WHO DOESN’T LOVE POPCORN??

This winter, a number of Pack 104 Scouts participated in popcorn sales to earn funds for pack activities and outings, as well as support other pack program-related expenses. This fundraiser also taught Scouts about salesmanship and contributing to their pack and the Council.

SALES RECAP

Here is a synopsis of how the popcorn sales went this year!

• Total sales: $5054.47
• Our total commission was $1802.07
• We also received cash donations during popcorn sales: $274.91
• With cash donations, we raised $2076.98 for Pack 104 from popcorn sales
• 3 Scouts who reached the 500-point threshold will split gift cards worth $260
• We were the 33rd top-ranked unit in our Council out of 500–1000 units
• We were the 3048th-ranked in the nation out of about 150,000 units

Council Popcorn Kernel Tim Welty said:

“We will for sure give Pack 104 the bonus commission for the in-person sales. They have done a really good job and carried Herms district to goal.” (Herms District has recently been the lowest-performing district, and our district’s goal was only $4000). Because of our performance we earned the “GGAC Above and Beyond” award, which gives us a 4% boost to our commission (32% to 36%).

Curious about the history of popcorn? Check out this article: https://www.pbs.org/food/the-history-kitchen/popcorn-history/

While the scouts of Pack 104 take a break from official pack meetings during the summer, we will continue to offer a variety of hikes, outings, and other outdoor activities this summer. The regular schedule will resume in the fall.

Check out a summary of our summary programming below:

JUNE

• Sunday, June 6: Trail Trekkers project Baxter Creek clean up
  • 10:00 am–1:00 pm. Meet at Baxter Creek Park (Key Boulevard at Conlon Avenue) to help the Green Team of El Cerrito and the El Cerrito Trail Trekkers remove trash from Baxter Creek. Bring your own gloves, along with water, sun protection, and snacks.
• Sunday, June 13: Angel Island Trail Trekkers Hike
  • 9:30 am–3:30 pm. We’ll hike along the Perimeter Loop, a kid-friendly trail that is about 5.9 miles long. Bring a picnic lunch and wear comfortable shoes. Meet at 9:30 am at the Tiburon–Angel Island Ferry Terminal. The ferry departs Tiburon at 10:00 am, so be sure to arrive no later than 9:45 am. Note: families will need to purchase ferry tickets online from Tiburon to Angel Island in advance of the hike.

JULY

• Saturday, July 10: Tennessee Valley Hike
  • 10:00 am–1:00 pm. We’ll hike from the trailhead to the beach and back, with a 30–45 minute stay at the beach. The round trip will be 3.4 miles of mostly flat terrain. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water, snacks, lunch, sun protection, a change of clothes for the kids, and a towel for the beach. We’ll be going over beach safety with the Twelve Seaside Tips for Safety guide. Meet in the Tennessee Valley parking lot (701 Tennessee Valley Rd, Mill Valley).
• Sunday, July 25: Pack 104 Swim Day (Swim Badge advancement/testing @ Arwen’s house)
  • 10:00 am–3:00 pm. We’ll gather in small groups at a private pool to talk about water safety, work on aquatics-related requirements, and have fun swimming. Scouts will also have an opportunity to take the BSA Swim Test.

AUGUST

• Saturday, August 7: Crab Fishing on Sausalito Pier
  • 10:00 am–1:00 pm. Meet at the Sausalito Fishing Pier in Sausalito. No need for a fishing license or gear. Bring a lunch and wear layers. If you want to take some crabs home, bring a bucket!
• Sunday, August 15: Camp Herms Service Project
  • 9:00 am–12:00 pm. Every year Pack 104 does a service project to improve Camp Herms. Please bring work gloves, sun protection, and water. A breakfast snack and tools will be provided.
• Saturday, August 28: Nerf Games VI—Knot Another One!
  • 10:00 am–12:00 pm. Location to be determined. Please bring an N-Strike Elite (or compatible) Nerf toy, but no darts please! We will have some available. Kids will have the opportunity to learn knots and test their Nerf skills.

Pack 104 families, please visit Scoutbook for more information on each of these events. Stay tuned for more info on the fall camp out mid-September!!

Contact Pack104info@gmail.com for complete details or to let us know if you plan to attend!

