Cub Scout Pack 1776
7Dec/23

Pinewood Derby Cut

[ Signup for Cut ]

Sign up for a time slot below if you'd like Ace to cut your scout's Pinewood Derby block to your scout's design for a nominal fee. One car per spot. If you have multiple cars for siblings, sign up for multiple spots.

  1. Have them prepare their car design and trace it onto the block ahead of time. Read the Official Pack 1776 Pinewood Derby Rules fully beforehand.
  2. Head to Ace Danville during your selected time slot.
  3. Remember to pay before you leave the store.

ADDRESS
Ace Hardware, Danville
aka: Alamo Hardware
3438 Camino Tassajara, Danville, CA 94506

Please arrive at least 10 minutes before your scheduled time slot.

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1Dec/23

Dec 10: Flag Hill Hike

NOTE: Please keep an eye out for the weather and any announcements.

Date/Time: Sunday, December 10, 2023, at 9:30am - 12:30PM

Location: Flag Hill — Sunol Regional Wilderness https://www.ebparks.org/parks/sunol

RSVP ]

Meeting Point: Parking lot immediately to the left after the entrance kiosk — 1895 Geary Road, Sunol, CA 94586

Daily parking fee: $5

Distance / elevation / duration: 3.9-mile loop / 994 ft / 3 hrs (2 hrs 10 mins average per alltrails-com) Difficulty: Moderate / Recommended for Bears and Webelos

Hike info + trail map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/flag-hill-loop-trail?mobileMap=false&ref=sidebar-static-map

Awards: Trail Trekkers program https://ggacbsa.org/hiking-programs/https://ggacbsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Flag-Hill-Sunol-Regional-Wilderness.pdf

Attire: Class B t-shirt and comfortable pants, layers, hiking boots/shoes

Bring: Sunscreen, cap/wide brimmed hat, plenty of water and snacks, optional hiking poles, camera Hiking Chair: Mr. Murali / 408-250-0542

// IMPORTANT - Use extreme caution on the rocks at the Flag Hill summit - Watch for poison oak on narrow sections of trail - There will be cattle at Sunol -- give them plenty of distance

// The hike A moderately strenuous hike will take you to the top of Flag Hill, which is composed of layers of fossil-rich sandstone formed some 13 million years ago. You'll enjoy great views and good opportunities to watch birds and other wildlife.

// The trail Begin this hike by crossing Alameda Creek on the footbridge near park headquarters. Turn left (downstream). After a short distance, Flag Hill Trial will take off uphill, to the right. The trail zigzags up the face of the hill (make sure your hikers understand why it's important not to shortcut switchbacks). After about a mile of rather steep uphill hiking, you'll reach the top where you'll probably want to take a good snack or lunch break. While on top, watch for red-tailed hawks (the red upper surface of the tail is visible when the hawk turns), turkey vultures (which hold their wings in a slight "V" and teeter in flight), and maybe even a golden eagle or falcon. Continue your hike by going down the back side of Flag Hill, turning right when you reach High Valley Road. Return to the cars by way of Hayfield Road.

// Directions Drive south on I-680 and exit at Calaveras Road/Highway 84 just south of Pleasanton. Turn left onto Calaveras Road and proceed to Geary Road, which leads directly into the park.

// More details https://ggacbsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Flag-Hill-Sunol-Regional-Wilderness.pdf

For all in-person pack or den events and activities, please follow the SRVUSD COVID guidelines. If you are sick or are experiencing symptoms, please stay home and stay safe.

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13Nov/23

Nov 15: November Pack Meeting🎇

Date/Time: Wednesday, November 15, 6:30 to 8:00 pm
Location: Coyote Creek MPR
Attire: Class A uniform or your favorite cultural attire
Bring: Your scout spirit and a refillable water bottle!

Volunteer to help with our meeting activities - it helps to get you closer to earning the required 10-hour volunteer minimum!  

[ Sign-up ] to volunteer.

