Article about the firebowl

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

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.

Summer 2011 #9: Labor Day Weekend

Over 12o Scouts and Scouters enjoyed this year's Labor Day Family Weekend at Pico Blanco. Scouts had the opportunity to have a final campout for the summer and spent their days at the waterfront or up at the ranges. One dad brought down some stand up paddle boards and gave free lessons, introducing Scouts to a fun and exciting sport right on our waterfront. Parents and kids got to canoe together too, enjoying some family time together out on the water. The Saturday night campfire was full of energy and included many skits and songs from the packs and troops in camp. It was a great way to bring this years summer season to a close.

The canoes on the beach at the waterfront

A Scout tries stand up paddleboarding

A late summer afternoon looking out from the deck of the Admin

Scouts and their parents gather around one of the campfires after the campfire

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

Past and Present Staff Members Singing the Pico Hymn at the Firebowl Dedication

Photo Credit: Jim Bowels

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

Labor Day Weekend Family Weekend 2011

Want a final weekend under the redwoods this summer? Come to the Labor Day Family Weekend! You and your unit or family will have the opportunity to swim and canoe in the waterfront, shoot at the ranges, go on hikes, and, most of all, relax away from work and school. There will also be a campfire at the brand new Bob Mazzuca Fire Bowl. Sign up today by filling out this form and sending it to the Council Office.

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

Chief Scout Executive Bob Mazzuca Cutting The Ribbon For the Bob Mazzuca Firebowl

Article in the Salinas Californian about the Firebowl Dedication

CLICK HERE FOR ARTICLE

Summer 2011 #5: The end of Boy Scout Week 2

Boy Scout Week 2 came to a conclusion with the Water Carnival, a weekly aquatics competition, and the closing campfire. At the closing campfire, the Scouts are the stars and each troop performs a skit and a song. Near the end of the campfire, the Staff gives awards to Troops and Patrols that won different competitions and then the Program Director awards the Honor Patrol Award to Patrols that complete certain tasks such as doing the Polar Bear Swim together and cooking a meal in their campsite. Before this week, 6 Patrols had ever earned this award. This week, 7 patrols earned the award.

Scouts perform Quickdraw, a campfire classic

The Camp Director thanks the Scoutmasters for their hard work

Summer 2011 #4: A Central Coast Tradition

This week, Pico Blanco welcomes many perennially attending troops. This week is always the most spirited because many of these troops have been coming to camp together for decades and friendly rivalries have emerged. At meal times, it is a common occurrence for troop to break out into yells with the ever popular, "We've got spirit, yes we do, we've got spirit, how 'bout you?" yell to circulate from troop to troop. Competition tends to get pretty serious in canoe races and volleyball tournaments as many of the boys are trying to avenge a loss or defend a victory against the same people the year before. The staff loves the energy since boys are being given the chance to be boys. For many troops from the Central Coast, Pico is not just a Scout camp; it's a tradition. Just ask a Scoutmaster that's been coming here almost 50 years.

Summer 2011 #3: A week in the redwoods

The Scouts and Scouters are finishing up their week today with the Water Carnival and Closing Campfire. The Water Carnival is an afternoon of canoe races, swimming races, and the famous Scoutmaster Belly Flop competition. At the closing campfire, the spotlight is on the Scouts; each troop gets to perform a skit and a song.

I had the opportunity to help lead the weekly Mt. Pico Blanco hike, a great wilderness experience for older boys. We spent the night on top of the mountain, enjoying a sunset over the Pacific and sunrise over the Ventana Cones. Along the way, I shared stories about settlers that once lived in the area.

On my way out of camp, I passed the Nature Director who showing some Scouts in his merit badge class the riparian plants and amphibians. Pico's unique ecosystem allows Nature to be a very hands on area!

This time, I remembered my camera and managed to take a few photos. Please enjoy these:

The merit badge rounds on the Nature Lodge. We have a very interactive program that includes astronomy hikes, nature walks, and demonstrations. Why read about it when you can see it firsthand?

Scouts begin their early morning descent of Mount Pico. The Scouts want to make sure they're back in time for breakfast so they can finish their merit badges.

Summer 2011 #2: Boy Scout Resident Camp is Underway

Just visited camp this morning and was really happy with how things are going. Scouts seem to be having a great time. There was a special 4th of July ceremony at morning flags and the shooting sports staff could be seen in pioneer regalia. Merit Badge classes were getting off to a good start.

Sunday night was the first campfire ever in the new Bob Mazzuca Firebowl and I heard it went great. The Camp Director and Program Director even did a Monty Python skit.

As I drove out of camp I could hear through the redwoods the noise of Scouts having fun. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring my camera so I don't have any pictures.

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.

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

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!

2011 Leaders' Guide Online

The 2011 Leaders' Guide can be viewed by clicking here: http://mbacbsa.org/Camping/2011%20Summer%20Camps/~/media/8CDEE1DACD3A48CCAF79F800CCE171DE.ashx.

The staff is preparing to give you a great summer. This weekend, some staff alumni went backpacking to Pico Public and said that the road into camp is in good condition.

Access Restored to Pico Blanco

From the council website: "The Pico Blanco camp road is now open thanks to the efforts of the Beaver Work Party. The road is still a little rough around the edges, but passable by pickups/SUVs'. Vehicles with low clearance are not recommended. Road conditions will continue to improve through the first part of May. All events on the May calendar at Camp Pico Blanco are still on. May events include, but are not limited to, the Council Camporee, the OA Ordeal, Mom and Me Weekend, and Memorial Day Family Camp. The landslide on Highway 1 is south of Palo Colorado Road and is not affecting our operations."

Register for Pico Blanco 2011

You can register for a great summer camp experience at Pico Blanco this summer by filling out one of the following forms:

Boy Scout Troops:
http://mbacbsa.org/Camping/2011%20Summer%20Camps/~/media/72D197CDC40B4403928B4FD243C4983E.ashx

Cub Scout Packs:
http://mbacbsa.org/Camping/2011%20Summer%20Camps/~/media/D49F3D126C7342079F43261FB3F45D75.ashx

(Updated to reflect new website)