March 23rd: Down and Dirty NOVA Award
MDSC is hosting an event for your Wolf to Webelos scouts to complete some requirements towards their NOVA Down and Dirty award. Further information and registration here. Note this is an individual event. We are not participating in this event as Pack, as a whole. This event is not available to Lion and Tiger scouts.
Date: Saturday, March 23, 2019
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Camp Herms, 1100 James Place, El Cerrito, CA
Cost: $20 (payable to the Council)
Uniform: Class B or clothes than can get dirty.
Bring a Sack Lunch
Snacks Provided
NOTE THERE ARE PRE-REQUISITES THAT SCOUTS NEED TO COMPLETE PRIOR TO THE UPCOMING DOWN & DIRTY NOVA AWARD EVENT ON SATURDAY, MARCH 23RD, 2019.
- For Wolf Scouts, they must complete either the Collections and Hobbies, Digging in the Past, or Grow Something Adventure.
- For Bear Scouts, they must complete the Super Science Adventure.
- For Webelos, they must complete either the Adventures in Science or Earth Rocks! Adventure.
- All the Scouts should explore a career associated with Earth Science, such as Geology, Meteorology, Volcanology, Hydrologist, Mining, Environmental Science, Paleontology, Geophysics, Seismology, and so on, then learn what it takes to pursue that career.
What is provided at the upcoming event?
There will be Nova Counselors to guide the Scouts in completing the Down & Dirty Nova Award. All the supplies necessary to complete requirements #1, 3-5 of the Nova Award will be provided. At the end of the session, a Scout completing all the requirements will receive their Nova Award patch or pin. We will also provide snacks during the day, but each Scout should bring their own lunch. Since the Scouts may get dirty, they may wear their Pack’s Class B T-shirt.
What will you be doing?
1. Watch a video on volcanoes
2. Investigate how volcanoes shape the earth
3. Discuss careers in Earth Science
4. Discuss how Earth Science affects everyday Life.
5. Having fun exploring Earth Science
What is the cost of the event?
The event costs $20 and covers the Nova Award patch or pin, all the materials for the experiments, and snacks.
How do Scouts register for the event?
Registration will be online through the Council website. Further information and registration here.
For questions, please contact Tracy Peters at [email protected] or Michael McDowell at [email protected].
Hiking Patch Program
Unplug! Experience nature and enjoy the Bay Area’s trails.
Pack 1776 will once again be participating in two hiking programs put on by our council, Mt. Diablo Silverado Council (“MDSC”), and the San Francisco Bay Area Council (“SFBAC”). Participation in these hikes go towards hiking patches and requirements for the National Summer Time and Outdoor Activity awards.
MDSC’s program is called the Highlander and includes hikes across Contra Costa County such as Las Trampas (San Ramon), Black Diamond Mines (Antioch), Mt. Diablo (Danville) and Briones (Lafayette).
SFBAC’s hiking program is called Trail Trekkers and encompasses hikes such as Little Yosemite (Sunol), The Hoot Owl, Black Diamond Mines (Antioch), Huckleberry Botanical Preserve (Oakland), Morgan Territory (Livermore), Redwood Creek (Oakland) and so on.
Both programs offer a center patch and smaller ones called “rockers” which surround the center patch and identify which hike a scout has completed. We will be doing a modified version of the programs, mixing in hikes from both patches as we go and awarding the center patch after the completion of three hikes. The center patch will be awarded in a ceremony at the pack meeting following the third eligible hike. Further, while the Pack isn’t working on this program as a group, some of these hikes will be on East Bay Regional Parks land which will qualify you towards their East Bay Regional Parks Trail Challenge.
There is also a standalone hiking patch called the Cub Scout Presidio Historical Trail which is for a 3.5-mile trail in San Francisco’s Golden Gate National Recreation Area. We will be doing a modified version of the hike which starts at the Presidio Visitor Center, down to Fort Point, up to the Golden Gate Bridge and throughout the Presidio.
Information about these hikes and the patches can be found in the Hiking Patch section on the Pack Website.
Upcoming Hikes (dates and locations subject to change):
February 10th – Little Yosemite (Trail Trekker Patch Hike)
March 9th - Hoot Owl Hike @ California Nursery Historical Park (Fremont/Niles) (Trail Trekker Patch Hike)
April 7th (NOTE DATE CHANGE) - Huckleberry Botanic Preserve. (Trail Trekker Patch Hike)
May 4th – Bike Hike down the Iron Horse Trail to Hap Magee Park
June 1st - (NOTE DATE CHANGE) Black Diamond Regional Park (Trail Trekker & Highlander Patch Hikes)
July 21st – Cub Scout Presidio Historical Trail in SF. (Cub Scout Presidio Historical Trail patch)
March Hike: Hoot Owl Hike
Date: Saturday, March 9, 2019
Time: 5:45 pm
Location: California Nursery Historic Park, 36501 Niles Blvd., Fremont, CA 94536
Note: This hike is limited to the first 25 scouts and a parent (50 people maximum for this event). Scout only, no siblings. One parent per family. Registration is now closed.
