Events in 2024

ILST

Starting off the year, scouts studiously grabbed their pens and notebooks to learn about one of the most important, core life skills that Scouting has to offer: leadership. Five senior scouts presented topics that would prepare these scouts to approach the troop in an educated manner, having and appreciating the qualities of leadership and teamwork within the troop. To earn the "Trained Patch," (definitely something that would be advantageous on a Scouting resume) younger scouts competed hard to gain the necessary score. Knowingly, ILST is one of the year's most anticipated events; after all, it is one of the only two events where parents cook a delicious, scrumptious feast for the scouts for dinner.

Chinese New Year Celebration

An annual event celebrating the passing of the Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival, the troop along with many guests experienced an unforgettable evening filled with vibrant performances, friendly competition, and a comfortable sense of community. From traditional dances to kung fu demonstrations, lantern riddles to paper cutting, the event didn't lack excitement and cultural celebration.

Bearpaw

Last President's Day weekend, we embarked on a thrilling winter camping adventure, testing our skills and building friendship in the snowy wilderness. It was a weekend of frosty fun, challenging tasks, and unforgettable memories. First, the camp was buzzing with activity as scouts constructed their snow shelters, many working as teams but some preferring to work alone, creating most popularly, snow trenches. Others made snow caves and quinzees to spice things up, while only a few skipped the snowy fun by setting up their tent. But everything changed when the snow attacked... In the morning, trenches covered with tarps were all but sunk with snow, but a well preparedness from the scouts mitigated the damage. Finally, scouts grabbed their snowshoes and began to trudge in the snow, physically pushing the scouts to their limits.

Cooking

The planners of this trip combined a scenic hike with essential scout skills and plenty of fun, but most importantly, cooking. After a quick workout in the morning with a simple hike, scouts took to fun events such as tug of war and a scouting skills competition. Then the preparation started, first chopping the firewood, then laying out the ingredients, lastly setting up the tripod. Following the T453 traditional recipe for Dutch Oven beef stew, each patrol cooked a buttery delight, combining with rice to have a delicious meal. Though the patrols that accidentally overused butter reported an peculiarity...

March COH

This quarter (2024 Q1) we celebrate the advancement of five scouts to Scout, one scout to Tenderfoot, one scout to Second Class, one scout to First Class, and two scouts to Life. Two patrols earned the NHP award and the scoutmaster swore in five new ASMs. Six scouts also earned the Presidential Volunteer Service Award, of bronze, silver, and gold.

Triathlon

During this fantastic event, the scouts pushed their limits and celebrated their spirit with a unique blend of athleticism and outdoor adventure. Not only a triathlon, we kicked things off with thrilling swimming, biking, and running races followed by a fun-filled campout with even more races. The scouts' favorite was the board game race, where they got to beat up each other (in-game) in Monopoly. Special thanks to all the parents who made sure that all scouts were completely safe during the event. 

Kayaking

Scouts embarked on an unforgettable kayaking adventure at Tomales Bay, offering two exciting options: a day kayaking trip with a campsite stay, and a boat-in kayaking experience with an overnight on Tomales Beach. On that foggy day, both groups experienced the beauty of the bay, the thrill of paddling, and the camaraderie of a troop outing. Scouts that took the day trip continued with a quick hike, while the other group finished their route. While some scouts cooked and ate plenty of meat and veggies, others warmed water to put in their Mountain House meals. After a difficult 10 mile boating trip in two days, these scouts got a taste of what was waiting for them in August...

Scout-O-Rama

This Scout-O-Rama, troops from all over the area gathered to provide a fun, engaging event to all Scouters and invite people to learn about each troop. This year, our scouts set up a fantastic plastic ax throwing booth, drawing many people to give their shot at handling their favorite weap-- I mean tool. Despite the nature of the material the axes were made of, scouts did a great job of demonstrating proper throwing techniques, providing helpful tips and encouragement, keeping score and celebrating successful throws, and giving candy rewards to the best.

Parent's Day Celebration

Our troop traded hiking boots for picnic tables and embarked on a delightful afternoon of games, laughter, and community combining the Mothers and Fathers Day Celebration. It was a perfect day filled with friendly competition, delicious food, and heartwarming moments. Scouts participated in tug of war, beanbag toss, Chinese poker, and a cooking competition. For these games, we had some terrific prizes: $10 gift cards for first place, $5 gift cards for second place, and snacks for third place. We took a break from the games for a special moment of gift presentations and family pictures, then enjoyed a scrumptious barbeque prepared by the parents. It was a heartwarming time to celebrate our troop and capture memories that will last a lifetime.

