Coyote Creek Newsletter

Coyote Creek District
March 2009
Santa Clara County Council
Coyote Creek Newsletter
Important Dates:
Mar 12th: District Roundtable
Mar 28th – 29th: Forest
Conservation
Apr 17th-19th: District
Camporee
May 9th: Scout-0-Rama
HAPPY
ST. PATRICK’S DAY
March 17th
COME TO THE BEST SCOUTING
EVENT OF THE YEAR!
Saturday, May 9 @ 10am – 4pm
History Park at Kelley Park
1650 Senter Road, San Jose
www.scccbsa.org/sor
The Scout-O-Rama is a fun event for family and friends that
you don’t want to miss. Over 75 Scout units will host
interactive, hands-on “booths” filled with fun! We expect
7,000 active participants from young children to the young at
heart. Showcasing Cub World, Pioneering Planet, Scout Skills
Safari, High Adventure Land, and Cooking Camp.
Pick-up Coupon Books at this month’s roundtable or the
Council Service Center.
1 | Page
Please send articles for the
next newsletter to:
Judy Davis
JudyDavisSJCA@gmail.com
Be sure to include basic storyline,
names, dates and pictures if
available.
Coyote Creek District
March 2009
By: Steve Kahermanes, Marcia Morrow,
eric.wilhelmsen, and Michael Olsen
Cub Scout Breakout:
Join Marcia as she tracks dinosaurs,
making T. Rex, checking out fossils and
eating mud balls. Along the way, you’re
going to check out the geology belt loop
and sports pin and look into outdoor
cooking.
When you come back to the 21st century,
you’ll get – especially cub masters -- theme
related ceremonies, songs, cheers and
more to get your Cubs started for April’s
pack meeting while Webelos learn how to
“Spend, Spend, Spend”!
No one will want to miss out on the great
handouts and program helps not available
for purchase anywhere!
Boy Scout Breakout:
For the Scout Break-out, Mike and you will
be learning about backpacks: Types, fit,
benefits and short-comings of different
types, best ways to pack, etc. Bring your
backpack to show and check for sizing.
Venturing Breakout:
Eric will discuss how to plan and execute a
bike trip and use it to fulfill the requirements
for the cycling merit badge and the
Venturing Elective. Future topics will also
be discussed.
Volunteer at the East Valley
YMCA & D8CRT (District 8
Community Round Table)
walk-a-thon to be held on
April 18th from 8am – 10pm
at Lake Cunningham park.
For more info: http://d8crt.org/events.html
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Santa Clara County Council
New Tour Permit and Requirements
By: Neal Osborn
The new year brings a new tour permit, and some
new requirements that could trip up your outing if
you're not prepared. The tour permit serves many
purposes, and one of those is as an aid to your
planning. First up, you now need to list your trip and
daily mileage, to help you avoid driver fatigue. I
suspect for most trips this won't be an issue.
Remember, if you're traveling more than 500 miles,
you'll need a National Tour Permit.
Next up, Youth Protection. As before, at least one
registered adult who has completed BSA Youth
Protection Training must be present at all events
and activities that require a tour permit. But be
careful - Youth Protection Training is now only valid
for
two
years.
So
hop
on-line
(http://olc.scouting.org/), and refresh your training.
The back of the new tour permit is not just for listing
drivers anymore! One requirement in particular is
worthy of note: at least one adult must have
completed Planning and Preparing for Hazardous
Weather training. This is a new course and a new
tour permit requirement. Again, it's available online (http://olc.scouting.org/).
So take some time to look over the new form.
Nobody likes paperwork, but our council requires
tour permits for most activities outside of your city
limits. Take the time to take the training, update
your unit records and have fun out there. Safely.
Eagles Corner
All Scouts preparing for their
Eagle rank should call Kay
Lovell, Advancement Chair
at 408-263-6286.
Any Scouts with approved
Eagle
projects
should
contact Mr. Lovell and
provide him with a status of
their progress.
