eNews - June 2020

Golden Gate Area Council!

You are now part of one of the largest Councils in the Western Region of the BSA. At the end of 2019, if the three Councils had been combined, we would have been serving over 20,000 youth. Golden Gate Area Council’s footprint now stretches from Lake to Alameda counties in the greater Bay Area. We have five beautiful camps, Camp Herms, Rancho Los Mochos, Camp Royaneh, Wente Scout Reservation and Camp Wolfeboro, plus the Council Service Centers, Scout Shops, and Trading Post, in Pleasant Hill, San Leandro, and Alameda.

Our intentions are to expand the possibilities of Scouting to our current and future members. We will be able to harness the resources of many more volunteers, which we have already seen in the team from all three Councils, that have worked to transition us to the new Golden Gate Area Council website.

Congratulations, Melody Fewx of Scouts BSA Troop 220, who was announced at the June 1^st Kickoff as the designer of our new GGAC Council strip! We will work hard to get the new Council strips into our Scout Shops and Trading Post as soon as possible.

I want to thank, Hon. Benjamin Reyes, Tom Weibert, Dan Walters, Paul Shimotake, Tom Farris and Calvin Masuda, for their role in Key leadership positions in forming the Golden Gate Area Council. We also had many others who were key to the success in this merger, and will continue to be vital in forming our new Council programs. We are looking forward to being the “Biggest and Best Council in the West”!

John Fenoglio
Scout Executive/CEO, Golden Gate Area Council

BSA has new registration fees that will go into effect in August for new members and at the time of recharter for existing members. The Golden Gate Area council is committed to ensuring that every youth has an opportunity to be be a Scout, so please speak with your district staff members if the BSA registration cost is a barrier for any family. Thank you for delivering the promise of Scouting to youth of the GGAC!
DETAILS FAQs

The unexpected COVID-19 crisis significantly threatens our Scouts’ experience partly due to the impact on our Friends of Scouting program. Every year thousands of dedicated friends donate their time, treasure, and talent to Scouting. This generosity allows us to provide a first-class program of Leadership Training and Character Development in the Bay Area. Your support is needed now more than ever.

You can support the more than 20,000 young people of the Golden Gate Area Council with a tax deductible gift at:
http://www.sfbac.org/support-scouting/family-friends-of-scouting/70776 or
https://www.mdscbsa.org/donate2020/.

The online giving methods will not be merged for a few weeks. You can increase your support through Matching Gifts visit:
https://doublethedonation.com/boyscoutssanfrancisco/ or
https://www.mdscbsa.org/double-donation.

COVID-19 has created significant tax deduction opportunities regardless if you itemize your deductions. Individuals can receive a deduction if they donate $300 to a qualified charity or $600 per couple. If an individual itemizes you can deduct amount equivalent to 100% of your adjusted gross income. Check with your tax adviser for details. One of our Council staff is available to provide additional information - email Frank Yoke or call him at 510-577-9221.

Summer Camp Experiences for Scouts BSA

Golden Gate Area Council is working to deliver three outstanding Summer Camp experiences in the coming months. Camp Royaneh, Wente Scout Reservation, and Camp Wolfeboro @ Rancho Los Mochos will be offering three to four weeks of Scouts BSA Summer Camp this year.

2020 Camp Sessions
Week 6: July 19 - 25
Week 7: July 26 - August 1
Week 8: August 2 - 8
Week 9: August 9 - 15 (still confirming this week)

If your Unit was planning to attend a camp that is no longer schedules this summer and is search of space to attend please reach out to Melissa Yarns at Melissa.Yarns@scouting.org to check availability.

Cub Scouts may participate in any or all of our programs

Twin Valley: July 27 - 31 (tentative location: Dublin)
Mission Peak: July 31 - August 3 (tentative date: Fremont area)
Tres Ranchos: August 3 - 7 (tentative date: Castro Valley area)
Virtual day Camp: July 10 - August 1 (open to ALL Cub Scouts)

Cub Scouts will be diving deep into a watery world of wonder this summer! We will be hosting our District Cub Day Camps during the months of July and August. This year's theme is "Beneath the Sea," and we will truly be bringing fun activities, crafts, sports, archery, and more to local parks. Maybe there will even be a mermaid or whale spotting!

We have modified our program to be safe during the time of COVID-19 and will be working in accordance with local guidelines for health and safety. Interaction between participants will be kept to a minimum while still providing as much program as possible.

We will also be offering a “Virtual” Cub Scout Day Camp option where Dens or families can have the “Beneath the Sea” Day Camp experience in their own neighborhoods! Virtual Day Camp will have an Opening Online Campfire on Friday, July 10th and a Closing Online Campfire on Saturday, August 1st! In between, there will be over 20 different sea-themed activities that can be completed in three days or spread out in that three-week’s time. How you complete the activities is up to you as a family or as a den! Online instruction will be provided by your Day Camp Staff via short online videos. There will even be opportunities to interact with others through guest-led virtual activities from the Chabot Space & Science Center and other groups!

You will receive a t-shirt, patch, and other items that you will need to complete the activities! Most items needed for each activity can already be found around your house!

Please keep your eye out for the upcoming registration opportunities, and start saving a date for the opportunity that is best for your family or den!

Website: https://www.ggacbsa.org/cub-scout-camping/

Virtual Day Camp Flyer: https://scoutingevent.com/023-virtualdaycamp2020

Join us for a summer of online Scouting with your favorite Camp Counselors from Camp Royaneh, Wente Scout Reservation and Camp Wolfeboro! We want you to continue your Scouting journey and we have just the tool, Exploration Camp! Explore your passion learn new skills and develop hobbies in Scouting. We have over 60 Merit Badge sessions available each week starting on June 15^th.
Register Here:

You may also view the entire catalog of classes offered. There is a program access fee of $25 per week and will get your Scout a T shirt and patch mailed to them the first week and then a cost per badge there after.

Click on the image for more information about Jamboree

And, for more detailed information and the opportunity to ask questions, there are four Webinar Zoom Meetings scheduled. Plan to join one of them.

International Scouting

The 16th World Scout Moot was originally due to be held on July 19 – 29, 2021. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and clashes with other world events, the planning team, WOSM, and Scouting Ireland have made the decision to postpone until summer 2022. The exact dates have not been confirmed yet, but the event will be held at a similar time in summer 2022.

Check back for more updates.If you have any questions check out the Moot's FAQ

June 2020

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