December contains the winter solstice in the Northern
Hemisphere, the day with the fewest daylight hours, and the summer solstice in
the Southern Hemisphere, the day with the most daylight hours (excluding polar
regions in both cases). December in the Northern Hemisphere is the seasonal
equivalent to June in the Southern Hemisphere and vice versa. In the Northern
hemisphere, the beginning of the astronomical winter is traditionally 21
December or the date of the solstice.
Warm Greetings December!
Happy Holidays Pio Pico District Leaders and Parents! I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas holiday with their loved ones and friends. It’s just a few more days and we can say farewell to 2022. During 2022 our communities were still facing the aftermath of a major pandemic and we are all still fighting Covid -19 that seems to be around, hopefully not for much longer.
As the new year approaches, let us take a moment to look back at all the wonderful times we had with our scouts. We should always remember the challenges we had to face during the hard times, and embrace the great strength from those outcomes and let us take those moments with us into the New Year. Let us look back at the wonderful memories that we were able to share with our youth at summer camp, remember our Eagles that are embarking on new adventures as young adults, and recognize the leaders who worked tirelessly side by side to make the Scouting movement memorable.
Baden Powell once said, "My belief is that we were put into this world of wonders and beauty with a special ability to appreciate them, in some cases to have the fun of taking a hand in developing them, and also in being able to help other people instead of overreaching them and, through it all, to enjoy life - that is, to be happy". So may this new year bring you happiness, and may the new year fill your spirit with joy and adventure.
‘Twas the Campout Before Christmas
By Kimberly Gilbert
‘Twas the campout before Christmas, and all through the Pack
All the parents were sleeping, each one in their sack. The wet socks were hung up on a half-hitch taut line, In hopes they’d be sorta dry by den hike time. The Cubs were all snuggled in cold weather mummies,
With too many s’mores stuffed down in their tummies. And Ma on the air mattress and I on my cot Had just settled down – without pillows; we forgot. When outside my tent there arose such a noise,
I sprang from my cot thinking, “Oh, those boys!” So, I grabbed my flashlight with the non-slip grip, and fumbled with my front door so hard to unzip. The moon shone through the treetops so clear and so bright,
I could see like the daytime even though it was night. And what to my red, weary eyes should appear, But a blue and gold sleigh and a pack of reindeer. A little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. Much faster than Eagles his den of deer came. He held up two fingers and called them by name. “Now, Tiger! Wolf, Bear! Now Weeb and Low!
On Bobcat! On Den-Chief! On Den-Leader! Go! To the top of the tent, to the dining fly yon, Now hurry up, hurry up, hurry up. Go on!” As lightning bugs flit and light like a fairy. On a soft summer breeze that moves through the prairie, So up to the fire ring the reindeer did glide With a sleigh full of toys and St. Nicholas inside. And then in a twinkling, I heard them all munch
On all of those carrots left over from lunch.
As I turned on my flashlight and tried to turn round, I tripped on my tent line and fell to the ground. And there stood St. Nick – he was dressed all in khaki! With his red wool patch jacket that looked kinda wacky.
A bundle of goodies he had flung on his back. He looked like a den chief just opening his pack. His eyes – how they twinkled! His dimples – how merry!
His cheeks were like hot coals, his nose like a berry. His lips they were holding a “Hot Hands” aglow, which lit up his beard which was white as the snow. His kerchief was wreath green and rolled nice and tight.
For any good Scout he was surely a sight!
He had a broad face and a round little tummy That shook when he laughed like a big red squid gummy! He was chubby and plump – a right jolly, old Scout,
And I laughed, and I smiled for I hadn’t a doubt. A wink of his eye and a two-fingered sign Soon let me know I would be just fine. He said not a word but went straight to his work. He filled all the wet socks and then turned with a smirk, and laying two fingers aside of his brow, He gave a big belch after sampling our chow! He sprang to his sleigh, to his pack gave a shout (Confirming to me he was really a Scout). But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight, “Merry Christmas to all and to all, a good night!”
Giving back to the Community
Hygiene Care Packages- November Shoutout!
Last month Pack 219 of Whittier got together to assemble basic hygiene care packages for the needy. The Dens had partnered up with a local Whittier business, The City of Hope and joined forces with Hiccups the Clown. Hiccups runs a non-profit organization that works with children, the elderly, and the homeless community here in Los Angeles. The packages were passed out during a community Thanksgiving Dinner for the homeless. The Cub Scouts of Pack 219, along with their parents and leaders were able to help provide 35 care packages to men, women and children! Outstanding job Pack 219!