Cost: Free for scouts. $8 per parent. Pay by February 28th to hold your spots. Pay online (fee) or deposit your check in the Scout Box at the Coyote Creek Elementary School by February 28th.
Distance: 1 to 1.5 miles round trip
Time: Allow about 1.5 -2 hours for program and hike.
Suggested Age: Tigers, Wolves, Bears and Webelos.
Attire: Class B uniform
Award: This is a Trail Trekker Patch Hike. Participating scouts will receive a Hoot Owl patch.
Meeting Location: California Nursery Office
Contact: Hiking Chair Deva Sundararajan
Must read: Hike Detail
Come join us for the 2019 Hoot Owl Hike at the California Nursery Historic Park.
The California Nursery Historic Park has many old trees that are ideal for Owls and other Raptors to roost, nest and hunt from in search of food. Bring your flashlight and walk through the grounds at dusk, this is a good time to spot an owl in the trees or hunting for prey. Meet at the California Nursery Office for an introduction to owls and then walk at the sun goes down you will look and listen for the raptors that hunt at night. Discover owl pellets and the bones of what the owls ate at the Vallejo Adobe. Other night birds will also be seen in this forest in a park. Small flashlights are acceptable.
This hike is limited to the first 25 scouts and a parent who has submitted his or her payment by February 28th. Free for scouts. (50 people maximum for this event). SIGN UP HERE TO ATTEND.
Scouts completing this hike will earn the Hoot Owl Trail Trekker rocker patch.
April 7th Hike: Huckleberry Botanical Preserve
DATE CHANGE: Sunday, April 14, 2019. April 7, 2019
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: Huckleberry Botanic Preserve, 7087 Skyline Blvd., Oakland, CA 94611
Cost: Free for all.
Distance: 1.7 miles round trip
Time: Allow about 2 hours
Suggested Age: All ages. RSVP HERE
Attire: Class B uniform
Award: This is a Trail Trekker Patch Hike. Participating scouts will receive a Huckleberry Preserve Patch. This hike also qualifies for the EBPRD Trails Challenge.
Contact: Hiking Chair Deva Sundararajan
Directions: From Highway 24 in Oakland, take the Fish Ranch Road exit immediately east of the Caldecott Tunnel. Continue 0.8 miles to Grizzly Peak Blvd. Turn left and go 2.4 miles on Grizzly Peak to Skyline Boulevard. Turn left and drive approximately one half mile to the park entrance on the left, past Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve. Access: Google Directions.
The object of this hike is to educate our Scouts about the different plants and trees that are found within the preserve, this is why the estimated time is 2 hours for a 1.7 mile hike. The guide book will help in our discussions with the Scouts of the various plants and trees found in the Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve. An unabbreviated version is found in the East Bay Trail Map for are provided here in for the scouts to use for identification.
Postponed: Bike Hike!
The May 4th Bike Hike is canceled. Look for a new date in Summer!
Date/Time: Saturday, May 4, 2019, 4:00 pm
Location:Sycamore Park and Ride to Hap Magee Ranch Park and back.
Distance: 2.8 miles one way - approx. 6 miles total
Time: Allow 60-70 mins
Attire: Class B uniform
Meeting Point:Sycamore Park and Ride Lot
Contact: Hiking Chair Deva Sundararajan
RSVP: here so we can get a headcount
Trail:Take the Iron Horse Trail going north starting at Sycamore Valley road. Head on to Camille Ave and bear right. Cross Danville Blvd to head to Hap Magee Ranch Park. Kids can take a break at the park and have some snacks and water and get ready for the journey back. See map below.
What to Bring:
Bikes! Helmets!
Water and Snacks
Basic first Aid kit (optional)
Parents: We want as many of you bikers as possible! Siblings on bikes welcome. We will have different groups of skilled riders, so you everyone can ride at the pace most comfortable for them. We will go over bike safety rules and do a quick helmet inspection before we start. Absolutely no racing or horseplay permitted.
Enter Boys’ Life 2019 “Say Yes to Reading!” Contest
Write a one-page report titled “The Best Book I Read This Year” and enter it in the Boys’ Life 2019 “Say Yes to Reading!” contest.
