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Trip Report: Sugar Loaf 2412

It was the second trip to Sugarloaf State Park for our troop. A relatively new destination for us, nestled between Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley. The area has been recovering from fire damage that occurred a few years ago and we were pleased to see mother nature taking care of things and new growth taking over slowly. It’s very important for all of us to witness this recovery and support it.

We began our adventure on a relatively cold December morning. 5 chirpy scouts and 8 enthusiastic adults, set off on about a 2.5-hour journey north, crossed the beautiful and ever welcoming Golden Gate Bridge, with the fog rolling in over the mountains. A quick break at the Chevron gas station and then we were off on our way again. We reached the park relatively early and after a quick check and chat with the park officials we set off on a hike up to Bald Mountain. It was a pretty decent hike up, covering around 1500 ft of elevation. The scouts led by our lead Nandana kept us going up at a steady pace and soon we were 3 miles into our hike and decided to break for lunch just before the summit. A delicious lunch which consisted of tortilla wraps, filled with humus, salad, cheese and deli meats gave us the necessary boost to keep going. At the peak we got to see amazing vistas of both valleys and the endless series of cascading peaks all around. Absolute paradise!  A few quick group pics later, we began our descent to our campsite. 

Click here or large image for photo gallery

Over the past couple of trips, we have coined what is soon becoming a new phrase in our troop lingo. It’s called the “Denver Mile”. What is this Denver Mile you ask? Is it 2.5431 times an imperial mile? Does it account for elevation in any way? How about shaded versus open trails? Would we need poles to cover the distance? Can you chart it on a map? Well, while it’s not a replacement for a real map and compass (which everyone should have) …. what it really is, is a feeling, an assurance, that “we got this”. No matter the distance ahead, we will make it through together. It’s part of the spirit of our troop. It’s a mile filled with fun chatter and funny stories and encouragement. As we hiked along, we probably covered around 7-8 miles before we reached our campsite, beautifully located by a running stream and shaded by many trees. Right, with all that hiking, it was time to dig into dinner! The scouts had a wonderful fried rice on the menu, which was practiced before the trip, such that it turned out just right for the trip. Kudos to Gabby for pre planning and practicing the new recipe! The adults tucked into some precooked madras lentils, minute rice and some choco cookies for dessert. After dinner, the troop got together for a campfire. While it took us a bit of time to get the fire started, what happened next was pure magic … the troop began to sing! This was a new experience for me as I don’t remember T260 signing before. We were led into song, by drumroll please …. Mr. Clark. The other adults and a couple of scouts joined in, and it was such a delight. This opens up a whole new avenue for our future trips…. It’s something about the campfire….it brings out the best in us. We narrated stories about campfire songs and native traditions from our different cultures. We also learnt that Mr. Achilla has a very special place in his heart for Shakira as narrated by Mrs. Achilla!

We then safely put out the campfire and called it a night. It was a pretty chilly night, but everyone made it through with the calming sounds of the stream flowing by. The scouts were up bright and early, made their breakfast and were packed and ready a lot faster than the adults, who enjoyed a relaxed oatmeal breakfast with yummy toppings!

We then decided to hike down to the waterfall about a mile away. We enjoyed climbing the rocks near the waterfall. While there was some water flowing, I bet the waterfall will be much more delightful in early spring. After about an hour or so at the waterfall we got back into our caravan of cars and headed back home. Really proud and happy to see the scouts have a wonderful weekend. We were well led by our acting SPL Pierce and supported by his deputy Joshua. We hope to see more scouts and parents join us on the trips ahead as we get ready for the 50-miler next summer. Please give these trips a shot, I promise you won’t regret it. 

This trip was a wonderful trip, but also a milestone trip. This trip was the last trip that the Clarks would be on with Troop260 before they make their journey south to the “Shire”. Many of us have been fortunate to have the Clarks (Marion, Donald, Emily & Harris) around during our own scouting journeys and I must say it was a fun, happy & memorable journey. Their service to scouting and our troop will always be remembered. So, I bow to lady Marion and tip my hat to Donald. You will be missed….

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Junior (and Adult!) Leadership Training, 240420

Every year the troop does JLT (junior leadership training) where we get together with the scouts and discuss leadership roles in the Troop, and put them into practice through games and activities. This year, we needed a big clean-out of our equipment shed – it was getting a little tricky to move in there, and our Quartermaster didn’t have an up-to-date gear list. With our Yard Sale coming up in a couple of weeks it was a perfect time for a scout-led spring-clean.

