What’s the best thing about summertime?

 

    What’s the best thing about summertime? 

Well, as some of our scouts would like to suggest, no school! But aside from not studying and doing homework, summer is the perfect time dust off backpacks and restock essentials and get outdoors!  Whether you are hiking, taking a bike ride up the pacific coast or camping with your unit or family members, summer is the best time to explore the great outdoors.

 

Our camps have been busy over the past few weeks with our scouts.

Camp Cherry Valley has been nothing but fun in the sun on the beautiful beach front on Catalina Island. From water sports like snorkeling, canoeing, sailing, and swimming. And there’s plenty of trails to hike over the mountain terrains.

                   

 

Hubert Eaton Scout Reservation had a busy summer over at their Camp Big Horn at Circle X Ranch too! Their program included everything from shooting sports, swimming, crafting, horseback riding and climbing walls and not to forget their new 1,100-foot Zip Line!

                    

 

Troop 115 scouts along with their dads, completed a service project over the summer by refurbishing the playground equipment at St Hilary’s in Pico Rivera. Outstanding job scouts and of course to the dads that helped! Here they are in action, seen below!

                       

 

                      

No matter where you are at during the summer break, I hope everyone had a chance to cut loose and have some fun outdoors.

Also, I’d like to take a moment and give a big thanks to Tom Garcia for putting together another great District Summer BBQ. Everyone had a great time, and the food was delicious as always! If you missed out on it this year, we hope that you can make it out next year.

 

         CAMPOREE REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN via TENTAROO!!!

There is a mandatory Zoom Camporee meeting for all units that plan to attend on August 17th @ 7 PM.  Kindly email piopicocamporee@yahoo.com with the name and email of your unit leader that will be attending and responsible for your unit.  Zoom link will be sent out the evening before our meeting. Registration link: https://www.glaacbsa.org/PioPicoCamp-O-Ree

Set your reminders for RECHARTER!!

Recharter due date is falling in soon! Due date will be set for September to better align with the program years... 

 

2021-2022 Recharter Fees

Listed below are the fees that will be in effect for the September 2021 Charter renewal.

Below are some help links to set you down the right path:

 

Pack Guide:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zUwWOTexJv1p2Hsl0AFiiOYeeJJSLtnz25ZCf8xtg0Y/edit

Troop Guide:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mV3i4YI1y4akFMl3lEDk-NCammIPwsxB7bo_x6Rxzx4/edit

Crews/Ship Guide:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TvNgCJYhFTC-I1AzuOK82xDpm3WsxyGQZND7alNmoXc/edit

Internet Recharting:

https://scoutnet.scouting.org/UCRS/ui/home/default.aspx

Internet – Charter Renewal

https://www.scouting.org/commissioners/internet-rechartering/

Charter Payments:

https://www.glaacbsa.org/charterpayment

 

New-Unit Application

https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/524-402_WB.pdf

 

 

 

 

If you have anything that you would like to share in the district newsletter, a scouting adventure, a note from a youth about their scouting adventures, even a joke or, a tip or two about outdoor survival or hacks, send it them over to me via email at: Sophia.Antunez72@gmail.com

Get ready for outdoor adventures

 

Covid-19 Update for Los Angeles County

LA County has announced that we are now in the Yellow Tier, which is great news! As of May 8^th, meetings can now be conducted indoors but the meetings must follow cohort protocols by continuing to follow the social distancing and wearing mask. It is advised that the meeting size should be limited to 50% of maximum occupancy of the indoor space. And units must seek permission of the organization that controls the meeting space beforehand.

More information can be found on the GLAAC website:

https://www.glaacbsa.org/files/37478/glaac-reopening-update.pdf

 

Pio Pico Roundtable Summer BBQ Picnic

We are excited to announce that the Pio Pico Roundtable Picnic is just around the corner! 

Please mark your calendars!

 When: June 16th, 2021

Where: Palm Park in Whittler (off El Rancho Drive- Picnic tables area)

Time: 6:00pm

Cost: $5.00 Per person required, payable at the park

 Please RSVP with Tom Garcia @ 562 355-6978

If anyone is available to help Tom with getting the cooking gear ready on Friday June 11th around 10 AM, please reach out to him. He is in need of a few volunteers to help.

This is a tradition of old Rio Hondo District that has been going on for many years and we are keeping the tradition going by gathering  together to bbq and have a great time with our fellow scouters.