What’s Happening with the
Tindeuchen Chapter
By: Ramsay Wong
Vice Chief of Communication
Pack 265 Flag Retirement Ceremony
By: Heather Brewster
Pack 265 held a special flag retirement ceremony
at its Blue & Gold celebration on March 6th. Thirteen
Scouts from Pack 265 took part by representing the
13 colonies and placing individual stripes in the fire.
To make the event even more special, we honored
one of our Bear Den Leaders, David Miller, who is
about to be deployed
with
the
Army to
Afghanistan, by having
him and his family be the
honorary color guard for
the Blue & Gold event.
Staff Sergeant Miller then
folded and retired the
second
flag.
The
grommets were retrieved
and presented to Staff
Sergeant Miller and his
wife,
Frances, in
a
Bear Den Leader,
commemorative shadow
Staff Sergeant David Miller
box at the end of the
evening. The second set of grommets were also
retrieved and will be presented to the family of a
Pack 265 alumni whose son is in the Marines and will
also be deployed abroad this month. We thank the
Council for supplying us with the flags and the Tom
Matsumoto Elementary School for giving us
permission to perform the ceremony.
Tindeuchen
Chapter
made
an
appearance at the University of Scouting.
We helped with the parking at Pow Wow.
Then we helped put up a teepee. We
watched Mr. Flood try many times to make
a clove hitch. Then we had lunch. We got
to eat a hamburger, salad and beans.
There were a lot of burgers left, so we got
to eat a second round. Then, we watched
Mr. Tahara teach a class about fire making
without matches. It was really interesting.
We got to see a lot of booths about many
services and fun things. We also got to see
Emile Mestressat’s Miwok Lodge Flap
collection, but he was missing one…. We
hope he finishes his collection. Over all, we
had a great time at the University of
Scouting. We also had the best turnout
from our arrowmen in a long time!
By: Timothy Lequang
Tindeuchen Chapter Chief
The Tindeuchen Chapter is having a great
time. The arrowmen are enjoying the
meeting. We have been having food and
drinks at every meeting. The Tindeuchen
Chapter is currently planning for the
camporee which is themed “Coyote
Creek Film Festival.” The chapter is having
a major role this year at the camporee to
render cheerful service and to have a
great time. The food will be great, there will
be lots of fun, and we are going to have a
GREAT TIME!!!!
Adults From Lien Doan Rang Dong Get
Trained To Better Serve The Scouts
Making Lanterns and Cookies For Our
Leaders And Parents on Valentine’s Day
By Steven Minh Chu, First Class Scout,
Troop 654, Lien Doan Rang Dong
By: A Girl Scout,
Troop 60703, Lien Doan Rang Dong
According to the BSA website, “The merit badge
counselor is a key player in the Boy Scout
advancement program. Whatever your area of
expertise or interest—whether it is a special craft or
hobby, a profession, or perhaps a life skill —as a
merit badge counselor, you can play a vital role in
stirring
a
young
man's
curiosity
about that
particular
topic. By
serving as
a
merit
badge
counselor,
you offer
your time, knowledge, and other resources so that
Scouts
can
explore
a
topic
of
interest”(scouting.org). Well, the parents in the
Troop 654, Lien Doan Rang Dong, certainly desire to
play in that ‘vital role’ when they took training to
become merit badge counselors with the training
aid of Karen and Raimo Vahamaki.
On Feb 14th, Valentine’s Day this year, we Scouts in
Lien Doan Rang Dong, decided to do something
fun and also to express our love and appreciation
towards our Leaders and Parents for their
unconditional love and all of the things they’ve
done for us over the years.
On February 14th, 8 parents and 4 troop leaders
signed up for the merit badge counseling training
so that they can aid in a Scout’s endeavor towards
a successful future. The merit badges cover many
areas from environmental science to public
speaking. The training took about 1 hour for
everyone; an easy process that anyone can do.
Karen and Romo taught the eager counselors-intraining the steps taken to be a counselor for the
merit badges. On March 5, these great individuals
became certified in their designated areas and
can now aid the scouting movement.
