In 2025, we served over 1,100 scouts in the Golden Gate District -- and that is all thanks to YOU. Charlotte and Paul enjoyed providing you with these newsletters -- recapping information on events and snapshots of the great work of our scouts and leaders throughout the year. Want to share this recap of some of those moments? Here's a permanent link.
Happy holidays and thanks for all you do for scouting!
Pride Parade 2025
2025 Recap
The Golden Gate District hosts more events -- for scouts, and for our community -- than any other District in the Golden Gate Area Council. THANK YOU to the volunteers and professional staff who make all of these activities possible! You can't have scouting without 'outing' and we're so proud of the opportunities our San Francisco and Daly City scouts have available to them.
Spring
Scout Sunday - February
Volunteer Recognition Dinner - March
District Pinewood Derby Race - April
Bike Rodeo - May
Summer
First-Ever Senior Youth Leaders Roundtable - May
Memorial Day Flag Planting - May
Camp Yunakin - June
Good Scout Award - June
Cub Float with the Sea Scouts - June
Pride Parade - June
Maritime Explorer Day Camp - June & July
Fall
Roundtable (In Person!) - October
Sunday Streets Scout Zone - October
Council Lunch-O-Ree Fundraiser - October
Fleet Week BBQ - October
Winter
Jamboree on the Air/on the Internet (JOTA/JOTI) - November
Veterans Day Parade - November
Scouting for Food - November
Announcements
IMPORTANT: Unit and Member Renewal - December 31 Deadline!
The recharter process is no more; units and members must follow the new Renewal processes. Units must complete the Unit Renewal by 12/31 in order to avoid being disbanded -- and we recommend completing as soon as possible. Disbanded units are not insured and cannot meet or host activities. Many members have a renewal deadline of 12/31 as well.
For general questions about the renewal processes, contact your Unit Commissioner for assistance, or Paul Lanzi, if you don't have a Unit Commissioner.
Last Minute Scout Gift Ideas - From Troop 333
Explore more than 100 gifts, classes, and experiences that Scouts will actually love and use. You can also find a 20% off coupon at Sports Basement, which does many things to support scouting year-round.
20% off for Basementeers and 11% off for Non-Basementeers from Dec 10 through Dec 24!
Shopping Online? Use the code GGAWCA at checkout.
Shopping In-Store? Show this email at checkout to receive your discount: 10604. Some exclusions apply.
Leave No Trace - Level 1: March 14-15, 2026 @ Camp Chesebrough - Register
IOLS: March 13-15, 2026 @ Camp Chesebrough - Register
Update to Fundraising Policies
At its meeting on October 27, 2025, the National Executive Committee (NEC) approved a resolution amending the National Rules and Regulations for Local Council and Unit Fundraising. Under the amendment, fundraising projects involving games of chance, including lotteries, raffles, bingo, and casino-style games, are now permitted, provided they comply with the rules, regulations, and policies of Scouting America. The amendment is effective immediately, enabling councils to begin planning and conducting these fundraising activities. Council executives have been provided a copy of the resolution and supporting information.
ALL Council-Level Cub Camping Registrations Open on January 1!
January 1, 2026
Very important! All of our GGAC Cub Camping event registrations open on January 1. The Mom & Cub Camp, especially, fills up quickly every year. You can find the link to register for those events here: https://goldengatescouting.org/cub-scouts/cub-scouts-camping/
Upcoming Pinewood Derby Workshop Days
January 24 @ Foster City
Champ Camp Peninsula Scout Shop in Foster City January 24 from 10am-2pm There will be a drop-in Pinewood Derby Champ Camp workshop at the Foster City Scout Shop (1150 Chess Dr., Foster City) on January 24th from 10am-2pm. No sign-up necessary, just come by and get expert help from some very handy volunteers!
February 14 @ Camp Tamarancho
"Champ Camp" Annual "Chip Patten" Pinewood Derby Workshop at Camp Tamarancho February 14 from 9am-3pm This event will include cutting, sanding and accessorizing your Pinewood Derby car!
Update to Advancement for Scouts BSA including >80 Merit Badges Changes
We’re excited to share the planned improvements to Scouts BSA merit badge requirements that will take effect on January 1, 2026. These updates will help Scouts explore modern career paths and hobbies, develop practical skills, and engage with current topics while maintaining the quality and tradition of the Scouting advancement program. These changes are tentative; additional changes may occur before January 1st, 2026.
I am honored to be serving as your new District Chair for the next three years. I am very excited to promote an organization that brings outdoor activities, community service, patriotism, and good values to Bay Area youth. I've lived in San Francisco for over 20 years and been on the executive leadership teams of numerous locally started enterprise software companies. My 7th grade daughter joined Scouting 2 years ago, and is working on her Star rank in Trooop 2088G, where she is also a Patrol Leader and Arrowman. When not spending time as an ASM or Merit Badge Counselor, I enjoy tennis, mountain biking, and snowboarding.
Please join me in thanking my predecessor Robin Praeger, who has graciously agreed to stay involved as our District's Friends of Scouting Committee Chair and GGAC Executive Board member. As FOS Chair, Robin has multiple initiatives underway to increase engagement and sponsorship from our District's civic organizations, corporate sponsors, and scouting alumni. We are actively seeking nominations for in-District companies interested in hosting onsite merit badge workshops.
Paul Lanzi remains in the Key 3 as District Commissioner, so please continue to reach out to Paul for any help needed around unit renewals, the new Family troop option, etc. Together, the Commissioner Corps and our District Operating Committee are working to launch new units in Chinatown and the Mission, and is also actively seeking nominations of public schools, private schools, or religious/civic organizations you feel are Scouting-friendly candidates for new units and membership promotion.
As for additional changes on the District's professional side, we hope to introduce a new District Executive as well as a new Area Field Director in the next newsletter. We are seeking a variety of additional leaders for District-wide efforts, ranging from Camp Yunakin (5-day Cub summer camp in Golden Gate Park) to Camporee (Royaneh September 25-27) to Alumni Chair. If you are interested or know of someone who might be, please reach out anytime to me at ggd.chair@gmail.com.
With National's change in individual renewal dates to align to year-end, we have a very high percentage of youth whose membership expires on December 31. As Scouts are no longer insured once their membership expires, they cannot participate in meetings, check off merit badge or rank advancement requirements, participate in outings, etc. until their renewal is submitted. Please encourage your unit's Key 3 to follow up with parents/guardians to get those renewals submitted, or better yet offer to help them in calling those parents/guardians.
Wishing everyone a restful winter break and a great start to 2026 !
Find the latest stories and photos on a variety of platforms
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook using the buttons below. Want to see your own unit's photos and adventures featured in the GGD social media? Send photos to ggd.communications@gmail.com and/or tag 'Scouting in San Francisco' in your unit's or your personal posts.
This email goes to all registered adult leaders in the Golden Gate District (San Francisco/Daly City). Want an easy way to share this with others who may be interested?
You are receiving this email because you are a registered member of GGAC, BSA or you subscribed to our list. If you elect to unsubscribe, you will not receive any emails from GGAC, BSA. You may make changes to your profile by following the 'Manage preferences' link below.
This message is compliant with YPT and AB506 guidelines.
.jpg?upscale=true&width=700&upscale=true&name=663884_mlk_day_service_emblem%20(1).jpg)
