Author Archives: ElCerritoScouting

Pack 104 journeys through time on the *brand-new* El Cerrito Historical Trail

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Since we are not able to convene for a pack-wide hike this summer due to safety and health recommendations from state and local authorities, the pack has been keeping Pack 104 families busy with the *brand-new* El Cerrito Historical Trail. This historical trail hike features several El Cerrito landmarks, and can be done by each family separately at their own pace and time.

Download the Historical Trail booklet using this link.

Organized by Bear Den Leader, John Bowen, the Historical Trail is a self-guided 8-mile loop through the lower elevations of the city. The hike can be split over several outings, and while it is designed to start and end at the EC Del Norte BART Station, hikers can jump in anywhere along the route.

Step-by-step directions are included in the trail guide booklet, and to help keep the scouts engaged, there is also a series of scavenger hunt type questions to answer along the way. Booklets were distributed by den leaders at the beginning of July. 

Scouts who hike the trail will earn the *exclusive* El Cerrito Historical Trail patch. Cub Scouts are encouraged to do their best and complete as much of the trail as possible, but they are not required to hike the entire route. 

Pack 104 Summer Updates | GGAC & Cub Scout Virtual Day Camp Program

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EXPANSION AND NEW NAME FOR OUR BSA LOCAL COUNCIL

On June 1, 2020, Pack 104’s local BSA council – formerly Mount Diablo Silverado Council- merged with two other Bay Area Councils and has been renamed Golden Gate Area Council (GGAC). This merger represents exciting new opportunities for Bay Area scouting and our Pack now has access to additional scout camps and programs that the other merged Councils bring to the table.

To learn more, please visit this page.

GGAC CUB SCOUT VIRTUAL SUMMER DAY CAMP – JULY 10 thru AUG 1, 2020

The GGAC has pulled together a Virtual Summer Day Camp program as an alternate to the now canceled day camp usually held at Camp Herms. The Virtual Day Camp starts July 10th and continues through August 1, 2020. It is open to all cub scouts – Everyone is encouraged to join in the fun!

Registration is now open at https://scoutingevent.com/023-virtualdaycamp2020. The cost is $70.00 per scout. Special Patches, T-shirts and other items included. The theme this year is “Beneath the Sea”. The program will involve a lot of fun activities for Cub Scout Families and Dens to participate in – including Water-themed games, Nautical Flag Codes, EmergenSea Preparedness and more!

SHARE THE CUB SCOUT DAY CAMP WITH OTHER FAMILIES!

Please note that the Cub Scout Virtual Day Camp CAN be available to other families who are not part of our Pack. These families would be required to register for National BSA Scouts and pay the national dues but are NOT required to enroll in our Pack or in another unit if they do not wish to continue with BSA Scouting after August 1.

Any families eager to provide their children with more organized projects and activities this summer are encouraged to participate. The costs for non-scout families would be around $100.00 for the program (i.e. including the BSA national registration fee).

GGAC2020VirtualDayCampFlyer

 

Pack 104 May / June Meetings and Summer Activities

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Over the past couple of months, Pack 104 has been taking some downtime from Pack-wide activities and events as the Shelter-In-Place orders remain in effect and we continue to feel our way through what’s possible looking forward. May scouts have been partaking in the many ongoing virtual den meetings hosted by our wonderful den leaders throughout this period!

A number of programs and activities have been organized for Pack-wide participation, including a virtual campout, organizing hikes, service projects and other fun projects that families can do on their own until we are permitted to come together in person again.

Here are some of the recent activities we have encouraged our scouts to participate in.

MONDAY MAY 25th | Scouting on Memorial Day 2020

Though COVID19 precautions prevented us from our traditional planting of flags on veteran gravestones, many of our scouts still showed honor to veterans by taking a moment out of their day to give them recognition. Scouts and their families were invited to participate in a “Drive-By-Salute” at Rolling Hills Cemetery on Monday, Memorial Day, 5/25. This involved driving up to the flag pole, stepping out of the car, and giving a Scout salute “Thank you for your service!” 

THURSDAY MAY 28th 7PM | Our first Virtual PACK 104 Pack Meeting!

On May 28th, we hosted our first virtual Pack 104 Meeting on the Zoom platform. To the best of our abilities, we replicated our traditional end-of-year program and awards ceremony. Before the meeting, the badges, awards, belt loops, etc were hand-delivered to each family’s home so that parents could present them to their scouts during the virtual pack meeting.

SATURDAY JUNE 13th – SUNDAY JUNE 14th | PACK 104 Virtual Campout!

The pack had to cancel the planned Spring Campout to Pinnacles National Park scheduled mid May. Although this was unfortunate, we put on our thinking caps and decided to plan a virtual campout on a Saturday evening in mid June. It was a great success!

On Sunday morning, we had a short ceremony to honor Flag Day. This event gave families an opportunity to camp out in their homes or backyard.  Various fun activities, skits were streamed and shared with the campers.

Pack 104 Status during COVID-19 Containment

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We hope that everyone is staying healthy, safe, and well during these challenging times.

