Check out the latest news from the Briones District.
Briones News Issue # 50 - April 1, 2020
Attend Virtual Roundtable This Month
Thursday, April 2, 2020
7:00 PM
Many of our adult volunteers will need to renew their Youth Protection Training in 2020 after taking the updated version in 2018. Our Roundtable Meeting will be an opportunity to do so being led by District Director Mark Woodman. Please see the log-in information below to connect to the meeting from your own home. If you have any questions, please contact Mark at mark.woodman@scouting.org.
Topic: Briones District Roundtable Meeting
Time: Apr 2, 2020 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
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Don't miss important information! Be sure to scroll all the way down! There's a lot of important information in the newsletter this month!!!! Especially don't misss the Council merger info below!
Welcome to the new Briones Newsletter coming to you via MailChimp. You are receiving this newsletter because you have a Scout or are interested in Scouting events in the Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek areas. Please do not unsubscribe!This is your source for valuable information on Scouting in the Briones District as well as for the Mt. Diablo Silverado Council. Feel free to pass this newsletter on to anyone who might be interested. Normally you will receive this around the first of the month. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the newsletter, please contact Norman Gee, normgee50@gmail.com.
To Our Scouting Community:
In this unprecedented time the Mt. Diablo Silverado Council (MDSC) wants each one of you to know that you, your families and your extended network of colleagues and friends are of our utmost concern. Under the order of the Health Officer of Contra Costa County we are asking all units to cease its meetings and activities through April 7, 2020. (Editor: This has now been extended to April 30th.) The Council Service Center will remain closed to the public through that date as well. The professional staff is still here to serve you and you may contact them through their office lines and they will receive it as their desk phones are all set to forward to their cell phones. The staff will also be available to respond via email to your needs. Please subscribe to our Facebook page and check out our website www.mdscbsa.org for the latest information from your council.
All applications and Eagle paperwork we assume will be approved for an automatic extension from our National Office and will work with them to make it so. If you are able to make a Friends of Scouting donation to keep the essential services of Scouting running you may donate at: https://www.mdscbsa.org/donate2020/
Further, MDSC will honor requests for refund for Camp Wolfeboro and Day Camp. We also will be postponing the deadline for Camp Wolfeboro Payments until April 30th. Additionally, Day Camp late fees are waived for those who wish to register for the summer. After this drastic change in our youth’s lives this Spring it is imperative, we do what we can to give them a fun and safe summer.
Districts are encouraged to reschedule their activities currently scheduled through May 11, 2020 to this fall. Camp Herms will also have its drive-in gate closed at least through April 7, 2020.
As Scouts we are expected to be leaders in our community, we need to obey the laws and regulations that have been put in place to protect our community. Utilize virtual methods to conduct your business – Facebook Live can be used through unit and District web pages to communicate. You are also able to correspond with Merit Badge Counselors or your Den Leaders to earn achievements. While the current situation represents a change from or normal operations standard it presents an opportunity for us to break out of our comfort zone and embrace new ways of delivering the promise of Scouting to one another.
Thank you all for what you do to support our community through Scouting, we all benefit from your involvement.
