Feb 8: February Pack Meeting – NOVA Wild with the Oakland Zoo
Date/Time: February 8, 4:00pm to 6:00pm (please note the date & early time)
Location: Tassajara Hills Elementary School MPR
Attire: Class A uniform
Volunteers (we need you!): Please email [email protected] if you can help us setup the MPR at 3:30pm and/or cleanup at 6:00pm
Join us for a special visit from the Oakland Zoo! Learn about wildlife, hear interesting facts about our ecosystem, and get up close and personal with a couple of cute critters. We’ll also have a den project during the meeting to put our learnings into a colorful form. Our hats off to Mr. Kevin for organizing this meeting!
March 4,5: Chabot Space & Science Center Overnight Event
Blast off into an out of this world experience exploring the outer realms of space! This program will take our Scouts from Earth into the great unknown through workshops, activities, exhibits, telescopes and planetarium offerings.
[ Register ] by February 8 if you are planning to attend. There is limited space available, so register as soon as possible.
The odyssey overnight includes:
- Exhibit Exploration
- Planetarium Shows
- Educational Program
- Telescope viewing (Weather/availability permitting)
- Dinner & Breakfast
Date and time: Saturday March 4th 5:00pm to Sunday March 5th 9:30am
Check-in: 5pm-5:30pm - Program starts at 5:30pm (late entry is permissible.)
Please bring your electronic or paper ticket for scanning at check-in.
Location:
Chabot Space & Science Center
10000 Skyline Blvd.
Oakland, CA 94619
Uniform: Class A on Saturday; Class B on Sunday
Cost: **FREE** for registered Pack 1776 Scouts who raised popcorn funds. $50 for registered Pack 1776 Scouts who did NOT raise popcorn funds. $95 for single parent or adult chaperone. Due to restricted number of attendees only ONE chaperone per TWO or more family members (example, 1 chaperone and 2 scouts). If reserved spots remain available after Scout registration closes, then registered Siblings (5 years and older) may attend at the cost of $95. Please drop off Chaperone payment at the Coyote Creek drop box or bring to the Feb 8th Pack Meeting.
NEED to COMPLETE by Saturday, Feb 18th:
Please complete Chabot’s online [ CONSENT FORM ] for every participant.
Meals: Dinner and breakfast are included. Designate your meal preferences on the [ CONSENT FORM ] for every participant. If unspecified, meat is the default option. The meals are pre-packaged and delivered so on-site adjustments cannot be made. None of the meals contain nuts, however, they are prepared in kitchens where nuts may be present. You may bring outside food.
What to Bring for each participant:
- Sleeping bag, pillow
- Warm jacket, pajamas, change of clothes
- Toiletries, medications
- Reusable water bottle, snacks
- Electronic or paper ticket for scanning at check-in
Additional Information and FAQ’s: Chaperone Survival Guide
(https://chabotspace.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Chaperone-Survival-Guide-21-22-1.pdf)
Note: We have a reserved allotment of spots. If we have any remaining spots after Scout registration closes on February 8th, we will accept additional reservation requests of Siblings in order of registration.
Please submit Chaperone payment by Wednesday, February 8th either at the Coyote Creek drop box or the Feb 8th Pack Meeting. We will contact you to confirm if your Sibling reservation request have been accepted and to arrange their payment.
FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVE
PLEASE REGISTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
SCOUT & CHAPERONE REGISTRATION CLOSES: Wednesday, February 8th.
Many thanks to Mr. Neeraj and Mr. Joe for making this event possible for our pack!
For all in-person pack or den events and activities, please follow the SRVUSD COVID guidelines. If you are sick or are experiencing symptoms, please stay home and stay safe.
March 12: Pack hike: Lake Chabot via East Shore Trail
// Daylight savings start on this date! Adjust your clocks accordingly.
Date/Time: Sunday, March 12, 2023, at 10 AM - 12 PM
Location: Lake Chabot via East Shore Trail — 17600 Lake Chabot Rd, Castro Valley, CA 94546
Meeting Point: Turtle picnic area, at the fork in the trails (map)
Park fee: $5 per vehicle, $2 per dog
Distance / elevation / duration: 3.3-mile round trip / 200 ft / 1 hour 14 mins average
Difficulty: Easy, nearly flat, paved
Recommended for: All
Park: info + map
Hike info: Hike info + trail map
Directions: Google maps
Awards: Pack hike patch
Contact: David (415-613-3602)
Attire: Class B t-shirt and comfortable pants, layers, hiking boots/shoes
Bring: Sunscreen, cap, plenty of water and snacks, camera
[ RSVP ]
Hike Leader: David Copeland
Directions
Take I-680 S to I-580 W. Take exit 35 from I-580 W for Strobridge Ave. Turn right onto Stanton Ave (0.1 mi). Right onto Castro Valley Blvd (0.2 mi). Left onto Lake Chabot Rd (1.8 mi). Lake Chabot Regional Park main entrance will be on the right. Google maps
Allow for 35-40 mins to travel from San Ramon / Danville.