With safety in mind and based on guidance from CDC and WHO, state and federal health officials and authorities, in-person meetings, activities, events and gatherings for Pack 104 have been temporarily suspended. We are doing our part in protecting the health and well being of our scouts, families and broader community. The pack is dedicated to following the guidelines outlined by California, Contra Costa County and El Cerrito health department, as well as under the direction of our local BSA council and chartered organization.

Since mid-March, Pack 104 den leaders have been successfully conducting den meetings with their scouts exclusively in virtual settings. Activities and projects have been adapted as needed to enable scouts and their families to fulfill requirements at home for Cub Scout adventures and advance to the next level.

Some families are also planning hikes that will help their scouts earn Highlander and Trekker badges. While these hikes won’t be Pack-sanctioned they might be a great, lower-risk way for our scouts and families to get exercise, enjoy nature while still engaging in appropriate social distancing practices.

Be Prepared, Help Others and Stay Safe.  It is important during this time that we remind ourselves of the Scouting Oath, Laws and Motto, and to work together to get all of us through these unprecedented times.

Wolf Den Service Project | Care Package Assembly – March 7, 2020

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On Saturday, March 7, the Pack 104 Wolf den helped Their Angels Military Support Group to make care packages.

When asked what they did during this service project, Desmond said “We made cards and care packages in plastic bags that had snacks (such as rice crispies and granola bars), razors, and newspapers. We made a lot of them!”

Thank you again to Elroy for organizing this outing!

Their Angels Military Support Group is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, located in Richmond, CA. Their mission is to support active duty military personnel, veterans, wounded warriors, military families, and the community through monthly packing events, VA hospital visits and ongoing community outreach.

Their Angeles Military Support Group takes pride in its ability to bring joy to those who dedicate their lives to protect the public. With their actions, they hope to show the military community respect and appreciation for their heroism and service to the country.

Meet Their Angels:

From left to right: Sonia, Susie, Michael, Sharon, Marva and Donna

Pinewood Derby – March 6, 2020

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We had yet another fantastic turn-out at this year’s Pinewood Derby. There were amazingly creative and futuristic cars, sleek innovations, shiny aerodynamic speedsters (and drivers with questionably attained licenses).

William, Neil and Simar took home the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes, respectfully, for their speedy inventions! These Pack 104 gearheads outdid themselves this year! Thanks again to this year’s organizers and volunteers, Thuy, RJ, John, Candace, Aubrey, Nikki and Christopher and anyone else who pitched in to make this year’s event a great success.

 

Chabot Space Center Overnight – Feb 29, 2020

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Odyssey Overnights
On Saturday February 29th, the Pack 104 scouts convened at the Chabot Space Center to blast off into an out-of-the-world experience exploring the outer realms of space! The group explored telescopes, enjoyed recordings at the planetarium, and were challenged in a fast-paced scavenger hunt. They stayed overnight at the center and had a memorable time!

We asked a few of the scouts what they enjoyed most about their trip to Chabot. Here are a few highlights.

Chris: “Seeing what the night sky would have looked like 2000 years ago [in the planetarium] before light pollution.”

William: “I really liked the ‘Touch the Sun’ exhibit.”

Wolf Den Fire Station Visit – February 27, 2020

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On Thursday, February 27, 2020, the Wolf den toured the El Cerrito Fire Department station as part of the Hometown Heroes Adventure. For this adventure, the Wolves learn about citizens who are heroes in their local communities.

The Wolf Den Leader guide says:

“In this adventure, Wolf Scouts will learn about the heroes within their community. By getting to know some real-life heroes and honoring their service, the Wolves will see the importance of living the Scout Oath and Scout Law, and gain an understanding of what makes a hero.”

When asked what he liked most about his trip to the El Cerrito Fire Department, Dylan said “my favorite part of the fire station was seeing their tools, like the sledgehammer and chainsaw.”

Thank you to Alia for coordinating this fun community trip. Kids loved it!

Photo credit: Alia 

Blue & Gold Dinner – February 6, 2020

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This year’s Blue & Gold Banquet at Camp Herms was a great success. It was very well-attended, the potluck contributions were of course fantastic, the skits were fun, lively and entertaining, and the spirit and energy were very positive.

With all of the awards announcements, it is obvious that these scouts have made tremendous progress in their respective goals and achievements.

There were quite a few contributions to the cake auction this year. Check out these amazing cakes our Scouts baked for the auction! See you all again next year!

About Blue & Gold

Blue and gold banquets are a tradition within packs, celebrating the leaders and parents who volunteer to make Cub Scouting fantastic. Sometimes former pack members return to blue and gold banquets. Often special Scouting or community leaders are invited to attend or speak to Cub Scouts in attendance.  Some packs also use the banquet as a chance to celebrate the accomplishments of Scouts, themselves.

 

 

Visit our Pack Meeting, Jan 9th, 2020

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Interested in learning more about Cub Scouts Pack 104?

Visit our next Pack Meeting
Thursday, January 9 2020, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Harding School MultiPurpose Room (MPR),
accessible off Ashbury Ave. at Fairmont Ave. in El Cerrito

Join Pack 104 for our monthly pack meeting and learn about Pack 104’s upcoming events and opportunities, or let us know if you are interested so we can follow up with more information.