Cub Scout Pack 1776
1Nov/20

Scouting For Food 2020

We need your help!  The need is great, especially due to COVID-19!  Pack 1776 will be accepting canned food and non-perishable items to be distributed to various food banks across the Bay Area.  Because of COVID-19, we will not be distributing door hangers nor collecting food items.  Instead, we are asking the community to donate food at a central location.  From November 3 to 13, food can be dropped off in the marked bin in front of the Coyote Creek Elementary School main office between 8:30am and 3:30pm.  

Food items we need:  Protein items like canned tuna, ham, sardines and SPAM, as well as peanut butter are greatly needed.  Do not donate glass objects and food that will perish soon. 

What you can do & how you can earn a patch

What you can do:  Please help spread the word to your neighbors! 

If you donate five food items you will receive this Scouting for Food patch. To earn the patch, send an email to [email protected] after you have dropped off your donation.

For any questions please email: [email protected].

10Oct/20

November Pack Meeting: Our Nation’s Veterans

  • DATE: November 11, 2020
  • TIME: 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
  • LOCATION: ZOOM Video Conference
  • UNIFORM:  Class A

In 1918, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day in the eleventh month, the world rejoiced and celebrated. After four years of bitter war, "the war to end all wars" was over.  World War I was over.

In remembrance of the end of World War I, November 11th is known as Veteran's Day.

On Veteran’s Day -

We remember those who served their country with honor.

We remember the soldiers killed and missing in action throughout our nation’s history.

We remember all the soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and coast guard personnel protecting us at home and currently fighting to keep our country free.

Following the Opening Ceremony presented by the Bears and Cubmaster's minute, Pack 1776 will visit with current and retired members of our Nation's Armed Forces.

Scouts will learn about the history of Veteran's Day and our Nation's flag. A flag presentation conducted by our guests and Den Chiefs will follow along with a Question & Answer session with our guests.

If time permits, we will construct an Anzac Poppy, a symbol worn to remember those who have fallen in support of our country.

27Sep/20

October 16-18: JOTA/JOTI 2020

The Jamboree On The Air/Jamboree On The Internet (JOTA/JOTI) is an annual event in which Scouts all over the world speak to each other by means of amateur radio contacts or the Internet. Scouting experiences are exchanged and ideas are shared. Modern communication technology offers Scouts the exciting opportunity to make friends in other countries without even leaving the state.

Find out more about the event here.

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26Sep/20

December 2nd & 9th: NOVA Out of this World

We're leaving Earth for two nights in December and going Out of This World! In this multi-part STEM program, Astro-Cubs will be learning about NASA, its Mars 2020 mission and Perseverance Rover, planets and constellations. We will be putting what we've learned to the test with two STEM craft projects: build your own Mars rover and pipecleaner constellations.

Out of This World is the Cub Scout Nova Award for space exploration science. This STEM program incorporates learning with cool activities and exposure to science, technology, engineering and mathematics for Cub Scouts. To earn this award, Cub Scouts explore topics such as planets, space, space exploration, or astronomy. They must also complete one of their adventures related to astronomy, health, or design or they must do a related investigation.

While this award can only be earned by Wolves, Bears or Webelos, Lions and Tigers are encouraged to participate in both nights.

December 2: NASA Guest Speaker, Andy Sokol
  • Date: December 2, 2020
  • Time: 6:00 p.m. (Note earlier time)
  • Zoom link to be emailed

Mr. Andy is a Vehicle Systems engineer with NASA's Launch Services Program. Among other topics, Mr. Andy’s presentation will include discussions on NASA, the Mars 2020 mission that recently launched (and will be landing on Mars in February 2021) and the Perseverance Rover.

December 9: Pack Meeting & Out of This World STEM Projects
  • Date: December 9, 2020
  • Time: 6:30 p.m.
  • Zoom link to be emailed

Following our Opening Ceremony and Cubmaster's Minute, we will conduct our second NOVA Out of this World presentation. Here, we will reach for the stars as we learn about five main constellations, recreating them in pipecleaner form. For the second STEM project of the night, scouts will build and run their own Mars rover.

Craft materials for both the build your own Mars rover and pipecleaner constellations will be delivered to Scouts' doorsteps by December 5th.

Contact the Cubmaster to add a sibling to the delivery list.