The Cadet Girl Scouts made sugar cookies and
decorate them with all of their creativity and, of
course, love.
The Cub Scouts
(P-654) and the
Junior Girl Scouts
(T-60703)
tried
their very best to
make red lanterns
from
the
red
envelops
(for
lucky money) that
they received at the Lunar New Year in January.
They learn to reuse material wisely, follow the
instruction, and be patient during this activity. Most
of all, the Scouts learn to have fun with a good
purpose.
Beware of Tree Wells and NARSIDS
By: Catherine Nelson McDonald RN
Webelos leader, Den 8 of Pack 166
The outdoors is a great place to be. Yet, there are
many hidden dangers and they are lurking where
you least expect them.
In early March, we left for a drive to the snow
country for a family skiing trip at Bear Valley. Along
the way we made a pit stop and the front page of
a local paper called the Union Democrat caught
my eye. Its title read; Tree wells, deep snow risky for
snow sports by Alisha Wyman. I read a little bit and I
was immediately aware that I NEEDED to know
about the information in that article.
Registered Nurses generally are specialized, mine
include; forensics, emergency and critical care
Nursing, wilderness training, altitude sickness,
avalanche survival skills and search and rescue.
After I read the article I understood the seriousness
of the danger immediately. I also knew that I had
been skiing for 34 years and had NEVER heard
about this danger. I was stunned. Also, I was in the
midst of planning our packs 2nd annual snow park
outing to Spicer Park. I wanted to have a safe trip.
Last year we had fun and all of our boys were safe.
However, when a teenage girl was yelling for help,
the boys and families did have the experience of
watching me revive an unconscious boy at the
snow park, who ended up being hypoglycemic
and dehydrated. I took that experience and turned
it into a teaching moment for all of the parents and
children present. Preparation for the snow is
important and it begins with a meal and keeping
well hydrated. After reading the article, there is
more to being prepared and that is being
knowledgeable about the environment.
What I learned in that article is that a phenomenon
called non-avalanche related snow immersion
deaths (also known as NARSID) can occur when
one ends up in a tree well or any area with
unpacked snow. Many people refer to unpacked
snow as powder snow.
The next day when we went to Bear Valley, I
observed every single tree I could get my eyes on.
In addition, I also looked at boulders and poles.
Those had areas with pitting and indentations.
Besides looking for these death pits, I also looked for
opportunity to spread the news. I skied over to tree
areas and informed skiers to leave the area and
about the risks of tree wells. I talked to every person
that rode up the lifts with me. I spoke to ski
instructors and parents at the lodge. I made it my
mission to make sure that anyone I came in contact
that day would hear my message.
The next day we went to a park and met with two
rangers and I was surprised to learn that they had
never heard about tree wells. After a few minutes,
they were well informed.
I shared information with my co-workers. One Nurse
shared her story about how she was stuck and
became panicked and cried as she lost hope of
ever getting out. Eventually some people found
her. They helped her get out. She is one of the
lucky ones!!
Since reading that article, I have combed the
internet and read up on the subject. According to
this web site; www.treewelldeepsnowsafety.com
the author wrote, that two experiments conducted
in the U.S. and Canada in which volunteers were
temporarily placed in a tree well, 90% COULD NOT
rescue themselves.
There are more NARSIDS than deaths from
avalanches in the United States. When one falls in
face first, they can suffocate to death. They can
die in as little time as it takes to drown by water.
More deaths occur after a big snow storm and in
ungroomed areas. December and January have
the highest numbers of NARSIDS than any other
month.
The buddy system is essential to your survival should
you fall in a tree well. Always keep your buddy in
sight, otherwise you might not ever see him again
should he fall in a tree well and become buried.
Stay with your buddy if he falls in. NEVER LEAVE. If
you leave, he could die. You need to get your
buddy out as soon as possible. Use your whistle to
let others know you need help.
If you are the one who falls in, try not to panic.
