Monday, August 31, 2009

September 15, 2009 - Emergency Preparedness Fair

Learn everything you'll need to prepare yourself, your family and your workplace at the City of Los Angeles 18th Annual Emergency Preparedness on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at Northridge Fashion Center, 9301 Tampa Avenue, Northridge. Free samples, demos and lots of information.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

September 19, 2009 - Malibu Lodge 60th Anniversary

Malibu Lodge 566
Serranos Chapter (Bill Hart District)
60th Anniversary Banquet

All Malibu and Walika Lodge members, past and present
You are cordially invited to a celebration of the Serranos Chapter's 60 years of cheerful service

September 19, 2009

Santa Clarita United Methodist Church
26640 Bouquet Canyon Road
Santa Clarita, CA 91350

  • 6:00 pm - Fellowship
  • 7:00 pm - Dinner, "the Works", from the Stonefire Grill
  • 8:00 pm - Our guest Speaker, Ted Garcia, a Chumash tribe elder will speak about Native American traditions, history, and present lives. Using Native American tradition this will be told through stories and songs. Elder Garcia will also bring Chumash craftwork and tools.

Friday, August 28, 2009

November 8, 2009 - Troop 36 merit badge midway

Troop 36 will be hosting a Merit Badge Midway at Temple Beth Hillel, 12326 Riverside Drive, North Hollywood on November 8th, 2009. This event will cost $5.00 to register and early registration is encouraged. Merit Badges will be offered between 1:00pm to 6:00pm.

Please contact Mark Cutler at markjaycut@sbcglobal.net to pre-register.

Red Cross CPR certification for adults
Two sessions offered: 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Cost: $15.00
Limited Availability
Advance reservation available by email only:
jmklinecpa@aol.com

For information:
Mark Cutler (818) 508-9442 markjaycut@sbcglobal.net
Claudio Sapir (818) 521-3567 raul-locksmith@sbcglobal.net
Jean Kline (310) 289-0132 jmklinecpa@aol.com

September 26, 2009 - Las Colinas Carnival of Training

Las Colinas Carnival of Training
Presented by the Las Colinas District
Saturday, September 26th, 2009
8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
at
Pinecrest School, Woodland Hills
5975 Shoup Ave, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
(Corner of Shoup Ave and Oxnard St)

Who should attend:
  • Scout Leaders
  • Troop/Pack Committee Members
  • Cub Scout Leaders
  • Venture Leaders, Unit Commissioners

Courses offered:

  • This Is Scouting 8:00 - 11:30 AM
  • Cub Leader Specific 1:00 - 4:30 PM
  • Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster Specific 1:00 - 5:00 PM
  • Venture Leader Specific 1:00 - 4:30 PM
  • Commissioner College Courses 8:00 - 5:00 PM (Contact Mike Henderson at MKhende@aol.com)
  • Troop Committee Challenge 8:00 - 11:30 AM
  • Webelos Transition 8:00 - 11:30 AM
  • Merit Badge Counselor 9:30 - 11:30 AM

Cost: $5.00 per course

Wear your Class A uniform if you have one - come anyway if you don’t.

Please pre-register no later than Wednesday, September 23, 2009! If not, register at the training.

Questions: John Overton at john.overton@pwr.utc.com or (818) 620-1001

Help needed for new Food Pantry

Hello Scouters!

I have a request from the Pastor of my church, which is also our Cub Scout Pack #118 and Girl Scout chartered organization. They are starting up a new Food Pantry to serve those in the community that are in need. But to get it going, they need some help from adults and Boy Scouts to seal the floors of the two small rooms that will be the home of the food pantry. It needs to be done ASAP so they can get the place up and running.

If anyone would be interested, or has a Troop that would be willing to make a project out of this, we would greatly appreciate it. No official date has been set as to when to do it, so this can work with your schedules too. But like I said, they need this done ASAP to go forward with the project.

Please contact me if you are interested, and I will put you in touch with the Pastor to make the arrangements.

Thank you!

