We are planning a campout and hike to Pinnacles National Park south of Hollister for Saturday to Sunday, November 16 to 17. On Saturday we’ll do an 8-mile loop hike through the pinnacles, through a tunnel, and past the bat caves. The troop has done this twice in recent years and seen tarantulas, sleeping bats, and other wildlife. On Sunday, people can head home after breakfast or go on another hike.
This is a good opportunity to complete Camping MB requirements for nights, hiking, and cooking; for Tenderfoot, Second Class, or First Class cooking; for Troop events and campouts; Second Class map and compass; and more. For more information and to sign up see the calendar page for this event at Pinnacles Camping.
The park was an active volcano region millions of years ago split by the San Andreas fault and contains talus caves, lava tubes, and majestic rock spires. Pinnacles is one of four sites where captive-bred condors are released to live in the wild, and many of these birds live out their lives flying between Pinnacles and the Big Sur coast. Pinnacles was set aside as a monument by Theodore Roosevelt in 1908 and became a national park in 2013.
Troop 64 is going to Sunset Beach State Park this weekend. The beach supports four major plant communities and associated wildlife. There will be plenty of opportunities for Scouts to explore nature, work on achievements and merit badges, bike and fish, and have fun on a beautiful California beach. Sunset Beach is just south of Santa Cruz on Monterey Bay. Follow the link to the official State park brochure
Go to the Calendar page for more details.
(more…)
Hamburgers, Hamburgers, Hamburgers!!!
It’s that time of year again. The Town of Portola Valley is having their annual picnic September 14, and the Scouts use this as the main fundraiser for the year. We cook and sell hamburgers. Because this is our main source of income for the year (and is 100x better than selling popcorn), everyone is expected to take at least a shift or two.
Tons of stuff to do the day of, such as cooking, taking orders, or even bringing an ice chest (with ice in it!). Signups below. Sign up soon to take the best spots!
sign up link on calendar page
8:00AM to 3:)00PM, September 14, 2019
The BBQ Team
Our first meeting of the scouting year is from 7 PM to 8:45 PM, September 4 in the Alder Room at Portola Valley Town Center. Please attend and help us plan an exciting year of scouting. Our annual fund raising picnic is coming soon, and we have half a dozen camping trip planned in the next few months.
The ever-popular shooting sports camp is a chance for scouts to learn the safe handling and cleaning of firearms like .22 rifle, shotgun (12 and 20 gauge), archery and tomahawks. Trained range masters will run each station and provide close (and strict) supervision. Eye and hearing protection is provided. All firearms and ammo are provided- don’t BYO firearms. There will be several other Troops from the Bay Area attending. This event has been a lot of fun the past few years and adults were also able to shoot. Turns out T64 has some very good clay pigeon shooters!
Location: Camp Rancho Los Mochos. A large scouts camp in the hills SE of Livermore. Address: 18450 Mines Rd, Livermore, CA. It’s about a 2 hour drive from PV.
For more information and to sign up go to the Calendar page for this event.
Remember to sign up for May 31-June 2 weekend backpacking trip to Big Basin. Full details below….we still have some space, so please join us for an amazing trek!! This will be a 2 day backpacking trip. We will camp at Big Basin HQ on Friday night, hike 5-6 miles on the Skyline-to-the-Sea trail to Sunset Camp (backcountry) for Saturday night, and then return via Sunset trail on Sunday (another 5-6 miles). The trail is about 2,150 of climbing over the 10 mile loop – with a backpack this should be challenging. Here is a link to the hike: http://www.redwoodhikes.com/BigBasin/BerryCreek.html
It looks incredible, and with all the rain, I’d think the waterfall should still be good in end of May. We have reservations for 12 people, and need 2 adults, so max would be 10 scouts. If your scout is interested, please see details on the Calendar page
We are booked for the nights of April 12th and 13th at Little Basin State Park near Boulder Creek in the local mountains. We will plan out the food at an upcoming scout meeting and meet at Roberts to shop before we go. We will also plan out the car pooling to make sure we can get everyone there and back.
Little Basin is a unique camping destination that features open grassy meadows, acres of dense redwood forest, and miles of hiking trails as well as two sports fields, a tennis court, a basketball court, a sand volleyball court, a children’s playground, and more. Camping accommodations include cabins, tent spaces, RV sites and a large group camping area. All campsites are equipped with a BBQ grill, picnic table, and fire ring. The campground also includes piped drinking water, rest rooms, and showers.
(more…)
Tags: Trail to 1st Class
Troop 64 at Alamere Falls, December 2016
Our next trip is our annual backpacking trip at Point Reyes on Saturday to Sunday, January 5 and 6. We’ll leave Portola Valley Saturday morning and return home around 4 pm on Sunday. The hike in to Wildcat Camp is 5.5 miles with a few hundred feet of elevation gain; the hike back, partly on the beach, is a little shorter, and will go up Alamere Falls.
There are many opportunities to complete requirements for ranks and merit badges, including a 5-mile hike with map and compass, selecting a campsite and setting up a tent, and cooking for ranks and MBs. This is a great backpacking trip for first-timers as well as veterans. This is a great time to get away to the quiet and beauty of the Point Reyes backcountry.
There is a group os Scouts signed up, so let Kirt know if you also wish to go Scouts’ parents are welcome. Go to calendar page for this event for more information, the trip plan, and to contact Kirt.