Who knows how or why we ended up with 25 pairs of 1970s scout shorts… maybe they will be a hit and start a new fashion trend at the Yard Sale 🙂

Next, the scouts had a meal planning and prep session. Scoutmaster provided a set of constraints (including every course must contain strawberries!) along with a basket of ingredients that were on special at Safeway (a scout is thrifty). After planning a shared menu, each patrol then made their own versions – and subjected them to a rigorous judging panel. Lastly the scouts and parents got to rummage in the “to go” clothing pile – with many scoring classic troop t-shirts, some barely used water shoes, backpacks and more. It seems we didn’t reduce the pile of vintage shorts much, however.

This year was also our first (and probably first of many) concurrent Adult Leadership Training sessions: it’s important to share and pass-on specific troop knowledge along with core BSA policies and operating procedures. A useful interactive session that de-mystified much of how the Troop works from a parent/adult perspective.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/zz8c2zSWQbupQKb98
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Trip Report: Hope Valley snow camping – 2402

SNOW CAMPING RETURNS

After years (literally) of either too much or too little snow, the Troop got back into the snow – returning to Hope Valley in North California. Snow shows, ski bibs hired or borrowed, the team set off for a white adventure.

Overnight temps dropped well below freezing, but the daytime temperatures nudged higher and allowed for some fun snow showing walks, sledding,

Scouts and adults had a great time – were well prepared with double sleeping mats and sleeping bags (Even if some of them didn’t use them – *cough* Sreevas… 🙂 )

https://photos.app.goo.gl/2RLQbBQpgZz64QyZ7
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Pancake Breakfast – 240211

In Scouts BSA, every unit has a Charter Organization that is the legal entity under which the unit operates – for Troop 260, this is Christ the Good Shepherd Church in San Jose. They do a lot for us – providing the use of the hall, allowing us to store our canoes and gear on the premises, supporting our operations. It’s nice to be able to give back.

Just before lent, the Troop treated the CtGS community to a free pancake breakfast! Scouts were table servers; adults helped in the kitchen and we delivered a set menu with only a few pancakes landing on the floor!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/P4JFtgi9HN5r3B3s9
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Court of Honor – 231216

Everyone’s favorite CoH of the year – the T260 “bring a plate” festive bash! It’s a great time to get together, hear from our Chair and ScoutMaster as they reflect on the year and look ahead, socialise with out families and friends on the Troops…. and overeat!

Well deserved rank advancements for Joshua, Jaden, Ben, Ben and Aidan were awarded and we enjoyed some media complications of trips for the previous few months.

Huge thanks to all the people that helped prepare for, contribute to and organise the CoH.

Photo Album – https://photos.app.goo.gl/1K8W1kqshUuhyhyT8
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Calero Hike – 231118

We are blessed with great weather in California (sometimes too great), but it’s not always sunshine and balmy evenings, and a scout has to “be prepared”. This month, a combination of local regulations / restrictions on Calero couple with a storm front made canoeing a no-go. Instead, the hills around our designation offer a wide range of trails, many of which are new to the Troop, and so our Plan B was a day hike in the Calero foothills.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/pmiet3rPVbfSVCG66
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Trip Report: Elkhorn Slough 2311

Always beautiful (providing it isn’t raining) and full of wildlife, the Slough didn’t disappoint in 2023. With sea birds, fish and – providing you keep your distance – glimpses of Sea Otters – it feels much richer in nature than some of the inland lakes the Troop paddles.

To align with the tide flow, the Troop started upstream from Kirby Park – this provided ample space to prep, and let the Troop travel with the ebb tide rather than fighting what was a reaosnable tide that day.

Dodging the road bridge, the team made it comfortably to the harbor and had lunch, washed the canoes and headed to sunset beach for a camp, and beach activities. With the winter sun coming early, it wasn’t long before it was time for some classic Pacific Coast sunset shots on the beach. And a retreat to warm fires and sleeping bags!

