Blue and Gold 2018
Date: Friday, February 23, 2018
Time: 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Location: Coyote Creek MPR
Cost: None
RSVP: Evite
Dear Pack 1776 Scouts and Families,
Come celebrate the 108th birthday of scouting at the Blue and Gold Banquet where we will have a ceremony for Webelos IIs who will receive their Arrow of Light awards and bridge to their journey into Boy Scouts. A catered dinner and fun entertainment by Dan Chan Presents! is provided at no cost to Pack 1776 members and their immediate family.
Please RSVP by February 16 with the number of people attending and any vegetarian preference.
Schedule:
6:00 pm Welcome! Door Opens
6:15 pm Opening Flag Ceremony by Webelos II
6:20 pm Greeting & Commence Dinner
6:40 pm Arrow of Light and Bridging Ceremonies
7:20 pm Closing Flag Ceremony by Webelos I
7:30 pm Entertainment by Dan Chan Presents!
8:15 pm Clean Up
See you at the party!
Pack 1776 Blue and Gold Committee
Pinewood Derby 2018
Date/Time: Sunday, January 21, 2017 Noon to 3 PM
Location: Coyote Creek MPR
Attire: Class A uniform
Bring: Reusable water bottle and Readiness to cheer on your fellow scouts
Our Annual Pinewood Derby will be held on January 21 from noon to 3 PM in the MPR! There will be racing, design competitions, and pizzas. Please be conservation minded and bring your own reusable bottle. Fresh filtered water will be available from the refillable station in the MPR. We will once again have an open class for adults and siblings. Additional kits may be purchased for $5. Contact Jessica Almeida ([email protected]) to purchase more kits. Wear your Class A uniform!
The mandatory inspection and car impounding is on January 20 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Pack Shed near the Coyote Creek Kindergarten area.
Even though Pinewood Derby car is a team project for scouts and their adults, we encourage scouts to do as much of the car building as possible. For those new to scouting or just need a refresher course, here are some helpful websites.
If you need help cutting the wood block, you could take it to Ace Hardware. The store staff may charge each car $5. You can also use their equipment to sand, align the wheels, and fine-tune various details. Each car must pass inspection on January 20 by the official inspection committee before it will be allowed to compete. Once a car passes inspection and is entered into the race, only the race committee members can touch it. If the car loses a wheel, or is otherwise damaged, the racer has 5 minutes to make repairs.
Rules will be emailed to you in a separate email OR can be found here.
On the day of the event, cars will race in multiple heats. They will have the opportunity to race on each of the 4 tracks. Only their best time will be used. All participants will receive a patch for participating. Trophies will be awarded to the fastest three cars in each rank, and the overall fastest three cars in the Pack. We will also give ribbons to 1) Best Paint Job, 2) Most Unique, 3) Most Patriotic, 4) Most Interesting Design, 5) Most Original, 6) Most Creative
AGENDA:
Lion Heats (x4 for each Lion)
Tiger Heats (x4 for each Tiger)
Wolf Heats (x4 for each Wolf)
Bear Heats (x4 for each Bear)
Webelos I Heats (x4 for each Webelos I)
Webelos II Heats (x4 for each Webelos II)
Siblings Heats (x4 for each Sibling)
Best Overall Heats (x4 for each First place Den Winner)
According to the BSA's Cub Scout Leader How-To-Book, the GENERAL RULES are as follows:
All cars must pass the following inspection to qualify for the race:
- Width shall not exceed 2-3/4 inches.
- Length shall not exceed 7 inches.
- Weight shall not exceed 5 ounces.
- Axles, wheels, and body shall be from the materials provided in the kit. Additional wheels can be purchased separately.
- Wheel bearings, washers, and bushings are prohibited.
- No lubricating oil may be used. Axles may be lubricated with powdered graphite or silicone.
- The car shall not ride on any kind of spring.
- The car must be free-wheeling with no starting devices.
- No loose materials of any kind are allowed in the car.