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26Sep/20

November Hike: Sibley Volcanic Trail

November's pack hike of the month will be the Sibley Volcanic Trail, located in the Oakland Hills. Since this area has a small parking lot and given the large turn out we had last month, we'd like to conduct this hike on a smaller level. So, get outdoors as a family or with your den to do this hike. Burn off some of the that Thanksgiving turkey on this cool hike! Send a photo of your scout at the Trailhead and we'll send he or she their patch (note this is not a TrailTrekker or Highlander patch hike) in the next pack delivery.

The Volcanic Trail was once a quarry haul road.  This contains most of the stops on a self-guided volcanic tour.  The hike is about 3.5 miles long. Did you know we have a volcano in our backyard at Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve? Originally called Round Top Park, Sibley shares with Temescal and Tilden the distinction of being one of the East Bay Regional Park District's original parks. The preserve was later named in honor of Robert Sibley, who helped found the District and served for 10 years on its board of directors.

What to Bring:

  • Facecovering
  • Plenty of water and snacks
  • Layers of clothing appropriate for the weather
  • Binoculars, camera (optional)

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26Sep/20

October Hike: Las Trampas Regional Wilderness

Directions: From Highway 680: Take the Crow Canyon Road exit. Drive west on Crow Canyon for about 1 mile, then turn right (north) onto Bollinger Canyon Road. Continue about 4.5 miles to the trailhead at the end of the road. Alternatively, drive west on Bollinger until it ends at the park. It is about 10 miles from school on Bollinger Canyon Road. Meet at the parking lot at the end of the road inside the park.

Trail: Bollinger Creek Loop trail. It is a very nice nearly flat 1.5 Mile trail. It should take less than 1 hour to complete. Is is an easy hike for our younger scouts.

What to Bring:

  • Facecovering
  • Plenty of water and snacks
  • Layers of clothing appropriate for the weather
  • Binoculars, camera (optional)

Overview:
Las Trampas (Spanish for the traps) has two distinct areas, each with its own personality. Rocky Ridge, on the west side of the valley, is known for views in all directions, unusual rocks and green rolling hills lightly forested with California bays, oaks and maples. The wildflower display on the hills just off the ridgeline is an east bay favorite. The Las Trampas Ridge, to the east, is quite different, featuring a plant community dominated by chamise with other chaparral plants such as manzanitas and coyote brush.

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4Sep/20

2020 Popcorn Fundraiser is on!

Why do we do this?

This is a key fundraiser for our pack and council, the Golden Gate Area Council (GGAC). 

73% of all popcorn funds will go to support scouting locally - proceeds are shared between GGAC, our local district – “Meridian District” and our Pack.  GGAC and Meridian District use these funds to support activities such as Webeloree, Summer Day Camp, insurance, training and much more and keep participation costs low. Our fundraising effort helps to make Scouting a great experience for our scouts.  Here is a sampling of the Pack 1776 activities supported by your fund-raising efforts and participation:

  • Halloween Party
  • Pinewood Derby Equipment, Awards and Facilities Rental
  • Pack Camp Outs, craft and skill station supplies, food
  • Blue & Gold Celebration entertainment and dessert
  • End of the Year Graduation

Benefits to Your Scout:

  • Teaches Scouts the value & process of setting and working toward goals
  • Gives Scouts a strong sense of accomplishment through recognition
  • Enhances communication, leadership skills and confidence in your Scout
  • Scouts can earn a participation patch and rewards
  • Scouts can earn their way to a Pack adventures.

Donations to the pack are preferred!

SusieCakes Donations

If friends and family are not interested in purchasing popcorn, perhaps they would be willing to make a donation to the pack. They can do so by submitting cash or check to you or donating directly using a credit card on our pack payment portal. Make sure you email us to let us know a donation is coming as we are unable to track donations.

What is our goal?

Our goal is for every scout to sell $200. 

Each Scout should strive to achieve $200 in sales

  • $100 from sales made to family & friends
  • $100 from sales made to neighbors and parents co-workers

Prizes and Rewards:

Zoom in on Angle Zoom. Nintendo - Switch 32GB Lite - Gray.
  • Each scout will earn a patch for making a sale or obtaining a donation.
  • Based on their total salesscouts will select the prize or prizes from Trails End they'd like and enter the codes on their order form before returning it on 10/20
  • The top earner (sales of popcorn + donations) wins the Grand Prize - a Nintendo Switch Lite! For the purposes of pack awards (not through Trailsend) families with more than one scout can combine their sales & donations

How to Sell:

This year everyone needs to download the Trails End App or make a sales page on Trailsend.com as:

  • All sales will be online
  • Tracking Inventory will be online
  • Credit Card sales willbe online.
  • Door to Door / Sales to families can be made through the APP.

