Every year, to honor the military personnel who have passed away, our troop goes to Skylawn Memorial Park to plant flags. Afterward, we go camping at Clear Lake with our families.
Comprehensive List of Recent Events from Current & Last Season
Treasure Hunt 2021
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The annual event put on by the Venture Crew in which scouts will go on a themed adventure traveling all over the Bay Area competing in various scout skill based events in order to receive a treasure! The theme has not been revealed this year yet.
Durham Camping
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On February 20-21st, we had the first campout in the troop we had in a while. The last one was Summer Camp in mid 2020. It had been a long time, so this outing was very enjoyable. First, we were very grateful for Mr. Wacker and his willingness to let us use his farm. So the farm was fairly well sized, and near Chico, in the Central Valley. The schedule was very well structured by PLC, and made for a really good outing. So we arrived at camp around 11:00, then had lunch, and set up camp. Thereafter, we were given a tour of the farm, and learned some interesting things like how to say almonds authentically, what the farm specialized in, and just an overall tour of the area. Certainly very informative. Some stations were then available to go through as well. There were things like fire starting, tomahawks, archery (by Mr. Reese), shade structures, work on totin chips, and one or two others. Event runners did a very good job. Then scouts prepared dinner, with many using dutch ovens, for solid meals. Scouts then did their troop and personal brillo, cleaning all of their plates and such. There was some free time, then campfire. The MC did a very good job, and there were some enjoyable skits, and songs. S’mores were also prepared and enjoyed by scouts. Then it was a quiet hour, and sleep. The morning was a little chilly, but otherwise fine. Scouts were tasked with cooking their breakfasts, then going through brillo. Afterwards there was a flag ceremony by the woodies, then Scout’s own by Ms. Cabuslay. She talked about the importance of receiving help, but also being grateful and saying please and thank you. Certainly some good lessons to take to heart. After that, there was striking camp, and packing everything up for leaving. Then there was a short ~25 minute hike that allowed us to see some other farms, and socialize a bit. From there scouts who didn’t finish packing up continued to, while others worked on advancement, and got good work done. After there were cold lunches and some more free time. Then all that was left to do was pack everything away, while abiding by leave no trace. Everything was packed away, troop materials were delegated to be cleaned, and there was a formal sweep of the area used as a campsite. Cars left, and the outing was done. It’s very important though to point out Mr. Wackers role in this outing. Without his offering to use his farm for camping, this outing just wouldn’t have happened. So the entire troop thanks him for his role.
– Alexander Kaiser
B27 Scribe
Treasure Hunt 2020
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Treasure Hunt 2020 was a great outing. So this year was themed all around the Oregon Trail. This outing featured scouts moving to different stations, and collecting letters. I, and the entire troop who participated would like to thank the entirety of the Venture crew, and the woodies who helped run the event (also the Rover). Also I would like to thank all of the Adult drivers who allowed this outing to function smoothly. The first station was at Beresford Park, which featured scouts starting off with multiple puzzles, and an exquisite morse code message transmitted over a Ham Radio. Once Scouts had gathered the necessary information, then they moved on to Mariners Island. This part focused solely on compass skills with a small puzzle at the end. Then patrols moved onto Erkenbrack park, which featured three skills: First Aid, Lashings, and Canoe. Scouts first moved in and built a “wagon” by lashing spars together, and placing a tarp on it. Then this was hoisted up and placed on a catamaran made of two canoes. This was then maneuvered around a course and put ashore, then derigged. Then scouts had a break to enjoy lunch, then moved on to a first aid part based off a broken ankle and substituted crutches. Next scouts moved on to Alberta Glen for quick “animal hunting” and tomahawks. Shortly thereafter patrols moved on to Arguello park, which involved a heaving line, a tool called a Zrig, and knot practice. Laurelwood park was next and featured scouts crossing a river (blue tarp) with the use of wood blocks. The final event was at Boothbay Park. Scouts practiced cooking skills such as setting up a tripod and hanging can. Also they practiced flipping pancakes. In the end, I’d like to congratulate the Hawk Patrol for winning the event. Scouts were then presented with a frightening amount of candy, and then left the day outing for home. Once more the entire troop would like to thank everyone who helped make this outing a possibility.
– Alex Kaiser
B27 Scribe
Napa River Run
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On September 20th 2019, the troop went up to Napa to canoe down the Napa River. This outing was mainly a canoe skills development outing for our younger/new scouts. We started off at John F. Kennedy park and traveled down the slow moving river for a few hours. Scouts were able to practice steering and using different paddling methods. Older scouts were there as well to help teach and for safety. Overall we had a lot of fun and the troop learned a lot.
– Allie Rees
G27 Scribe
2020 Canoeolympics
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The troop arrived at Parkside Aquadic Park at 9am. The Woodies went out and set up various stations along the river for various activities like catapult building, knots, and canoe gates. Scouts hen hopped on their own canoes and canoed the river going from station to station competing with each other, after the scores were tallied, the Wolf patrol claimed victory.