Upcoming Training, District or Council Events
Wednesday - Apr 1 - Eagle BOR Binder Check - Contact Gordon Bell gordon.ed.bell@gmail.com for time and method
Thursday - Apr 2 - Virtual Roundtable - 7:00 pm - via Zoom https://zoom.us/j/813225864
Thursday - Apr 2 - Commissioners Meeting - Canceled
Thursday - Apr 2 - OA Chapter Meeting Canceled Friday - Apr 3-5 - Jamboree on the Internet - Special Edition
Sunday - Apr 5 - Palm Sunday
Monday - Apr 6 - Eagle Board of Review - To be determined
Tuesday - Apr 7 - Eagle Board of Review - To be determined Wednesday - Apr 8 - Passover begins
Friday - Apr 10 - Good Friday
Sunday - Apr 12 - Easter
Thursday - Apr 16 - Virtual District Committee Meeting (Zoom session to be set up) Wednesday - Apr 22 - Earth Day
Thursday - Apr 23 - Ramadan begins
Friday - Apr 24 - Arbor Day Friday - Apr 25-26 - BALOO Canceled
Friday - Apr 25-26 - Intro to Outdoor Leader Skills Canceled
Tuesday - May 5 - Life to Eagle - Contact Ray Winter rwintermdsc@earthlink.net - 7:30 pm - Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette - YOU MUST RESERVE
Wednesday - May 6 - Eagle BOR Binder Check - Contact Gordon Bell gordon.ed.bell@gmail.com for time and location
Thursday - May 7 - Roundtable - 7:00 pm - St. Mary's School, 1158 Bont Lane, Walnut Creek
Thursday - May 7 - Commissioners Meeting - 6:15 pm - St. Mary's School, 1158 Bont Lane, Walnut Creek
Thursday - May 7 - OA Chapter Meeting - 6:30 pm - St. Mary's School, 1158 Bont Lane, Walnut Creek
Our Order of Arrow Chapter meeting for April is canceled.
Our Lodge has put together a very active and exciting year ahead with lots of fun activities mixed with exciting service projects.Escape Room, LEAD, Movie Night, Rock Climbing, Hope Walk, OA Trek, Canoe Trip, SF Scavenger Hunt, and Inductions are just a few of the activities that have been planned or done. I would hope that you will get involved and enjoy them with us.
Below are several ways that individuals and businesses can support Kaiser's efforts during this critical time:
Personal Protective Equipment Donations
Our focus is on working with our supply chain vendors and manufactures to provide our staff with medical grade protective equipment (PPE). For those seeking to donate supplies, please see the list of appropriate items below.
We have set up a national donation network to assist with distributing critical supplies across Kaiser Permanente and other care providers. Please direct any donation offers to KPCOVID-19Donations@kp.org.
In addition, because we are already receiving donations at some of our Kaiser Permanente medical centers, we have established a process to receive and inspect donations.
Greeters outside the entrances to our facilities will provide instructions on where to leave donations.
Prior to use, our staff will inspect all donations to confirm that they meet the appropriate standards for medical use.
Appropriate items to donate:
Unopened N95 respirators and surgical masks
Unopened packages of disposable gloves
Unopened containers of hand sanitizer
Unopened containers of disinfectants and disinfecting wipes
Packaged, unused protective goggles
Unopened swabs for collecting screening samples
Unopened gowns (surgical and isolation)
Face shields
Home-made masks
We will accept donations of home-made masks.
This will help us manage supplies of our medical-grade masks for staff providing direct patient care.
Even home-made masks need to meet certain specifications in order to be effective. Please see this link for a PDF of instructions to make effective fabric masks.
The safety of Kaiser's employees, patients, and the community is their top priority. We are grateful for the support of the community, and as we closely monitor the progress of this illness, we will adjust our donation practices accordingly.
Kudos to Richard Chase and Michael McDowell who have already donated masks. Feel free to contact John Muir to donate as well. We don't have information on their procedures to handle donations as yet. Click here for a flyer!
Congratulations for all our Awardees
VFW Scout of the Year
Declan Tsuyuki
Carter E. Wells Award for Gracious Service
Ken Strongman
Gary P. Snyder Award for Distinguished Commissioner Service
Lillian Remer
Charles P. Savage Award for Exemplary Program Leadership
Diane Appel
District Award of Merit
Charles John (CJ) Poloka
Mike Stanton
We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Michele Poloka for her many years of service as District Chair of Briones and Aklan Districts. She is retiring from service as Chair, but will continue to assist the District as a member of the District Committee.
Proposed Merger of MDSC
The following is the message about the proposed merger between MDSC, San Francisco Bay Area Council and the Alamdea Council. The dates of the meeting have changed due to the Shelter in Place restrictions due to the Covid 19 pandemic. Here's a youtube link to the Board meeting discussing the merger https://youtu.be/M9evtGRpC7s. Follow MDSC on Facebook for upcoming Q&A sessions on Facebook.