Rebecca Murphy
rmurphy4@socal.rr.com
Mom to Alex, Matthew, and Victoria
Balboa Oaks Cub Scout Day Camp Director
Boy Scout Troop 307 - Committee Member
Cub Scout Pack 118 - Committee Chair
Daisy Girl Scout Troop 36 Leader

Thursday, August 27, 2009

September through November 2009 - Get your ham radio license

The San Fernando Valley Amateur Radio Club is sponsoring a free seven- to ten-evening Amateur Radio licensing instruction course. The class meets weekly beginning Thursday, Sept. 10, from 7:30 - 9 p.m. in Classrooms 1 and 2 in the basement of Northridge Hospital, 18300 Roscoe Blvd.

The course prepares people to take the basic "Ham" radio test in order to become licensed Amateur Radio Operators. The class textbook, The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual, can be ordered online, or purchased from Ham Radio Outlet, 1525 West Magnolia Blvd., Burbank.

To enroll, contact Bill Miller at (818) 368-4438 or email bill@ltga.com. If you are already a licensed Ham, the San Fernando Valley Amateur Radio Club invites you to join them on the 3rd Friday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Penthouse Auditorium of Northridge Hospital.

Rope bridge needed

Letter from the pastor:

"I wanted to let you know that we are doing a Harvest Festival October 31st, 12:00 - 4:00 PM on the church property. We wanted to see if the Boy Scouts have a rope bridge that they would like to bring to the event for kids to go on and you can set up a booth next to it advertising your troop. The event will be highly advertised in the neighborhood and around the area. Let me know ASAP so we can plan your space. Feel free to give me a call if you have any questions."

If you can help, please contact Les Salay (will pick up and return it)

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Notes on advancement forms

Now that you are able to do advancements online, please make sure you only turn in the copy that is submitted. You may not buy awards from the Scout Shop on the form that says "draft".

The other item of interest is, if you do online advancements, you do not have to fill out the red and white advancement form that we used to use. After you submit the online advancement form, there will be instructions for you to print two copies, one for your records and one for you to purchase the awards at the Scout Shop, and we get the report from them. If you have any questions, please call us before you come in.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

October 4, 2009 - Victory over Violence 5K / 10K at CSUN

My name is Joshua Stepakoff and I am an Eagle Scout in Troop 911.

This August marks the 10th anniversary of the North Valley Jewish Community Center (NVJCC) shooting, where I was one of three young children shot along with a camp counselor, a receptionist, and later a U.S. Postal worker who sadly died. After the shooting, I received an incredible outpouring of support from our community, from all over the country, and from around the world.

Every day, over 250 people across our country are injured or killed by gun violence, and many do not have access to the support that I had. As an Eagle Scout, I have been taught that it is my responsibility to not only give back to those who helped me but to help other people at all times. To commemorate this 10th anniversary I am helping to organize Victory Over Violence, a 5K/10K walk/run/kids fun run at CSUN on Oct 4, that will increase awareness about gun violence in our community and raise money to help victims of gun violence. Participants of all ages and abilities are welcome, and you can participate as an individual, or form a team with your Pack, Troop, friends, relatives, or co-workers.

I need your help as either a participant, sponsor, or volunteer.


You can contact me at VOV09@earthlink.net if you have any questions or if you need additional information.

Thank you for your support,

Josh Stepakoff

Friday, August 21, 2009

Jamboree 2010 fundraiser

Grant Silver is raising money to pay for his trip to the National Scout Jamboree in 2010. Please help support Grant and Jamboree Troop 827 by buying:

Entertainment Fundraising

There are over 150 entertainment editions online to choose from.

These books pay for themselves with $30.00 coupons for Ralph’s Grocery Stores plus lots of other discounts and coupons valid now thru November 1, 2010.

These books sell for $25.00

If ordering online, go to http://www.entertainment.com/support and enter Group ID: 957957

Thanks for your support!

