Scouting for Food collected a ton of food this year!

Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015 in Princeton, Calif.

Scouting for Food was a huge success this year with the the Scouts from Troop 255 and Pack 255 collecting a ton of food for the Coastside Opportunity Center. You probably think I'm using the word "ton" as a synonym for "a lot," right? No, I mean they actually collected a ton -- more than 2,000 pounds, in fact. The total tally at the end of the day was 2,400 pounds -- nearly 1.25 tons!

Checking expiration dates and sorting food into barrels

Working at the warehouse in Princeton, Scouts from both Troops/Packs 255 and 263 tallied a total weight of 5,400 pounds between the four scout organizations, at least 25 percent more than the previous year.  The amount of food the Scouts processed was so far beyond expectations that the Coastside Opportunity Center ran out of barrels and had to sort some of the final items into shopping carts. No problem! Coastside Opportunity Center's administrators say that all food is welcome, and that given the current rate of distribution, every morsel collected will be given to someone in need in short order.

Let's see, where do the glass jars go again? 

Oh, yeah, in the plastic crates

Less than 10 percent of the food sorted had to be rejected because it was past its expiration date, a phenomenally good rate given past history. That means for every 10 barrels of food sorted, we had less than one barrel-full of expired items.

Partial view of filled barrels; 

10 barrels had already been taken to the pantry

Overall, it was a huge success. The Scouts should be very proud of their efforts to aid those in need in our community.

Filled, checked, and ready to go to the pantry for distribution

Remember the Scout Slogan: Do a Good Turn Daily!

To all who helped to make this happen -- THANK YOU!!!

Going To Wente

7/12/2015

It's Wente Time Again, and you know what that means...

Oh, I never had a day like the day that I had on the day that I went to Wente

Early Sunday morning members of Troop 255 gathered in the parking lot of Farallone View Elementary School to organize this year's trip to Wente Scout Reservation.

We started earlier than usual this year, arriving at the parking lot around 7 a.m., because there was concern that the construction and traffic closures on Doyle Drive leading onto the Golden Gate Bridge might mean mean heavy traffic for us.

Fortunately, advance planning and coordinating the paperwork ahead of time allowed us to get that early start.

The Scouts made their traditional stop at Walmart in Ukiah to pick up lunch and to buy any of the camp necessities they forgot to pack. Typical things purchased are additional sunscreen, bug repellent, and (for some) the vital sugar-coated donuts and Pringles that make life in the wilderness bearable.

Arriving at Wente, the Scouts registered and went through the process of turning in their medical paperwork. Once this was done, it was orientation time; the Scouts went on a tour of the camp and learned about the different activity areas. After that, everyone had to jump in the lake for the mandatory swim test, which is actually the best part of Orientation Day because you get to cool off!

The weather on the first day was in the mid- to high-70s, unusually cool for the area, and made especially pleasant given the slight breeze blowing across the lake.

By the time their transporting parents headed back off the reservation, the Scouts were all set up for an enjoyable week at Wente! 

White Water Rafting on the American River

June 12-14, 2015

Once again members of Troop 255 braved the intrepid white water rapids of the American River near Coloma, Calif., to explore the historic gold mining region in search of fame and riches, or at least a day of fun shooting the rapids.

After surviving the Middle Fork rapids the Scouts 

carry their boat out of the water victorious

This year the Scouts of 255 covered more of the river than ever before by splitting into two groups -- one to brave the treacherous waters of Middle Fork while the second group wrangled the rapids of the South Fork all the way down to Folsom Lake.

Picturesque camping right on the American River South Fork 

This year we spent two nights in the beautiful shaded camp right on the river's edge. The food and activities in camp were wonderful, and the Scouts got a chance to play in the river before and after rafting.

Exhausted from a day of rafting, Scouts relax (collapse) in the camp.

While the weather was a little warm this year, a quick dip in the river provided cool, refreshing relief. Overall, the trip was a wonderful and exciting time for all the Scouts and their families.

Half Moon Bay Yacht Club Work Day

May 9, 2015

The Half Moon Bay Yacht Club sponsors Troop 255 and provides a meeting place for the bi-monthly troop meetings. On Saturday, May 9th, the Yacht Club held a cleanup and beautification day to make things around the club look fresh and new. To say thanks for all the club does for the troop, the Scouts and their families showed up in force to pitch in on the effort.