The hike
Enjoy scenic views of Lake Chabot on this family-friendly, paved path that follows the shoreline of the lake. This is the most accessible portion of the Lake Chabot.
The trail
This is a family-friendly, paved path that follows the shoreline of Lake Chabot. This is the most accessible portion of the Lake Chabot. The trail surface is paved asphalt and smooth. It is typically at least 8 feet wide. The majority of the trail is estimated to be in the mostly gentle (5% or less) grade category but there is a steeper section at about 1.4 miles when going north.
For all in-person pack or den events and activities, please follow the SRVUSD COVID guidelines. If you are sick or are experiencing symptoms, please stay home and stay safe.
Feb 24: Blue & Gold Banquet + AOL Graduation & Bridging
Come celebrate the 113th birthday of scouting in the USA at the pack's annual Blue & Gold banquet where we will have a ceremony for AOLs who will receive their Arrow of Light awards and bridge over to Scouts BSA for their onward scouting journey. The pack will host a catered dinner and fun entertainment -- Germar the Magician -- for Pack 1776 scouts and immediate family.
[ RSVP ] by February 1 with the number of people attending and indicate number of vegetarian and non-veg meals for your party in the poll.
When: Friday, February 24, 2023, at 6-9pm
Where: Tassajara Hills Elementary School MPR
Wear: Class A uniform
Bring: Refillable water bottle per person
Please volunteer to help with set up and clean up.
Schedule:
6:00pm Doors open & Dinner served
6:30pm Ceremonies commence AOL & Bridging
8:00pm Germar the Magician
9:00pm Clean up
See you at the party!
Pack 1776 Blue & Gold Committee
For all in-person pack or den events and activities, please follow the SRVUSD COVID guidelines. If you are sick or are experiencing symptoms, please stay home and stay safe.
Jan 29: Lafayette Reservoir hike
Date/Time: Sunday, January 29, 2023, at 10am
Location: Lafayette Reservoir Recreation Area — 3849 Mt. Diablo Blvd. in Lafayette, CA
Meeting Point: Gather at the trail head, at the east end of the main parking lot
Daily park entry fee: $6; discounts for seniors and disabled persons
Distance / elevation / duration: 2.6-mile loop / 442 ft / 2 hours
Difficulty: Relatively easy, with elevation
Recommended for: All, with parental supervision for younger ones
Hike Info: Hike info / Trail map
Park map: map
Awards: Pack hike patch
Contact: Hiking Chair Zhen (925-997-4889)
Attire: Class B t-shirt and comfortable pants, layers, hiking boots/shoes
Bring: Sunscreen, cap, plenty of water and snacks, camera
Hiking Chair: Zhen Zhou
[ RSVP ]
The hike
This hike begins on the rim trail, leads to the big oak trail, then finishes on the paved lakeside trail. When finishing up on the lakeside trail hikers will begin to share the path with cyclists.
The trail: Lafayette Reservoir Rim, Big Oak, and Lakeside Nature Trail Loop
We'll hike this 2.6-mile loop trail near Lafayette, California. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 12 min to complete. This trail is great for hiking and running, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring.
Dogs are welcome and must be on a leash.
The trail may be muddy and slippery after the rains.
January 8: Pinewood Derby cut day
Date: Sunday, January 8th, 2023
Time: 3pm to 5pm
Location: Ace Hardware — Alamo Hardware at 3438 Camino Tassajara, Danville, CA 94506
Bring: Pinewood Derby car kit provided by the pack, with the desired design outlined onto the block for the cut lines
If your scout needs help cutting the wood block, you could take it to Ace Hardware. The store staff will charge a nominal fee for each car cut. Sign up required. Sign up is first come first served. Please allow those who have signed up priority to have theirs cut at the store.
[ Sign up ]
- Prepare the car design and trace it onto the block ahead of time. Read the Official Pack 1776 Rules fully beforehand.
- Head to Ace Danville during the time slot you signed up for.
- Remember to pay before you leave the store.
If you would like to go on a different date and time, they advise that you call Ace ahead of time to make a reservation to cut at their store.
January 21-22: Pinewood Derby!
Who's ready to race?