In our upcoming pack meeting, we're embracing the wonderful diversity of our world by celebrating various festivals from around the world.  Join us as we embark on a journey of learning, fun, and togetherness, discovering the rich traditions of Diwali, Winter Solstice, and Christmas.

🥙 This Pack Meeting includes a Potluck so please bring your favorite cultural dish.  Please reach out to the below leader to coordinate if you are planning to bring a dish for a specific country!  

See Cubmaster email for additional details.

India - Anadi

Taiwan/China - Wendy

England - Kevin

USA/others - Cubmaster

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6Nov/23

Nov 12: Sycamore Grove Hike

Pack 1776

NOTE: Please keep an eye out for the weather and any announcements.

Date/Time: Sunday, November 12, 2023, at 9am start time

Location: Sycamore Grove Regional Park / https://www.larpd.org/sycamore-grove-park

RSVP ]

Meeting Point: Wetmore Road entrance parking lot — 1051 Wetmore Rd, Livermore, CA 94550 / https://www.google.com/maps?q=37.645034,-121.782059&z=20

Daily parking fee: $5

Distance / elevation / duration: 4.9-mile loop / 85 ft (gentle, less than 5%) / 1 hour 28 mins average — per alltrails.com

Difficulty: Easy / Recommended for Tigers through Webelos, with close parental supervision for younger scouts and siblings

Hike info + trail map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/sycamore-creek-trail

Awards: Trail Trekkers program https://ggacbsa.org/hiking-programs// https://ggacbsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Sycamore-Grove-Sycamore-Grove-Regional-Park.pdf

Attire: Class B t-shirt and comfortable pants, layers, hiking boots/shoes Bring: Sunscreen, cap/wide brimmed hat, plenty of water and snacks, optional hiking poles, camera

Hiking Chair: Mr. Murali (408-250-0542)

Sycamore Grove Regional Park in Livermore, CA provides the ideal place to relax and enjoy nature. With 364 acres of parkland, Sycamore Grove is a great place to hike or bike along Arroyo Del Valle, or have a picnic. Sycamore Grove Park is an open space, preserved for nature study and passive recreation. The park is open year round.

Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

Hike: This is a mostly paved loop with a small elevation gain. There are benches with great views along the way. Every inch of this park is alive with life - in the air, in the grass, and even in puddles. Begin your search for signs of wildlife at the Wetmore Road entrance. Follow the paved path until you come to the first sign designating the Nature Area. Turn left onto the broad trail that crosses the usually dry Arroyo. Follow this nature trail through the sycamore grove until you reach the park boundary. While you are here, be sure to pause often and listen for the sounds of reptiles and rodents in the grass. If you are lucky and very patient you might even see an animal. 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. Near the wet areas be sure to look for great blue herons. Remember to look up. Cross the bridge and return to the park entrance via the paved path. Insects are very visible as they cross the road. Be sure to take your time and appreciate beetles, grasshoppers and ants up close. Remember: no collecting.

Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/RmRh5uL1edc344jW6Take I-680 S, then I-580 E, and exit 51 to CA-84. Continue on CA-84 for 3.3 miles. Turn left onto E Vineyard Ave (1 mile), left onto Vallecitos Rd (0.3 mi), right onto Wetmore Rd. Destination will be on the right.

For all in-person pack or den events and activities, please follow the SRVUSD COVID guidelines. If you are sick or are experiencing symptoms, please stay home and stay safe.

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5Sep/23

Sep 7: Parents meeting

Hello pack parents and interested parents

Hope you all had a fantastic long weekend with your families!

We invite you to join us for an evening where you'll get to meet your Den and pack leaders, meet other scout parents, and learn more about scouting and what we have planned for the year. We'll wrap up with Q&A by 6:45pm.