Phot Album – https://photos.app.goo.gl/JyqSknwYLGCGsqyo6
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Trip Report: Mt Umunhum – 2310

Every year, the Troop has a tradition of an October shooting sports weekend / car camping trip to Mt Umunhum. We partner with a combination of our own trained and qualified adults, and a local Venturer Crew with similar skills and capabilities to allow scouts and adults exposure to archery and rilfe shooting.

This year, the tradition of adults cooking up a big shared BBQ dinner was maintained, along with the scouts leading in an (always “uncomfortably exciting”) Iron Chef breakfast.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/2fgyS6EfpG8SVfF78
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Emily C last night & webelos open house – 231016

Excitement and poignancy in the air, as this night saw the departure from the Troop after founding female Youth member, ex Serpents Patrol Leader, and two-year SPL Emily C, had her last night with the Troop before aging out.

Thanks Emily for contributing so much to the Troop over the last 8 years, from your first 50 miler in the Hi Sierra, to your work as a Staff Member at Camp Hi-Sierra.

To offset the departure, it was appropriately, a night for potential new Troop 260 members to join us for a Webelo’s open house, where the Troop ran through its standard, but always well received, stations on knives, fire, games and stoves (hot choc!).

Photo album – https://photos.app.goo.gl/KoGiZDrtR4EPzCLx9
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Trip Report: Lake Sonoma 2309

Report by Scout, Bryce P. (thanks Bryce!)

Bullet point summary

  • We finally made it to our canoe set in spot, a little late, but in one piece and good to canoe together. 
  • After canoeing for an hour or so, we had an enjoyable lunch on the island in the middle of Lake Sonoma. Please ask our new Emily, what she called the island ; ). Then back into the canoe, and towards our overnight sight.
  • We made land, unloaded, where another Troop from Marin were also camping for the night. It was great to connect with another Troop. 
  • Then we had a very muddy swim in the lake, where Isabella made a mud grave and I made a floating raft out of PFD type IVs
  • There was a night canoe in which some adults and scouts went out on the lake right before sunset, watched the stars and fetched cleaner water to go through the water cleaning pumps.
  • The adults had a delicious, well planned, Vietnamese food while the scouts had mac and cheese.
  • Everyone grouped up for Isabella’s signature “coloured fire” along with drawing fun shapes, words, and even scenes using our flashlights and an app called Spectre. 
  • Woke up, packed our canoes and headed back. We failed to go through the mass of house boat’s this time.
  • Had lunch up in the parking lot
  • Tried a new method of washing the canoes using manual car washes. It was much faster though it did use something like $13 dollars (e.x. Rainbow carwash)
  • Overall, Great trip! Everyone ended up a bit tired and some a bit damp, but smiles all around. 

Trip Report: Lake Sonoma

For some of our scout’s first overnight canoeing trip we decided to spend a beautiful 2 days on Lake Sonoma. Throughout the 3 mile journey we got to practice our strokes and jokes before stopping at an island, 100ft from our campsite, for lunch. We managed to reach our campsite early and so had plenty of time to swim! Though the ground was a bit muddy we had plenty of fun with Isabella managing to create a grave, or a shrine (we couldn’t tell the difference) and everyone trying to find the depth of one specific spot dubbed “The Abyss” which we eventually found out was over 12 ft deep.

After drying off and having dinner, some scouts and adults left on a short dusk canoe in search of stars and less muddy water for our water pumps. The Old Goats had on offer some nutritious and delicious Vietnamese wraps & soup with a wide arrange of vegetables, protein, and rice noodles. (Thanks Thuy and Son) The scouts, on the other hand, had Mac and Cheese along with a bit of the adult’s dinner (in exchange for a tomato). Right before bed we had a beautiful coloured fire (Isabella’s specialty). Also, we used an app called Spectre, which allowed the scouts to make drawings that showed both our scout spirit (Troop 260 drawing) and our creativity (see photos).

The following morning we had our traditional packets of oats, packed our canoes and set off for home. Although the paddle back was quick, it was also serene and the landscape was beautiful. On our car drive journey back to the church we decided to try a new method of washing our canoes, using a carwash! Though our scouts did end up a little soapy, we managed to quickly clean the canoes (15 mins). We even managed to clean the canoes without taking the canoes off the rack. Our canoes are all extra clean, for next month. A great first overnight canoe trip for 2023!

Photo Album – https://photos.app.goo.gl/QoqwFZuSMHAPNEMUA