You may download the App on your on. If doing so, select "Meridian" for the district and "Pack 1776" for the unit. The Pack will send one family member an invitation to set up an account with the Trails End App that is linked to Pack 1776.  You can also text APP to 62771 for a link to download the app.

Unfortunately, we can only send one invitation out per scout, so Mom and Dad, one of you will get the invitation and have to set up the account and give that log in information to the other parent. 

Selling Online

Online Direct

  • Scouts can ask family and friends far away to support them by purchasing popcorn through the Trails End site online. You will receive an email from the Pack via Trails End with the subject line “Welcome to the NEW Trails End. Sign-in & raise money now!”. Follow the steps with your scout to set up your scout’s account. The new Trails End site allows you and your scout to customize his or her ‘page’ and from there you can send invites to your family and friends. 
  • Scouts can record an Online Direct sale in the Trail’s End App while selling door-to-door or over the phone. This allows the scout to initiate the order and send a link to customers to enter credit card info to complete the transaction.

Marketing Your Scout

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24Aug/20

October 31st: Halloween Event

  • Date and Time: Saturday, October 31, 2020 from 1 pm to 3 pm (Setup begins at 12:00.)
  • Location: Outdoors @ Coyote Creek Elementary School Parking Lot and Blacktop. 8700 North Gale Ridge Road, San Ramon, CA
  • Cost: Free admission! The entire scouting family is welcome!
  • Attire: Costumes!! Facecoverings - in addition to any costume type masks must be worn.
  • Signup:  YOU MUST REGISTER IN ADVANCE on the SignUp Genius Link emailed to all members.
  • VOLUNTEERS NEEDED. Sign up here.

Beware of ghosts and goblins! Come for an afternoon of games, fun, and mayhem!  This is a socially distanced outdoor event where small groups of participants (14 persons or less) shall rotate through stations to ensure they are apart from one another.  Candy/trinkets will only be distributed at certain spots, in a method where they are placed on a table / ground for individual pick up or run through a “candy chute” to minimize contact.  Only pack provided candy will be distributed. Registered participants get a special Trunk or Treat 2020 patch and Halloween Candy tote preloaded with some candy! The key to this event is not to have groups intermingle or get bigger than their allotment. Registered participants will receive an email with their group number before the event. Participants need to stay in that group the entire time. While parents or a Lion or Tiger may accompany their scouts, we encourage them and all other adults to stand away from the groups and observe from a distance. We do not want the groups to get bigger by having parents enter an area when they are there.

  • Parents arrive at 1 pm and park in the Kids Country side parking lot or street.
  • Leave an empty parking space in between cars.
  • Parents & kids stay in their cars until it is time to start the event. 
  • Children must stay with their parents until we are ready to begin.
    • The Cubmaster will announce such with megaphone, calling for those in a particular group to assemble.
    • That group will be sent to their first station.
    • Successive groups will be sent to other stations in numerical order. 
    • No group will be sent to the same station at the same time.

Our event is called "Trunk or Treat," but that's in name only! Quite frankly, it's because the patch looks cool.

Parents can choose to decorate their car and park it in the Decorated Vehicle Section in the parking lot on the Kindergarten side of the school.  Tell us in advance if you are bringing a decorated vehicle as we are limiting it to 30 vehicles to ensure an empty parking space exists between cars. 

  • Participants will walk down the middle of the parking lot to observe the decorated cars. 
  • Parents shall not pass out items to passers-by.
  • Participants shall not go up to a decorated car.
  • In intervals, there will be a candy/trinket slide or pick up area set up by the pack where kids can obtain a treat.  Decorated cars are eligible to win one of many trophies, as judged by the scouts. 
  • Kids may cycle through the trunk or treat area twice if time permits.  Everyone will walk in a one-way direction, spread out at least 6’ apart.  Towards the last cycle, they will tell a staffer their choices for the trophies.
  • A photo backdrop will be nearby so you can take a photo!