It is our troops annual tradition to help the Kiwanas during their Christmas tree fundraiser. You can sign up to work at the Kiwanis lot by going to the link below and committing to as many time slots as you like. Tree sales are a fun way to get service hours helping people select and take home their Christmas tree. The lot is located in the Stanford University football stadium parking lot. We also need parent volunteers as well for each time slot. Please sign up for as many time slots as you can. We will be selling every weekend though December 17. Also stop by to get your tree and help out the fund raiser.
Where: Stanford Stadium Parking lot Corner of El Camino & Galvez, you will see the tree sales are just South of the Huge Stanford Athletics sign on the corner.
When: Friday Nov 23 to Dec 16th week or when they run out of trees
Who: All Scouts in the Troop are expected to take a shift or two. Work in pairs and we need an Adult to stay with the group.
What: Scout uniform shirt — Who can resist a Scout dressed in a sharp uniform shirt.
Sign up: Visit the Calendar page to sign up
We are planning a campout and hike to Pinnacles National Park south of Hollister for Saturday to Sunday, November 10 to 11. This is a good opportunity to complete Camping MB requirements for nights, hiking, and cooking; for Tenderfoot, Second Class, or First Class cooking; for Troop events and campouts; Second Class map and compass; and more. For more information and to sign up see the calendar page for this event at Pinnacles Camping.
The park was an active volcano region millions of years ago split by the San Andreas fault and contains talus caves, lava tubes, and majestic rock spires. Pinnacles is one of four sites where captive-bred condors are released to live in the wild, and many of these birds live out their lives flying between Pinnacles and the Big Sur coast. Pinnacles was set aside as a monument by Theodore Roosevelt in 1908 and became a national park in 2013.
Saturday, September 8, at the Portola Valley Town Picnic held at the Town Center from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Our troop is the only concession booth to provide lunch for the picnic. It is a lot of fun to participate and for the new families, a great way to get to know the other scouts and their families. This year’s picnic will also be a celebration of 10 years for the Town Center, so it should be a great turn out.
There will be activities such as Jumpies, Carnival, Balloon Man and Games for the kids, a Music Band, Girl Scout Cake Walk, Sno Cones, Popcorn and Cotton Candy. The weather will be perfect…it’s your chance to lose yourself in Scout cuisine. We’ll have something for every palate: Draeger’s Burgers, Cheeseburgers, Turkey Burgers, Veggie Burgers and Hot Dogs. This is our annual fundraiser, so please come out and support our scouts.
Go to our Calendar page for more details and for a link to the sign up page. We are asking all Scouts to volunteer for our only fund raiser of the year.
(more…)
River rafting on the American river is one of the most popular events of the year for Troop 64. This year we are planning to go up in mid-July with the same outfitter we used in the past.
We can do an all-day raft on the South Fork of the American River. The rapids are class I-III. Minimum age is 7.
The all-in cost is $125 per person. The fee covers rafting equipment, guide, lunch on Sunday and camping Saturday night. This is a good deal as Nate is an Eagle scout and gave us a discount.
Saturday night we will cook at the camp. This is time for scouts to work on cooking skills for rank advancement—2ndor 1stclass or camping merit badge. Scout Master conference if a scout is ready.
RSVP by June 10th if you are planning to go so I can get a final head count. Go to the Calendar page for this event for more information and to RSVP.
We’ll be planting flags again this year at the Golden Gate National Cemetery. Starts early and ends early, giving everyone a great kick start to the long weekend. Best of all, it honors those that have sacrificed their lives for our country.
Also, Andrew Inenaga will be singing the National Anthem along with several others from Voices in Harmony during the flag ceremony, so please sign up and come out to hear one of our own sing the National Anthem.
Parking is plentiful, but the later you show up, the further you will walk! 7:45a arrival is adviseable.
Please go to the Calendar page for this event to sign up so we have an idea how many are showing up and/or if you need a ride.
The Trail to 1st Class camping trip will be in near by Portola Redwood State park in the Santa Cruz Mountains this weekend April 20-22. The campground is only 40 minutes from Corte Madera school so is very convenient to set up Friday evening. A sign up sheet will be sent through Teamsnap or you can go to the signup link on the Calendar page. We will spend time on planning for the camp out at this weeks Troop meeting on Wednesday so please attend.
The campground has upgrade facilities since last year with great opportunities for hiking. It will be an ideal and fun place to complete achievements towards your next rank. Please plan on attending. It is chance for older and higher ranking scouts to help give back to the Troop by helping their newer Troop members gain achievements. Updated information on the trip will be posted soon so please check back for updates.
The 2,800-acre park is situated in the craggy, rough terrain of a deep canyon. Located within the populous San Francisco Bay area, Portola Redwoods offers a hushed getaway from suburban bustle. First- and second-growth coast redwoods stand tall among thick ferns and redwood sorrel in gullies and on north slopes. The park’s high ridges and southfacing slopes are covered by Douglas-fir and live oaks.
Tags: camping, hiking, Trail to 1st Class
This is a Council-wide event where your troop/patrol will compete against other troops/patrols in knot tying, shooting, canoeing, and a host of other fun events. Prizes to the top 3 patrols. Great opportunity for the older scouts to show off their skills! It’s also a chance to get a couple nights of camping and cooking in and other skills signed off.
Dates: 6 – 8 April 2018 (the weekend before Spring break!)
Location: Cutter Scout Reservation
To sign up go contact Andrew Inenaga – information on the calendar page for this event.