Here are the Rules in more detail: Pack 1776 Pinewood Derby Official Rules
Jimmy Almeida
Cubmaster
2018 LEADS Training
Date: January 27, 2018, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PMLocation: Diablo Valley College321 Golf Club Rd, Pleasant Hill
To RegisterBe the Best Scout Leader You can Be!
Join your Fellow Scouters on January 27, 2018 for a complete day of learning, fun and experience.
L.E.A.D. is Mount Diablo Silverado Council’s ultimate training event for Scout Leaders, Parents, Venturers and Senior Scouts.
- What is STEM and how does it work for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturers?
- Where can I go Camping, Hiking or Backpacking in Northern California?
- Where can I get in person training for my position as a Cub Scout, Boy Scout or Venture Leader?
- How can I run fun and exciting Pack Meetings?
- I want to be a Den Chief?
L.E.A.D. has you covered. L.E.A.D. offers 136 classes across five colleges: Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturing, Outdoors and Continuing Education. For 2018 there are 22 New Courses. The day is broken up into 6 sessions Some classes are 1 session, others, such as CPR certification, are 3 sessions, while even others, like Venturing Leader Training, last all day.
Use the link below to view College Schedules and then select your classes and register.
..and don’t forget to bring your friends.
Hike At Briones Regional Park
Dec Hike at Briones Regional Park
Meeting point: SF Bay Girl Scout Council, 4210 Springhill Rd, Lafayette, CA 94549
Date: 12/16/17 at 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Contact Sid at 408-431-8037.
Please note that the park has an official entrance at Bear Creek staging area, and we WILL NOT meet there. This area is closer to San Ramon, and we have access to trails. Park on Springhill Road. Since there is limited parking, we highly encourage carpooling.
See the attached map with the meeting point and the trail route highlighted.
Hike information:
Hike up to the Lafayette Ridge Trail, 1.2 miles with an elevation and gain of 679 feet. Return via Lafayette Ridge Trail and Springhill Trail. Total hike will be about 3 miles. We should be done in 2 hours.
Pack light snacks and water. Dress in class B uniform and for the weather.
All attending scouts will earn a hike patch which will be handed out at the hike. No more waiting to receive your patch. YEAH!!
Sign up here.
Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park Hike
11/18/17 10 am to 12 pm hike at Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park, Foothill Road, Pleasanton, CA. Meet in the parking lot in Foothill staging area.
Contact: Sid at 408-431-8037
To Reach The Park:
From I-680 in Pleasanton, exit at Castlewood Drive and go west. Turn left (south) onto Foothill Road, towards the town of Sunol. The Foothill staging area is about two miles from Castlewood Drive, on the right.
Hike Info : Trail length is about 3 miles with an elevation gain of about 600 feet. The hike should be about 2 hours to complete. Bring water and snacks. Dress for the weather. Wear Class B uniform and light jacket on top if necessary. Wear closed toed shoes.
Trail Map:
http://www.ebparks.org/Assets/_Nav_Categories/Parks/Maps/Pleasanton+Ridge+map.pdf
Scouting for food 2017
Dear Pack,
This year's Scouting for Food is scheduled for the weekend of Nov 4 (Distribution of door hangers) and Nov 11 (Collection of food).
For those new to scouting: this is a wonderful opportunity for our scouts to participate in a community service project. The food that we collect goes to the Contra Costa Food Bank from where it is distributed to those in need. Den leaders are responsible for ensuring their den's participation in this event.
Click on this symbol 
to see the area assignment for each den. You can also click on the white rectangle symbol on the far right to view the map in full size:
General Reminders:
- Wear Class A Scout uniform
- Drivers should have all scouts in view at all times
- Scouts are NOT to enter a donor's residence
- Bring a friend - a great way to introduce what Scouting is about
Hanger Distribution - Nov 4
- There is an error on hanger, please make sure to mark out the November 4th date in two places, see image here
- You may distribute door hangers on a different day than Nov 4
- Door hangers should be placed on the door or partially under the door mat (ensure it's visible and won't blow away)
- Do not put hangers in mailboxes
Food Pickup - Nov 11
- Food must be picked up from the same area you distributed door hangers
- Food pickup is to begin no earlier than 9:00 am
- Food must be dropped off in front of Coyote Creek MPR between 10:30 am and noon
- If you may be late and wish to know if one of the coordinators will still be at Coyote Creek, please call one of these numbers: Anil 408.834.5144 | Abirami 925.487.9769 | Jung 404.512.2703
- If you will be much later than noon, you can bring your collection to the Meridian District's food collection site at the Danville LDS at 655 Old Orchard Road. They will be open till 2:30pm. After 2:30pm, you will have to take your collection to the Contra Costa Food Bank located at 4010 Nelson Avenue in Concord (925.676.7534) during their regular hours. Please let them know your collection is from the Meridian District's Scouting for food project.
