Trail Trek Hike in Berkeley Hills on October 23 (cancelled due to weather)

Saturday October 23rd at Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley hills marks the first Trail Trekker hike of our Pack’s calendar of events.

The Wildcat Peak hike is a great hike with great views of the bay. Lush canyons, eucalyptus trees, curving switchbacks and wild turkeys that hang out near the ECC (Environmental Education Center).

• Be sure to bring you’re camera and be sure to avoid the poison oak along the trails.
• This hike is a bit more strenuous and is listed as a Wolf to Webelos hike. October can be hot so be sure to bring plenty of water.
• We will meet at the ECC center at 10 am and start the hike at 10:30 am. It takes a while to make it to this park and it is easy to get lost so be sure to allow more travel time.

When my family and I hiked this trail a month ago it felt like more than the 2.5 miles listed. And took longer than 2 hours since we took alot of pictures. Also note that this is basically a hike goes up in elevation to the Wildcat peak stone circular observation area then goes back down along a canyon. So be prepared for a great workout as well.

Non-hikers can hang out at the environmental education center ECC. Great area for lunch/picnic.

You can find more information about Wildcat Peak on our website.

Andrew Galindez
Trail Trekker Coordinator
Pack 163

Scout Day at San Francisco Giants

It was a little crazy for Scout Day with the SF Giants. The game was rescheduled from 6 pm to 1 pm in order to be featured on the national TV broadcast and pennant fever was in full swing. But there were hundreds of Scouts from across Northern California in attendance, including some from Pack 163.

Prior to the game the Scouts were able to come onto the field for the National Anthem. And then we briefly got to hang around the field before running up to our seats to see the Giants play the Padres. Even though the Giants didn’t win, it still was a fun day at the ballpark.

Here is Quinn Crossman from Pack 163 along with older brother Riley who is a Boy Scout in Troop 143 and a Pack 163 alumni.

Cub Scout Games - Sept 11

The Mission Peak district of the San Francisco Bay Area Council is hosting a Scout event at Central Park in Fremont on September 11th (view map of Central Park). This is a big event on the shores of Lake Elizabeth including Dragon Boat Races for Boy Scout units as well as an opportunity to see what older Scouts are up to.

The focus for Cub Scout units such as Pack 163 is an Opening Ceremony and the Cub Scout Games.

Here’s the info from our unit commissioners.

The Opening Ceremony - 8:30 am

We would like all Packs, Troops, Posts, Teams, and Crews to participate in the Opening Ceremony that will begin at 9 am and run for approximately 30 minutes.

• Beginning at 8:30 am we would like all the Scouts to assembly by unit over by the row of Poplars closest to the Teen Center parking lot, to form up and participate in an opening flag procession that will include marching over to the Opening Ceremony area that will be over by the Boat House.
  • Look for Mike Vigil at the assembly area
• Each unit needs to bring their flags and flag stands to the Opening Ceremony, since they will be involved in the opening flag ceremony and we are asking everyone to leave their flags in the Opening Ceremony for the remainder of the day for all the public to see.  Make certain that you have a flag stand that will keep your flag from falling over.
• Each Scout is required to wear their full uniform for the Opening ceremony, but they may remove their uniform shirt and wear their unit t-shirt if they are competing in either the Dragon Boat Races or Cub Scout Games.

Cub Scouts and the rest of the audience are welcome to go down to the lake and check out the Dragon Boats until race time which will start at around 10:30 am, or gather around the Cub Scout Games area that will be set up after the Opening Ceremony concludes.

Just a reminder about food, water, etc.  We recommend that you bring enough food, water, and snacks for your unit and/or your family since it is unlikely that there will be any food vendors open on September 11th to provide for all of your needs.

Cub Scout Games - 10:30 am

Cub Scout Games will be limited to Cub Scouts, Webelos Scouts, and their brothers and sisters who are not older than 5th graders.

• The Games will start at 10:30 am and run through 1:30 pm. No pre-registration is required and their will be a $1.00 fee for the Scout Day patch payable on the day of the Games.
• Each participant will sign in at the registration desk where they will receive a portfolio that they will get stamped as they complete each activity.  The activities are designed so Scouts as young as Tiger Cub age will be able to complete them, and be fun for our older Cub Scouts.
• There will be 7 stations they must complete in order to earn their patch (we’ll make certain that everyone earns their patch).

After you complete Cub Scout Games we encourage you and your family to hang around and watch the Dragon Boat Races, eat the picnic lunch you may have brought with you, or otherwise just hang around and visit with the other Scouting families who will be there.

Photos from the Event

Here’s Pack 163 getting ready for the Opening Ceremony on September 11.

Dragon Boat Races

Scout Day with Oakland Athletics

Here are some of our proud Scouts of Pack 163 at the Scout Day with Oakland A’s held on June 27 this year. The Scouts were able to participate in a pre-game parade on the field and also received a patch from the team. Proud to be!