Thoughts and Prayers
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families affected in the shooting in Connecticut. We are heartbroken about this terrible tragedy and are very saddened to share that the Scouting family has been struck. Following is a message from our Chief Scout Executive on the tragedy and how you can help.
We are all struggling to come to grips with the tragic school shooting in Connecticut. I have the sad responsibility to report that this tragedy has also struck within the Scouting family.
We’ve been informed two of the young victims, 7-year-old Chase Kowalski and 6-year-old Benjamin Wheeler, were new Tiger Cub Scouts with Pack 170 in the Connecticut Yankee Council. In addition, three of the victims were siblings of other boys in Pack 170. Victoria Soto, one of the hero teachers, was an Explorer as a youth.
Please join me in remembering these victims and families in your prayers.
We have been in touch with council leadership. The National Council is offering any support possible during this difficult time.
Working with the leadership of Pack 170, the Connecticut Yankee Council has established a memorial fund in support of the five families. If interested, donations, cards, and letters can be sent to the Pack 170 Memorial Fund, c/o Connecticut Yankee Council, P.O. Box 32, Milford, CT 06460
God bless everyone as we take a step back and think about the safety and well-being of our own families and loved ones in the midst of this national time of mourning.
- Wayne Brock, Chief Scout Executive, The Boy Scouts of America
New Socks for the Homeless
Pack 1776,
We are collecting new socks to donate to the St. Anthony's "Socks in the City" drive. This wonderful program provides socks for the homeless. New socks not only provide warmth but they also help prevent blisters and infections that are common conditions in the homeless. There is a collection box in the Coyote Creek lobby through Dec. 12th. We are collecting new socks for both adults and children. If you would like more information please email me at [email protected].
Mette Spears
January Hike to Wildcat Peak
Date: Sunday, January 20, 2012
Time: 9:30am – 11:30am
Location: Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley
Meeting Point: Near the sign you see below.
Attire: Class B
Awards: Trail Trekkers Cub Scout Patch/Progressive Hike Award.
Must read: Hike info
Contact: Hiking Chair Sachin Sheth (Email: [email protected] Tel: 925.968.9940)
A view of Mount Tamalpais rising from San Francisco Bay will be the reward for hiking to the top of Wildcat Peak in Tilden Park. This trail loops through eucalyptus and oak forests, up moderately steep hills, then back to one of the best nature study areas in the Bay Area.
[stextbox id="info" caption="Hike Statistics" align="center"]Distance: 2.5 miles
Time: Allow about 2 hours
Grade: Mostly gentle with some moderately steep grades near the peak
More Detail: Hike info, area brochure and map[/stextbox] [stextbox id="info" caption="Directions" align="center"]From Highway 24 take the Fish Ranch Road Exit (just east of the Caldecott Tunnel); go north about 1 mile to Grizzly Peak Blvd., turn right; stay on Grizzly Peak about 12.5 miles; turn right on Canon Drive, go about .10 mile and veer left on Central Drive, following signs to the Little Farm and Nature Study Area.[/stextbox] [stextbox id="info" caption="What to Bring" align="center"]Food, snack (granola bars, trail mix, fruit), water.
Binoculars, camera, layer your clothes.[/stextbox] [stextbox id="info" caption="Other Information" align="center"]There is plenty to do for younger siblings in the nature area; Bring an extra pair of socks as the scouts may get their feet wet; Rain cancels this hike.[/stextbox]
Scouting for Food
Hello Pack 1776,
Our pack did a great job covering all the neighborhoods assigned to us. We didn't collect as much food as we did last year, but certainly enough to make a difference.
Den leaders, please let Ammy know how many scouts participated from your den so that she can order patches.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Anil
Scouting for Food Chair
A Message From the Chief Scout Executive
To: All Scouts and Scouters,
By Wayne Brock, BSA Chief Scout Executive
As you can imagine, a number of our councils in the Northeast are still struggling mightily to recover from the devastation left behind by Hurricane Sandy. And a Nor’easter is bringing even more weather damage to the region this week with snowfall and other hazardous conditions.
Reports are still coming in concerning any injuries to our people and damage to BSA facilities, and the National Office stands ready to assist in any way we can. We ask you to join us in keeping the councils in this stricken area in your thoughts and prayers. They have a long road ahead of them to restore their homes and property as well as their programs to support our Scouts.
Many of you have asked how you can help. For any neighboring councils that have the people and resources to lend a hand with transportation, supplies, or other immediate needs, we ask that you work through Jim Hans, associate regional director/support for the Northeast Region, to coordinate your relief assistance. For councils in other parts of the country, we believe monetary assistance would be the most valuable resource you could provide at this time.
The worst damage seems to be in several council camps where many trees are down and some have destroyed buildings. Some council offices have had water damage and several staff members have experienced damage to their personal property. Many Scouts and units have probably lost camping gear, uniforms, trailers and other supplies. If you would like to make a donation to aid councils recovering from Hurricane Sandy, please go to the BSA Disaster Relief Fund page for instructions.
Meanwhile, we have already seen tremendous examples of how our commitment to serve others is rising to this occasion. Here are just two examples of many Scout troops that are responding with service. Boy Scout Troop 683 in Pamlico County, North Carolina is establishing drop-off locations for the public to donate non-perishable food, water, and clothing to Sandy victims. And in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, Scouts from Troops 109 and 1910 – many who experienced problems of their own from Sandy’s wrath – have assisted the National Guard with people who have lost power and are out of their homes.