Ideas to help us collect more food on the 11th!
- Knock on every door that received a door hanger and did not leave a donation. Maybe they forgot to put out their food or would give if asked.
- Tell your family and friends if they didn't get a door hanger they can still help by dropping off their food at the MPR on Nov 11th between 10am - noon
All participating scouts receive a patch.
Thanks!
California Wild Fire Recycling Drive
Date: Saturday October 21, 2017
Time: 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Location: Coyote Creek Elementary School Fall Festival
Hello Pack 1776,
The devastation that has presented itself to the many residents and businesses throughout the Northern Bay Area is overwhelming! Cub Scout Pack 1776 would like to reach out to them with your help.
Therefore, Pack 1776 will be holding a Recycling Drive on October 21st at the Fall Festival with 100% of the money raised from recycling going to help an animal shelter or school that has suffered from the fires. We will be set up near the Cub Scouts shed (on the blacktop near the handball courts). We will be collecting recycled goods from our community (though if you've read through https://lovegasm.co/blogs/news/can-you-recycle-your-sex-toys and are wondering if they can be processed it may be worth bringing them elsewhere) and taking them to be recycled and/or just asking for a small cash donation. Please also bring your own recyclable soda cans, plastic bottles and glass bottles to help out.
In addition, we will be setting up a special bin just for the plastic bottles in the lunchroom (MPR). Please talk with your child and let them know about these collection bins. Also, the teachers will be asked to recycle within their class rooms and the Teachers Lounge so we can collect a few times during the week in an effort to grow our proceeds. We will need a few volunteers to collect these 2 times this week.
Finally, I need a few people to try and reach out to our Neighborhood Communities via Nextdoor to help spread the word.
Please find a sign up page for various roles here...
Together...let's make difference for these people.
Yours in Scouting,
Jimmy Almeida
Cubmaster
BALOO Training
Date: Saturday November 11, 2017
Time: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Location: Camp Herms, 1100 James Place, El Cerrito, CA.
Dear Pack 1776,
Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) is a one-day training event presented by the council that introduces Cub Scout leaders and parents to the skills needed to plan and conduct pack outdoor activities, particularly overnight events and camping. In order for our Pack to attend an overnight event, there must be BALOO trained adults in attendance. As our Webelos II parents leave the Pack, we need more BALOO trained adults to fill this important role. If you enjoy going on overnight camping trips, please register. The pack will reimburse you the cost and your volunteer hours. The next BALOO Training is on November 11, 2017 at Camp Herms, 1100 James Pl, El Cerrito, CA 94530 from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Click here to register. The registration fees are reimbursable by the Pack upon completion of the training.
October Outdoor Pack Meeting and Optional Overnight Camping
Date: Saturday, October 28, 2017
Time: 3 pm to 8 pm
Location: Tilden Regional Park, 2501 Grizzly Peak Boulevard, Orinda, CA 94563. Meet at Wildcat View Group Camp (near Tilden Nature Area Environmental Education Center and Tilden Little Farm).
Come join us this Saturday for the Pack 1776 Outdoor Pack Meeting and optional fall camping at Tilden Regional Park, Wildcat View Group Camp (near Tilden Nature Area Environmental Education Center and Tilden Little Farm). The weather's going to be great and we have a fun, action packed agenda. Scouts should arrive in Class A uniform with Class B shirt underneath.
As a thank you for such a successful popcorn sale, our Pack is paying for all the food, materials and camping fees. Please help us plan for this event by clicking on the shared document (different from evite) and let us know 1) if you're coming or not, 2) if you're camping overnight and 3) what's your food preference.