WHEN: Thursday, September 7, 2023 6:00 PM PT

WHERE: Coyote Creek Elementary School MPR, 8700 N. Gale Ridge Rd. San Ramon, CA 94582

RSVP ] 

This is also a great time to submit your registration paperwork and checks in person if you haven't yet. Please complete steps 1-6 if you're registering new scouts, or steps 2-6 if you're registering existing scouts: https://pack1776.com/join/registration/ If you have any questions beforehand, please email [email protected] We look forward to seeing you all in person!

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27Aug/23

Sep 9 – Sep 30: Popcorn Fundraiser

  Pack 1776

It is the time for our annual popcorn fundraiser again!  The funds we raise through popcorn helps cover registration fees, trips, and activities for the scouts.  It is also a great learning opportunity for them to gain experiences in public speaking, math, salesmanship, perseverance, and teamwork.  In addition to the valuable learnings, it also comes with tangible rewards.  We highly encourage every scout, regardless of age or experience, to participate in the fundraiser!

Popcorn team for 2023

We are here to provide logistical support to all participating scouts and parents to make it a success!

Storefront sales

Getting ready

  1. Download Trail’s End App.  (Text “APP” to 62771 to download, or download from Appstore/GooglePlay). One account per scout, so Mom or Dad will have to set up the account and share the login information with the other parent. Select “Golden Gate Area Council” for council, "Meridian" for the district and "Pack 1776" for the unit.
    1. Siblings can share one account and combine their proceeds and donations toward the pack rankings.
  2. After activation and sign-in, go to “Storefront Sales” and find shifts available for sign-up on the calendar (calendar icon).
  3. Signing up for 2 or more shifts is recommended.  This ensures the scout gets a chance to start a positive feedback loop in which he/she gets to apply what he/she learned from the previous storefront experience.  This also likely allows the scout enough opportunity to sell enough popcorn to qualify for Trail’s End’s Amazon gift card reward.

Selling popcorn

  1. !! IMPORTANT !! If you have the first shift of the day, please pick up inventory and supplies the night before your shift.
  2. Set up—set up table and tablecloth with banner secured in front of the table.  Set up display products with price labels affixed.  Set up Pack Donation Bin and Square Credit Card reader.
  3. Start of shift—please arrive 10 minutes before your shift begins.  Verify inventory and proceeds with previous shift scout/parent.  Make sure there’s $60 in small bills in cashbox for change. 
  4. Sales—Be friendly, smile and greet everyone.  Show gratitude even if someone does not show interest.  Always say “thank you”.
  5. Record each sale in Trail’s End App with the appropriate payment type and also write it down on the tracking form.  
  6. End of shift—count inventory and proceeds with the next shift scout/parent.  Put all proceeds and donations from the shift, along with the tracking form, in a new envelope, then label, seal, and hand it to the next shift scout/parent.
  7. End of day (last shift of the day)—return remaining inventory, all supplies, and all proceeds in envelopes.

Donation

            Some folks prefer to give a cash donation than buying popcorn.  We appreciate and welcome any amount.  If the customer is not sure about buying popcorn, go ahead and ask if he’s willing to donate a small amount.  This is the amount we get to keep 100%.  

Credit card donations are available on Trail’s End app as “Heroes and Helpers Donation”, however, the amount does not go to Pack 1776.

Pack volunteer credit

         Every shift gives you 1 hour toward the pack volunteer credit.  For shifts that require pick-up/drop-off of the inventory at Chris’ place, you get 1 more hour for the extra time needed.  If we change location mid-day, the scout/parent of the starting shift of the new location needs to tear-down and set up the table, and will get 1 more hour of credit.

Tips and things to remember

  1. All cub scouts wear Class A Uniform when selling popcorn.
  2.  Be courteous and respectful.
  3.  Cubs may ask “Would you like to support local cub scouts?” to approach customers.
  4.  Customers are delighted when cubs talk to them.  Cubs can tell them which popcorn is their favorite.
  5.  If customers are not sure if they are willing to buy popcorn, encourage them to donate any amount to the donation bin and thank them.
  6. Make sure customers know we take credit cards.  Some customers may not have enough cash with them.
  7. Please mark it down on your calendar when you sign up for a shift and make sure you do not miss it.
  8. If you need additional popcorn or have any questions, please call or text Chris/Ravi/Charlie.  We will have someone on standby during popcorn sales hours.
  9. Always smile and say thank you.
  10. Congratulate your cubs for their results!