IMPOUND DAY
Date/time: Saturday, January 21st, 2023, at 10am to 1pm
Location: Pack shed, in the back of Coyote Creek Elementary School
Attire: Class A for photos
RACE DAY
Date/time: Sunday, January 22nd, 2023, at 1pm to 4pm
Location: Coyote Creek MPR
Attire: Class A
Bring: Reusable water bottle and Readiness to cheer on your fellow scouts
Volunteers needed: Volunteers are needed Saturday and Sunday, sign-up link to come, additional details below
Pinewood Derby Chair: Kevin Lew
[ Volunteer ]
Our Annual Pinewood Derby will be held on Sunday January 22nd 2023 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM in the MPR! There will be racing and design competitions. Please be conservation minded and bring your own reusable bottle - fresh filtered water available from the nice refillable station in the MPR. We will once again have an open class for Scouts BSA (includes Den Chiefs) and one for non-BSA siblings. Additional kits may be purchased for $7.
The mandatory inspection and car impounding is on January 21st 2023 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Pack Shed near the Coyote Creek Kindergarten area.
While 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:
How to Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBshCKglBkM
Design Ideas http://boyslife.org/section/hobbies-projects/pinewood-derby/
How to Tips and Templates http://www.pinewoodpro.com/pinewood-derby-howto-design.php
Online Car Designer http://www.pinewoodpro.com/pinewood-derby-howto-design.php
If you need help cutting the wood block, the pack is coordinating an afternoon at Ace Hardware for scouts to get help with cutting their car design from the wood block. Sunday January 8th 2023 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. See Pack 1776 PWD cut day for more details.
Each car must pass inspection on January 21st 2023 by 1pm 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.
Read the Official Pack 1776 Rules fully before participating.
For additional reference: this PowerPoint Presentation was showcased at the Pack Meeting on Dec 14, 2022.
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 and medal for participating. Trophies will be awarded to the fastest three cars in each rank/group, 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, and 6) Most Creative. Voting occurs on Race Day during the race, so come and race and see all the cars to vote.
AGENDA
Lion Heats (x4 for each Lion group)
Tiger Heats (x4 for each Tiger group)
Wolf Heats (x4 for each Wolf group)
Bear Heats (x4 for each Bear group)
Webelos I Heats (x4 for each Webelos I group)
AOL / Webelos II Heats (x4 for each AOL / Webelos II group)
Siblings Heats (x4 for each sibling)
Scouts BSA (x4 for each Scouts BSA scout)
Best Overall Heats (x4 for each First place Den Group Winner — Pack 1776 registered scouts only, no siblings or Scouts BSA)
PRIZES
Every participant, including Scouts BSA scouts and siblings, will receive a medal and cool patch for participation. Trophies will be award to top 3 winners in each group.
VOLUNTEERS
We can't do this event without volunteers. Please consider helping us with one of the following positions.
- Saturday: Impound Day Set Up (9am to 10am, 4 volunteers), Impound Inspectors & Helpers (10am to 1pm, 10 volunteers)
- Sunday: PWD Set Up (10am to noon, 12 volunteers), clean up (4pm to 5pm, 12 volunteers)
[ Volunteer ]
Best of luck to all the racers!
Scouting for Food
Scouting for Food is BSA's annual food collection program for local food banks.
Save the dates!
Oct 28: Tags delivered to Den Leaders to distribute to den scouts
Nov 5: Place tags in neighborhoods, assigned by den
Nov 12: Collect food from same neighborhoods, assigned by den
Many thanks to our Scouting for Food Coordinators: Rajni & Rajesh!
We need volunteers to drive the collected food to the main collection location at Bishop Ranch.
[ Volunteer ]
On Saturday, November 5, 2022, we will place door hangers at residences in our assigned neighborhoods. Each den will receive an area to cover. On Saturday, November 12, 2022, we will collect donations from doorsteps.
Please NO glass containers or food that has a short shelf life. Canned and boxed food is great! Protein items like canned tuna, ham, sardines, & SPAM, as well as peanut butter are greatly needed.
Donations will go to: Alameda Food Bank, Alameda County Community Food Bank, American Canyon Emergency Food Bank, Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, Napa Food Bank, San Francisco – Marin Food Bank, St. Helena Food Pantry, United Christian Parish Pantry.
All Pack 1776 scouts are strongly recommended to participate. Each scout participant will receive a cool patch!
