Bob Mazzuca Firebowl is Almost Done

The Bob Mazzuca Firebowl is almost finished! Today, the benches are being stained and then just a few more finishing touches are needed. This has been a massive volunteer effort and the firebowl will serve generations of youth.

Everyone is invited to the dedication on July 16 at which Chief Scout Executive Bob Mazzuca will be present. You can register here.

Summer 2011 #1: Staff Week

The staff arrived in camp Saturday and is working hard to prepare for the arrival of Scouts in a week. We have welcomed many new staffers along with some veteran staffers. Today, the first year staff walked down the road from Bottchers Gap to Pico, learning about camp history and the ecosystem the camp lies in as they descended into the valley.

Check back here regularly for updates. I plan on posting a few each week and will include photos when possible.

Help Needed to Finish Firebowl Project

The firebowl project has come a long way. Here is a note from the project director asking for help this weekend:

"We have all accomplished so much in the last couple months, now this weekend is going to say everything about us all. There is a lot to do, so lets have as many helpers as possible to get this Campfire Bowl complete!!!!! We welcome everyone to participate, Moms,Dads, friends, lets make it happen! We have about 30% of the seating to complete, 70% of the stairs, 35% of the sand material, a bridge to rebuild at the Bill Lidderdale Trail, debris to be hauled to the dumpster, fire pit brick to install, misc. electrical to complete and an overall cleaning. Please let us know if you can help!"

Please CLICK HERE to find out how you can help!

Photo Credit: Alex Surber

Update! Bob Mazzuca Fire Bowl

Bob Mazzuca, the Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts America and former Pico Staffer and member of Troop 428, San Juan Bautista, will make an appearance at the firebowl dedication. Please see this post for more information on the event.

Also, you still have a chance to help with the work at the firebowl over the next 2 weekends. Please visit http://himlyn.com/ for more information on how you can help and to see photos of this $40,000 project the Esselen Lodge of the Order of the Arrow is running.

3 More Spots Available for NYLT

The 2011 National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) at Pico Blanco Scout Reservation has only 3 more spots before the course is full and registration is closed.

NYLT is open to all Boy Scouts from 13 to 17 years old and Venturers to age 20. The course consists of an intensive interactive experience in outdoor living and leadership skills development.

NYLT runs from Sunday, June 19 to Saturday, June 25 2011 at Pico Blanco Scout Reservation.

To register for NYLT at Pico Blanco, please call the MBAC Scout Office at (831) 422-5338 immediately. All registrations are handled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Yours in Scouting,

NYLT Staff

New Seats at Firebowl

The Esselen Lodge of the Order of the Arrow has been working hard to renovate the firebowl. Here is a photo of the new seats they installed last weekend. For photos and updates, please visit himlyn.com

The View From The Porch of the Admin

Experience Quicksand at Skinner Creek

As part of the Pico Pathfinders High Adventure program, some scouts explored off-trail up Skinner Creek, looking for sights rarely seen by humans. One was some quicksand on a sandbar. As an added bonus, the Pathfinders got to name some of the campsites they discovered for use by Scouts in the future.

Road Conditions Update

As of today, Highway 1 is open all the way from San Luis Obispo to Monterey. Please note that there is still traffic control at Rocky Creek and near Lucia, both south of Palo Colorado Canyon. The fastest way to Pico from all parts of California is still from the north via Monterey since highway 1 is a long, windy, but very scenic road.

We wish you safe travels and look forward to seeing you at camp this summer!

Bob Mazzuca Campfire Bowl Dedication

On July 16, 2011, Pico Blanco Scout Reservation will be dedicating the Bob Mazzuca Fire Bowl. Over the past two years, the Esselen Lodge has worked to renovate the existing campfire bowl to better serve the camp. The firebowl maintains the rustic magic of the old fire bowl while providing a greater capacity and more comfort. The redwoods and Mt. Pico still remain the focus of the backdrop.

All are invited.

Register Here!