For additional information about online selling and additional selling tips, please visit www.trails-end.com

Other ways to sell popcorn

Besides storefronts, there are other ways available to sell popcorn. 

  1.  Show and Deliver (wagon sales)—parents and scouts take products in wagons and sell door-to-door in the neighborhood.
  2. Take Order—parents and scouts go door-to-door and collect orders, return them to the popcorn team and deliver at a later date.
  3. Online Sales—share fundraising page (or scout code) via email or social media.  Supporters visit and transact on-line at www.trails-end.com.  Makes it easy to get support from friends and family who do not live close-by.  A good way to generate extra sales without additional time from parents and scouts.

Prizes

We offer multiple prizes as rewards to the participation, as well as outstanding contribution to the pack.

  • Every scout who sells at least $1 will get a Popcorn Patch, a Pack 1776 multi-color pen, and a Pack 1776 Carabiner Keychain.
  • Every scout who sells $500 or more (popcorn proceeds) will receive an Amazon gift card from Trail’s End reward program.
  • Top 3 scouts (sales + donation) will receive special prizes.

Top 3 (sales + donation) prizes: 

1st place:  ~$250 value Potensic Drone with Camera 4K EIS, portable and foldable for beginners 

2nd place: ~$100-150 value Nikon Aculon A211 10x42 Binoculars 

3rd place:  ~$75-100 value Outside Inside Pop-up Badminton Set for camping or outing

Popcorn raffle

This year, we are making $1,250 available for a raffle with drawings taking place at the 9/20 and 11/15 pack meetings.  The more shifts completed, the higher the chance to win a $50 gift card.

Raffle prizes

  • 25 x $50 gift cards (Amazon & Lego)
  • 10 to be drawn at the 9/20 Pack meeting 
  • 15 to be drawn at the 11/15 Pack meeting

Raffle rules:

  • Each completed shift earns one raffle ticket.  The more shifts completed, the higher the chance to win.
    • If you complete 2 shifts before 9/20, your chance of winning is greater than 23%.
    • If you complete 4 shifts before 9/20, your chance of winning is greater than 41%
  • Scouts can only win once per drawing.  If a scout wins again at the same drawing, the drawn ticket is set aside to be entered again for the next drawing.
  • All undrawn raffle tickets remain in the pool to be drawn again.  For example, raffle tickets not won at the 9/20 Pack meeting automatically enter the 11/15 drawing.
25May/23

June 25: Hike Martin Canyon Creek Trail

Date/Time: Sunday, June 25, 2023, at 10am
Location: Martin Canyon Creek Trail — 11574  Bay Laurel Street, Dublin, CA 94568
Meeting Point: Trailhead — on Bay Laurel St
Distance / elevation / duration: 2.9-mile out and back / 554 ft / 1 hour 24 mins average

Difficulty: Easy to moderate, with elevation
Recommended for: All, with close parental supervision for younger ones
Hike info: Hike info + Trail map
DirectionsGoogle maps
Awards: Pack hike patch

[ RSVP ]

Attire: Class B t-shirt and comfortable pants, layers, hiking boots/shoes
Bring: Sunscreen, cap/wide brimmed hat, plenty of water and snacks, optional hiking poles, camera

Hike Chair: Zhen Zhou (925-997-4889)

Directions

Take exit 31 toward San Ramon Valley Blvd from I-680 S. Turn left on San Ramon Valley Blvd, then continue on San Ramon Rd, and then right onto Silvergate Rd. https://goo.gl/maps/rjFy8jmtUNGZDDXA6

Plan to arrive early as parking may be limited in this residential area. Please be respectful of residents.