Caroling at Oakmont- December Shoutout!
December is all about spreading holiday cheer. And with the help from Pack 558 and Pack 219 they were able to spread holiday cheer at the Oakmont Assisted Living Home. The Cub Scouts sang songs, told jokes and even had trivia games to help spread a lot of cheer to the elderly residents. The residents and staff were greatly appreciative of all the good tidings from these Cub Scouts! What a great way to share the spirit of the season with our community. Thank you Pack 558 and 219!
Uptown Whittier Christmas Parade and Hometown Hero
The Whittier Uptown Association’s 68th Christmas Parade was held on December 10th. The event is marked as a day when the community gathers to celebrate the joy of Christmas, the fellowship of the Uptown community, and all of Whittier City. The parade is filled with local businesses, school bands, dance teams, community members, non-profits organizations, and surrounding city communities.
A big thank you to Mr. Mike Warren of Troop 985 for reaching out to all the Packs and Troops to participate in the parade! The Scouts from Troop 985 lead the parade as the Color Guard and was followed by a handful of Packs and Troops from the District. Thank you to the scouts Troop 219 and Pack 219 for assisting with carrying the Sponsorship Banners throughout the parade.
And we certainly cannot forget our very own District Camping Chairman, Scott Neal being the honorary Hometown Hero this year! Congratulations Scott on this great recognition and achievement. Scott Neal has been contributing to community services to the city of Whittier for many years and he has helped the Whittier Association during the Parade for many years by helping the event with the sponsorship banners and endless volunteer hours with the Scouting movement. Scott has been scouting for over 45 years, he has been a Whittier local for over 50 years and is an Eagle Scout.
Thank you, Scout Neal, for all your dedicated years of service!
Recognitions
If you would like to give a shout out for a newly trained leader, please send me their name and training completed and I will add it here!
Adult Volunteer Awards
This Year’s Silver Beaver Award Recipient is Dan Fijan
The Award Ceremony will be presented at the Council Annual Recognition Dinner on Wednesday,
January 25, 2023, at the Quiet Cannon Restaurant in Montebello.
To register for the dinner please visit:
District Award of Merit Recipients for 2022
• Starlight Garcia
• Salinda Lopez
• Beth McKinney
• Salinda Lopez
• Beth McKinney
Awards will be presented at the Pio Pico District Dinner on Saturday,
February 18, 2023, at Plymouth Church, 12058 Beverly Blvd, Whittier.
Please see below for even flier:
Recruitment Materials
If you want any of the items below, please email me as they are not on the web site yet. I will need the orders by Monday to pick up from council by Nov 4th while I am there. Any orders after that I will have to arrange to get for you 😊.
Pick up will be in Whittier. There are wristbands, flashlights, stickers, Boys Life minis, and recruitment envelopes (leaders favorite or at least mine so you don’t have to buy the plain ones)
Stay informed at the District Round Table!
Round table falls on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. We are now meeting Hybrid. So, you can now either come down in person or tune remotely from wherever you may be.
Remember, Roundtable is for everyone! Not just unit leaders.
If you would like to join us in person we meet at the First Methodist Church 13222 Bailey St. Whittier, CA 90601.
If you cannot come in and would like to be on the email with the link for the Zoom Call, please reach out to Tommy Martinez (tlc_martinez@yahoo.com).
SAVE THE DATES:
February 11th- Pushcart Derby TBA
February 18th - District Dinner
April 14 – 16th- Camporee- Prado Regional Park
June 19-23rd- Cub Scout Day Camp
H.A.T
Training Corner
Council Training Dates:
IOLS
(Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skill
03/17-18/2023
IOLS Firestone
Firestone
Scout Reservation
Saturday
03-18-2023 7:45 AM PT to
Sunday
03-19-2023 12:00 PM PT
Weekend 1:
Friday 04-21-2023 9:00 out AM PT to
Sunday 04-23-2023 5:00 PM PT
Weekend 2:
Hubert Eaton Scout Reservation
Saturday 05-06-2023 9:00 AM PT to
Sunday 05-07-2023 5:00 PM PT
Participant Cost: $295
Happy New Year Pio Pico! Every
year has its ups and downs, and each one shapes to who we are today and who we
will be in the future. Onwards and upwards, with no regrets! Every year is a
fresh new start, and a new adventure. As seasons change and years come and go,
may your blessings always continue to grow! May the year 2023, bring you joy,
peace, love, happiness, abundance and countless adventures.
I wish you all a very happy new year… the best
is yet to come!