General reminders
- Wear Class A Scout uniform
- Wear an approved face covering — applies to everyone involved in Scouting for Food
- Keep your scouts in view at all times
- Supervise scouts when crossing roads
- Bring and use hand sanitizer
- DO NOT to enter a donor's residence
Door hanger distribution — November 5-6
- Distribute door hangers on another day this week, iff not possible on Nov 5-6
- Place door hanger on the door or partially under the doormat
- Do not place door hangers in mailboxes
- Knock or ring doorbell after placing door hanger and take a few steps back
- Speak with the resident about the program
Food donations pickup — November 12
- Pick up food donations from the same homes where you distributed door hangers
- Do not pick up earlier than 9am
- Knock or ring doorbell at every house that received a door hanger and did not leave a donation; maybe they forgot and would give on the spot if asked kindly
- Drop off the collected food donations in front of Coyote Creek MPR between 10am and noon
- If you cannot drop off by 12pm, drop off directly at the main collection site at Bishop Ranch / 2700 Camino Ramon, San Ramon, by 1pm
As with any pack activity, please adhere to the pack's COVID statement. If you or your Scout are sick, are experiencing COVID-like or flu symptoms, or may have been exposed to COVID-19, please stay home and inform your Den Leader ASAP so they can make arrangements to cover your Scout's area.
October 13: Webelos to Scout Transition Meeting
Arrow of Light (AOL — 5th grade) families:
See invitation from James Reeve, Meridian District Membership Chair, below.
It’s that time of year! Webelos Arrow of Light families are starting to look for Troops in the area to bridge in February or March 2023. The Meridian District is holding their annual Webelos to Scout transition meeting for adults as follows:
Webelos to Scout Transition Meeting
October 13, 2022
7-8:30 pm
Gale Ranch Middle School – Multi-Purpose Room
6400 Main Branch Rd, San Ramon
This meeting is for AOL families, adults-only, in person. You will have the opportunity to engage with the various Troops in our District.
November 5-6: Outdoor pack meeting & fall campout
Date/Time: Saturday November 5, 2022 at 2pm to Sunday, November 6, 2022 at 10am
Location: Mt. Diablo State Park // Barbecue Terrace group campground (directions) + Wildcat campground
Parking: Coordinates to Parking road entrance - 37.86154 N, 121.93375 W
Maps: Campground map | Mount Diablo park map
Fees: $10 per vehicle paid upon park entry
Attire: Class A for flags and Bobcat ceremony, Class B otherwise
Camping Chair: Neeraj C.
Camping Committee: Joe G., Michael P., Matt P.
There is a limit on the number of overnight campers. Register ASAP.
Join us for a glorious afternoon and evening of scout skills and outdoor fun! Come for the activities, a pack-provided dinner and our evening campfire program. Staying overnight is optional.
We have an action-packed agenda. This meeting is especially important for Tigers and new scouts and their parents who will participate in our Bobcat Ceremony – let’s celebrate with them!
Webelos (4th graders) will prepare their own dinner and desserts, as well as Dutch oven desserts for the pack!
What to bring
- Completed parking pass, placed visibly on your car dash before you leave your parked car.
- Sun protection
- Per person:
- 1 gallon drinking water for each member of your party — There is NO WATER on Mount Diablo
- Refillable water bottle
- Mess kit, including utensils and cup
- Flashlight
- Folding chair
- Cap
- Sturdy closed-toe shoes for hiking
- Rain windbreaker jacket
- Warm clothes as it will get cold after dark
- For those staying overnight:
- Tent with rainfly
- Mallet
- Sleeping bags
- Sleeping pads
- Please refer to the Mt. Diablo Checklist for a list of items to bring
- Leaders, please each bring an additional 10 gallon water for pack use
Tentative schedule
Saturday
1:00 to 1:45 - Arrival for those staying overnight and set up camp
1:45 to 2:00 - Arrival for those not staying overnight
2:00 to 2:15 - Flag ceremony — led by Bears
2:15 to 2:30 - Group photo / Distribute Class B t-shirts
2:30 to 3:15 - Bobcat Ceremony for 43 Tigers and new Wolf, Bear and Webelos scouts, by den
3:30 to 5:00 - Nearby hike (Webelos will skip hike) / 3:30pm BBQ prep / Dutch oven preparation
(4pm Cook Dutch oven desserts)
(4:45 s’mores prep)
5:00 to 5:45 - Dinner + clean-up
(Add on warm clothing layers ahead of the evening program)
5:45 to 5:50 - Closing flag ceremony — led by Bears
5:50 to 6:30 - S’mores for Scouts / Dutch oven dessert for adults
(6:15 Sunset)
5:50 to 6:30 - Campfire program skits, songs, stories
6:45 pm - START to HEAD OUT
6:45 to 6:55 - Head out for those not camping overnight
7:15 - GATES LOCKED
7:00 to 8:30 - Evening activities TBD
(Potentially games, stories, evening hike, stargazing)
8:30 to 9:00 - Get ready for bed
9:00 Lights out
< DAYLIGHT SAVINGS END>
Sunday
7:15 to 7:45 - Prepare breakfast
7:45 to 8:30 - Free breakfast provided by the Pack (coffee, hot chocolate, juice, muffins)
8:30 to 9:15 - Break camp
9:15 to 10:00 - Camp sweep and leave