A number of the Scouts worked on weeding and gardening in the flower beds around the club, while others worked on refinishing some of the cabinets and furniture from inside the buildings.

The weather was cool and overcast, with very little wind, making it perfect for working around the club. The Yacht Club provided a generous lunch of sandwiches, hot dogs, green salad and pasta salad. Dessert included cookies and strawberries.

A big thank you to all troop members and parents who helped to make the Yacht Club even better than it already is!

May 06 Troop Meeting

7pm Half Moon Bay Yacht Club

At the start of the meeting, the troop welcomed nine new Scouts from Cub Scout Pack 255 with the traditional candle ceremony. In this ceremony, each Scout joins his light with that of the troop. We are very excited to have these terrific new members.

Following the ceremony, the Scouts broke into patrols and completed work on their Honor Patrol activities.

Great meeting!

Boy Scout Zomb-O-Ree "Cutter's Last Stand"

October 10-12, 2014

This year's Zomb-O-Ree was heavily attended by members of Troop 255 where they joined other Bay Area Scout Troops for "Cutter's Last Stand" at the Camp Cutter Scout Reservation.  The event was a Scout-led all-out attempt to protect the California Skyline District area from a recently discovered Zombie infestation in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Things were quiet on Friday night as the Troops moved in to set up camp, but there were signs everywhere of possible Zombie activity. It became clear that things around Camp Cutter were not as they should be. The wind howled, spooky sounds emanated from Harkson Lodge, and wolves howled in the distance at a full moon.

That evening, the Scouts made plans for a rigorous training course the following day to prepare everyone for the Zombie encounters that were sure to follow. These included training activities such as First Aid for Zombie wounds, Tomahawk Throw for Zombie Defense, Knots Skills Course for escaping Zombies in mountainous regions, Zombie Leg Lift for equipment management, and Downhill Mountainboard for fast escape from Zombie-infested regions. There also was training in the defense of last resort: Shotgun target shooting.

Saturday morning as the boys rolled out of their sleeping sacks and waited in line for breakfast, it became apparent that something was up. Some of the camp staff and adult leaders looked chillingly pale and were developing lesions around their arms and necks. Could an infection be spreading through the camp? And then, inside the cafeteria, there were other signs that things might be amiss.

The boys rapidly set about organizing into patrols and setting up rigorous training activities to prepare everyone for what might come. Troop 255 hosted the Zombie Tomahawk Throw, creating a training station where members of the different patrols could practice targeting Zombies from a safe distance.

All went well for awhile and we had some very skilled Tomahawk participants chalking up excellent scores in this important training event.

But then the inevitable happened and the first Zombies started to appear in camp

Some of the Zombies even tried to join in the training activities, often getting a little too close for comfort.

But fortunately all the training and new-found skills paid off. The Scouts proved they were prepared for anything.

As the day wore on and the training pace and Zombie activity increased, it became clear that the evening would bring a battle of epic proportions. But continued hard work and training paid off as the Scouts stuck to their training regimen.

After dinner, the evening brought more strategy sessions around campfire where the Scouts planned their final zombie offensive: "Cutter's Last Stand!" Fortunately, the boys were able to repel the Zombie invasion and secure the safety of all in the Pacific Skyline District and surrounding Santa Cruz Mountains. Ultimately, an antidote was secured for camp personnel. We expect a full recovery in the weeks to come. There were prizes for the highest achievers in the activities, and those most successful at defending against the Zombie onslaught.

A strange twist of fate caused the Zombie disease to infect the prizes, too. Attempts to apply the antidote to the festering awards were ineffective.

All in all it was a fun and exciting last Zomb-O-Ree! Thanks to all participants for making this such an enjoyable activity for the kids!

Half Moon Bay Yacht Club Work Day

April 19, 2014

The Half Moon Bay Yacht Club sponsors Troop 255 and provides a meeting place for the bi-monthly troop meetings. So whenever there is a chance to give back to the Yacht Club, the Troop steps forward.

On Saturday April 19, the Yacht Club held a work day to fix up a number of things around the club and brighten the grounds. A number of Troop members came to help with weeding the gardens, painting the benches and general construction.