An Important Message for Our Mt. Diablo Silverado Council Membership
Following a special meeting of their respective executive committees, the Mt Diablo Silverado Council (MDSC), the San Francisco Bay Area Council (SFBAC) and the Alameda Council announced an agreement to recommend their consolidation and merger to form a new Boy Scout Council. This new council will serve youth and young adults from the San Francisco and Oakland metropolitan areas, Alameda County, and the East Bay to Napa Valley corridor from Contra Costa through Solano and up to Lake County.
The new proposed name for the council will be Golden Gate Area Council to unite the 100+ yearlong traditions of all the involved councils and set the course for a successful future. The consolidation will result in increased operating efficiency, and expanded program opportunities to better serve unit leaders, youth, and their families.
The Golden Gate Area Council intends to retain and use the key assets of Camps Wolfeboro and Herms in addition to Wente Scout Reservation, Camp Royaneh, and Rancho Los Mochos. Many MDSC units already camp at these properties and will no longer have to pay out of council fees to access programs like Mountain Man and the COPE course at Camp Royaneh and the rich waterfront program, horsemanship, and mountain biking offered at Wente Scout Reservation.
The Golden Gate Area Council will serve over 21,000 male and female Scouts in over 650 units through a full range of Scouting Programs, including Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Exploring and Venturing. Our units will benefit from the increase in the number of merit badge counselors and experienced volunteers available to deliver our program. Increased access to adult training and National Youth Leadership Training will be available to our members. Expanded programs, youth oriented activities, and events will be enhanced and will cover a wider territory, allowing for positive growth and for more young people to experience all that Scouting has to offer.
The next step is approval by each of the council executive boards, chartered organization representatives, and other voting members. This will occur at board meetings on March 31st.
You are invited to a special town hall meeting that will be held at the March 24th Council Coordinated Meeting, 7 pm at Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church (1801 Lacassie Ave. Walnut Creek, CA 94596) to further address any questions that units and districts might have.
“Together we will bring a stronger program to more youth through the expanded camping opportunities, more highly trained volunteer leaders, more unit serving staff, and sustainable financial management.”
Tom Weibert - President Mt. Diablo Silverado Council Dan Walters - President San Francisco Area Council Benjamin Reyes - President Alameda Council
Virtual Town Hall Meetings
Tomorrow (3/31) and Thursday (4/2) starting at 7:00pm, Our Council Key Three will be on Zoom Live answering all your questions about the recommendation to merge our council with San Francisco Bay Area Council and Alameda Council.
To watch the video last week’s virtual meeting with Charter Organizations, click here: https://youtu.be/M9evtGRpC7s
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Part of Scouting’s great success over the past 113 years has been its enduring ability to adapt and respond to the changing needs of communities at every level.
Young people in many countries today face challenges at home and in their local communities due to COVID-19. Their formal education, where they have access to it, has been severely impacted by the pandemic.
According to UNESCO monitoring, as of today 85 countries have closed schools nationwide, impacting 776.7 million children and youth.
At this challenging time, we, as a united Movement of 171 National Scout Organizations need to hold true to the Promise that binds us together and do our duty to help other people.
At this extraordinary moment when many people are isolated, it is our firm belief that we should rise to the challenge and respond with an extraordinary global event that will unite Scouting at every level.
Today we are excited to announce a special edition of Jamboree on the Internet (JOTI), the largest digital Scout event held annually!
This special JOTI will be both educational and fun, bringing Scouting to the homes of young people around the world. It will be a space for young people and Scouts to connect, learn and build friendships during this challenging time of social distance. It will be a mass mobilisation that seeks to engender a sense of unity throughout the Movement.
Through a dynamic virtual engagement programme, young people will be able to learn about safety measures, mental and physical health tips, and more while digitally engaging as global citizens through a range of activities - from webinars to concerts. The special edition of JOTI will also enable Scouts to connect to peers from different countries, hear from special guests and share ideas about Scouting from home.
The online platform will provide National Scout Organizations and Scouts with helpful resources, ideas and initiatives to adapt regular Scouting activities to engaging initiatives that can be done at home.
