity pins earned at the event.
This year the Mt. Diablo Silverado Council is hosting two Webelorees! One at Camp Herms in October and one at Mare Island in Novemeber. For more information on either camp, please visit the information and registration pages here.
The Webeloree online registration will launch on August 20th. Please be aware that some of the activity pins featured, during the Webeloree require some portion of the pin requirements be completed before the Scouts arrive for the event. Having these prerequisites completed will allow the Webelos to complete the pin during the weekend. To view the list of pins that require requirements to be done before camp, please preview the registration information here.
Marksmanship Day
Date: Saturday, September 15, 2012
Time: Choose from:
- AM Session 8:00AM - 12:00PM
- PM Session 1:00PM - 5:00PM
Location: Camp Herms, 1100 James Pl, El Cerritos (map)
Cost: $20 per scout, $5 per adult. Lunch included. $5 late fee per person after August 5th.
Attire: Class A uniform
Awards: Participation patch, Archery or BB Shooting belt loop and pin
Bring: Warm clothes.
Must read: Event flyer
Note: This event always fills. Register early.
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 September 15th. Registration can be made online at the Council website. Make sure to wear your Class A.
Note: Shooting sports belt loops can be used toward Wolf electives 20c and 20n, part of Bear requirement 23c and Bear electives 20.
One Oath and Law Proposed for All BSA Programs
The BSA national volunteer committee, Team 411, is reviewing BSA advancement for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. They have recommended alignment of one Oath & Law (Boy Scout versions) for all programs. The result, if approved, would be elimination of the Cub Scout Promise and Law of the Pack by 2015. Learn more about this change here.
Stanford Football Scouts Day
Following is a list of upcoming Scout Days/Nights:
08/26 (Sun): Sonoma Raceway Scout Day
10/06 (Sat): Stanford Football Scout Day
Scout Days/Nights are not Pack 1776 events but rather community events open to Scout groups.
Discover New Worlds through NOVA and STEM
BSA's New NOVA Awards Program is Growing Minds
through STEM Achievements!
Discover the coolest new ways to expand your mind and build critical real-world skills!
BSA's NOVA Awards program introduces fun and rewarding opportunities for Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Venturers to explore various STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) topics.
Featuring:
- Support from a partnership with ExxonMobil®
- Honorary Chairman and National Spokesperson, Dr. Bernard Harris, former Boy Scout and NASA space shuttle astronaut
- Distinctive NOVA pocket patch with separate pin-on device, medals, and more
- Related merit badge activities and specialized programs to come!
For more information and program details, please visit here.
Messengers of Peace
Scouts in dozens of countries are working for peace by solving conflicts in their schools, building links between divided communities, teaching their peers about health and wellness, and repairing environmental damage.
To recognize their efforts—and to inspire more young men and women to help Scouting create a better world—the World Scout Committee has launched the Messengers of Peace initiative. The Boy Scouts of America is proud to join this effort in 2012.
Scouts who complete MOP projects will be eligible for a special recognition: a ring patch that goes around the World Crest. That patch will symbolize their participation in an ever-widening circle of Scouts who are not just visualizing world peace, but are helping to make it a reality.
The Scouts of the world have always been a powerful force for good. This initiative lets us celebrate what our Scouts have already accomplished and inspire them to accomplish even more. Please join us as we work together to create a better world.
For more information about Messengers of Peace, visit the BSA’s Messengers of Peace website at www.scouting.org/messengersofpeace.
Scout Day at Sonoma Raceway
It’s that time of year again when Scouts from all over California come together to cheer on their favorite Indy Car driver. This year we are again offering free tickets to all uniformed Scouts and Scout leaders.
Like last year we are giving the Scouts an opportunity to raise funds for their pack or troop. We will be selling $20 discount tickets (reg. $55) to all family members and friends that would like to attend the race. For every $20 fundraising tickets sold Sonoma Raceway will give half ($10) back to the troop or pack that sold it. The money will be tallied after the race is over and we will send checks out to all troops and packs who participated in the fundraiser. If you would like to purchase fundraising ticket go to: www.racesonoma.com/scouts. Find and click on your council and then your pack.
This year the GoPro Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma will be Sunday August 26, 2012.
Feel free to call me with any questions.
Mike Dunevent
Account Rep. Infineon Raceway
Hwy 37 & 121 Sonoma, CA 95476
(800) 870-RACE (7223) x 178
(707) 933-3978 direct
[email protected]
www.racesonoma.com/mikedunevent