It was a terrific day, with cool, clear weather perfect for spending a day by the water. The Yacht Club provided a very generous lunch featuring grilled hot dogs, hamburgers, taquitos, salads, and cookies for dessert.

A big thank you to the scouts and families who helped to make the Yacht Club even better than it already is!

Troop 255 Rocks Pinnacles!

On January 11-12, 2014 Scout Troop 255 made their annual trip to Pinnacles National Monument. Pinnacles is a beautiful place, with steep rock spires, ramparts, crags, and incredible views from its high peaks. It is a popular place for mountaineers to practice their climbing skills and it is also a release location for the rare California Condor which can be seen soaring majestically between the hills and over the canyons.

Troop 255 makes an annual trip to Pinnacles in January and invites Webelos from the Half Moon Bay area Cub Scout packs to attend so they can learn about Boy Scouts and complete some requirements for advancement.

The first day is typically filled with Scout activities and this year was no exception. We had Scouts working on first aid, fire building, ax and saw safety, and learning to tie various knots. In addition, each of the Webelos got a chance to join a patrol and create a patrol flag.  There were also opportunities for the boys to participate in dinner preparation in the kitchen area. The patrols rotated through the various stations, so everyone got a chance to participate in each activity.

The evening's highlights included a wonderful dinner of chili, rice, and quesadillas and a number of vigorous games of "capture the flag." This year we were fortunate that the overnight temperatures stayed above freezing, which made for a very comfortable overnight camp.

The following morning, after breakfast and camp cleanup, the Scouts hiked the High Peaks trail which starts and at Bear Gulch, rises 2,000 feet to the high pinnacles, and returns to Bear Gulch via caves formed by Bear Creek eroding through a number of large rocks in a canyon. The weather on Sunday was cool and clear, making for great visibility and great hiking.

Overall, the Troop 255 Pinnacles trip rocked this year!

Mountain Bike Overnight at China Camp State Park in Marin

November 23-24:

China Camp provides some magnificent panoramic views of the Northern Bay along with miles of multi-use trails all just a short distance north of the Golden Gate Bridge.

In addition to getting a chance to ride the multi-use trails along the salt marshlands, Scouts had a chance to work on rank advancement and learn about trail courtesy and bike safety. While the main group was out riding some Scouts remained in camp to work on requirements for Tenderfoot and Second Class ranks. Several Scouts also got a chance to fulfill cooking requirements for rank advancement, while others worked on their Cooking Merit badge.  The camp was in a very nicely wooded area right by the trails and the weather was nearly perfect for the trip.

Before leaving the area Sunday, we made a short trip over to visit the remnants of a former Chinese fishing village. There the Scouts got a chance to explore a little of the history of the area as well as to play and skip rocks along the shoreline.

It was a wonderful trip overall to a beautiful area that is surprisingly close to the Scouts' home base in Montara.

Scouting for Food 

Saturday, November 16

This year's Scouting for Food was a huge success with the boys bringing in -- literally -- tons of food!  Things were very busy Saturday at the Coastside Hope drop-off center as Scouts from Troops 255 and 263 along with Cub Scouts from Packs 255 and 263 worked to sort and box the donations as they came in from all over the Coastside. 

Scouts work to sort donations into containers and then move them into boxes.

The donations continued to come in right up to the ending time at 2 p.m. It was wonderful to see all the contributions. This year's donations topped last year's record and set a new Coastside Scouting for Food high with 4,389 pounds of food collected and sorted. 

Thank you all so much for contributing to this wonderful, valuable, and caring community service effort!

October 16 Troop Meeting

7pm Yacht Club

During the troop meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 16, Scouts rotated by patrols through several different activities. One group continued working on the requirements for the Cooking merit badge:

A second group discussed opportunities for community service with the Scoutmaster:

And the third group participated in games out in front of the Yacht Club.  The day had been particularly warm for the coastal area, which made the evening temperature perfect for outdoor activities by the harbor. And there's always the wonderful view of the sun setting over the harbor:

Great meeting!

Moss Beach Park Cleanup

On Sunday October 6, members of Troop 255 had the opportunity to participate with Cub Scouts of Pack 255 on a service project to clean up and improve Moss Beach Park. Activities included trash clean-up, fluffing up the existing bark, adding new wood chips around all areas where kids might fall, pulling weeds and a thorough cleaning of all the park play structures.