Whitewater Rafting

The sun was shining, the river was flowing, water was splashing on faces, and the rafts were navigating a particularly lively section of rapids. One raft, let's call them the "Titanic Group," was a little… enthusiastic. Maybe a little too enthusiastic. They were paddling with gusto, the guide was gleefully shouting commands, and generally having a grand old time. But a particularly turbulent rapid, combined with a moment of not-so-perfect coordination, sent the Titanic Group tilting precariously. For a split second, they seemed to defy gravity, hanging on the edge of disaster. Then, with a collective gasp and a splash that could rival a whale swimming, they went over! From the safety of the other boats, scouts could only see an upside-down boat cruising and bobbing down the river, and a singular lucky scout riding it like a surf. Surely, after this incident, there wouldn't be anything like a few snakes in the campground... Right?

Summer Camp #1

Scouts embarked on an unforgettable adventure to the legendary Camp Emerald Bay on Catalina Island, immersing themselves in a week of merit badge mastery, rugged adventures, and the unique island experience that Emerald Bay is famous for. Boarding the USS Iowa with packs prepared to camp on the island like little soldiers, they would be battling homesickness within the 7 days. But in the meantime, with the crystal-clear waters of Catalina Island as a playground, they dove into a variety of water-related merit badges. Sailing, scuba diving, paddleboarding, you name it. Everything was there, including a daily access to the sandy beaches overlooking the navy blue Pacific Ocean.

June COH

This quarter (2024 Q2) we celebrate the advancement of one scout to Second Class, four scouts to First Class, and one scout to Life. Three patrols earned the NHP award and the scoutmaster swore in six new ASMs along with the next term's SPL. 

X-Miler

This was a 120-Mile, highly physically demanding biking event that led scouts around the golden San Francisco Bay. Angel Island, a historically important site for Asian Americans, was the first stop, and they biked across the island from head to toe. That night, as darkness fell over the land and the city lights illuminated the bay, the troop gathered by the water. Then, a splash of color filled the sky--it was the Fourth of July. Fireworks lit up the faces of scouts and reflected as blooming flowers in their eyes. It was a perfect way to kick off the event, inspire scouts, but after the respite of night, the real adventure began. Navigating the hilly San Francisco terrain, scouts had a tasty barbeque after arrival in Golden Gate Park. Exploring Sausalito hills, the mile count could only tick up. They say that in life, there's road blocks, but it seemed that nothing could stop the scouts as they prepared for the crossing. Crew by crew, the legions of scouts pedaled onto the Golden Gate Bridge. The wind whipped and the fog swirled, partially obscuring the breathtaking view of the bay, while the bridge clanged with sounds of hundreds of cars. Jackets puffed and bikes veered, but as they reached the end--smile! Click, went the camera. But the adventure didn't stop here--on the next day the 60 mile route back to Rainbow Park began.

Summer Camp #2

"I went to Wente" is something these scouts are now able to say, after a 7-day adventure-filled experience in this well renowned scout reservation. Wente Summer Camp offered a traditional camp setting, allowing scouts to immerse themselves in the natural environment. Days were packed with structured merit badge classes, covering a wide range of topics from pioneering to nature study, providing valuable learning experiences. Fun water events happened on the serene lake, inviting relays and a "lunch on the lake" day. 

Northern Tier High Adventure

Two crews, six boats, seven days, and a vast wilderness. Days filled with "six fish" or endless paddling, each crew chose their own adventure. One crew, through meticulous planning and unwavering determination, ended up canoeing 75 miles, while the other spent their days fishing and making some... creative decisions. But in the the land of 10,000 lakes, scouts made memories that they would likely never forget. Whether the lakes had been serene or turbulent, large or small, they were majestically beautiful. Each paddle motion, slow yet forceful, was a silent, rhythmic motion that propelled the canoe forward, while slicing the surface and leaving a shimmering wake that rippled outwards. Rain or shine, the crews trudged forward, taking up canoes on their shoulders to cross between lakes. Their guides, or interpreters, laid the foundations to create one of their most memorable experiences yet.

25th Anniversary Celebration

The troop was founded in 1999, making this the 25th year the troop has entered the world of Scouting. From the beginning group photo to the final gift distribution, the event was a testament to the strength and size of the troop. Just try even counting the number of people in the group photo! The afternoon unfolded with a blend of formal speeches, heartfelt tributes, and lively entertainment, creating a memorable experience for scouts, families, and alumni alike. 

Popcorn Sales

"Hi there, would you like--"

"Hi there! would you like to--"

"Hi! Would you like to support the local Scouts?", "...No"

Such was the average experience of these young salesmen, but that didn't stop the campaign that broke all of the troop's previous records, obtaining a total of $10,740 in sales. They set up tables at local supermarkets, kindly asking by-passers for their donations, and went door to door as wagon salespeople. Each two hour shift was filled with new marketing revelations as scouts leveled up their communication stat. And every time a bag was sold, the scouts rejoiced, finding a comfort in their contribution to the troop's funding.

Family Camp

This year's Labor Day weekend consisted of a camping trip to Rancho Los Mochos, the traditional location for our troop's family camp. Saturday was packed with activities, from morning and afternoon games to a hilarious watermelon eating contest, ensuring there was never a dull moment, and allowing scouts to enjoy time with their families. Enjoying a dinner cooked meticulously by the parents, the evening culminated in a cozy campfire, where skits, songs, and jokes filled the air before the campfire slowly faded away. The weekend provided a perfect balance of playful competition, delicious food, and essential scout skills, creating lasting memories for everyone involved.

Scout Fun Fest

In this event, Polaris troops host booths to advertise themselves to Webelos who are crossing over. Similar to the Scout-O-Rama earlier in the year, scouts set up a plastic ax throwing range along with Connect Four, connecting with younger to-be scouts, and earning lots of service hours!

September COH

This quarter (2024 Q3) we celebrate the advancement of four scouts to Scout, one scout to Tenderfoot,  two scouts to First Class, and three scouts to Star. Three patrols won the NHP award, seven scouts and adults won the Triple Crown High Adventure award, and four scouts and adults won the Grand Slam High Adventure award. Three new ASMs were also sworn in.

CASA Camporee

All troops part of the Chinese American Scouting Association competed against each other in a test of scouting skills and Chinese heritage. Each year's CASA Camporee has a different theme--this year's was the Silk Road. And there was no shortage of competitions, each of which our scouts tried to best the others. Unfortunately, it wasn't so easy: with a lack of senior scouts, each patrol was missing the necessary skills. Though the scouts each had their dose of fun, as arrows whizzed through the air, Chinese calligraphy skills came up to the test, and shoes and fingers gripped the rock climbing holds. Others competed in timed fire-building, first aid, and knot tying events, and more, meeting many other troops and learning from their strong suits. The event concluded with an awards ceremony, where although no awards were won, they got to hear the interesting yells of other patrols and troops.

Scouting For Food

In this service event, Scouts distributed flyers around the local neighborhood. The purpose of these flyers was to inform residents about the food drive and encourage them to contribute non-perishable food items. Once the donations were collected, the Scouts sorted the food items and prepared it for distribution to those in need within the community.

Archery Campout

During this exciting Archery event, Scouts had the opportunity to dive deep into the world of archery while working towards earning their Archery Merit Badge. They began by learning essential archery techniques, including proper stance, aim, and release, with guidance from experienced instructors. Scouts then had the chance to put these skills into practice, shooting at targets from various distances. In addition to practicing target shooting, they also participated in a hands-on activity where they crafted their own arrows, gaining a deeper understanding of the equipment involved. 

Polaris District Award Night

The District Award Night was nothing short of a gathering for old dudes. But really, scouts and adults marveled at the dedication and achievement that all Scouters present had for the organization. To help young people develop into responsible citizens and models in their community, leaders--both present and former--were awarded during the event held this year by our troop. Scouts acted as volunteers to help the event run smoothly, such as participating in the formal opening and closing ceremony, setting up, and work as servers.

Horseback Riding

Doubters say "Nay," but horses say "Neigh." For this reason, while the salty air whipped through hair and hooves rhythmically eating the ground, scouts found themselves loosening their grip on their reigns. And as the heads turned loose, a rockier ride ensued, bouncing the bottoms of the scouts up and down. During this fun event at Half Moon Bay, scouts were able to ride horses in the foggy morning, on a trail and down to the beach, while others came a bit later after some playtime on the beach. 

December COH

This quarter (2024 Q4) we celebrate the advancement of three scouts to Scout, four scouts to Tenderfoot, four scouts to Second Class, three scouts to First Class, four scouts to Star, and one scout to Life. Three patrols won the NHP award. Finally, the Committee Chair, Committee Sub-Chairs, ASMs, Scoutmaster, and SPL all were sworn in, marking the beginning of the new year.