Where have we been?

You may have noticed an extreme decline in blog activity. First of all, the bloggers have become increasingly busy with other obligations. Second, the Council actively maintains a Facebook page for the camp. We encourage you to like it. We plan to keep this blog alive and are deciding how to best utilize this space as it is still the unofficial voice of Pico.

Memorial Day 2014

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.