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.
"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.
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.
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.
"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.
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.
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!
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.