The hike

Enplore this 2.9-mile out-and-back trail near Dublin, California. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 24 min to complete. Majority is shaded. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and running, so you'll likely encounter other people and possibly wild animals (coyote has been spotted previously) while exploring. Watch out for poison oak.

The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

The trail

The Martin Canyon Creek Trail is one of Dublin's little known treasures. This improved trail follows Martin. Canyon Creek for 0.89 miles and offers amazing views of the Tri-Valley and the canyons leading to the west. Large oaks and bay trees line the creek and trail and provide tranquil areas for respite. The trailhead is located near the corner of Silvergate Dr and Bay Laurel St. Second part is narrow and steep — careful with young ones.

For all in-person pack or den events and activities, please follow the SRVUSD COVID guidelines. If you are sick or are experiencing symptoms, please stay home and stay safe.

Martin Canyon Creek Trail map
MartinCanyonCreekTrail
10Apr/23

May 21: Pack 1776 Bike Hike

Date: Sunday, May 21st, 2023

Time: 9:30am

Location: Iron Horse Trail between San Ramon Central Park (to the South) and Osage Station Park (to the North)

Distance / elevation / duration: 7.4-mile loop / mostly flat / ~2 hours total

Trail: We'll head south from the PG&E dome to Central Park, break, then north to Osage Station Park, break, and back.

Please [ RSPV ] here!

Meeting Point: PG&E lot at 3400 Crow Canyon Rd, San Ramon (north, where the dome is)

Hiking Chair: Zhen Zhou (925-997-4889)

Wear: Class B t-shirt and comfortable clothes, closed toe shoes

Bring: bike, helmet, outdoor essentials including plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen.

This month's pack hike is the pack's annual bike hike In honor National Bike Month!

Dust off those bikes and come on out. The entire family on bikes is welcome!

Safety first! We'll go over bike safety rules and check the bike and helmet before we start. No racing or horseplay permitted.

General safety rules:

1. Go with the flow

2. Stay to the right

3. Ride in a single file

4. Follow all traffic laws

5. Yield to other people sharing the trail when appropriate.

6. Call out "To your left" when approaching people from behind.

7. Stay predictable

8. Stay alert

Let's roll!

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3Mar/23

May 6 – Scout Outing Day at the Park

May 6, Saturday, 9:00am to 2:00pm

Location: Sycamore Valley Park, 2101 Holbrook Dr, Danville, CA 94526 (use the entrance on Sherburne Hills Road)

Attire: Class B

Please [ RSVP ] by May 3, next week Wednesday

Join us for a few hours of scouting fun this Saturday at Sycamore Valley Park!  RSVP by Wednesday, May 3, so we know how many are joining us for Cub Grub lunch, around 11am.

We need your help with the event, so please [ SignUp ] here if you are available.

The activities will be centered around teamwork.  🙂  “The nice thing about teamwork is that you always have others on your side.” - Margaret Carty  

We'll have Cub Grub for lunch, crafts to enjoy, scout skills, songs, and fun!  

The location is in the group picnic area by the baseball field #1, use the entrance on Sherburne Hills Road. 

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7Feb/23

June 12-16: Wild Wild West, Cub Scout Day Camp

DATE: Monday through Friday, June 12 – 16
LOCATION: Little Hills Ranch, 18013 Bollinger Canyon Rd, San Ramon
INFO & REGISTRATION:  [ link ]

Camp is open to all boys and girls (Cub Scouts) entering the 1st – 5th Grade in Fall 2023.  Don’t miss out on an amazing fun filled week where Cub Scouts will enjoy a ton of fun activities, some listed below, in the glorious sunshine.

  • Cub Scout Skills/Crafts
  • Archery
  • STEM Experiences
  • Wood projects
  • Pool
  • Field Games

For all in-person pack or den events and activities, please follow the SRVUSD COVID guidelines. If you are sick or are experiencing symptoms, please stay home and stay safe.

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