I am very proud of how these Scouts and others have volunteered to assist so many people in need. Let’s all muster whatever support we can to assist our people through this difficult time.
New International Spirit Award
The International Spirit Award is a temporary emblem that is awarded to registered Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, Venturers, and Scouters who have completed the necessary requirements, have gained a greater knowledge of international Scouting, and have a greater appreciation and awareness of different cultures and countries.
This award serves as a replacement for (and therefore eliminates) the International Activity emblem and the Youth Exchange emblem.
International Spirit Award emblems cost $4 each and can be purchased from the International Department. Visit www.scouting.org/international/applications to fill out the application with the date that each requirement was completed. All requirements must be met within five years from the start of the award. Please mail the completed, signed application and a check (made payable to Boy Scouts of America) to:
Boy Scouts of America
International Department, S221
1325 West Walnut Hill Lane
P.O. Box 152079
Irving, TX 75015-2079
One Oath and Law
On Oct. 17, the BSA’s Executive Board approved a resolution to use the Scout Oath and Scout Law in the Cub Scout and Venturing programs. Specifically, the changes approved are as follows:
Cub Scouts:
- Adopt the Scout Oath and Scout Law for use in the Cub Scout program, retiring the Cub Scout Promise.
- Revise the Core Values of Cub Scouts to align exactly with the 12 points of the Scout Law.
- Retire the Law of the Pack, while maintaining the concept of “Akela” as leader.
- Maintain the current Cub Scout motto, sign, salute, and handshake.
Venturing:
- Retire the Venturing Oath, Code, sign, and salute .
- Adopt the Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout sign, and Scout salute.
- Engage the task force and National Youth Cabinet to determine whether Venturing should have a differentiating motto/slogan or adopt “Be Prepared.”
These changes will become effective with the release of youth handbooks and leader aids supporting this and other changes related to Strategic Plan Goal 411, approximately Jan. 1, 2014, for Venturing-related changes and May 15, 2015, for Cub Scout- and Boy Scout-related changes. Changes to publications, websites, and other materials should NOT be initiated based on this article. Those will be handled based on the previously stated timing and will be initiated by the task forces working on the respective programs.
Shown below are copies of the board resolution and a document addressing common questions and answers. Additional questions or requests for more information may be directed to [email protected].
Resources:
December Hike to Sycamore Grove, Livermore
Sycamore Grove is a great place to hike/bike and is stroller friendly. The last part of the hike will be a ‘quiet’ stroll during dusk.
Date: Sunday, Dec 9, 2012
Time: 1:30 pm – 4.45 pm
Location: Sycamore Grove (Wetmore Road Entrance), Livermore
Meeting Point: 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
Must read: Hike info
Contact: Hiking Chair Sachin Sheth (Email: [email protected] Tel: 925.968.9940)
Details
Distance, category, and difficulty:
Easy, 5.8 miles
Hiking time:
~3 hours
Exposure:
Exposed
Trail surfaces:
Paved and dirt trails (stroller friendly)
What to bring:
- Flash light
- Binoculars
- Long pants
- Dress in layers – please wear weather appropriate attire.
- Snacks
- Water
Getting there: (Locator map)
• From the north: Interstate 680 S to 580 E, exit Portola (exit 52a). Drive south on Portola about 0.5 mile, then turn right onto North L Street. Continue south (North L becomes South L, then Arroyo Road), altogether about 2.2 miles, then turn right onto Wetmore. Drive about 0.7 mile, then turn left into the park.
• From the south: Interstate 680 in Alameda County, exit CA 84 east. Drive about 6.5 miles east on CA 84, then turn right onto Holmes. Drive just 0.2 mile, and shortly after the road turns sharply left (becoming Wetmore), turn right into the park.
GPS Coordinates* for Trailhead:
Latitude 37°38'41.64"N
Longitude 121°46'55.33"W
Scouting for Food Maps
Pack 1776,
We are going to collect food for the Contra Costa food bank again this year. I will leave the door hangers at John's house so the den leaders can pick them up at the committee meeting this Thursday. The den leaders are responsible for coordinating and communicating their den's participation in this event.
Here's the area assignment for each den:
The area assigned is roughly proportional to the number of scouts in each den. Note that a few of the assignments are different from last year's. As per feedback received last year, we will not be distributing flyers in apartment buildings.
General Reminders:
Wear 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
Bag Distribution - November 10
You may distribute door hangers on a different day than November 10
Door hangers should be placed on the door or partially under the door mat
(make sure it is visible and will not blow away)
Do not put hangers in mailboxes
Bag Pickup - November 17
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 9:30 am and 11:00 am
(a bit later is okay too, call me if you are delayed).
Thanks!
Anil Thomas
Scouting for Food Chair
Scout Saturdays at Hiller Aviation Museum
Boy and Girl Scouts of all ages are invited to visit the Hiller Aviation Museum on Scout Saturdays! On these dates, Scouts and Scout leaders in uniform will be admitted to the Hiller Aviation Museum at no charge. Explore the Museum's collection of some 50 historic aircraft, observe airport operations at busy San Carlos Airport, and find out more about Badge and Patch programs held at the Museum throughout the year. Click here for more info.
Scout Days/Nights are not Pack 1776 events but rather community events open to Scout groups.