Moss Beach Park as we finished cleaning up

The park clean-up was a wonderful success, with fresh wood chips, clean structures and no more weeds! The whole park now looks fresh and new again. Overall, it was a wonderful chance for the Scouts to do a good turn for the community while earning service hours.

Thanks to all who participated! The park looks great!!!

October 2nd Troop Meeting

7pm Yacht Club

At the troop meeting, the Scouts had an opportunity to start work on the Cooking merit badge. Starting in 2014, the Cooking merit badge will be added to the list of merit badges required for the rank of Eagle. Because cooking is something that can be done at the Yacht Club during the troop meetings, this is a wonderful opportunity for the Scouts to learn about such topics as proper food handling, preparation and cooking safety as they work through this requirement. 

Scouts discussing the fine details of fine cuisine 

Several changes to the upcoming events schedule were announced. These include: 

On Saturday-Sunday, November 2-3, we will have a backpacking trip to Black Mountain backpack camp in Palo Alto.

On Saturday-Sunday, November 23-24, we will have a mountain biking and camping trip to China Camp State Park in Marin.  This trip will replace the Wente trip we had planned for October 12-13 because Wente is not available.

The Pinnacles trip will be Friday-Sunday, January 10-12.  There was a conflict with Pack 255's schedule on the dates chosen previously.  

Sept. 28-29 Portola Redwoods Overnight Camping Trip

The Troop is scheduled to go an overnight camping trip at Portola Redwoods Saturday and Sunday September 28-29. Originally this was scheduled to be at Black Mountain but that site was booked so the venue has been changed to Portola Redwoods in San Mateo County. 

Photo Courtesy of California State Parks and Recreation.

Directions and more information about the Portola Redwoods State Park is available at the park web site.

Sept. 18 Court of Honor

7pm Yacht Club

We will be having a potluck dinner and recognize the achievements and rank advancements of our Scouts this evening. 

For the potluck we will have the following meal course assignments:

Grumpy Old Men: Appetizers

Burnt Toast: Salads

Mountain Lions: Main Course

SoCom: Main Course

Duck Tape: Beverages and Dessert

Sept. 4th Troop Meeting

7pm, Yacht Club

During this meeting 

We will be electing a new Senior Patrol Leader and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader for the Troop. Also Scouts who are advancing in rank will have Scoutmaster conferences and Boards of Review. 

See ya there!

Aug. 28th PLC and Committee Meeting

7pm, Yacht Club

This is a very important meeting. The Patrol Leaders will be setting the calendar for the upcoming year.  The meeting will start with a PLC to be followed by a Troop Committee Meeting.

Heading For Wente

The scouts all gathered early on Sunday morning at Farallone View Elementary School to coordinate transportation to the Wente Scout Reservation near Willits. 

Forming into the patrols they will participate in during summer camp, they were briefed on the particulars of this year's camp activities. Again this year, our troop will be staying in the Wishbone Camp which is centrally located and a very short distance from the main camp facilities including the cafeteria/mess hall.

Once the camp details briefing was completed, the Scouts were assigned to cars and loaded up for another fun-filled summer camp at Wente Scout Reservation.

Let's wish them all the best and hope they all have a wonderful active time at the Summer Camp!

4th of July Parade in Half Moon Bay

Half Moon Bay traditionally has a parade down the middle of main street at noon on the 4th of July every year. The event is great fun for the town as typically half the town is in the parade and the other half gathers along the parade route to cheer the participants. Participants in the parade often consist of members of the various organizations in the town and the Scouts figure prominently in the parade every year.  This includes both the Cub Scout Packs and the Boy Scout Troops.

This year was particularly exciting as the Scouts handed out American flags to all visitors along the parade route. The goal was to try to provide everyone gathered along the route with a flag that they could wave during the parade. Ultimately the scouts did pretty good at achieving their goal and handed out some 4,200 American flags to the audience along the route.

Also, this year, the Scouts won first prize in the parade, a wonderful honor for all the hard work of decorating a colorful float and ensuring everyone along the route had an American flag to wave.

Some of the older Scouts also had the opportunity to carry the large flags at the front of the parade.  Overall the Scout participation in the parade was a huge success and everyone had a great time.