Camp Hi-Sierra is one of the highlights of the scouting year. It is near a town called Longbarn in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Hi-Sierra is split up between multiple camp-sites and then the center area with an office, dining hall, and parking lot. On the first day when you arrive the staff do their area spiel and then you have your first dinner and set up camp.
A day at Hi-Sierra would go like this. You wake up at 7:00 and then the stewards (Stewards are one of the roles you have to do at Hi-Sierra) go down 30 minutes before to help set up breakfast. Then everyone gets into their Class A uniforms to do flags at the campsite. After that the troop goes down to do flags in the flag meadow and after you make up a troop yell and get dismissed by a Staff-member you go into the breakfast hall. You then do merit badges until lunch. Lunch is the same as breakfast, stewards go 30 minutes before, then everyone goes down. However, you do not need Class A when going to lunch. After more merit badge sessions you have dinner which you do need Class As for flags. After that you can do an evening program and then you have to be in camp by 9:00 and it lights out at 10:00.
There are so many great things about Hi-Sierra that I could not cover in writing (unless it was making a humongous essay). But in conclusion, Camp Hi-Sierra is one of the best things about scouting for me.
Scout-O-Rama is a great experience where many Scout troops come together to show off skills & games and just have a good time in general. How it works is that every troop that goes sets up a little tent and also a game. For example, last year our troop did a bear can toss and if you were able to throw a cornhole bag into a bear can you would win a pack of gum. All of the other Scout troops do something like this. Trying to make a fun game that also teaches you lessons that you will need to know in Scouts. There are also food trucks at Scout-O-Rama and other things like Dippin’ Dots along with churros. Oftentimes working the booth for a while will get boring so there are two four hour shifts and when no one is around you can just sit around.
Scout-O-Rama also has great potential for recruitment. Lots of the Cub Scout packs in the local area go to Scout-O-Rama, and it is always better to have more Scouts in our troop. Lots of Cub Scouts often go by the booth and when Cub Scouts are there, we try to talk about our troop to them because maybe they might give our troop a try and then we have even more Scouts.
In conclusion, Scout-O-Rama is a great place to have fun and recruit new Scouts to our troop. We had a great time!
The day was damp, the wet ground squished under our feet as we walked… this is our journey at the Ohlone Wilderness. The day started off as we marched up the hill, at the top there was a gated area which after entering we began going down into the depression below. At the bottom there was a stream at which we took a water break filtering the river water into our jugs. We then started again on our hike, all of us reaching the top of the hill, exhausted. We stopped for sandwiches.
After that I climbed a large rock to see the land that we had just traversed, I felt like I was on top of the world. I climbed back down to join the rest of our troop and we made our way back down the valley, over the stream, and up towards the first hill where we started. We had dinner and went to bed underneath the vast dark sky. The next day, we packed up our tents and hiked back over the hill and to our cars returning from yet another scout adventure.
In troop 260 we are very blessed to be able to use Christ the Good Shepard Church’s space to host our weekly meetings. They do a lot for us. The least we can do is repay them. Our preferred way of doing this is by hosting a 100% free pancake breakfast for the members of the Church after Mass.
As the Senior Patrol Leader I organized setting up tables, tablecloths, decorations, and place settings. Then assigned some scouts as the designated waiter for a certain table, and went over how to take down orders. Any scouts that were not waiters were helping pour juice and water or helping with dishes. After a short speech from me thanking the Church and explaining the menu, the breakfast was on. It was like working at a restaurant. This offers scouts a very good experience and perspective about how hard it can be to be a waiter.
 As people finished eating we cleared dishes and sent them into the kitchen to be cleaned. Once everyone was done we packed everything. Everyone always says how much they enjoy the food and are very appreciative of the scouts.
Last February, I took a trip up to Pinnacles National Park with my Scout troop. Pinnacles is not only memorable for its stunning views and camping experience, but it’s also full of unique history. Millions of years ago, the park was part of an active volcanic field, which explains its remarkable rock formations and caves. Long before it became a national park, the land was inhabited by native peoples, until the Spanish colonized much of the West. Over time, Pinnacles grew in popularity as more visitors discovered its rugged beauty. In 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt recognized the area, which set the foundation for the national park we know today.
Anyway, enough with the history lesson—let’s get to the fun part. On our trip, we camped toward the bottom of the park. After arriving, we set out on a 10-mile hike with our backpacks. It was truly breathtaking. I had never seen rock formations like the ones at Pinnacles before. Looking down from the top of the park, I remember being amazed at all the different shapes and shadows the rocks created. The hike was made even more memorable by the little things—like my friends and I singing songs on the way down and sharing our different trail mixes.
When we finally got back and set up camp, it was time for my five-star specialty: pizzadillas. They were quickly devoured, and they tasted even better after a long day of hiking. Later, we gathered around the campfire, talking and laughing until it was time to turn in for the night. As the hours passed, the temperature started to drop, and the air grew colder than I expected. Thankfully, my sleeping bag kept me fairly warm, so the night wasn’t too bad. But when I woke up to find the tent covered in frost, I realized I may not have been quite as prepared for the weather as I thought. Taking down the tent with freezing hands, I couldn’t help but wonder how Elsa ever managed. Even though California doesn’t usually get much snow, it sure felt like it that morning.
Once we got through the cold and had a quick breakfast, we packed up and headed home, tired but happy from the adventure.
In conclusion, Pinnacles National Park is a place with fascinating history and unforgettable experiences. This trip was full of fun, lessons learned, and plenty of laughter with my fellow scouts. It’s just one of many adventures Troop 260 has to offer, and I can’t wait for the next one.
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.Â
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….
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… 🙂 )
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!
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.
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!