Everyone should bring a refillable water bottle, flashlight, folding chair, and sun protection. Wear sturdy shoes for hiking. If you're unsure what kind of gear to get, check some outdoor gear reviews to see what you might need to bring. And don't forget to take some warm clothes as it may get cold after dark.
For those staying overnight, you must have your own tent and sleeping bag. Please refer to the Outdoor Essentials on what to pack. If there's something on the list you don't have, it is still essential to have it so you may have to go on a shopping trip to buy all of the necessary items. However, you can visit Raise to find some coupons for outdoor gear and adventure wear. If you're not a fan of the food on offer, you can always bring your own, but of course avoid perishables that may go off during your stay. Bringing easy, ready to eat meals is sufficient enough, and if you want to have a proper camping experience, bring an easy to prepare mre.
During the evening campfire, we'll watch skits, play games, roast marshmallows and tell stories. We encourage all scouts to buddy up and perform a skit. Search online under "cub scout skits" for ideas.
In order to have a fun and successful camping trip, we need everyone's help. If you see an opportunity, jump-in! Also, if you see scouts doing something dangerous, wandering away from our group, hurting the environment, or being disrespectful to another, please stop them immediately. Don't wait for a uniformed leader (who are parent volunteers like you) to get involved.
Budget 60 minutes to get to the camp site. The address is 2501 Grizzly Peak Boulevard, Orinda. The best route is to take 24 West and exit at Fish Ranch Road. Turn right onto Fish Ranch Road and take the 1st right onto Grizzly Peak Blvd. Follow the signs.
DO NOT park by the Little Farm area if you plan to leave at 8:30 PM on Saturday. The gate locks at sunset and your car will be trapped. Instead, park at the Lone Oak Road parking area then walk up Loop Road to join us at Wildcat View Group Camp. Parking is very limited, PLEASE CARPOOL!!!
If you're camping, you can drive your car up to the camp site, offload your gear, and then return to the parking area. It's a narrow one lane road, so we need volunteers to help direct traffic.
Here's the link to the volunteers signup.
Here's our schedule:
Saturday:
- 3:00 to 4:00 - Arrive and set up camp
- 3:30 to 4:00 – Feed farm animals (Pack will provide lettuce and celery)
- 4:00 to 5:00 – Pack hike option 1. Easy 2 mile loop, great for younger scouts.
- 4:00 to 5:30 – Pack hike option 2. More challenging 3 mile hike to Wildcat Peak for a great view of the bay. Great for Webelos!
- 5:00 to 6:00 – Cook dinner, scavenger hunt, games
- 6:00 to 7:00 – Free dinner: hot dogs, veggie burgers, chips, and salad. Be sure to note your preference!
- 7:00 to 8:00 - Campfire, skits, games, and snacks
- 8:00 – Non-campers depart
Sunday:
- 7:00 - Start campfire, prepare breakfast
- 7:45 - Free breakfast: muffins, eggs and cheese burritos, hot chocolate, instant coffee
- 8:30 - Morning hike and activities
- 11:00 - Closing Ceremonies, break camp
- 12:00 – All must leave camp
Halloween Party
Date and Time: Friday, October 27, 2017 from 6 pm to 8 pm (Setup begins at 5:00 pm.)
Location: Coyote Creek Elementary School, MPR, 8700 North Gale Ridge Road, San Ramon, CA.
Cost: Free admission. Nominal fee for concessions.
Attire: Costumes!!
Signup: Just show up and have fun!
Beware of ghosts and goblins! Come for an evening of games, fun, and mayhem!Participate in our Cub Scout Carnival! Jump in the large jumpy house and play carnival games to win prizes. Come dressed up in your Halloween best and get your picture taken at the photo booth. You may even win one of our costume medals at the parade; you do not need to be a scout to win. A small slice of pizza and a bottle of water, or two bottles of water, will be available for $1.00 in the food booth.
No sign up is needed. The entire scouting family is welcome!
See you there!
~ Pack 1776 Halloween Committee