– Kheo Kober
B27 Scribe
Memorial Day Flag Planting 2020 & Virtual Outing #2
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During Memorial Day weekend BSA stopped scouts from going and planting flags on the graves of veterans. We as a troop wanted to continue on the tradition and to honor those who fought for us in our own way. So we went up to Skylawn cemetery and we planted flags and friends and family of Troop 27 not as Troop 27. We followed guidelines and we were safe while still honoring those before us.
Later that day and onto the next day we had a virtual outing. This consisted of a Minecraft session, some online games, and a Disney escape room. We communicated and worked together in our patrols and then had a campfire all together later that night. We all came up with creative skits and songs. The next morning we had scouts own. This is how we have been staying connected during this difficult time.
-Allie Rees
G27 Scribe
T27 Virtual Outing #1
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The first virtual outing of Troop 27 was very successful. At 1:30 the zoom meeting started in which the outing started off in a scenic background of a minecraft server. Older scouts were able to design not only a realistic flag, accompanied by a coded bugle sound track, but the server also included well made structures which resembled that of ones made by scouts in the famous summer camp hosted every year in the sierras. The meeting soon drifted into an assortment of online games including a troop wide Minecraft server, Bingo, and skribbl.io around 2. This lasted till around 4.Personally Being on the minecraft server, I was able to experience first hand the collaboration of the scouts, as they helped each other survive through difficult situations. At 4, there became a free time break, where scouts were able to do whatever they want, up until 6. At 6, patrols met in little groups to chat about their dinner. They played little games such as two truths and a lie, which personally was very successful in my patrol, especially as younger scouts got to know the other ones. At 6:45 patrols competed in a knot race, in which the patrols had to show a picture of all the members with a completed basic knot. After this ended, around 7:30. The patrols again conversed till 8:30. At 8:30 everyone joined in for a virtual campfire, in which the various patrols presented skits and songs, till 9, at which point everyone went to bed after the nightly vespers. The next day at 9am the scouts joined in for an important scouts own, which finished of the unique outing.
– Lukas Wiggers
B27 Scribe
Service and Camping at Coyote Park
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This weekend, the troop headed out to Coyote Lake for a service project camping outing. We started off the day with a relaxing hike with a view of the lake, then breaked for lunch. The Scouts got to enjoy the beautiful green hills, and observe the many plants and animals around. We headed back after a while, seeing some amazing sights, including a cow with her calf. Once we reached the campsite again, the Scouts split up into groups, each assigned to building a shade structure over the picnic tables. They were able to practice using knots and lashings, as well as teamwork to build a good structure that blocked out the sun. Afterwards, the Scouts were able to have some fun playing Capture the Flag while also being able to see wild pigs and turkey vultures. Before we knew it, it was time to make dinner, and the Scouts each made dutch oven meals with their patrols. After cleaning up, we had campfire with fun skits and songs as usual. Campfire didn’t last too long, so the Scouts were able to go to bed early.
The next morning after breakfast, the Scouts packed up their stuff and after Scouts’ Own, got ready for the service project. The project was planting trees all around the park to replace some old ones, which required everyone to help. The Scouts took turns shoveling and digging, while others wrapped the metal fence around the tree. This took up a good portion of time, and soon, it was lunchtime. There wasn’t much left to do afterwards, so the Scouts separated into groups to refresh and review any knots and lashings they may have forgotten. The older Scouts built a fun wooden structure using spars and rope, while the younger Scouts practiced them off to the side. Soon however, all that was left to do was a sweep of the campground. Everyone made sure that they left nothing behind, and we soon loaded back into the cars. Though this outing didn’t have a very packed schedule, I think it was a nice little break for the Scouts. A nice little hike and gardening once in a while can be surprisingly fun!
-Katie Yue
G27 Scribe
Scout Sunday & Venture Crew Pancake Breakfast
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On Scout Sunday, the Venture Crew hosted the annual V27 Pancake Breakfast to raise money for Super Trip 2020 Oregon. Friendly and cheerful crew members welcomed people and served delicious food made by amazing chefs. Many people, from the church community and troop community, came and kindly donated in support of the crew, helping raise about 3000 dollars! The pancake breakfast was a great time where the troop families and churchgoers could talk and enjoy a hearty breakfast of pancakes, sausages, and eggs together.
Following the pancake breakfast was the Scout Sunday service. Members of the Troops and Crew participated in the Hillsdale United Methodist Church’s Sunday service, both attending the service and speaking before the congregation.
Scout Sunday was a very nice event to reflect on our experiences in the Crew and show our appreciation for the support of the Hillsdale United Methodist Church community.
-Katie Lau
G27 ASPL