Snow might get into your mouth and you must blow
it out and make an attempt to create an air pocket
so that you can breath. Do not move abruptly. If
you do, it could cause you to fall deeper and for
loose snow to fall in onto you. If you are able to
move your body back and forth slowly, this will help
to pack the snow and increase the space around
you so that you will have more air. Try to grab onto
the tree so that you will not fall further. Staying
calm, decreases your oxygen consumption.
The lesson here is to ski with a buddy, carry a
whistle, be aware of your surroundings, and stay
away from trees, poles and boulders. These
accidents are preventable. We can all have safe
and fun snow adventures so long as we are
prepared physically and filled with knowledge.
Share your knowledge and you can save lives.
District Camporee at Grant Ranch, April 17th-19th
By: Steve Goldammer
Volunteer your unit to sponsor a game at the District Camporee. And, we
need groups or individuals (adults, Scouts, friends) to provide activities for
the midway on Saturday afternoon. Everyone has some special interests,
skills, knowledge, hobbies, or talents. Please share them with our Scouts. If
you are bringing firewood, please bring a bit extra to donate for the
campfire on Saturday night.
If you are an OA member and you wish to participate on staff, please
come to the Tindeuchen Chapter meeting at the Roundtable on April
12th. There is a discount for OA staffers.
The Leaders Guide has been added to the district website. Here is the
direct link: http://www.scccbsa.org/files/2009_CC_Leadersguide.pdf
The RnE2EW Van comes to Evergreen
San Jose non-profit GoingEverGREEN welcomes the Department of Energy’s Renewable Energy and Efficiency
Education on Wheels (RnE2EW, pronounced “renew”) van. The RnE2EW van, a cooperative project between
the Department of Energy, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Midwest Research Institute, and BP
America, travels the western United States educating students, teachers, and communities in renewable
energy and efficiency sciences (see more at www.rne2ew.org).
GoingEverGREEN, in partnership with the Evergreen Elementary School District (ESD) and the Center for
Research in Vocational Education (CRVE), has arranged for the van’s visit to ESD’s middle schools during the
annual science fair the week of March 9th
GoingEverGREEN invites all Scouts to participate in this event. There will be various hands-on activities and
educational displays related to the various forms of renewable energy such as solar, wind, biomass, geothermal
and fuel cell.
If the van schedule does not include your school, please do not miss the opportunity to come by the East
Valley YMCA to check out some of the cool gadgets and gizmos on board the RnE2EW van. This is an event
you cannot afford to miss!
The schedule for the week is as follows:
District Chairman’s Corner
By: Cecil Lawson
Chairman Coyote Creek District
Santa Clara Council Executive Board Member
San Jose Council District 8 Roundtable Steering Committee
(408) 839-0039
What is a Scout?
I was helping Ron Davis with last year’s District-wide pinewood derby
by recruiting as many Scout volunteers as possible. A senior patrol leader called me back
and offered the assistance of his patrol and asked what the dress code was for the event.
Knowing this event is in the middle of Eastridge Mall during one of the busiest shopping
days, I thought this would be a great opportunity to recruit new Scouts so I suggested a
Class “A” uniform for the event.
For those of you those are less familiar with uniform dress codes that are often mentioned
(these are not official BSA terms), here are some examples:
Uniform Type
Class “A”
Official Uniform
What is it used for?
Example
Official dress uniform used for
all formal Scouting events.
Class “B”
Activity uniforms are worn for work projects, sporting
Activity or Utility activities, and other events in which the dress uniform
uniform
might get damaged.
The idea of wearing a uniform comes from the founder of modern Scouting himself, Lord
Baden-Powell. General Robert Stevenson-Smyth Baden-Powell was obviously influenced
by military tradition but did not see the Scouting movement as a military organization. He
did see it as being an organization that could promote peace and believed the uniform
would hide differences in social standing to promote equality. This idea was well ahead of
its time.
The very next day I received a call from this young Patrol leader. He had discussed the
idea of wearing a class “A” uniform but received great resistance from the entire patrol.