The book can be fiction or nonfiction. But the report has to be in your own words — 500 words tops.
Enter in one of these three age categories:
8 years old and younger
9 and 10 years old
11 years old and older
First-place winners in each age category will receive a $100 gift card from Amazon.com. Second-place winners will receive a $75 gift card; third-place winners, a $50 gift card.
Everyone who enters will get a free patch like the one on this page. The patch is a temporary insignia, so it can be worn on the right pocket of the Scout uniform shirt. Proudly display it there or on another item such as a vest, plaque or trophy! In coming years, you’ll have the opportunity to earn other patches.
The contest is open to all Boys’ Life readers. Be sure to include your name, address, age and grade in school on the entry.
Send your report, along with a business-size, self-addressed, stamped envelope, to:
Boys’ Life Reading Contest
S306 P.O. Box 152079
Irving, TX 75015-2079
Entries must be postmarked by Dec. 31, 2019 and must include entry information and a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Information can be found on the Boys' Life website.
Spring Camp Out: Coyote Hills – April 27-28, 2019
Come join us for outdoor camping fun at Coyote Creek Regional Park. Comprised of 1,266 acres of marshland and rolling grassland covered hills, this park is located along the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay, northwest of the cities of Fremont and Newark.
A pack hike and fun activities are scheduled! We will go to the Visitor Center to view educational displays and exhibits that portray the Ohlone way of life. This includes a tule reed boat constructed by park staff and volunteers using Native American methods. Other exhibits cover the park's natural history and wildlife.
Group camping will be at the Dairy Glen Group Site. This 50-person group camp, named after the dairy farmers of the 1800s, includes three shade structures, additional picnic tables, a drinking fountain, fire pit, hand washing station, and vault toilets.
Further information and a sign up form will be circulated closer to the date!
For further information contact the Camping Chair, Sameer Shah.
Pinewood Derby Weekend!
Car Inspection & Impound:
Saturday, 1/19: 10 am – 1 pm at Pack Shed
Race Day:
Sunday, 1/20: 12 pm – 3 pm in Coyote Creek Elementary School MPR
Pack 1776’s Annual Pinewood Derby will be held on January 20th from noon to 3 PM in the MPR! There will be racing, design competitions, pizza and craft stations!
Please be conservation minded and bring your own reusable bottle. Fresh filtered water will be available from the refillable station in the MPR.
The mandatory inspection and car impounding is on January 19th from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at the Pack Shed near the Coyote Creek Kindergarten area.
For further information check the Pack Website at: Pinewood Derby
Rescheduled: February Hike to Little Yosemite
Saturday, 3/2 @ 11 am
- DATE:
Sunday, Feb 10, 2019 - New Date: MARCH 2nd
Time: 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM
Location: Little Yosemite, Sunol Regional Wilderness, Sunol
Meeting Point: Visitor center/Parking lot, 1895 Geary Rd, Sunol, CA 94586; Corner of parking lot right by the trailhead.
Attire: Class B
Awards: Trail Trekkers Cub Scout Patch/Progressive Hike Award.
Fees: Park Entrance Fees - $5.00
Total Distance: 2.5mi - 3.0mi
Trail Surfaces: Fire roads and dirt trails
Must read: Hike info
Directions from Coyote Creek Elementary School:https://goo.gl/maps/TpB9xbKZCSJ2
Contact: Hiking Chair – Deva Sundararajan
RSVP: http://evite.me/3jCGFaq8Mg
Pack 1776 will take advantage of the milder weather to hike Little Yosemite in Sunol Regional Wilderness. The scenic trail runs parallel to a creek and offers some of the most impressive views in bay area. Frequent rain in winter may provide opportunity to view beautiful waterfall in Sunol.
Direction from I-680S (Bollinger Canyon Exit) :
Follow I-680 S to CA-84 E in Sunol. Take exit 21A from I-680 S. 12 min (13.0 mi). Take Calaveras Rd and Geary Rd to Ohlone Rd, 19 min (7.8 mi). Merge onto CA-84 E, (0.1 mi). Turn left onto Calaveras Rd (signs for I-680 S) (4.3 mi). Turn left onto Geary Rd (2.3 mi), Geary Rd turns slightly right and becomes Ohlone Rd. Destination will be on the left.
February Pack Meeting
Date: February 6, 2019
Time: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Location: Coyote Creek Elementary School MPR
Come join us for a our February Pack Meeting where we will be handing out the NOVA awards to those scouts who completed the requirements for NOVA 123 Go!
Following the awards presentation, everyone will be building a STEM Helicopter!
