Enjoying An Afternoon Upstream From Camp

Opportunities for outdoor fun are everywhere at Pico Blanco. Last summer, some Scouts decided to spend a warm afternoon exporing the pools upstream from camp. As the river meandered beneath the canopy of alders and old-growth redwoods, the boys discovered deep pools that afforded hours of fun. Under the supervision of the qualified staff members, the boys not only had a memorable afternoon but also stayed safe.

When your unit is in camp, we encourage you to talk with a staff member about opportunities for hikes, both short and long. Sometimes you hike on trails; other times, the river is your trail.

Support for Leaders: The Commissioner Area

Last summer, Pico Blanco reorganized its commissioner program so that it could better deliver programing to units. A major change was the creation of a centralized "Commissioner Area", located in the middle of camp between the waterfront and the volleyball courts.

Not only is the area home to two commissioners but also it is a meeting place for unit leaders to recieve training, learn new outdoor skills such as outdoor cooking, morse code, and knots, and also to socialize and share camping tricks, talk about new places to explore, and sometimes just shoot the breeze.

In addition to the central commissioner area, there are several "satelite" tents around the camp where other commissioners stay so that they can assist units.

The commissioners' primary jobs are to ensure that troops are receiving the support they need to deliver a quality Scouting experience for their boys.

The 2010 Pico Blanco Staff

Summer 2010 #4: Adventure Day

Adventure Day, or A-Day, takes place on Wednesday each week. The camp takes a break from merit badge classes to enjoy Scouting to the fullest. Patrols travel around camp, participating in fun activities such as slacklining, canoeing, shooting competitions, fire building, nature hikes, and bugling. At the end of the day, patrols cook dinner in their troop campsites and invite staff members over for a lively campfire. Patrols who participate in a set number of activites earn the Adventure Day Participation Award, a core requirment for the Honor Patrol Award.

Summer 2010 #3: Pathfinders Rise Again!

This week, 2 Scouts participated in the Pico Pathfinders program, a high adventure program for older boys. On Thursday, they set out for the South Fork of the Little Sur for a day of epic proportions. Following instructions on the back of a napkin, they successfully discovered Al Clark's Lost Silver King Mine, which was mined by a hermit in the early 20th Century and since then has been visited by few. For a version of the legend behind the mine, visit http://www.angelfire.com/theforce/douggie/pages/ventana.htm#AlClark. That evening, the Pathfinders ascended Mt. Pico Blanco and watched fog from the Pacific Coast completely encircle the mountain.

Summer 2010 #2: Staff Week

The 2010 Pico Blanco Staff has just completed a week of Staff Training and will be welcoming the first Scouts to camp Sunday afternoon. Here are some things to be excited about this summer:
-An emphasis on the patrol method. Brush up on your yell and bring your patrol flag. There will be a special Honor Patrol award for patrols that complete certain tasks.
-A revamped Adventure Day. We have improved the A-Day schedule to offer more fun activities and opportunities to learn.
-In-camp cooking Wednesday night. At the end of Adventure Day, cook your dinner over an open fire with your friends.
-The 100th Anniversary of Scouting. We are celebrating 100 years of the BSA in various ways. Look for staff in vinatage uniforms (New look, same great staff).

It's going to be a great summer.

Summer 2010 #1: The Camping Season is About to Begin

In two weeks, Scouts will be crossing over Bottchers Gap, prepared for a week of fun, learning, and growth, Scouting at its best. The 2010 Pico Blanco Staff has worked hard to prepare for this year's camping season. All year we have been collaborating, meeting, training, envisioning, and preparing, often late into the night, so that they can provide a quality, life changing experience. The 2010 Pico Staff includes many experienced staff members along with some brand new ones. Starting next Saturday, the staff will spend a week in camp getting it ready for your arrival.

We are prepared to serve you beneath the redwoods this summer.

Please check this blog regularly for updates throughout the summer. We will post photos, stories, and news about what is taking place at Pico Blanco Scout Reservation. Feel free to comment with any questions or requests.