As we navigate uncharted waters, together, we can turn this challenge into an opportunity to continuously showcase and share what Scouting is all about - unity, friendship, education and resourcefulness.
Join us online this 3 - 5 April 2020 and help us spread the word of this JOTI Special Edition today.
Dear Scouting Friends: It’s that time of year. We need your help in getting your Friends of Scouting Presentations on the calendar. Volunteers are ready, willing and able to help you hold your presentations. Our programs simply cannot succeed without the funding you so generously provide. We would love to reach out to businesses as well – If you have any leads, we would very much appreciate hearing from you.
The Mt. Diablo Silverado Council is pleased to announce that Past Council President, Council Board member, International Scouting and Rotary International volunteer, Brian Thiessen will receive the Silver Buffalo at the BSA National Annual meeting on May 22nd, in National Harbor, Maryland. Brian joins A. Frank Bray, Rick Cronk, Kent Clayburn and Chuck Smith as Mt. Diablo Silverado Council Silver Buffalos.
The Silver Buffalo Award is the national-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. It is presented for noteworthy and extraordinary service to youth on a national basis, either as part of, or independent of the Scouting program. The award is made by the National Court of Honor and the recipient need not be a registered member of the BSA.
Census 2020: filling out the form is more important than ever
The 2020 Census is already underway, and by now you should have received a letter at home with a unique code that you can use to fill out your Census form. It only takes a matter of minutes to complete the form and submit it electronically, but if you haven't received your letter, there are other ways you can make sure everyone in your residence is counted. Options include asking for a paper form, calling the Census hotline and reporting by phone, or filling it out online without the code specific to you. The critical need to have social and health service money we are owed is evident now as we look for resources to support public health in our community. Visit Walnut Creek's Census webpageto get all the details.
Our Council has made Virtual Merit Badge Classes available for our Scouts BSA Scouts! These merit badge classes are being offered by adult volunteers throughout our council and are available at $5 a badge! The first round of classes sold out in under an hour. More classes will become available as more merit badge counselors offer classes. If you would like to offer a merit badge virtually, please contact Joe Barton at joe.barton@scouting.org.
The next merit badge that will open for registration is Environmental Science. It opens on Friday, 4/2 at noon.
Recharters are way past due and if you need help, or would like to review your packet, or just haven't been able to make it by the office to drop it off, District Director Mark Woodman will be at the Council Service Center in Pleasant Hill to help. In addition, feel free to reach out to Mark at 925-674-6122 or mark.woodman@scouting.org if you have any questions. Let's wrap up recharters ASAP!
We are in desparate need of a volunteer to act as the District Popcorn Kernel. If we do not have a Popcorn Kernel, the units selling popcorn will lose 4% of their commission. If your unit is planning on selling popcorn, please consider having someone take this on. We only have about 10 units selling popcorn, so the job is easily manageable. Click here for a job description.Please let Mark Woodmanmark.woodman@scouting.org know if you are willing to take this on.
Troop 401’s Philmont trek has room for one adult and up to 2 additional scouts. If you and your Scout would like to go contact the Scoutmaster Dennis Kameya.
Dates: Fly out Sunday July 5; arrive Philmont that night.
Trek #: 706-O; Itinerary #2
Check in at 8:30am Monday 7/6, orientation, start trek 7/7. Off trail 7/17.
Drive back to airport Sat 7/18 and fly home.
The Briones District Troop Challenge has been postponed. A modified one-day event will be presented in the fall. More information about this will be shared as information becomes available.
First, for a limited time, Boys’ Life Magazine is offering free downloads of the last year of issues on their mobile app! This offer is extended to the public, so please share this with your family and friends! There are so many great ideas available to help with homeschooling at this time!
There are some great Cub Scout level activities found at https://www.mdscbsa.org/scouting-remotely/! Virtual offerings through our Council for Cub Scouts are being planned now and will be available in the near future!
