New Cub Scout Program Video
If you missed the webcast on January 17th, the recording is available below. Check out some interesting Cub Scout history and preview the new program launching in June 2015:
Changes Coming to the Cub Scouting Program – January 17 Webcasts
A new Cub Scouting program that will be more fun and exciting for boys and easier to implement for unit leaders, will be launching June 1, 2015.
To ensure you are ready to make the transition, a number of webcasts will be hosted on January 17 to outline the coming changes, how to prepare, and when resources will be available.
Cubmaster Webcasts
Saturday, January 17, at 8 a.m. (Central), or
Saturday, January 17, at 3 p.m. (Central)
Den Leader Webcasts
Saturday, January 17, at 9:30 a.m. (Central), or
Saturday, January 17, at 4:30 p.m. (Central)
Although the content will be geared to the roles listed, anyone with an interest in learning about the new Cub Scouting program is welcome to attend. The sessions will be recorded for later viewing.
It’s easy to attend! Just navigate your Internet browser to www.livestream.com/bsanationalcouncil and you are ready to view the webcast!
As always, for more information on the new Cub Scouting program, please go to www.scouting.org/programupdates.
January Hike – Las Trampas Regional Wilderness
Date: Saturday, January 10, 2015
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Las Trampas Regional Wilderness
Meeting Point: Parking lot at the end of Bollinger Canyon Road
Attire: Class B
Awards: Highlander patch and/or the Las Trampas Rocker patch
Fees: None
RSVP: Evite
Contact: Hiking Chair - Siddharth Bhatia
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 till it ends at the park. 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. A very nice nearly flat 1.2 Mile trail. Should take less than 1 hr to complete. Easy hike for our younger scouts a nice hike to start off the new year in scouting. Since this is a short hike we can start later when it is slightly warmer.
What to bring:
- Binoculars, camera
- layers of clothing – this hike can be cold and windy
- Plenty of water and snacks
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.
Cancellation Policy
Cancelled if rain is forecast for the day of the hike. Look for an email from Sid on Friday evening before the hike.
Marksmanship Day
Date: Saturday, January 10, 2015
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.
Attire: Class A uniform
Awards: Participation patch, Archery or BB Shooting belt loop and pin
Bring: Warm clothes
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 January 10th. Registration can be made online at the Council website. Be 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.
Pinewood Derby Kits and Presentation
For those of you who missed the December Pack meeting, we passed out Pinewood Derby Kits to all the scouts at the meeting. If you would like a kit for your Scout (free) or Sibling ($5/kit), please contact Surat before January 12, 2015.
Here is the presentation shown at the meeting:
There are many resources available online. Boy's Life magazine is one of them: http://boyslife.org/section/hobbies-projects/pinewood-derby/
Have Fun !
Meridian Matters – December 2014
Meridian Matters is a monthly newsletter published by the Meridian District of Mount Diablo Silverado Council. The December issue is now available.
Click on the above link to learn about various district news and upcoming events !
December Hike – Sycamore Grove
Date: Saturday, Dec 13, 2014
Time: 9 am
Location: Sycamore Grove Park (map), Livermore
Meeting Point: Wetmore Road Entrance Parking lot
Attire: Class A or B (dress in layers)
Awards: Trail Trekkers Cub Scout Patch/Progressive Hike Award
Parking Fee: $5 per vehicle
Hike Info: Hike info
RSVP: Evite
Contact: Hiking Chair Teresa Noble
What to bring:
- binoculars, camera
- layers of clothing – this hike can be cold and windy
- Plenty of water and snacks
Details
Every inch of this park is alive with life - in the air, in the grass, 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. Near the wet areas be sure to look for great blue herons. Don't forget to look up!
About The Park
The park is home to a variety of wildlife. Along the Arroyo Del Valle you might see frogs, pond turtles, dragonflies, ducks or even muskrats. In addition to this riparian area there are grassland and oak woodland habitats. Deer, ground squirrels, butterflies, lizards and birds such as red-tail hawks, white-tail kites, scrub jays, magpies and meadowlarks are just few of the animals you might spot in these areas.
Leader Education and Discovery (LEAD)
Date:Saturday, January 31st, 2015
Time: 8:30am – 4:00pm
Location: Diablo Valley College, 321 Golf Club Rd., Pleasant Hill (map) (campus map)
Cost: $45 per participant ($55 after December 14th) - includes lunch
Registration for LEAD (Leader Education and Discovery) on January 31, 2015 is now open.
LEAD is not just for adult leaders. For interested parents, there are topics such as:
- Magic and Chemistry for cubs
- Wood Carving
- Geocaching
- Campfire programs
- … and much more!
Visit the Council website to sign up, view course schedule and descriptions. Class sizes are limited so register early.
Scout Night: Warriors vs Sacramento Kings
Join the Golden State Warriors in celebrating Scout Night on Friday, January 23th at 7:30pm at the Oracle Arena as they take on the Sacramento Kings!
All scouts will receive a commemorative Warriors Scout Patch and will be invited to shoot a postgame free throw on the Warriors Court! Groups of 10+ are eligible for additional savings.
Click here for details.
Scout Days/Nights are not Pack 1776 events but rather community events open to Scout groups.
Scouting for Food 2014
Dear Pack,
This year's Scouting for Food is scheduled for the weekend of Nov 8 (hanger distribution) and Nov 15 (collection).
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.
Here's the area assignment for each den:
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 8
- You may distribute door hangers on a different day than Nov 8
- 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 15
- 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 am and noon
Ideas to help us collect more food on the 15th!
- 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 15th
All participating scouts receive a patch.
Thanks!