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Winter sports safety - Helmets

While it is the end of August and school is just beginning, I would like to advise you of an upcoming change to the Winter Sports Safety section of the Guide to Safe Scouting.

Currently, Section 3 states that "Suitable clothing for the activity and environment should be worn at all times, and equipment should include gloves and helmets when appropriate."

Based upon the review of General Liability claims history, along with a recommendation by the Risk Management Advisory Panel (two Scout executives from each region), and input from the Health and Safety Support Committee, the following change will be made to the Guide to Safe Scouting and published as an Alert on Scouting Safely.

"Appropriate personal protective equipment is required for all activities. This includes the recommended use of helmets for all participants engaged in winter sports such as sledding and other sliding devices. The use of helmets is required for the following activities: downhill skiing, snowboarding, and operation of snowmobiles (full-face helmets)."

I would like to remind you that when units engage in winter sports, they should only use designated areas where rocks, tree stumps, and other potential obstacles have been identified and marked, cleared away, shielded, or buffered in some way.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Seeking assistance with Junior Leadership training

Our troop is looking into Junior Leadership training, but haven't been able to find a program, internet help, DVD, book, etc., to assist us in training our 1st Class and above guys. Do you have any suggestions? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Yours in Scouting,

Gina Thompson
Scouting at the Sanctuary
scouting@TheSanctuaryChurch.com

Monday, August 17, 2009

September 12, 2009 - Metrolink victims memorial

One year ago, our lives were changed forever.

The Chatsworth Metrolink train disaster of Sept. 12, 2008 was a tragedy that brought trauma to the families of the victims, those who were injured, the rescue workers, groups that offered assistance, and the entire community.

Please join us on Sept. 12, 2009, at 9:30 am in Chatsworth for the unveiling ceremony of the monument dedicated to those who lost their lives in the Chatsworth Metrolink train disaster one year ago.

On the one-year anniversary of this tragic event, we will unveil a public monument overlooking the crash site and hold a dedication ceremony in honor of those who lost their lives, and their loved ones.

Please arrive at 9:30 am to park at the Church at Rocky Peak, located at 22601 Santa Susana Pass Rd., Chatsworth, CA 91311.

Shuttles will bring visitors to the event location at Stoney Point Park. The ceremony will last approximately one hour.

For more information, please call (818) 756-8501.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Do something!

Looking for a way to do something special? dosomething.org has information on volunteer projects that you can draw ideas from, get sponsorships and share in your dream for the children of the future. This site has numerous opportunities to serve your country, community, city, or neighborhood. You may want to partner with an existing group that shares your passions and ideas.

October 24, 2009 - Stoney Point clean-up

The Stoney Point clean-up project will be a go this year! We did not have the opportunity to do a clean-up project last year due to the wildfires and the Metrolink train disaster.

The date for our Scouting participation will be October 24th from 8:00am till noon. There will be a Leave No Trace demonstration put on by REI Sporting Goods, and a raffle of many outdoors-related prizes. BSA Troop 921 will be serving hot dogs and other refreshments after the group photo is taken.

We have had as many as 80 volunteers before. I hope that this year will bring out even more than before!

Scouts can work towards certain merit badges or belt loops!

September 26, 2009 - Community clean-up event

Save the date for our next community clean-up event, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009. We will be beautifying one of our community's main gateways - Tampa Ave. between Plummer St. and Lassen Ave. in Northridge.

The clean-up event is part of our Community Service Partnership Project, an ongoing series of community improvement projects that bring together volunteers and community groups to beautify our neighborhoods.

Mitch Englander, our Chief of Staff, participates in every clean-up, not just to help organize the events, but as a volunteer. He regularly brings along his two young daughters to get them excited about volunteering and community service.

These events are an excellent, fun way to meet your neighbors, teach kids about volunteerism, and get some fresh air and exercise while keeping our neighborhoods clean and safe. It also offers a chance to work together with some of the community-based organizations, Neighborhood Councils, schools, police officers and firefighters in our District, as well as our Council staff, all of whom volunteer regularly.