A carnival area will be set up in various locations of the school, including the blacktop.  These stations will be well spread apart to ensure the groups remain apart.  The events are designed so that they do not involve running, eating, drinking or removal of a face-covering.  While some events will require the use of hand-held materials, these will be disinfected with soapy water before the next participant handles it.  Participants must stay with their group and move from station to station as a group, when instructed.  This will probably be every 10-15 minutes.  Each station will have a candy/treat pick up area or slide.

Facecoverings - in addition to any costume type masks - must be worn. The small groups and cycling them through various activities will allow us to regulate attendance at any one location. Socially distanced games are:

  • Spray Away - Children try to “spray away” golf balls from golf tee’s using a squirt gun.  4 stations of 6 tees/golf balls and spread them out so the kids aren’t near one another.  Squirt guns will be washed and refilled in soapy water between kids.
  • Photo Back Drop Station & Lollipop Tree / Pull: pull a lollipop out to see if the end is colored. If it is, you may select a prize.  Either way, you keep the lollipop!  A photo backdrop will be nearby by so you can take a photo!
  • Balloon Darts: Balloons inflated ahead of time with a pump will be affixed to pegboard.  3 stations.  Use darts to pop two balloons. Darts will be washed in soapy water between kids.
  • Giant Soap Bubbles: 7 soapy water basins.  Each participant handles their own wand.  Wands are washed with soapy water between participants.
  • The Grave Keeper: The Grave Keeper has to keep a watchful eye on the graves in this spooky Halloween game. Zombies are usually pretty active on Halloween night; the grave keeper better be on their toes! The grave keeper will have everyone collapse and fall to the ground. The grave keeper keeps an eye on the dead to see if any of them move. If the grave keeper sees someone move, they are out of the game. If the grave keeper has his back turned then the dead can move and try to stand all the way up without getting caught.
  • Monster Freeze Dance: Put on some Halloween tunes and have the kids boogie until the music stops when they have to freeze.  Children are eliminated for not freezing and the last monster standing is the winner.
  • Pumpkin Walk: musical chairs type activity - minus the chairs and running - where kids march on numbered pumpkins. When the music stops, a number is pulled out of a hat.  Children are eliminated for standing on a pumpkin that has that number called.

Face coverings are required for all attendees

Please bring your own face coverings and wear them at all times.  While we will have hand sanitizer, please also bring your own.

All face coverings (whether disposable or reusable) must:

  • Be made with at least two layers of breathable material
  • Fully cover the nose and mouth and secure under the chin
  • Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
  • Be secured with ties or ear loops and allow the person to remain hands-free
  • Shall not contain a valve which allows air to be exhaled from the mask.
  • Open-chin triangle bandanas are not acceptable face coverings.

The use of face coverings is not a substitute for physical distancing. 

Do NOT attend the event if you or a family member have experienced these symptoms in the 14 days leading up to the event:

  • In contact with someone known or suspected to have COVID or the below symptoms.
  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
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21Aug/20

September 20th: Bike Hike

Date/Time: Sunday, September 20th, 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Location: Start at PG&E Parking lot (North) (3400 Crow Canyon Rd; San Ramon, CA 94583) and cycle down to the intersection of San Ramon Valley Boulevard. Turn around and come back. Full route here.
Distance: 3 miles one way - approx. 6 miles total
Time: Allow 60-70 mins
Attire: Class B uniform
Contact: Hiking Chair Deva Sundararajan

RSVP: via Evite

Trail: This will be a socially distanced ride where families will ride as their own unit/bubble down the Iron Horse Trail between Crow Canyon, San Ramon and San Ramon Valley Boulevard, Danville and back for a total of about 6 miles.

  • Face coverings are required to be worn when within 6 feet of non-family members.
  • Riders must do their best to keep away from persons who are not in their famliy bubble.

Each registered rider (scouts and siblings) will receive a biking patch.

What to bring:

  • Bike - in good working condition.
  • Helmets
  • Mask/Facecovering
  • Waterbottle
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12Aug/20

Informational Open House: August 19th

COVID hasn't slowed down Pack 1776! You are invited to a Zoom meeting to learn about Cub Scouting and our pack. We have many things planned for this year as we celebrate the 20th year of Pack 1776.

  • Date: August 19, 2020
  • Time: 7:00 PM
  • Zoom. Register in advance for this meeting here.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

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