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.

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

More Trail Work!

On November 10, a crew of 17 volunteers cleared 58 fallen trees along the trail to Fish Camp. This greatly expands hiking opportunities for Scouts and the general public along the North Fork of the Little Sur River. This trail also provides to more challenging destinations such as the Circular Pools and The Window. Once again, Fish Camp and Jackson Camp can be used as a beginners hike for troops.

Many thanks to our dedicated volunteers!

National Public Lands Day

Last weekend, to celebrate National Public Lands Day, the Ventana Wilderness Alliance conducted a trail work weekend based out of Pico. The 23 person all-volunteer effort cleared the Little Sur Trail up to the Saddle, clearing 87 downed trees, removing brush, and rehabilitating much of the tread. A trip report from the VWA can be found here.

This trail work trip was desperately needed. Over the past few years the trail up to the Saddle has gotten worse and worse, making trips to Pico Public and Mount Pico take hours longer than they used to. The work done last weekend will make the bakcountry more accessible for Scouts and the general public.

We would like to thank the Ventana Wilderness Alliance for their service. You can learn more about this great organization at http://ventanawild.org

Stay tuned for an upcoming trail work party!

Article about the firebowl

http://www.nccrc.org/newsletter/v14n7/v14n7_boyscout_camp.html

Summer 2012 Update

Yes, camp occurred this summer. Photos will be uploaded soon as the bloggers have been busy.

A word from our Camp Director

" Anyone associated with Pico Blanco Scout Reservation: let's get the word out. Interviews start this Saturday 1/28 at the University of Scouting in Salinas. Anyone interested in camp staff is invited to stop by and apply and possibly interview on the spot if time allows. Looking forward to seeing everyone. "

Apply for Staff

Serving on staff is a great experience for any experienced Scout. Staff learn valuable leadership skills and have the opportunity to serve Scouts from throughout the Central Coast and across the state. Counselor-in-Training positions are available for boys and girls 14 and older and paid program and service staff positions are available for men and women 16 and older.

Being on staff is a lot of hard work but is very rewarding as well. If you want to serve your fellow Scouts have a great camping experience, have some of the best summers of your life, and work with one of the best teams you will ever find, apply!

Staff Application

Happy New Year!

We wish you a Happy New Year and hope all is well with your unit. We look forward to seeing you this summer or throughout the year.

Despite all that changes in the world:

"Today, Pico Blanco Scout Reservation stands on this land, set aside to the sole end that it is preserved as a primitive area where the American boy can have the inestimable experience of untouched wilderness and unspoiled natural beauty. It is a reservation for boys, away from civilization, intended to offset the softening influence of our modern social life, and to help in the development of America’s future men to be self-reliant, of strong character, and physically fit." -Men In The Making by Alfred Young"

Fire Restrictions Lifted

Effective Monday, November 14, fire restrictions have been lifted and open fires are now allowed in the backcountry. A free California Campfire Permit is still required. Please be careful with fire (it's part of the Outdoor Code) as there are still long periods of dryness in the winter.

CLICK HERE to print out a California Campfire Permit

Forest Order

Summer 2011 #10: The End of Summer Season 2011

This marks the end of the 2011 summer season at Pico Blanco Scout Reservation. Today, we will be removing the seasonal dam and begin to prepare the camp for the winter. It has been a great summer for the camp.

However, camp is available year round. Your organization, company, or Scout unit can rent part or all of Pico Blanco by contacting the Council Office or using the form earlier in this blog. You can also use Pico as a trailhead. The rates are very reasonable. Also, there is a fall campout for Cub Scouts coming up at the end of the month called Dad N Lad which will be great fun for Cub Scouts and their dads.

It's hard to see our favorite season come to an end, but we know that the old growth redwoods will be there for us for generations to come and Pico is always there for the Scouts. We look forward to next summer but know that fun can be had year round at Pico Blanco.

Throughout the year we will update you on any events and news of the camp and we will also continue to provide a look at the facilities, program opportunities, and culture of the camp.

The above picture is the moon over the Bixby Creek Canyon while driving out late Sunday night.

USFS Backcountry Fire Restrictions

It's that time of year again. While we were blessed with a wet and extended winter, the Los Padres National Forest has ordered backcountry fire restrictions. Normally this happens 1-2 month earlier.

The restriction that would really effect you is that there may be no open fires, campfires, or charcoal fires are allowed outside of designated campfire use sites such as a car campground like Bottchers Gap. If you are in the backcountry, you may still use a gas stove as long as you carry a free campfire permit. These are available at any USFS or CalFire facility such as from Larry at Bottchers Gap, Big Sur Station, or the Carmel Hill Fire Station or may be printed by following the link at the bottom of this post.

This order mainly affects you if you plan to travel into the backcountry. At Pico Blanco Scout Reservation, we still allow fires under our special Campfire Use Policy. This will be provided to you upon arrival.

While fires can be a great addition to a camping trip, we also must think back to 2008 when we almost lost our camp due to wildfire. As Scouts, we must do our part in protecting our environment.

The order will remain in effect until there has been sufficient rainfall forestwide (from the Ventura/Los Angeles County Line to Carmel). This is usually in November.

LPNF Order 11-02

Effective August 18, 2011

California Campfire Permit

Summer 2011 #8: End of resident camp but still more summer fun to come

Today the staff packed up camp and, after the annual staff banquet, began to head home. The staff had a great time serving Scouts this summer and is excited to return next year. The end of camp is always a strange time; it's somewhat sad to see all the areas packed up and the Scouts heading home for the last time but there's hope in knowing that there are more great times to come beneath the redwoods. The camp is always there for the Scouts.

This has been a great summer. Thanks to countless volunteer hours, the camp completed and dedicated the Bob Mazzuca Campfire Bowl. The patrol method program gained momentum with the amount of patrols earning the Honor Patrol award growing exponentially. Still, many great traditions that Scouts have come to expect remained strong.

Although the summer resident camp season is over, there are still chances to enjoy camping along the Little Sur with Labor Day and Dad N Lad coming up. Also, your troop or group can stay at Pico on its own; just contact the council office. We are also accepting reservations for Summer 2012.

Thanks for all the great memories this summer!

The waterfront sits empty but awaits future Scouts

Staff cross a bridge over the Little Sur. They are done cleaning up their program areas and are heading back to the final Staff Banquet in the Hayward Lodge.

One last look at Mt. Pico Blanco on the road out.

Driving into the sunset out Palo Colorado Canyon Road

Summer 2011 #7: Cub Scout Week is Upon Us

Cub Scout week has begun! This week will consist of two 4-day Cub Scout sessions. This year, the theme is Frontier Days and the staff is excited to welcome out brothers in blue to camp. Cub Scouts will have the opportunity to canoe, shoot BB guns, hike, learn knots, and a whole lot more. Here are some photos from today:

A Pack walks down the trail

Evening Flags

Songfest before campfire

Fire lighting performed by the OA

The Staff performs a skit at the opening campfire

Summer 2011 #6: Checking in for Week 3

This week we welcome more in council troops plus many out of council troops.

Scouts coming down the trail to do Med Checks

A Scout Troop being welcomed to camp by the Program Director in front of the Admin

Commissioners are standing by to help make your troop feel at home