The activities include painting over graffiti, clearing weeds and debris from streets and sidewalks, planting trees, cleaning up parks and charitable events like our annual Citrus Sunday, which brings thousands of pounds of freshly picked fruit to Valley food banks.

If you would like more information, or would like to be put on a list of regular volunteers, as a group or an individual, please call (818) 756-8501.

Friday, August 14, 2009

November 7, 2009 - Lockheed Martin Engineering merit badge workshop

November 7, 2009 at 9 am

Sponsored by: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics

Location: Lancaster/Palmdale

Open to those who have registered and complete the pre-work.

This workshop will be for Boy Scouts in the 6th to 8th grade and will be limited to only a few scouts.

October 10-11, 2009 - Trona Gem-O-Rama

For more than 65 years, countless thousands of visitors have come to Trona during the second weekend in October for the annual Gem-O-Rama. Each year, more collectors converge for 36 hours of frantic non-stop activity to collect some of the best and most desirable evaporite mineral specimens in the world.

Since the first show, the Searles Lake Gem and Mineral Society has worked closely with the management and employees of the owner/operator on Searles Lake to provide one of the most exciting mineral collecting field trips available in the world. These field trips and your experiences would be impossible without their co-operation, dedication and vision.

If you visit Trona this year, please take time afterwards to write a short note of appreciation to Searles Valley Minerals. Your letters will help ensure that this opportunity remains available for others.

Searles Lake Gem and Mineral Society
P.O. Box 966
Trona, CA 93592-0966
(760) 372-5356
slgms@iwvisp.com

September 4-7, 2009 - Vietnam Memorial volunteers needed


My first inclination was to arrange for Scouts to do the opening flag ceremony and the Pledge of Allegiance each morning, but another Scout troop is already covering it. They do still need volunteers in other areas:

  • Three Eagle Scouts to camp overnight and help watch over the memorial for security - these Scouts will be fed and watered
  • Cleaning the wall
  • Helping with parking
  • Manning the computer database with all 58,000 names and where they appear on the wall
  • We think there are enough readers, but Scouts are still welcome to help with it
  • Passing out food
  • Assisting the handicapped
Please contact Bonnie Contarina at (818) 681-5777 or Phyllis at (805) 341-7269, as they already have the event planned in very specific ways.

I also need six Boy Scouts to do the ending ceremony, where the flags will be retired and buried at the cemetery which is hosting this memorial. Please contact me and let me know who will participate in this.

All Scouts who volunteer must be in full dress uniform and behave in a manner conducive to the ethics of the Scouting organization.

Les Salay
(818) 363-9783
(818) 581-8865 cell
scoutingus@aol.com

Boy Scouts hunting the tech-savvy generation

New online edition of handbook includes info on Web safety, GPS and more

The Associated Press
updated 4:20 p.m. PT, Thurs., Aug. 13, 2009

DALLAS - Surviving in the wilderness once relied on a compass and map, hiking boots and a sense of adventure. Keep those stashed in your gear, but add an iPhone or laptop to the mix and you've got the new direction of the Boy Scouts.

The largest youth organization in the country is taking on a new approach as it targets the tech-savvy generation, and announced this week that its bible - the Boy Scout Handbook - is going online.

The 475-page handbook continues to focus on subjects like camping, woodwork, leadership and citizenship, but the 12th edition includes a section on Internet safety and expanded information on GPS navigation. An iPhone application for the handbook will be available next month.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

September 10, 2009 - Gary Cooper stamp ceremony (color guard needed)

Here is the flyer for the Gary Cooper Stamp event at the Gene Autry National Center on Sept 10th (the museum is looking for a Scout color guard) that we talked about at the meeting last night. I think it would be a great if we could get Cubbies and Boy Scout to help with this great event. I know this is on a school day but it will help with community service hours and it is something they will never forget.

Please send me your contact information so I know who will be there. I will fill you in on the details later when I have a good head count. Thank you all for helping with this awesome event.