 

Camporee

And just a reminder Camporee will be held at Prado Regional Park – Oct 8^th-10^th, 2021. More information will be coming out soon, so keep your eyes out for that!

 

Summer Camps

It is time to get outdoors and get our camping gear ready for the summer! Our camps are filling up fast! If you have not had a chance yet to register for Camp Big Horn or Camp Cherry Valley, don’t delay there may not be any spots available.

Registration for Camp Big Horn can be found here: https://www.glaacbsa.org/CBHsummercamp

Registration for Cherry Valley can be found here: https://www.glaacbsa.org/CCVsummercamp

 

High Adventure Team

Here are some fun tips from our HAT team to get you ready for some outdoor adventures.

Smart Phone – what can it be used for?

Flashlight, compass, map, camera, watch, alarm clock, timer, GPS,

Here are some apps on my phone:  AllTrails, Seek, Strava, First Aid, Altimeter+

 Apps used by some HAT members: Spyglass, Hiking Project, PeakFinder, eTrails

SatPaq- Enables your smartphone to send and receive messages over satellite.

Be sure to bring back up items!

 Hiking apps (REI article)   https://www.rei.com/blog/hike/the-8-best-hiking-apps-you-need-to-download-now

 HAT Training

Please mark your calendars, here are the next upcoming HAT training:

Sep 10-12 Adult Leader Backpack Training Seminar - Link to flyer below

Adult Leader Backpack Training -Fall

 Memorial Day Services

I would like to also give recognition and to the following Packs and Troops who took the time to visit Rose Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary to participate in placing flags in honor of our fallen heroes on May 28^th, 2021.  

Antoinette Lou, Community Relations Manager of Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary On May 28, 2021 invited several Troops and Pack's from different cities. Whittier Troops and Packs were one of the cities that participated in placing flags to our fallen heroes for their courageous act. We can never thank them and the families who lost such great men and women for the freedom of this United States of America.  The Troops and Packs were honored to be part of this great event.  Thank you Antoinette for inviting us.

Troop 476 and Pack 476 Whittier

Troop 219 and Pack 2019 Whittier

Troop 688 and Pack 688 Whittier

Pack 46 Whittier

Pack 490 Glendora

Troop 483 Glendora

The Burke Family

Pack 415 La Verne

Girls Scout Troop 5584 West Covina

Girl Scout Troop 1616 West Covina

 

Journey to Excellence

I would like to take a moment and congratulate the following units for earning the Journey to Excellence Award for 2020.

 The units that are receiving this recognition are:

Packs                                                    

72   Gold

219  Gold

476   Gold

529   Gold

805   Bronze

Troops

2  Silver

394  Gold

693  Gold

841   Gold

841   Silver

2019  Silver

 

If you have any fun stories, jokes, pictures or any scouting tips, shout outs or recognitions  that you would like to share with the news letter,  please be sure to email me at sophia.antunez72@gmail.com

Spring is in the air...

Spring is in the air and as we all have been anticipating, the Covid-19 restrictions are slowly getting lifted!

Before we can jump back into the norm, there are some guidelines and training that you will need to know before starting your unit outdoor in person meetings. You will also need to keep on hand all the necessary forms, such as the health screening questionnaire and the parental commitment to transport just to name a couple of what is required. And in support of our cohort leaders, they may be eligible for vaccination. It is highly important that all leaders take the time to go over the information that council has provided us. The safety of our youth and our leaders is top priority. 

More information can be found at the GLAAC website: https://www.glaacbsa.org/COVID-19

 

The big question for the year is, will scouts be able to go to camp this year? The answer is YES! With restrictions and following the county health department guidelines. 

Here is what we are looking at this summer...

Summer resident camp at Camp Big Horn at Circle X Ranch is open and has a brand-new program for our units but spots are filling up fast! To sign up or for more information visit: https://www.glaacbsa.org/CampBigHorn

And Camp Cherry Valley is now taking reservations. The camp Program includes rifle and archery ranges, nature and outdoors skills and waterfront activities. If you would like more information, please visit: https://www.glaacbsa.org/CCVsummercamp

Camp Trask is open but you will need to give them a call to see what is available.

Campership is available for families. If you are interested in applying for campership, please reach out to our District Chairman, Chon for more information at chonscervantes@gmail.com.

 And mark your calendars the Camporee Committee has been preparing to welcome back our units in our annual district Camporee this fall as long as it is with the Covid19 guidelines. The Camporee will be held at Prado Regional Park – Oct 8^th-10^th, 2021. More details to come soon!