The idea of appearing in the Mall with our full uniforms on was, well, embarrassing he said. I
asked why the uniform is so embarrassing? Because, he said, our friends are at the Mall
and they don’t see Scouting as being very cool. He suggested wearing class “B”’s and I
agreed.
What he really wanted to wear were Class F’s (see picture above) so he can mix in and be
unnoticed.
Class “F”
Not used in Scouting.
A class “F” is a type of uniform used in school,
shopping malls, and other public areas. It is only
used on the urban battlefield. Lucky for us, the
Boy Scout organization has never declared war.
So, what is a Scout?
Scouting has many traditions and uniform is one of them. It is an easily recognizable part of
the organization and has come to symbolize historic codes of morality, varied religious
traditions, and old-time patriotism. Next year the Scouting movement will celebrate 100
years of Scouting. The Boy Scouts of America is a unique institution that is known and
understood by several generations of Americans. Slight variations in the perception of the
organization have changed over the years.
Older Americans remember an organization that prepared exceptional military leaders
and combat forces when our country needed them most. During the 60s, the space
programs utilized the exceptional survival training and discipline of those Eagle Scouts that
were willing risk their lives in the exploration of space. In the late 60’s and early 70’s the
scouting program got a bad rap. It was seen by many as a military feeder group akin to
the ROTC; this was more a reflection of the times than any changes in the scouting
program. The program is now seen as another way to install morality, establish life-long
healthy habits, and supplement a public educational system.
The uniform is important components of scouting but not for the reasons most believe it to
be. The uniform represents equality but is shrouded in military tradition – not for the cause
of war, but for the cause of peace.
All of us understand that scouting goes much deeper than just appearances. It goes to the
heart of understanding who you as an individual and who we are as a nation. The
movement is just a vehicle to teach the next generation by our words and examples. The
decision allowed us to appeal to broader
audience of potential Scouts while maintaining
our core values. It also made the event a joy for
these young boys. Sir Baden Powell once said
“The most worth-while thing is to try to put
happiness into the lives of others.” So, allowing
the boys to appear in the middle of Eastridge Mall
in Class B’s was not so bad after all.
See Coyote Creek District On ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmiZ5xv8JPg&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_8yg3sBi-Q&feature=channel_page
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ81Kk0gbOQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbEVqCE8Yac&feature=channel
JOIN THE COYOTE CREEK GROUP!
Become part of the action! Join the Coyote Creek
District’s Yahoo group to receive announcements
about events, activities, and meetings.
If the link above doesn’t work, send an e-mail to:
coyote_creek_district-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
Please include your name, position, and unit.
Important 2009 Events:
Mar 12, Apr 9, May 14,
Jun 11, Jul 9, Aug 13,
Sep 10
RoundTable
Mar 28 – 29
Forest Conservation
Days
Mar 29
Annual Catholic
Recognition
Ceremony
Apr 17-19
Camporee
May 9
Scout-O-Rama
May 23-25
Adopt A Campsite &
Tribe of Hi-Sierra
Weekend
Nov 7
District Dinner
Coyote Creek RoundTable training at 7:30pm
(2nd Thursday of every month)
Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Dept and the Northern
California Society of American Foresters invite the Boy Scouts to
hike with a forester during the 2009 Forest Conservation Days (FCD)
at Sanborn Park. Call 408-867-9959.
The Catholic Committee on Scouting and Camp Fire for the
Diocese of San Jose will hold it’s annual Recognition
Ceremony at Basilica of St. Joseph with Monsignor Francis
Cilia, Vicar General, presiding. Contact Ann Resch at
a.resch@att.net or 408-227-8587.
At Grant Ranch
A fun event for family and friends featuring over 75 Scout
units hosting interactive, hands-on “booths” filled with fun.
From 10am-4pm.
Camp Hi-Sierra celebrating its 60th Anniversary this summer.
Help perform work to maintain and improve a site by
attending “Adopt A Campsite”. Contact Ken Schott at
ken@scccbsa.org
Coyote Creek District Dinner
Every boy deserves a trained leader.
View our training schedule and signup. The classes are fun and informative.
2009 Training Schedule: