Monday, June 14, 2010

September 2010 - Basic wilderness skills courses

Dear Boy Scouts leader,

North Valley Aikikai is a non-profit community center in Granada Hills. We will be offering a one-day and two-day basic wilderness skills courses in September.

The leader of this course, Toby Cowern, is a world renowned survival expert, who currently resides in Northern Sweden, within the Arctic Circle. He will be visiting SoCal twice a year. He is writing to check with whether your group will be interested in participating in such an event.

The children course will be a one-day course that will take place in the Northern San Fernando Valley area.

Teens course will be a one-day or two-day course that will take place in the Palmdale area.


Please feel free to contact me to discuss this.

Sincerely,

Lee Lavi Ramirez
North Valley Aikikai
16901 San Fernando Mission Blvd.
Granada Hills, CA 91344
(818) 652-5025
Web site / blog

Friday, June 11, 2010

100th anniversary, 100 thousand trees (Arbor Day Foundation)

Before there was a forest, there was a tree.

Before the tree, there was a seed.

And, before the seed could grow, it needed the right climate and care to reach great heights.

If you are a parent, a volunteer, BSA staff member, or Scouting supporter, you have helped to sow a seed of greatness in every Scout whose life you have touched.

How well you take care of a seed impacts how well it can grow. And after a century of planting character and integrity into the hearts and minds of our country's young people, more than 100 million Scouts have grown into some of the nation's greatest leaders, advocates, citizens, parents, and friends.

From the first Scout in 1910, the Boy Scouts of America has created a legacy.

From one tree today, we can create a forest to witness the next 100 years of Scouting.

We invite you to help in the planting of 100,000 trees, creating a strong, living symbol of Scouting's century of contributions.

Through the Arbor Day Foundation, everyone can plant a Boy Scouts of America 100th Anniversary tree.

For each tree that is ordered, the Arbor Day Foundation is donating a corresponding tree to build the Boy Scouts of America Centennial Forest in Montana.

Or, you can have both trees planted in the BSA Centennial Forest.

Who will you plant your tree for?

June and July 2010 - Free merit badge clinics (Fishing, Rifle Shooting)

As part of Family Summer Camp, Bass Pro Shops is offering two Merit Badge classes for Scouts.

Class size will be limited to 10 Scouts.  Register at Customer Service or call the store and register over the phone.

Classes are taught on Thursdays and Saturdays at the store at 7 pm according to the following schedule:

Fishing

  • Saturday, June 5
  • Thursday, June 17
  • Saturday, June 19
  • Thursday, July 1
  • Saturday, July 3

Rifle Shooting

  • Thursday, June 10
  • Saturday, June 12
  • Thursday, June 24
  • Saturday, June 26
  • Thursday, July 8
  • Saturday, July 10

Thursday, June 3, 2010

June 11, 2010 - Flag retirement ceremony

Join Troop 2379 and the B.P.O.E. Lodge

Flag Day will be celebrated Friday, June 11th

Flags have been collected during the year to retire on this evening.  You are welcome to bring any flags to be retired as well.

Girl Scouts are welcome also!

  • 6:30 pm - Hamburger / hot dog dinner for all those in uniform
  • 8:00 pm - Elks Flag Day ceremony followed by Boy and Girl Scouts flag retirement ceremony
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
Santa Clarita Lodge 2379
17766 Sierra Hwy.

Please R.S.V.P. for meal count: (661) 251-1500

July 17, 2010 - Discover Scuba

July 17th
9 am - 3 pm (takes about an hour)

  • Open to anybody ages 11 through 17
  • Must have a parent or guardian present
  • Parents must complete a medical questionnaire for minors before session

This is a great way to see if you would like to do this as a family hobby.  You can also sign up for the open water course, the first level of certification.

If you have your own snorkeling gear, feel free to bring it to use.  If you are a Scout, you can earn the Scuba BSA patch (cost is $5).

RSVP:
Fred Brown, Master Scuba Diver Trainer
(661) 400-1595
PADI certified

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Optimist Club of West Hills (Scout service activity)

My name is Barry Smith; I am a Scouter and also Lt. Governor for Zone 10 of the Pacific Southwest District of Optimist International. Our motto is "Friend of Youth". The Optimist Club of West Hills, one of our clubs, has asked me if I knew of someone who may be able to give them help.

They have been holding a party called "Spirit Rise" every 2nd Friday for twenty years at the Haven Hills Short Term Shelter, a refuge for battered spouses. "Joey Magic", the Rainbow Wizard, entertains the residents with magic tricks and Optimists serve punch and cake. Each child is given a toy. As the families are there for only one month, the children usually receive only one toy. Their toys cost $5 to $10, but they can give away up to 20 or more toys per month. Their club had been relying on corporate generosity for these toys, but these sources have disappeared in this slow economy. They are looking for help in getting new, non-violent toys and games for ages 6 months to 16 years.

This is a good service activity for individuals or units. My Pack did this, and even though the kids could not directly visit the kids, they did understand they were helping children who were unable to stay in their homes.

Those interested in helping can directly contact the West Hills Optimists,  Kathy Willets (818) 970-7200 or Ed Young (818) 704-1505