The Hayward Lodge Fireplace

International Staffer

Last summer, our staff had the honor of welcoming a Ukrainian staffer as part of the International Camp Staff Program. He worked in the Scoutcraft area and also had the opportunity to explore California during his time off, including San Francisco, Pinnacles, and Yosemite. The link below leads to an article he wrote for the Ukrainian Scouts about his experience (Translated by Google Translate).
http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=uk&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ukrscout.org%2Findex.php%2Fuk%2Farkhiv-novin%2F816-v-gostyakh-u-amerikanskikh-bojskautiv

Is your camping trip derailed by the Government Shutdown? Pico is open! Contact Michael at camping@svmbc.org and we'll take care of you.

September: A Busy Month at Pico

September has been a very busy month at Pico. Here's a summary:

August 30-September 2: Labor Day Weekend Scout Retreat - Over 300 scouts, parents, and leaders enjoyed an amazing weekend at Pico. See previous post for full summary.
September 6-7: OA Vigil Honor Ceremony
September 14: "Beaver Party" (volunteer maintenance) - Finished renovation of recognition center, checked water system, seasonal removal of fish ladder
September 13-15: Dad and Lad - "Partners in Crime" weekend for Cub Scouts and their dads.
September 20-22: Mountain Man Rendezvous - Pico Blanco was transported back to the 1840's. Scouts shot black powder rifles, threw tomahawks, lit fires with flint and steel, and dressed and camped like trappers.

On top of those scheduled Council events, several troops had their own campouts at Pico Blanco this month. You can always arrange to use the Camp here: http://www.camppicoblanco.org/files/Pico_Year_Round_Reservation_Form_2013.pdf
You can also reserve a parking permit and use Pico Blanco as a trailhead here: http://fs10.formsite.com/svmbc/form196/index.html
We want as many Scouts as possible to experience Pico and it is our pleasure to welcome you year round.

"A Scout is Cheerful": Labor Day 2013 a Success!

Over Labor Day weekend, Pico Blanco welcomed over 300 Scouts, leaders, and parents for a celebration of the end of summer. Scouts participated in a wide range of activities including swimming, boating, nature hikes, a star trek, archery, rifle and BB shooting, and handicraft activities. In addition, many Scouts participated in dayhikes to Pioneer Camp, Fish Camp, Little Sur Camp, and Skinner Ridge as well as backpack trips to Fox Camp and Mt. Pico Blanco. The late summer sunset from Mt. Pico Blanco was breathtaking!

Saturday night, the Pico staff put on a campfire program that only Pico staff could do. The program consisted a mix of skits and songs from both staff and campers all tied into a central story line. It was great to see the campfire bowl as full as it was.

From the smiles on everyone's faces, both campers and staff, one had sufficient proof that "A Scout is Cheerful."

Plans are already being made for Memorial Day. We plan to expand our hike offerings, including more backpack trips for Troops and Venture Crews, and offer more activities in the program areas.

We look forward to serving you soon.

Labor Day 2013

Register here: https://fs10.formsite.com/svmbc/form183/secure_index.html

Labor Day Hikes

Pico Blanco will be offering guided hikes for Scouts of all ages and abilities over Labor Day! Click the following link for more information:
http://svmbc.org/svmbc/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/LaborDayHikes.pdf

This is part of the greater Labor Day Family Camp. For more information, visit http://www.camppicoblanco.org.

Level IV Fire Restrictions in the Los Padres National Forest

A small fire on the other side of the Santa Lucia Mountains in the Tassajara Creek area reminds us that it is fire season and that it's been a dry year. The Los Padres National Forest has raised fire restrictions to Level IV. Note: These apply on forest lands, not inside Pico Blanco Scout Reservation. Please inquire about fire restrictions from council personnel.

The full order can be read here: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/lpnf/news-events/?cid=STELPRDB5428916

Here is a summary:

-Campfires (open flame) are prohibited anywhere in the National Forest, including developed campgrounds.

-Gas stoves are only permitted in certain developed campgrounds.

-No gas stoves in the backcountry; cold camping only.

Thank you for abiding by these policies. We do not want another 2008 to be caused by humans. Let nature start it's own fires.

ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT FOREST FIRES!

New Pico Brochure

http://www.camppicoblanco.org/files/CampPicoBlanco2013.pdf

Fire Restrictions

Due to dry conditions, campfires are not permitted in the backcountry of the Los Padres National Forest effective May 17 and through the summer. If you would like to use a stove while backpacking, please print out and complete a California Campfire Permit and carry it with you.

We all remember the Basin Complex Fire of 2008 which forced the camp to be closed for a year. While fire plays a vital role in the ecosystems of Central California, we all are challenged by the Outdoor Code to be careful with fire.

1948 Letter on the Development of Camp Pico Blanco

Courtesy of Jim Bowles

Pico Blanco on Facebook

Camp Pico Blanco now has a frequently updated Facebook page maintained by the Council. If you are in to social media, we encourage you to like it.
http://www.facebook.com/CampPicoBlanco

New PBSR Parking Permit System for Hiking

Do you want to use Pico Blanco Scout Reservation as a trailhead? Pico's trailhead provides access to the Little Sur Trail, Circular Pools, Fish Camp, Fox Camp, The Window, Pico Public, Mt. Pico, Launtz Creek, and other great destinations.

Parking in camp is $8/day per vehicle. Parking at Bottcher's Gap, the closest public parking, is $5/day. By parking at Pico, you save an extra 4 miles of road hiking each way with over 1000' elevation gain on the way out.

You can reserve your permit online at this link:
http://fs10.formsite.com/svmbc/form196/index.html

Another Pico Promo Video

Here's a brand new informational video produced by the Council about our favorite camp!

Join Pico Staff

Do you have a passion for serving your fellow Scouts? Do you want to make Pico the best it can be? Then apply to join the 2013 Pico Blanco staff!

Apply Here

Register for Summer Camp 2013

Does your Troop want to attend to Pico this summer? Reservations are available NOW at http://www.camppicoblanco.org/reservation.html. Be prepared for a week of fun that will transform each Scout, each Patrol, and each Troop.

Camp Promo Video

Council Merger

Effective January 1, 2013, the Monterey Bay Area Council and the Santa Clara County Council have merged to form the Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council (SVMBC). The new, combined council is headquartered in San Jose but a Scout shop and service center has been opened on North Main in Salinas. The SVMBC now owns three Scout camps: Hi-Sierra in the Sierra Nevada off of Highway 108 north of Yosemite, Chesebrough Scout Reservation in the Santa Cruz Mountians, and Pico Blanco Scout Reservation.

The question you all probably have is, "what does this mean for Pico?"

Hopefully good things. The SVMBC has taken great interest in the camp and has already been working to improve it. One new feature is the camp website:
http://www.camppicoblanco.org/
This website is under construction so stay tuned for new features.

The Pico spirit is as strong as ever. The merger is simply an administrative change that will benefit the camp. Scouting is Scouting, the redwood trees still tower over camp, the Pico Dust still fills out lungs, and the Little Sur River still flows.