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?
BSA is officially changing its brand name, effective next year but is encouraging use of the new brand name even sooner to promote inclusivity and better understanding of who the organization serves. Check out the video below for some local news coverage on the name change and be on the look out for more updates as we receive more guidance from the Council and National.
Interested in a high adventure SF Venture Crew? 🏕️
SF may have its very own venture crew soon for older youth who want to participate in more scouting adventures once they've aged out of their troop! If you are interested in helping start this crew or know older youth who may be interested in joining, find out more below.
The 2024 Flag Planting ceremony honoring and mourning U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces is scheduled for Saturday, May 25, 2024, at the San Francisco National Cemetery in the Presidio. All leaders and Scouts should be in full uniform for the event. Scouts might consider bringing drinking water, using sunscreen, and dressing in layers to be prepared for various types of weather.
Due to inclement weather on the original date, we have rescheduled this event to Saturday June 8. Signups have been re-opened and we hope to see you there!
Back for 2024, bigger and bikier than ever! This year's Bike Rodeo will take place on Saturday May 4 at Pier 30-32. Free parking to get you there: lots of fun biking education and safety activities to make it a great day!
There will be four 90-minute sessions, starting at 10am, 11am, 1pm and 2pm. Each session will include a bike and helmet inspection, a trip through the bike obstacle course and an escorted ~2 mile ride on the Embarcadero bike path.
Cub Scouts are welcome AND we need Scouts BSA volunteers to help. Scouts BSA scouts can earn a partial in the Cycling Merit Badge and earn service hours!
New for this year: even if you don't have a bike, please register. We are working on having loaner bikes available for scouts and adults.
ScoutZone @ Sunday Streets - Date Set! Sign your unit up now!
July 21
ScoutZone at the Sunday Streets (Excelsior) date has been set -- Sunday, July 21. We know that this date conflicts with some Troop's visits to Summer Camp, but hope that Packs, Ships and those not at BSA Summer Camp that weekend will help make this year's ScoutZone another GREAT success.
Your Unit Commissioner should be in touch with you now about getting your unit signed up. If you are interested in participating in the ScoutZone again this year but haven't heard from your Unit Commissioner yet, please email Paul Lanzi (District Commissioner):
Reminder: Important Change to New Adult Registration Process
Now in effect
Beginning March 4, new adults must pass their Criminal Background Check (CBC) before they are considered registered adult leaders. This delay may add 3-5 days after the New Adult Application is approved by the Chartered Org Rep. This is a change being made nation-wide to the registration process.
This change will have the most impact to units that are trying to register adult leaders right before leaving on camping trips or Summer Camp. Be SURE to allow enough time for CBCs to complete for new leaders or they will NOT be permitted to stay overnight with the scout unit.
Guest Post: A Scout Is Cheerful?
From: Christopher Simmons, Troop 333 Scoutmaster
All of the values of the Scout law are essentially choices. We can choose to be courteous. We can practice being thrifty. Etc. All, that is, except for one—cheerful....
On April 24, Pack 14 hosted the District Pinewood Derby race. The cars were very competitive, with only a fraction of a second difference in the times of the top 3 cars!
The winners are:
1st Place: Walter M, Pack 88
2nd Place: Kai I, Pack 12
3rd Place: Jack K, Pack 14 (Jack was also the 1st place winner last year!)
Congratulations to all who raced!
And thanks to the parents for your help in supporting our scouts!
We will have Walter's name and Pack engraved on the perpetual trophy, and present it to Pack 88.
Troop 15 Outdoor Adventures
Troop 15 has had some fun adventures lately. They did a Webelos/AOL and New Scout Hike from Baker Beach to Crissy Field and a backpacking trip to Haypress Meadows.
Tag us on social media or send us your photos so we can share what your troop/pack/ship/post is up to!
Cub Scouts and friends are invited by the SF Sea Scouts and Maritime Explorer Club for a day on the beach, a ride on an outrigger, and learning about boat safety. Free street parking. Parents are welcome but do not need to ride in the boat (unless they want to!). Adults are also eligible to borrow one of the BSA Kayaks for the day.
Reminder on Updated Info: Changes to Cub Scout Program Coming in 2024
National has released an updated FAQ about the first revamp of the Cub Scout program in 10 years. After soliciting input from more than 23,000 parents and volunteers, several key changes are being made to the Cub Scout program starting in 2024.