Please mark your calendars for these upcoming Pack 104 Events:

APRIL

• 4/25:  Cerrito Vista cleanup for Earth Day

MAY

• 5/16:  Archery/BB/Slingshot Day at Camp Herms
• 5/21-5/23:  Spring Campout at Pinnacles National Park

JUNE

• Sunday, June 6: Trail Trekkers project Baxter Creek clean up
• Sunday, June 13: Angel Island Trail Trekkers Hike

JULY

• Saturday, July 10: Tennessee Valley Hike
• Sunday, July 25: Pack 104 Swim Day

AUGUST

• Saturday, August 7: Crab Fishing on Sausalito Pier
• Sunday, August 15: Camp Herms Service Project
• Saturday, August 28: Nerf Games VI—Knot Another One!

Pack 104 families, please visit Scoutbook for more information on each of these events. Stay tuned for more info on the fall camp out mid-September!!

Cubmaster RJ “The Great” Lane shared some photos from his recent trip with the Pack 104 Webelos Den to the Bowman of the Redwoods Archery Range near Chabot Space Center.

If you’re interested in taking your scout(s) to the archery range, please visit:

https://sites.google.com/view/redwood-bowmen

Redwood Bowmen Archery Club maintains a 35-acre archery range in the hills of Oakland, California. A few highlights from their website:

• Open to the Public – a facility of the East Bay Regional Parks
• Dawn to Dusk everyday (excluding day of events – see Events page for more info)
• $5 donation for day use is appreciated (Look for our donation tube as you walk past the Range House)
• Beginner classes available: https://sites.google.com/view/redwood-bowmen/classes?authuser=0
• NO EQUIPMENT RENTALS
• Maintained through the hard work of volunteers, membership dues, and donations from the public
• The range and surrounding property is part of the Roberts Regional Recreational Area, an East Bay Regional Park District Facility

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

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.

Pack 104 has a lot of activities planned over the summer – come join the fun!

July

Pack 104 Swim Night
Friday, July 19th 5:15 PM
Scouts will get the opportunity to take the BSA Swim Test, talk with a Lifeguard about water safety, and have fun swimming during the Family Swim at the El Cerrito Pool.  Contact John Bowen, jrb0301@sbcglobal.net.

Pack Hike, Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, Antioch
Sunday, July 21st 9:30 AM
Join us for a pack hike! This hike is a distance of 3.5 miles on a moderate grade. Allow about 2-3 hours for the hike. Meet up at the parking lot.
To get there: Take Highway 4 to Somersville Road exit in Antioch. Drive south on Somersville Road to the Preserve entrance. There is a parking fee of $5 per vehicle.
Sign up for further details.

August

Camp Herms Service Project
Sunday, August 19th 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
The Pack will do a service project at Camp Herms.  Please bring work gloves, sun protection and water.  A breakfast snack and tools will be provided.  Contact: RJ Lane, p104wolfden@gmail.com

Pack Hike, Tilden Nature Area Environmental Education Center & Wildcat Creek
600 Canon Drive, Berkeley
Saturday, August 24th 9:30 AM
Join us for our second pack hike of the summer!  This hike is a distance of 2.5 miles on a mostly gentle grade with steep grades near the peak. Allow about 2 hours for the hike. Meet up at the Central Park Drive parking lot.
To get there: Take Moeser Lane and Arlington Boulevard to Wildcat Canyon Road in Kensington. Follow Canon Drive to Central Park Drive.
Sign up for further details.

Please Contact Cub Master Chris Kent ecpack104cm@gmail.com or the Committee Chair at ecpack104cc@gmail.com for any questions about joining Pack 104.

Past events

June

Nerf Games V: Knock knock.  Who’s there? Ow, my eye!!
Saturday, June 1st 10:00 AM at Cerrito Vista Park
Please bring a Nerf N-Strike Elite.  We will provide the darts, please don’t bring any.  Everyone is welcome, you don’t have to be part of Scouts.  There will be information about Scouting.  Kids will have the opportunity to learn knots and test their Nerf skills with targets (No eyes will be shot!).  Please contact ecpack104info@gmail.com for more details.

Scout Day at the Oakland A’s
Sunday, June 2nd (Game at 1:00 PM)
Join fellow Scouts from across the bay to watch the Oakland A’s play the Houston Astros.  Game starts at 1:00.  Arrive early in cub scout uniform if you want to participate in the Scout march around the field before the game starts. (Registration for this event is closed.)

Camp Herms Summer Day Camp
Monday, June 24th through Friday June 28th, 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM daily
Campers join other Scouts and siblings from all over the Bay Area at Camp Herms for Day Camp. Prepare to have fun with BB’s, archery, nature hikes, creepy crawly crafts, and fun on the sports field!  (Registration for this event is closed.)

July

4th of July Celebration
Wednesday, July 4th 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Pack 104 will be at the El Cerrito 4th of July Celebration promoting Scouting and helping run Carnival games with Troop 104.  Contact ecpack104info@gmail.com  with questions or refer to https://www.el-cerrito.org/702/July-4th-Festival

Nerf Games IV: Knot Another One! – Saturday, June 2nd 10 am @ Cerrito Vista Park. Please bring a Nerf N-Strike Elite. We will provide the darts, please don’t bring any. Boys, Girls, and Siblings all welcome. There will be information about Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. Kids will have the opportunity to learn knots and test their Nerf skills.

Pack Hike – Sunday, June 3rd @ Mt Tamalpais.  Join us for a 2.5 mile loop. The hike should take about 2 hours – bring a picnic lunch. Meet at 9 am in the parking lot for East Tamalpais Peak on E. Ridgecrest Bvld.

Camp Herms Day Camp – Monday, June 25th to Friday June 29th, 9am to 3:30 pm. Campers join other Scouts and siblings from all over the Bay Area at Camp Herms for Day Camp. Prepare to have fun with BB’s, archery, nature hikes, creepy crawly crafts, and fun on the sports field! Please register at http://www.mdscbsa.org/events/herms-day-camp-2018/

4th of July Celebration – Wednesday, July 4th 11 am to 3 pm. Pack 104 will be at the El Cerrito 4th of July Celebration promoting Scouting and helping run Carnival games with Troop 104.

Pack 104 Swim Night – Friday, July 20th 530 pm. Scouts will get the opportunity to take the BSA Swim Test, talk with a Lifeguard about water safety, and have fun swimming during the Family Swim at the El Cerrito Pool.

Annual Fishing and Crabbing Outing – Sunday, August 5th . We will meet at the Moore Road Pier at Fort Baker. No need for a fishing license or gear. Just bring a lunch and wear layers.

Camp Herms Service Project – Sunday, August 19th 9am – 12 pm. The Pack will do a service project at Camp Herms. Please bring work gloves, sun protection and water. A breakfast snack and tools will be provided.

Pack 104 2017 Summer Schedule

June
Nerf Games III: Knot Again  

June 3rd 10 am Cerrito Vista Park.  Please bring a Nerf N-Strike Elite.  We will provide the darts, please don’t bring any.  Boys, Girls, and Siblings all welcome.  There will be information about Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.  Kids will have the opportunity to learn knots, and will also get to test their skill will their Nerf toys.  Please Contact RJ Lane for more details rjjob@hotmail.com

MDSC Highlander Hike: Fages  

June 17th 9 am Camp Herms.  Join Pack 104 for our the Mount Diablo Silverado Council Highlander Hiking Patch Series. Please meet at Camp Herms Lodge and be ready for a 3.3 mile hike.  You will need to bring all the water you need for the hike.  The hike will end in Tilden Park at Indian Camp near the Little Farm, where we will have a picnic lunch.

– Please Contact James Duerr at james.duerr@gmail.com to RSVP.  We will need to coordinate in order to have rides for everyone.  We will need some parents to drop off at Camp Herms then pick up at Indian Camp and some on the trail.
Camp Herms Day Camp

June 26th-30th 830 am to 3 pm. Campers join other Scouts and siblings from all over the Bay Area at Camp Herms for Day Camp.  Please register at http://www.mdscbsa.org/events/herms-day-camp-2017/

July
4th of July Celebration

July 4th 11 am to 3 pm. Pack 104 will be at the El Cerrito 4th of July Celebration promoting Scouting and helping run Carnival games with Troop 104.  

Pack 104 Swim Night
July 21st 530 pm.  Scouts will get the opportunity to take the BSA Swim Test, talk with a Lifeguard about water safety, and have fun swimming during the Family Swim at the El Cerrito Pool..

August

Crab Fishing

August 5th 10am – 1 pm.  We will meet at the Pier near Fort Baker. No need for a fishing licence or gear.  Just bring a lunch and wear layers.  There is plenty of hiking around the area and a formal hike will be organized.
Camp Herms Cleanup

August 20th 9am – 12 pm.  The Pack will do a service project at Camp Herms.  Please bring work gloves.  All other tools will be provided.  There will be Bagels and Coffee.  

Please Contact Cub Master Sherry Saeteurn at ecpack104cm@gmail.com or Committee Chair Lon Addison at pack104committeechair@gmail.com for any questions about joining Pack 104.  For questions about joining Girls Scouts, please contact Liz Zerby at lzerby@girlscoutsnorcal.org