STEM Day 2020
Date and Location To be Determined
Cub Scouts of all Ranks are invited to a fun-filled day of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math activities. Wolves, Bears, and Webelos will be able to choose from four activities from six stations:
Catapults & Trebuchets
Shoot for the Moon with Water Rockets
Find out What Floats Your Boat with Fluid Physics
Paper Towers with Bridges
For the Birds (The Environment)
Take Flight with Hovercars & Paper Airplanes
Lions and Tigers will have their very own stations in the morning that will be much more free-form.
STEM Activity Stations will be set up and run by MDSC Scouts BSA Troops from around the Council.
Scholarships!
Eagle Scout of the Year
Application due to your local VFW post by March 1, 2021
Your District Committee needs your help, we have many openings. While we're listing only the primary position, every position can use additional help even those not mentioned. The more folks who volunteer the easier the work. Let Michele Poloka orRichard Chase know if you're interested in helping.
Roundtable
We are in desperate need of a Roundtable Commissioner (their job is coordinate the Roundtable meetings from September thru June).
Boy Scout Roundtable
We are equally desperate in our need of a volunteer to coordinate and present programs for troops each month.
Conservation Chair
We are in need of someone to be our Conservation Chair. You will be responsible for keeping track of conservation related opportunities in the District and sending the information with the newsletter editor.
Day Camp Directors
Did you miss not having day camp last year for your Cub Scouts? We need at least two people to step up and start planning next years day camp.
Unit Commissioners
This is a rewarding fun job for those who have stepped down from working with their units. It's a great opportunity to share your knowledge with units who need help or just a little advice on the best way to do things.
Nominating Committee
Volunteer to help recruit people to assist the District.
Packs and Troops Looking for New Scouts?
A number of Troops and Packs currently sponsored by the LDS Church will be losing their charter because of a change in direction in the LDS youth programs. As early as June of this year, but in all likelihood starting in August families with Cubs and Scouts at all levels will be looking to transition to other units or perhaps a new charter partner.
If your pack or troop has the capacity we would like to add you to a list of units that can be contacted. Likewise if your chartered partner might consider sponsoring another unit, we would like to hear from you. These Scouts could provide a needed boost to your membership and many have sisters that might be interested in girl dens or troops. Please contact Wick Smith (smithwmw@gmail.com) or Jim Pierce (peirce.d2g@gmail.com) if you are interested.
Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Pleasant Hill & Walnut Creek Eagle Scouts
March 2020
Congratulations to our newest Eagle Scouts
Are you wondering where some of the Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda Eagle Scouts are? We need a volunteer to attend the monthly Eagle Boards of Review at the St. Monica Catholic Church 1001 Camino Pablo in Moraga to take pictures and send them to Norman Gee each month. Contact Normannormgee50@gmail.com or Bonnie Hazarabedianbonzai@flash.net.
Scoutmasters should now have access to Counselors through Scoutbook. Reports have been sent to all Scoutmasters and merit badge deans for review. All counselors must fill out the supplemental background check disclosures & authorizations before April 30, 2020.
Please note merit badge counselors must also complete merit badge counselor training, which can now be completed online! Click here for assistance in finding how to complete Merit Badge Counselor Training. We need your assistance in making sure your counselors complete the new course.
All merit badge counselor applications should be sent to Norman Gee, 150 Ukiah Ct., Walnut Creek, CA 94595. Applications must include BSA application, Youth Protection certificate and Merit Badge Counselor application.
Online applications do not apply for Merit Badge Counselors at this time.
Did you know that your units need to record their hours spent volunteering service to others? Every unit has a unique id number that they can use to record the hours. In order to make it easier for units, the District has set up an email address where you can report your hours, what the service was, and the number of Scouts that worked on it. Send an email listing the service, location, the total number of hours (# of Scouts x number of hours) toBriones.service.hours@gmail.com. Recording service hours affects everyone's Journey to Excellence scores (units, districts, councils, sections, etc...).
Eagle Project Ideas
Is your Scout looking for an Eagle Project? As we hear from organizations that have projects for Scouts, we'll list them here each month.