FINAL REGISTRATION DAYS: Cub Day Camp in San Francisco
June 17-21 @ Golden Gate Park
Cub Scouts will participate in various activities, including skills & crafts, soccer and fun games, and we'll visit the Cal Academy of Sciences on Thursday! Learn tons of facts about the natural world, our solar system and beyond...
NEW: NYLT (National Youth Leadership Training) - June dates available
June 9-15 @ Ranchos Los Mochos
June 16-22 @ Camp Tamarancho
National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) is an intensive week-long BSA leadership training course conducted in an outdoor setting. As members of an NYLT patrol, Scouts BSA and Venturing youth learn the tools of leadership, communication, problem solving, ethical decision-making and much more --- experiencing the Patrol Method of Scouting first-hand while they camp, cook, eat, work and learn together. Scouts must be 13+ years and First Class or above.
There are two local NYLT offerings coming up in June:
Wanted to go to summer camp with your unit but it didn't work out? You may be eligible to join the GGAC Trekker troop! This is a unit for scouts from all over the council who can't join their troops and can still get a week at one of our resident camps. If this sounds like you, please look at the form here!
LAST CHANCE: Older Scouts Needed as Cub Day Camp Counselors
June 17-21
We need older Scouts to help run this program! Scouts that are interested in this leadership and service hour opportunity should email campyunakin@gmail.com and cc their parent and/or Scoutmaster. They should provide a short bio including:
The age and rank they will be at the start of camp.
What camp experience they have (if any).
Why they are interested in this experience.
Ideally, Scouts will be at least 12 and Scout rank but ultimately Scouts will be chosen based on their maturity, enthusiasm, and familiarity with the Scouting program. Younger Scouts will be support for the older Scouts that will primarily deliver the camp experience. Older Scouts with leadership experience and/or training will be given the most senior roles.
Bios are due by ASAP; planning meetings begin in April.
Scouts can expect to earn more than 50 service hours between planning meetings and the week of camp.
NEW: Role Playing + Camping @ Camp Hi-Sierra: Grand Moot Now Registering
September 20-22
Come join the Hi-Sierra Grand Moot! Roll for stats and create your character to play in a roleplay scenario lasting for the weekend. Each scout will have different magical abilities and attributes to help their village succeed. Do you like the Lord of the Rings? Wheel of Time? or other fantasy adventures? This is the one-of-a-kind scout event for you and your unit. Scouts will also work on the Leatherwork Merit Badge or Advanced Armor Making if they have already earned the badge.
AdvanceCamp Seeking Merit Badge Counselors for Staff
September 27-28
Golden Gate Area Council's AdvanceCamp is the premier learning event where Scouts can complete partial Merit Badges from summer camp and explore new Merit Badges. It's also an opportunity for adult leaders and parents to receive training. Over the next few weeks, AdvanceCamp committee members will be reaching out with personal invitations to volunteer and make this a memorable and fun event. Of course, you don't have to wait to be invited, sign up right now!
Note: AdvanceCamp is the same weekend as the Golden Gate District Camporee
Featured this month: Robin Praeger, District Chair
It’s Camp Season!!
As the school year draws to a close it is clear Summer is arriving. For me in scouting, summertime equates to camp. It is a time to ditch the fog, wake up to the bugle, and live a day of scouting. Camp creates lasting memories and friendships. It builds strong units energizing youth and leaders alike. My camp memories are from more than 40 years in the past and yet they remain vivid and make me smile. This is why camp attendance ranks as one of my top district metrics.
Camping, land, and sea are pillars of scouting in Golden Gate as evidenced by 100% of our Troops participating. GGD has a rich summer history ranging from our newest camp, Camp Yunakin to our oldest camp, Camp Royaneh which is closing in on its 100th year. Those camps along with Wente, Wolfboro, Herms, Regattas, Maritime Explorer, Sea Scout summer cruises, and Webelos Adventure Camp all create opportunities to enjoy and experience scouting. GGAC undoubtedly has some of the best camping facilities in the country!
Thanks for the time, effort, and resources that you contribute to both our overnight and day camps. I hope personally to thank you for your support the next time we meet. After summer is over, we will again turn our attention to other important and more traditional metrics including membership & fundraising but for now enjoy the magic of camp through the eyes of the boys and girls in your units as well as your own.
See you around the district as we have a few great events coming in May, June, and July.
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 'BSA Golden Gate District' in your unit's or your personal posts.
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.
