Updated Unit Guidance for COVID-19

The council has compiled many resources to assist you in developing your unit’s plan to conduct Scouting activities. Visit our fully updated Coronavirus & Scouting Activities page. Resources include Basic Unit Meeting and Activity Guidelines, an updated Unit Restart Guidebook, and more.

The recruiting pitch starts off pretty well: “If you join Pack 123, you’ll get to have fun, make new friends and enjoy hands-on experiences you can’t get in any other organization for youth.” But then the realities of the pandemic settle in, and the wheels start to fall off like a half-finished Pinewood Derby car: “Oh, but wait. You’ll have to do all that at home, at least for now.” Recruiting new families to join Scouting during a pandemic is hard — whether your unit is conducting activities virtually or in person (while following state, local and BSA guidelines, of course). Their solution, outlined in the article, clearly worked. They helped the Northeast Illinois Council become the area’s top-recruiting council in 2020. And they did it through a multi-dimensional approach that relied heavily on the most important adults in Scouting: unit-level volunteers. See the full article.

2021 Virtual University of Scouting - Apr 17-24

This year's University of Scouting will be 100% virtual. There will be fun and exciting learning opportunities led by experienced and knowledgeable Scouters. With classes for adults in all levels and programs of Scouting it is an opportunity not to be missed. Registration will be opening Mar 24, class sizes are limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. And it's completely FREE! Register here beginning Mar 24. Want a sneak peek at the class schedule being offered? Download the class schedule.

Virtual Venturing Open House - Apr 17

Calling all Scouts and Scouters! Are you interested in getting involved with the Venturing program? Or simply want to learn more? The Pacific Skyline Venturing Officer’s Association will be hosting a virtual Venturing Open House on April 17 to answer any and all questions and to showcase what Venturing is all about! RSVP here. Questions? Email Sarah Mester, copying a Scouting adult. Download the flyer.

All Arrowmen are invited to our annual Lodge Leadership Development on Sat, Mar 27 at 10am. The current youth leadership will be talking about the Lodge and how we can improve it in the morning with elections for chapter chiefs and a few games in the afternoon. Please register here and/or RSVP to secretary@ohlone63.org so we can forward the Zoom information to you.

Unit Visitation season has started. All Scouts who have earned First Class and have 15 camping nights over the past two years may be eligible. We're planning a few Induction weekends this Spring, so we'd like to meet with you soon to discuss the OA and local camping, and to help you elect new candidates. All troops, crews, and ships can schedule a virtual unit visitation here.

The Ohlone Lodge is re-starting Ordeals! We will be holding Ordeal Weekends at Boulder Creek Scout Reservation on Apr 10, May 1, May 8, and May 22. It will be held as a hybrid event with some parts done at home on a Friday and the rest in person on a Saturday -- minimizing time spent in the vicinity of others. More information is coming soon to candidates and unit leaders. Please register here for any date. We also need elangomats and ceremonialists for some dates, so please contact vci@ohlone63.org for those details.

For Scouts BSA Troops, Venturing Crews, and Sea Scout Ships

We'd like to visit your unit! Whether you have Scouts eligible to be elected or not, you can schedule a Virtual Unit Visitation. Please fill out the form to request a visitation and election here: https://forms.gle/hR5jdcBwxYiNJ2ZC6.

For Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Sea Scouts

To celebrate its first 50 years, the Environmental Protection Agency has partnered with the Boy Scouts of America to create an award for members of troops, crews and ships. This new award will recognize youth who research and learn about the subjects of human health and the environment, as the EPA develops its vision for the next 50 years. The objective of the EPA award is to combine a variety of disciplines to challenge and educate youth; introduce them to the breadth of the EPA’s involvement in environmental protection and conservation; and encourage them to research, investigate, experiment, demonstrate, survey, and study air pollution, water pollution, solid and hazardous waste, and ocean dumping. Members must earn the Public Health merit badge and a merit badge from Animal Study, Outdoor Activity, and Earth Science categories. Finally, they must participate in an environmental/public health community service project as part of an approved Scouting program. All requirements for the EPA Award must be completed in 2021. Download the application. Completed applications are submitted to the local Scout Shop to receive the commemorative patch. Note: The EPA Award can also be accessed at www.pacsky.org and selecting Scouting > Awards & Recognition > See the complete list of awards on the National BSA website.

Spring Fundraising Opportunity - Jan 1-June 30

This fundraiser is open to any Scout who wants to earn rewards even if their unit is not selling! This option that takes very little leader management. If your unit is already selling popcorn you should already be set up to sell. If your unit would like to take advantage of the Spring sale, email Tom.Kenney@Scouting.org and he will get you set up and ready to fundraise. The rewards are fabulous and can be combined with the Fall 2021 Popcorn Sale! The Spring product lineup is: Coffee, Beef Jerky, Honey Roasted Peanuts and more!

Apply now to be on the Boulder Creek Scout Reservation 2021 Summer Camp staff or to be a Counselor in Training (CIT)! Learn more & apply.

Announcing the creation of a new career position opportunity: a full-time Council Registrar. We offer a great work environment, a fun staff, and a mission-driven profession that benefits local area youth. If you are looking for a job with varied daily tasks, you enjoy working with dedicated volunteers and staff, and you are looking be part of a positive program, this could be your exciting new career! The Registrar, among other duties, enters and maintains official local council records about registered members of the Boy Scouts of America and maintains camping and program registrations. If you are interested, please send an email with your resume to pacskyjobs@gmail.com

Our OFFICES are closed during the pandemic, but we are working from home--find our contact information.