Boundary Oak Golf Course
Boundary Oak Golf Course has about a dozen owl boxes the need to be rebuilt or new builds. They are midsized houses that go on their trees. Contact Tim Robertsroberts@walnut-creek.org
Lar Rieu Park
Lar Rieu Park is a small community park located in Walnut Creek. The park is currently undeveloped and has many potential Eagle projects. (Trail construction, yoga pad, plant installation, etc.) Mark Clar (an Eagle Scout) is leading the effort to build some infrastructure for the park in conjunction with the Parks and Recreation Department for the City of Walnut Creek. Contact Mark Clarmclar@value.net
Orinda Historical Society & City of Orinda
The Orinda Historical Society is looking for an Eagle Scout candidate to construct a sign similar to the picture above. The sign would provide information about the California and Nevada Railroad and how that railroad is connected to the growth of Orinda.
St. Marks Nursery School
St. Marks Nursery School in Orinda has a need for work on their upcoming new play yard. The projects include:
4 raised beds with arches to the fence to create an arbor tunnel
3 arched wooden bridges to span the dry riverbed
1 used rowboat to fill with sand
1 wooden/outdoor worthy play kitchen
2 round picnic tables with a total of 4 benches (curved to fit the tables)
1 stage built out around the oak tree
6 theater benches built from stumps and planks
5 misc workbenches/storage boxes for loose parts work/storage
Walnut Creek Community Emergency Response Teams have a project for a Life Scout seeking to become Eagle. Contact Beth Smithbeth_smith@instructionalscenarios.com for more information orclick here for a more detailed description.
For this project, the Scout would help equip 16 of our search and rescue teams (two teams for each CERT area) with all the equipment they will need to carry with them out in the field. This is a fairly straight forward project, but it has a lot of moving parts because of the variety of medical supplies and equipment that is needed. This is not a difficult project, but the Scout who takes it on must be very detailed oriented.
Before the Scout accepts this project, Beth Smith would like to meet with him to discuss some of the specific types of equipment we need. Also, Ms. Smith has a lot of contacts who can help the Scout acquire some of those supplies. And, he might look at financing this project by asking for support from local service organizations, such as Lions, Kiwanis, Rotary, etc.
SAR Eagle Awards Contest
Information can be found at www.californiasar.org under programs/youth programs, or they can email me directly. Derek Brown
President
California Society Sons of the American Revolution (CASSAR)
Adult Leader Training How do I know what training I need?
Introduction to the E-Learning Portion of Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO)
Cub Scout leaders who are interested in adding a camping component to their Pack activities are required to have at least one BALOO trained adult on every Cub Scout den or pack overnight outdoor event - including Pack Camping and Webelos Den overnighters. BALOO training sets a unit up to carry out a successful camping experience for Scouts.
BALOO training is now comprised of two components - an online component, and a practical, hands-on component. Both components must be completed to qualify as a "Trained" Cub Scout outdoor leader, and to receive the BALOO recognition patch.
The online component contains introductory and basic information, and must be completed prior to the practical component. The goal of the online portion is to make the best use of time to allow leaders to experience as much as possible during the practical hands-on training.
Successful completion of BALOO training should increase the confidence level of a Cub Scout Leader, and promote a willingness to plan a Pack overnighter. Camping activities and outings are fun, based on the purposes of Cub Scouting, and successful, often whet the appetite of the Cub Scout, his parents, and the leaders to desire more of the outdoors.
The online portion of BALOO is available around-the-clock on the BSA Learn Center by logging into My.Scouting.org.
Online Adult Leader Training
The BSA training site has more classes to offer including BALOO, Merit Badge Counselor, Chaplain/Chaplain's Aide, New Member Coordinator, and position specific training.
Who should take class? Anyone interested in delivering the Scouting promise to our youth (no pressure). Kidding aside, anyone occupying ANY position in the BSA organization can benefit from the classes. They are short, easy to follow, and very informative. For example, courses, one of the Merit Badge Counselor modules runs about 15 minutes.
