China Camp Pack Campout

Hello Den Leaders,

The following is information on this weekend’s Pack campout at China Camp. The actual name of the campground is Backranch Meadows which is within China Camp State Park. I assume you all know where that is, but the ranger guardhouse along the park road is the entrance into the camping area.

We have 8 sites reserved for Friday night, and an additional 2 sites for a total of 10 sites reserved for Saturday night. We are completely full with confirmations unless you know someone from your den has dropped out. If so, a spot will open up for anyone who still wishes to attend, but please contact me in that event.

We will need 4 volunteers to choose and claim our sites Friday afternoon at 2:00, or as close thereafter. Doing this will enable us to pick the nicest sites available and be in close proximity to one another before the Friday night rush. Otherwise we risk getting separated and left with slim pickins for sites. Ideally if one person from each den can be available it would be great. I believe we have a few volunteers already, but please let me know if you can help out.

This campout is for you to organize at a den level. It is a great opportunity for you to work on your achievements and organize your own camp program. Many items you will be working on during the scout year involve the outdoors, and we are at the end of the outdoor season weatherwise before the rains start; try and take advantage.

Please note the following:

1. There are only 2 tents maximum allowed in each site (See Den/campsite allotment below). Previous experience has proven the rangers are tight on this when/if they conduct a walk thru.
2. The campsites are walk-in sites only, approx. 1/4 mile from the parking lot where you can unload. Pack accordingly, but plan on making a few trips back and forth from your car (put your cubs to work). You will not be able to camp in, with or next to your vehicle.
3. There are only 2 cars allowed for each campsite in the campground parking lot, and they must display an identifying sticker for their respective site. These 2 stickers are issued to you as you enter at the guardhouse, typically to the first two cars arriving. Additional cars can enter the campground parking lot to unload, but cannot be left in the lot for an extended period of time or overnight without a parking sticker. You usually can just swap the stickers around as necessary for the easiest convenience of the cars in your group. Additional excess cars without stickers can be parked outside the campground lot on the road overnight, so don't sweat it too much. I suggest if you know of a late arrival, save a sticker for the last car in the lot, and pre-park earlier unloaded cars out on the road.
4. Each den will organize and cook your own food. You can bring a stove/s and each campsite has a fire ring and grill to cook on. There are picnic tables and a food locker.
5. The cost of each site is $30.00. Please make a check from your den for the number of sites you've been assigned payable to Lisa Yee. She graciously has made, held and paid for these reservations for several months.
6. Myself, Dave Lundgren and Lisa Yee will be on hand at various intervals over the weekend if you have any questions.

Some fine print, but important BSA policy:

7. Den leaders please monitor and verify that no child shall be in a tent with any adult other than their parent or guardian. Multiple kids in a tent themselves is fine as long as there is no adult. Best to sleep in tents within families, or bunk up the kids.
8. No alcohol or tobacco, sorry.
9. If you or anyone in your den is taking responsibility for a scout other than your/their own, please obtain written permission and a medical release from that scout's parent or guardian, especially if you will be driving that scout. I have stipulated in our Scout Tour Permit that all scout families will self drive themselves during the weekend, and thus your responsibility.

Campsite Allotment:

Make checks payable to Lisa Yee.

Sorry for the length here, but if you have any questions feel free to get back to me. Looking forward to seeing everyone this weekend.

Greg Dedona
Committee Chair
Pack 34

Thanks to all who helped at the Bloomathon!

We have been getting kudos from the city and school district. Barbara Young, our school superintendent, wanted everyone to have her personal thanks:

“Is there some way that I could personally thank the troops and all of the parents? We are very appreciative of these efforts to improve the landscaping. You’ve been so diligent in getting this done. Thank you for your leadership.”

It is simply amazing the change 30 people can make in a short time to improve the beauty of our surroundings.

Saturday, Cub Scouts and their parents planted 41 5 gal. plants, transplanted 2 others and mulched a huge area. (The bucket scrimmages were non-stop for almost an hour.) The irrigation was also successfully installed. By the time our Webelos are graduating from MVMS, many of these new plants will be at least 3 feet tall and the ceonthus will have spread to a solid blanket of green.

I must acknowledge that the 1st year Webelos from Pack 34 were the backbone of this workday (they were a third of our workforce.) The 5 Cub Scouts and their Dads were there for the entire time, two and a half hours. They worked tirelessly digging and shoveling. Without their perservereance, we could not have completed the project in one day. An extra thanks to their Den showing up in mass.

A big “Thank You” to Rick Misuraca for not only ordering the plants but having them delivered Saturday morning along with the mulch.

Thank You to Hilary Hyde for helping me with the keys and taking care of the payment to the city’s Bloomathon.

Lastly, a huge heartfelt Thanks to Dennis Hanson. He has used his professional training to quietly coordinate this sucessful landscaping project that incorporated native, drought-resistant and low-mantenance plants. His knowledge of the placement of plants and irrigation has ensured that we can all enjoy a more beautiful walk between the Community Center and MVMS.

Once again, I am reminded how fortunate I am to live in a community that works together for the greater good!

Suzan Sweet

MVMS Planting

One final reminder and request to share with the families in your Dens.

Tomorrow Sat Oct 18th at 2:30 behind the containers in the MVMS back parking lot we will meet to plant phase 2 of our ecological project.

We will need picks since Dennis has found the soil to have some gravel. Also the shovels, buckets, gloves, hats, sunscreen, and water are important. (Elbow grease is always a helpful addition.)

See you tomorrow!

Suzan Sweet

Pack 34 Wants You!

Attention Families of 1st through 5th Grade Boys:

Pack 34 Wants You!

Tonight (10/8/2003) is the night of our joining meeting. Come to Scout Hall at 7:00 PM with your son and find out about our Park School Cub Scout group. We have dens for each grade and get together twice a month. (Once a month in our small dens and once as a group at Scout Hall). We build and launch rockets, build Pinewood Derby race cars, go camping, take hikes, go for the Presidential Fitness Award, and complete community service projects such as collecting food for the homeless, to name a few activities!

The boys earn patches and badges along the way and learn to work together for a cause larger than themselves. Cub Scouting is a great way to spend time with your son while he is learning valuable life skills. The Marin Council of Scouts owns some gorgeous property here in Marin where Scouts may attend summer camp and we go on family camp outs. First Graders who join as Tiger Cubs get invited to an outrageous ice cream party.

Please call Mary Anne S. Daly 381-1995 or Kerry Huffman 389-0465 if you have any questions. We hope to see you there tonight!

Dues Reminder

Hi everyone,

Please bring dues to the Weds meeting and give to your Den Leader or Sandy Goetz. Sandy and I have received quite a few, but not complete.

$75 per boy.

thx. k.