Our SHOPS are open! Locations & guidelines.

Fri, Apr 2 – Palo Alto Scout Shop CLOSED for Good Friday.

Virtual Girls in Scouting Meet Women in STEM Career Day - Apr 8

For Female Scouts and Venturers

This is a virtual event for our female Scouts to learn about careers that require creative problem solving, and encourage forward thinking, make a difference in society. The purpose is to spark interest in more women in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. There is a great demand for women in these fields especially in engineering, computer science, and the life sciences. We have a variety of professional women in STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math) that have come together to meet with our Scouts to talk about these opportunities. This event takes place on April 8, 5:30-7:00pm. Register now to save your spot for this unique event!

Come On to Cub-ON! - June 4-6

Cub-On is a weekend family camping event for all Cub Scouts and their families. Boulder Creek Scout Reservation is located in the Santa Cruz mountains in a lush redwood forest. Program areas are open throughout the weekend. Meals are provided; trained staff on duty for all areas of camp; “Bobcat Trail” program for brand new Scouts; and “Spirit of the Arrow” for Webelos. Learn more & register. Note: 2021 Cub-ONs will be held at Boulder Creek Scout Reservation.

2021 Cub Scout Day Camp - 3 Summer sessions

Get your Cub Scout outside this summer with time-honored Scout experiences like Archery, Crafts, Sports, Science, Games, and much more! Join the Knights of the Scout-table at this 5-day program of activities which provides fun and new experiences for the Cub Scouts. The daily program is centered on Cub Scout Adventures and electives as they relate to the outdoors. Included in the cost of day camp is all necessary supplies for crafts and activities! All Scouts will receive a FREE camp T-shirt and hat upon arrival at camp. As well as a FREE custom patch upon completion of Camp. Mon-Fri sessions in Pacifica, Cupertino, and San Mateo. Save $25 by registering by March 31! Learn more & register.

For Scouts BSA, Venturers, and adults

Whether you need to get your summer service hours for Scouts or school, you want to stay close to home this summer, or you just want to get outside, our Cub Scout Day Camp is a great place to volunteer your time this summer! You'll help with age-appropriate activities for Cub Scouts and Webelos: including archery, crafts, games, slingshots, Cub Scout Adventures, and more. Activities vary by location. 

Volunteer Hours: 8:30am-3:30pm 

If you or your Scout are willing to volunteer or have questions, please contact Andrew Wilmes at andrew.wilmes@scouting.org

National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) - June 19-26

This action-packed program provides youth with leadership skills and experiences they can use in Scouting and are applicable in their everyday lives. Learn more.

2021 Summer Camp at Boulder Creek Scout Reservation - July 4-10 and 11-17

The Pacific Skyline Council is planning the 2021 summer camp experience your troop needs! Join us for a summer camp program at Boulder Creek Scout Reservation that will have many of the amazing activities you have grown to love at Camp Oljato, as well as some new exciting adventures. Space will be very limited so be sure to register soon! Note: Units already registered for Oljato 2021 will have the option to move their registration to the BCSR program. Two week-long sessions: July 4-10 and July 11-17, 2021. Register your unit here. Download the Leader Guide--it has good info for parents, too!

MORE GREAT NEWS! We have heard your concerns about the uncertainty of your troop's summer camp plans this year, and we want to help you feel safe and confident when reserving your spot. To provide your unit with more flexibility, we are happy to announce that your $300 deposit will be fully refunded if you cancel your reservation before May 1. We hope this change helps your troops and families feel more comfortable with choosing Boulder Creek Scout Reservation for your summer camp!

Virtual 1-Day Weather Merit Badge Workshop with Hiller Aviation Museum - Apr 3, May 1, May 29

Scouts BSA can earn the Weather Merit Badge online with the Hiller Aviation Museum! Weather Badge applicants must use a weather station constructed during the program to complete seven consecutive days of weather observation. These observations may be recorded on the Weather Observation Log and compared to observations reported on television, radio or internet sources such as the Hiller Aviation Museum’s live weather data. Advanced registration is required. 9:30am-3:00pm. $45. Learn more and register at hiller.org.

Virtual 1-Day Aviation Merit Badge Workshop with Hiller Aviation Museum - Apr 10, May 15

Scouts BSA can earn the Aviation Merit Badge online with the Hiller Aviation Museum! A one-day virtual program includes facilitated instruction, hands-on flight activities, live-streamed exploration of aircraft inside the Museum’s collection and much more! Advanced registration is required. 9:30am-3:00pm. $45. Learn more and register at hiller.org.

Help your Life Scout get to Eagle! Learn more. (click then scroll down)

Become a merit badge counselor! Learn more. (click then scroll down)

Roundtables provide leaders with program ideas; information on policy and events; and training opportunities. Learn more (click then scroll down)

Calling all Venturing leaders! Join us for Venturing Roundtables! Mark your calendars, we'll meet on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 7pm online. Zoom link.

PTC is a National volunteer training center for the Boy Scouts of America. Learn more.

SBR is a National volunteer training center for the Boy Scouts of America. Learn more.

San Francisco Bay Area Council to the north, and Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council to the south.