Do You Have News?

This is our first on line newsletter in a very long time. Our plan is to send out information more frequently, in fact as often as we have news. If you have announcements or articles about your unit or other relevant topics, please send them with photos to joph@piedmontbsa.org.

Above: Piedmont Scouts, Troop 630, before departing Piedmont to attend the 2005 National Jamboree which started off in Boston.

100th Anniversary National Scout Jamboree

There are seven openings available for Scouts on our contingent to the National Scout Jamboree in July-August 2010. Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Scouting at this never-to-be-forgotten event to be held for the last time at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia. Get more information and sign up today at http://piedmontbsa.org/jamboree2010/ (You will need to create a MyScouting account, instructions are available as you sign up).

New Medical Form

Tired of filling out an incessant barrage of different medical forms? Well, we are too! Effective immediately the Annual Health and Medical Record (found at http://www.scouting.org/Media/forms.aspx ) will replace the old Class 1, 2 and 3 forms. Each Scout and adult leader will need to complete one annually and give them to your units (not the Scout office) to have on file. The new form has three sections; A and C are to be completed for any event, while B only needs to be done if you will be participating in an event that exceeds 72 hours.

Get Your Reservation in For The Volunteer Recognition Dinner

The Council Volunteer Recognition Dinner will be held on April 23, 2009 at Piedmont Community Church. Watch for your invitation in a couple of weeks! At this event, each unit (Troop, pack, crew) honors one of their outstanding volunteers. The council presents several council awards and thanks volunteers for the work they do during the year to provide great programs (e.g. Camporee, Pinewood Derby and Day Camp, to name a few). Celebrate the successes of friends, family and colleagues during the Council’s only recognition event of the year!

The Awards Committee announces that the 2009 Silver Beaver Award is made to J. Robert Coleman, Jr.

Bob, a third generation Eagle Scout, started his Piedmont Scouting career as a den leader, he went on to volunteer for the Oakland Strokes and serve on the council Board for 12 years. As a board member he was Treasurer, Endowment Chairman and Board President. Under his leadership the Endowment Fund experienced a five-fold increase. He currently serves as the Endowment Chairman for the Western Region (Western states) of the BSA.

Bike Rodeo—Saturday, May 2nd!

Police Explorer Hugh Evans teaching bicycle safety to a young girl.

All elementary school boys and girls are invited to have fun learning about bicycle safety, have their bikes registered and conquer the obstacle course at the annual Bike Rodeo! This year’s will be held on Saturday, May 2nd at Beach Elementary School from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. See you there!

Career Day 2009—May 14th!

Back by popular demand is the biannual Career Day at Piedmont High School, jointly sponsored by the Piedmont Council and the PHS College and Career Center. Like last year, it will feature approximately 70 speakers from a variety of professions eager to share their work experiences with high school students. Anne-Marie Lamarche is spearheading the effort as the Chairwoman; if you’d like to suggest any speakers (including yourself!) e-mail her at anne-marie.lamarche@piedmontbsa.org.

Cub Scout 2009 Day Camp!

Above: Arapaho Den march to their next activity station.

Save the dates! This year’s “Pow-Wow” Day Camp will be held June 15th-19th at Dracena Park and is open to all incoming 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. Registration forms coming soon!

Tiger Cub Safari Camp- 5/16-17 & 5/30-31!

Calling all 1st grade Tiger Cubs and their families! How about a weekend of adventure filled with fishing, rowing and archery? Then check out the Tiger Cub Safari at the nearby Wente Scout Reservation! Organized by the San Francisco Bay Area Council, Piedmont families are also invited to participate in either the 5/16-17 or 5/30-31 session. Registration is handled online at http://www.sfbac.org/camping/cubscout/tigercub

Family Camps in May!

Looking for some good ol’ family fun? Then take the entire family to Camp Linblad in the gorgeous Santa Cruz Mountains on May 1st-3rd or 22nd-25th! Lots of fun activities await, including woodcrafts, archery and a BB gun range. These sessions are put on by the Mt. Diablo Silverado Council; register and see more details at http://secure.bsa-mdsc.org/Registration/CalendarDetail.asp?ActivityKey=489988&OrgKey=1061 Also, the San Francisco Bay Area Council is offering a Family Camp over Memorial Day weekend, May 22nd-25th at the Wente Scout Reservation! Sign-up online at http://www.sfbac.org/camping/family/wente

Another Successful Run for the Pinewood Derby!

Piedmont Cub Scouts once again enjoyed a fabulous Pinewood Derby! 120 Cubs from 1st grade Tigers to 5th grade Webelos participated, cheered on by their families and friends. Pinewood Derby Commissioner Bill Bocheff of Pack 4 did an exemplary job running the event, ensuring everyone had a fun time! See below for a list of the winners!

Pinewood Derby Winners 2009

Tiger Cubs (1st Graders)

• 1st Place: Elliot Meeks
• 2nd Place: Colin Kelly
• 3rd Place: Brady Dunne
• Best Craftsmanship: Liam Scott Best
• Use of Materials: Joshua Berg
• Coolest Car: William McNeil
• Dream Machine: Aaron Lee
• Most Bodacious Body: Cole Canine
• Most Creative Car: Jackson De Melo
• Most Unique Design: Colby Brookfield

Wolf (2nd Graders)

• 1st Place: Paul Wolcott
• 2nd Place: Jackson Peterson
• 3rd Place: Jake Szuhaj
• Best Craftsmanship: Patrick Filler
• Best Use of Materials: Kieran Okada
• Coolest Car: Stephen Eifert
• Dream Machine: Paul Gray
• Most Bodacious Body: Carson Singer
• Most Creative Car: Paul Pappas
• Most Unique Design: Andrew Brown

Bear (3rd Graders)

• 1st Place: Jack Bocheff
• 2nd Place: Sheldon Andrews
• 3rd Place: Hunter DeVroede
• Best Craftsmanship: Brendan Harrington
• Best Use of Materials: Carson Gerhardy
• Coolest Car: Zachary Lam
• Dream Machine: Nicholas Paoli
• Most Bodacious Body: Kyle Deutsche
• Most Creative Car: Andrew Pinkham
• Most Unique Design: Michael Blake

Webelos (4th and 5th Graders)

• 1st Place: Maxwell Bratton
• 2nd Place: Conner Greene
• 3rd Place: Jackson Goldman
• Best Craftsmanship: Nicholas Wiesbrock
• Best Use of Materials: Matt Lichens
• Coolest Car: Brenden Waltz
• Dream Machine: Spencer Dean
• Most Bodacious Body: Russell Rivera
• Most Creative Car: Brendan Waltz
• Most Unique Design: Lucas Perez
• Adult Race 1st Place: Arnie Abrams