Yours in Scouting,

Roy Powell
Vice-Chairman of Programs
Balboa Oaks District
(661) 572-4798 work
(818) 349-0235 home

August 30, 2009 - Blood drive

St. Catherine of Siena Church Blood Drive
(sponsored by Boy Scout Troop 328 and Cub Scout Pack 328)
18115 Sherman Way, Reseda, CA 91335
August 30, 2009 from 8 am to 2 pm

To schedule your appointment online, go to www.givelife.org and enter sponsor code stcatherine.

For more information, contact Manny Gallegos at manuelng@att.net or (818) 257-1762.

Every donation saves 3 lives! Please help us save lives today by making your life saving appointment today.

Each donor will receive a $5 Daphne’s coupon and be entered in a region wide drawing for a chance to win a $500 gas gift card.

Identification is required.

January 1, 2010 - Rose Parade

As Relationships Chair of Western Los Angeles County Council, I have been contacted by Michael Tauber, a volunteer Scouter in Los Angeles Area Council. Michael is leading an effort to include up to 300 Eagle Scouts from several Southern California Councils to march in the Rose Parade. Because there are many councils involved, we might expect that there will be a limited number of spots for WLACC Eagles.


If interested, please follow the instructions in the application and get your submission in as soon as possible.

This is a great Relationships opportunity for our Council inasmuch as our Eagle Scouts will be included for national visibility and promotion, we will be a part of a large community event, and we will have an opportunity for fellowship among the Eagles participating.

Please circulate in WLACC as appropriate.

David I. Karp
Relationships Chair
Western Los Angeles County Council
Boy Scouts of America

Donation request

I think I can, I think I can. It is that time of year again when I compete in the Nautica Malibu Triathlon in September. Fifth year! Same race (1/2 mile ocean swim, 18 mile bike and 4 mile run), same Nestle Tri-Team as last year, but new aches and pains. Missed a huge chuck of time recovering from the gallbladder surgeries earlier this year and tweaked the back recently so we will see how it goes. It will be slowly, I can tell you that! But it is still a great cause - the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles - and I encourage you to donate, even if only $10, to this wonderful charity.

Visit my donation page and help me in my efforts to support Children's Hospital Los Angeles. If you know someone who likes to donate to a good cause, please feel free to forward the link.

Thanks in advance,
Dean Yerem

September 4-7, 2009 - Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall

The Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall will be coming to Westlake Village this September. The last time this traveling Wall was in our area was in 1998. This is a time to remember, to reflect, and to heal.

The Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall is a traveling 3/4 scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC, and will be on display from September 4th through 7th, 2009, from 8 am to 12 pm. It will be held at the Pierce Brothers Memorial Park located at 5600 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake, CA 91362.

The Dignity Memorial is dedicated to Vietnam veterans, and also honors all US veterans who have served before us, are currently serving now, and to those who will sacrifice their lives in future generations to come.

The Dignity Wall is 240 feet long, eight feet high, and contains the names of more than 58,000 Americans who died or were deemed Missing in Action in Vietnam.

Please join in this somber, yet reverent event in remembrance of all of America's fallen heroes.

Attending this viewing is very moving and saddening to those of us who have lost loved ones and are still on this earth, having to suffer each day, knowing that our soldier is never coming home. All that is left of his/her sacrifice is the sound of the 21 gun salute, the undoubted formation of the four ship F-14 fighter jets "fly-by", the playing of taps, and the ultimate show of respect, the folded American flag, presented to the families of those left to move on with their lives.

"There are only two defining forces that have ever offered to die for you... your personal higher power and the American soldier. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom."

This is an opportunity to teach our children to be reverent, loyal, and to do their duty to their higher power and our country with dignity and pride.

Should anyone wish to volunteer their time towards this event, please call Terence Shotkoski at (818) 889-0902 and look at the many opportunities to assist in this memorial.

May God Bless America, and may your higher power Bless You!

Service hours

I would like to see if you have any Scouts that need some service hours. I need some envelopes stuffed and paper shredded in the office and I will offer to have this as a service project but it is during the day. I know some of the youth are in school already but we have someone in the office Monday through Friday until 5pm. If you are interested please call me and set up a date and time. Uniform is required.

Lisa Pennock
Antelope Valley District
Office Manager / Registrar
(661) 942-0582
(661) 723-1450 fax

2010 summer camp applications

To: All WLACC Unit leaders
From: Camping Department, WLACC
Subject: 2010 Online summer camp application

The Western Los Angeles County Council is the home of two incredible Boy Scout Summer Camps, Camp Emerald Bay and Camp Whitsett. We also host the nationally recognized high adventure camps, Rugged Adventurers and Sierra Expeditions!

Camp Emerald Bay and Rugged Adventurers

With its rustic island beauty, our camp will have your Scouts coming back year after year! From the exhilarating boat ride to Catalina Island to scuba diving in the deep blue yonder, your Scouts will experience a camp dedicated to building character, fostering friendship and providing for personal growth through a challenging and electrifying program!

Camp Whitsett and Sierra Expeditions

Located in the awe inspiring Sequoia National Forest, our camp offers an unforgettable experience for your Scouts. With our mountain top local and top notch facilities, your Unit can look forward to leadership development, self-confidence building, achievement opportunities, and just plain fun! Set your Scouts in motion to the premier mountain camp!

How do I register?


Registration begins:
  • September 1st, 2009 for WLACC units
  • September 16th, 2009 for 2009 WLACC summer camp attendees
  • October 1st, 2009 for all other units

The following are the dates of registration for the 2010 season. Please keep in mind that while it is important to register as soon as possible, it is not critical to register on the first day of registration.

Emerald Bay and Rugged AdventurersWhitsett and Sierra Expeditions
EB/RA1: June 13-19, 2010
EB/RA2: June 20-26, 2010
EB/RA3: June 27 - July 3, 2010
EB/RA4: July 4-10, 2010
EB/RA5: July 11-17, 2010
EB/RA6: July 18-24, 2010
EB/RA7: Staff development
EB/RA8*: August 1-7, 2010
EB/RA9*: August 8-14, 2010
EB/RA10*: August 15-21, 2010
EB/RA11*: August 22-28, 2010

EB/RA12: August 29 - September 4, 2010

*Rugged "C" is available.

WH/SE1: June 20-26, 2010
WH/SE2: June 27 - July 3, 2010
WH/SE3: July 4-10, 2010
WH/SE4: July 11-17, 2010
WH/SE5: July 18-24, 2010
WH/SE6: July 25-31, 2010
WH/SE7: August 1-7, 2010

Monday, August 10, 2009

New merit badges, belt loops and pins

Boy Scout Merit Badge Update

These merit badges have been approved and are in development with the following tentative launch dates.

NameDate
Scuba2009 Q4
Scouting Heritage2009 Q4
GPS/GIS2010 Q1
Robotics2010 Q2


Cub Scouts Belt Loops and Pins Coming Soon

NameLoopPin
Abilities Awareness1786114700
Family Travel1786214701
Good Manners1786314702
Hiking1786514707
Hockey1786414706
Horseback Riding1786614708
Pet Care1786914703
Photography1787014704
Reading and Writing1787114705
Skateboarding1786714709
Video Game1786814710


All Information from the New 2009-2010 Insignia Guide #33066.

September 7, 2009 - Free Fishing day

Have you ever felt the excitement of watching your bobber suddenly jiggle, then dive out of sight? Or feeling the tap-tap-tap of a bass as it tastes the worm on the end of your line?

Or having a salmon practically tear the rod out of your hands as it smashes your lure? What's that? You say you never learned to fish?

Well, if you are new to the sport of fishing, and not sure if you will enjoy it, we have a great opportunity for you.

The Department of Fish and Game offers two Free Fishing Days each year. On these days, you can fish without having to buy a sport fishing license. Free Fishing Days provide a great, low-cost way to give fishing a try.

Some Department offices offer a Fishing in the City program where you can go fishing in the middle of major metropolitan areas - perhaps just a few blocks from your home. Fishing in the City and free fishing day clinics are designed to educate people just like you about fish habits, proven methods of catching fish, and tackle you'll need. You can even learn how to clean and prepare your catch so you can enjoy it for dinner that night.

While all fishing regulations (such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, report card requirements, fishing hours and stream closures) remain in effect, there are two days each year when anyone can fish without purchasing a fishing license.

BSA Crime Prevention Award

The Boy Scouts of America's Crime Prevention Program assists neighborhoods and communities in their efforts to prevent crime by emphasizing youth, family, and community.

Recognitions consisting of patches, wallet cards, certificates, and pins are available.

All participants, including those not registered in Scouting, are eligible to earn the Crime Prevention Award provided they fulfill the requirements of the two phases outlined below and detailed on the application form.

According to BSA National, the Crime Prevention emblem is in stock, but is a restricted item and can only be obtained through your local council. If your council does not have this in stock, they can order it. It is item #04189.

October 2-4, 2009 - Catholic Scout Retreat

When:
  • 5 pm Friday, October 2, 2009 to 11 am Sunday, October 4, 2009.
  • Program starts promptly at 8 am Saturday morning.
  • Late arrivals should check in by 7:30 am Saturday morning.

Where:
Veteran's Memorial Park
13000 Sayre St., Sylmar

Cost:
  • $20 per Scout
  • $15 for registrations postmarked by September 14

Registration and Unit Leader Guide:
See our web site.

Questions:
Call your Council's Catholic Committee Chair (see web site for Chair names) or Maureen Brown at (323) 257-0067.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Wildwood Park, Thousand Oaks

Located with the city of Thousand Oaks is a hidden treasure that very few people know of. The hike to one of the waterfalls is a low impact trek (no radical or steep hills to climb) and is about a 20 minute hike to one or two year-round waterfalls. I am positive that this will be a hike you won't want to miss nor will ever forget.

The hike is age appropriate for Cub Scouts of all ranks. Enjoy this open space with the baby jogger, on bikes, or the old fashioned way - on foot.

For the hikers, don't miss out on Paradise Falls, especially in the spring. With its hills, valleys, steep climbs and rock outcroppings, the park is home to several endangered plants such as the city flower Conejo Buckwheat as well as the other 100-plus species of plants to be found here. Over 70 species of birds have been seen in the vicinity as well as over 30 species of mammals (including the mule deer, coyote, gray fox, and the cottontail rabbit), numerous reptiles and snakes (the southern pacific rattler is the only poisonous one), and an abundance of insects. There are 1,754 acres of open space, 14 trails covering 17 miles.

There are three water fountains in the park; hikers are encouraged to bring water. Restrooms are located at the bottom of the canyon only. In addition, there are several benches located throughout the park mostly along the trails.

Enjoy the video and pictures pages and then go take a hike! You can also start one of your three requirements for the Leave No Trace patch!

August 15-16, 2009 - Emerald Bay Campfire Circle Dedication

On August 15th, Camp Emerald Bay - WLACC, in collaboration with the Emerald Bay Alumni, will dedicate the new Campfire Circle.

The dedication is a part of the alumni's annual reunion where former staff, friends, and family rekindle friendships and remember old times.

If you are able to join us, please register now.

Hope to see you there.

Yours in Scouting,

Lee

"A world in which people make ethical and moral choices over their lifetime."

Lee Harrison
Development Director
Executive Director - Emerald Bay
WLACC
16525 Sherman Way, Unit C-8
Van Nuys, CA 91406
(818) 933-0109
(818) 901-4889
LHarrison@bsa-la.org


Also keep your eye out for four WLACC "Scouting for Adventure" episodes on The Outdoor Channel this fall.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Cub Scout program information

With a new year starting off, and annual pack program documents needing to be updated or replaced, here are a couple of web sites that you may want to check out. Have another great year in scouting and have fun with the youth. Thank you all for a job well done.


Thanks for your support.

Lisa Pennock
Antelope Valley District
Office Manager / Registrar

Valley Trails Ranch

Valley Trails Ranch (the home of Valley Trails Summer Camp), located in Castaic, is welcoming troops for camping and troop related events and activities. From basic camping to full service programs, we will meet the needs and price ranges of most groups. Located on a 200 acre facility, we offer several locations for tent camping, cabin and indoor sleeping for 156, dining hall and commercial kitchen, pools, high and low challenge courses, climbing walls and more.

We are also excited to announce the opening of our 12 bay archery pavilion (recent Eagle Scout Project of Troop 583). This pavilion can be utilized for Archery, .22 and BB's (restrictions apply).

Please contact our office at (661) 257-0266 for more information or to inquire about availability.

Thank you,

Mike Stillson a.k.a. Otter
Executive Director
"You Won't Believe What I Did at Camp Today!"

Children's Day participation

"Celebrating 100 Years" at Children's Day, November 21, 2009 - Our chance for visibility, community support, new membership - Last year 50,000 visitors, this year maybe more!!

To all in our council and districts:

I am pleased to report tentative approval of the following components of Western Los Angeles County Council's presence/participation at Children's Day in Woodley Park in Van Nuys, CA, on November 21, 2009.


Four Information Booths as follows:
  1. Cub Scouting
  2. Boy Scouting
  3. Venturing
  4. Exploring

Three Activity Areas

  • Pinewood Derby Display
  • OA Indian Village
  • Pioneering Display - Monkey Bridge

Now it is time to figure out who can help.

Here are some ideas:

For the Information Booths:
  • maybe individual units or families can volunteer for booth duty in the information booths, for all or part of the day
  • maybe district or council membership committee people can do booth duty in some of the booths as well
  • We will need booth chairpeople for each one to organize, manage, and oversee preparation and participation

For the Activity Areas
  • One or more Cub Packs or Districts could handle the Pinewood Derby
  • Malibu Lodge or all or some of its Chapters can handle the OA Indian Village
  • Pioneering/monkey bridge would be a good project maybe for our camping and outdoor promotions professionals/staff/volunteers, Wood Badgers, HAT, Jamboree troops, anyone!

Please start the discussion so that you can get back to me with your unit's, district's, or individual offers to help.

I look forward to hearing from you with your specifics as to what you can do, and when, and for how long.

David I. Karp
Relationships Chair
Western Los Angeles County Council BSA

Monday, August 3, 2009

Matching grants for beautification projects

If your pack or troop is going to host a clean-up project, but you don't know who to call or how to raise funds for items such as tools, food, drinks or other necessities you may need, then look no further - the City of Los Angeles has a matching grant fund tailored to your specific needs.

Don't know where to begin? First, find a project that helps your community in a beautification event, such as removal of graffiti, cleaning up your local park, street cleaning, or anything in your neighborhood or adjacent streets that catches your attention. Use your imagination and get a matching government grant to help you with the costs of doing such a project.

There are seminars coming up soon where you can learn how to apply for these grants, and who and what is involved in getting your grant.


Let's all do our part in keeping our neighborhood clean, safe and graffiti free. Now come on and get your game on!

August 29, 2009 - Merit badge midway

LDS Church
23334 McBean Parkway
Santa Clarita, CA 91355

August 29, 2009
8:30 am till 4:30 pm

Each Scout should contact the merit badge counselors prior to the midway to complete any prerequisites for the merit badges that he may take.

Each Scout needs to bring a notebook to take notes and something to write with.

Each Scout should have completed filled-out blue cards signed by their Scoutmaster for each class they attend. This is a Scouting event, so Scouts need to be in Class A uniforms.

There will be food available for purchase (lunch, snacks, candy).

Some merit badges will be in classrooms, others will be meet-and-greet format.

For any other information, please contact:
Lee Shapiro at lsbsa@aol.com or (661) 294-8677
Manny Valls at mannyv@aemf.org or (661) 645-3153