Also, our Camporee Committee brings us a new monthly Challenge for the Month of April.

A COOKING CHALLENGE!

Make your best dinner using the following tools/ingredients: 

Cooking Tool: BBQ.

Protein – can be veggie, fish, chicken, pork or beef.

Root Veggie – can be potato, carrot, turnip, beet, sweet potato, or parsnips.

 Post your pictures by April 30^th  the Pio Pico Camporee Facebook page or email your pictures to- piopicocamporee@yahoo.com for challenge entry.

And lastly, we are pleased to announce that the new San Gabriel Valley Scout Shop is now open! The scout shop is located at  411 E Huntington Dr., Ste. #117 in Arcadia, CA 91006, in the Huntington Landmark Shopping Center just off the 210 at Huntington Drive.

Did you know???

 

Chris Gardea was the recipient of the Outstanding National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) from GLAAC Award in 2020? and the James E. West recognition from GLAAC, 2020?  Chris involvement with Scouting with 49 years, service at local and National level Silver Beaver recipient, the Spurgeon Award for service to fire exploring and the rare George Meany awarded by AFL CIO and BSA was a big factor in NESA acknowledging Chris for outstanding service to Scouting. 

Below is more about Chris outstanding achievements.

Retired after 32 years in the fire service as a professional and volunteer firefighter. Firefighter paramedic, Arson investigator 2, Heavy rescue, Haz Mat specialists. EMT and Paramedic trainer.

Married to Jeanette for 30 years, father of Cicily, Miranda and Wyatt Gardea.

2 GSA gold award recipients and an Eagle Scout with 4 palms.

Chris was the 2^nd Eagle Scout in a family of 5 Eagles, including his son.

And 3 GSA gold awards including his sister and daughters.

Scouting experience, Scouting in Rio Hondo District since 1972. Cub Scouts to Eagle. Serving at Local, Council and National levels. ASM troop 985 since 1988.

Philmont Experience, 2019 Staff, 1980 Trek, 1985 Staff National OA trek, 2000, 2005, PTC Student, 2016,2018,2021 PTC Faculty WOODCARVERS ROUNDUP.

2017 Staff National OA Wachipi at Philmont.

Attended 5 National Scout Jamborees. 1981 participant,1985 Staff OA service Corps,

2005, 2017 Staff Woodcarving, 2010 Scoutmaster of Los Angeles Contingent.

Over 30 years Scout Craft experience, Woodcarving, Native American crafts, Leatherwork, Woodturning, Native Jewelry metal work, Sculpture, Basketry, Painting, and ceramics.

Red Cross Wilderness first aid instructor for 10 years.

Fire Explorer Advisor, 1994/2018, 24 years’ service to the Fire Explorer program.

Merit badge counselor for the following merit badges; Woodcarving, Leatherwork, Indian Lore, Scouting Heritage, Collections, First Aid, Safety, Fire Safety, Emergency Preparedness

BSA positions served; Assistant Scoutmaster, Scoutmaster, Merit badge counselor, Camp commissioner, Camp master Firestone, Order of the Arrow Chapter, Lodge and Section chief, Order of the arrow ceremonies advisor, Fire Explorer Advisor. Woodbadge staffer, Instructor for California state Fire Explorer academy. Instructor at University of Scouting.

Awards and recognitions

Eagle Scout 1983 T-493 (Former Rio Hondo District) Arrow of Light 1975.

George Meany award for Service to Scouting by a Union member AFL CIO. 2018

William Spurgeon award, recognition for volunteer service to Fire Exploring, 2009.

Silver Beaver award, LAAC for volunteer service to the BSA 2007.

Whittier LAAC Good Scout Award honoree.

District Award of Merit 2004.

Vigil Member order of the Arrow 1983.

Order of the Arrow Founders award recipient 1985.

Philmont Arrowhead 1980, Staff Arrowhead 1985 OA Philmont trek staff.

City of Santa Fe Springs Firefighter of the year 1998.

Santa Fe Springs Chamber of commerce Salute of Merit recipient, 1998.

VFW award for community service. 1998

Chris, 2nd Eagle in a family of 5, including my son.

He’s been with T-985 since 1988. 

Still teaching at several merit badge days every year. Teaching at Cabrillo and Firestone, as well as Philmont training center faculty and staff. Woodcarving staff for multiple National jamborees.

Congratulations Chris . Well deserved.