What class should you take? One of the cool features of the site is it acts as your private learning center which tracks your progress based on your position. It also allows you to choose other topics to take. Even if you have been a leader in your position for a year or two, it always helps to refresh your skills. This also takes care of our training statistics on our Journey To Excellence (JTE) reports.
How do you access the site? Go to my.scouting.org From there, click on the BSA Learn Center on the right side of the screen. From there you can access the different courses sorted by programs. There is even a video on how to navigate the site, if you prefer to use it.
How much does it cost? The online courses are FREE.
Conservation Corner
Gardens & Landscape
Pleasant Hill Instructional Garden: Learn about native, drought tolerant and wildlife gardening. Work parties on Sunday, check their website for dates https://phig.webs.com/. Eagle Scout Projects available. Inquire with Monika Olsen, phigarden@gmail.com.
Friends of Wagner Ranch Nature Area: Join in every Sunday from 1 - 3 pm to help out with gardening, general maintenance and light construction. Eagle Scout projects are also available. Contact them at https://fwrna.org/contact/
John Muir National Historic Site:
Garden and landscape volunteers assist with manual labor in the park's fruit/nut orchards and the Mt. Wanda open space areas. Biological internship also available. Contact the Volunteers In Parks Corps at 925-228-8860.
Reduce Reuse Recycle
The Crayon Initiative: More than a half million pounds of crayons are discarded every year, turning into a waxy sludge that clogs our landfills and never biodegrades, and is also a waste of resources. The Crayon Initiative collects donated crayons from restaurants, schools and homes across the country, then melts them down and remanufactures them, reducing waste. Better yet, the recycled crayons are distributed to art programs at children's hospitals across the US, brightening the lives of young patients during their stay. Get your troop involved collecting crayons! Learn more with this guide for Scouts: http://thecrayoninitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/170604_TCI_Scouts_Program_Guide.pdf
Volunteer with RecycleSmart and Republic Services! Multiple Farmers Markets in Orinda, Moraga, Danville and Walnut Creek- Scouts can assist with waste sorting stations and the RecycleSmart booth. Annual events like Pleasant Hill's Art Jazz & Wine can also use help with waste sorting stations. For more information, contact Ashley Louisiana, Ashley@recyclesmart.org
Any troop can participate in a Vermicomposting (Worms!) and Bin Building Workshop with RecycleSmart. It's $20 per family and includes all bin supplies, two hours of instruction and worms! It's a great deal and such a fun experience. For more information, contact Ashley Louisiana, Ashley@recyclesmart.org
Restoration
Walnut Creek Open Space Foundation: Work parties most weekends; minimum volunteer age is 14, but can be opened to younger children by prior arrangement with a leader (see link below). Eagle Project opportunities include site prep and planting of native plants, as well as invasive species removal. Other projects depend on scout interest. http://www.wcosf.org/calendar/events.html
Save Mt. Diablo: Join the Diablo Restoration Team (DiRT)! Dedicated to the conservation and enhancement of natural resources in Contra Costa County, volunteers meet monthly to get DiRTy and contribute to the stewardship of habitat for sensitive and endangered species. Contact Jim Cartan, jcartan@savemountdiablo.org
Volunteers of Outdoor California, Trail work and camping. Visit www.v-o-cal.org
Friends of the Creeks: Help transform a weedy area of creek bank in Civic Park in Walnut Creek into a meadow of wildflowers and native grasses. Restoration days monthly on the second Saturday. Email contact@FriendsoftheCreeks.org.
EBMUD Resources: In 1978, EBMUD began an education outreach program so that students can learn about water conservation, pollution prevention and watershed stewardship. EBMUD offers classroom materials in English and Spanish at three grade levels, outdoor classroom programs from November to April, and participates in regional education outreach programs. http://www.ebmud.com/recreation/teacher-resources/
Rotary Rain Harvesting Project: Get involved with installing rain barrels and other rain harvesting and water conservation techniques.
Central San Student Programs: CCCSD is pleased to offer the following education programs to teachers and schools to help students learn about protecting their environment. http://www.centralsan.org/index.cfm?navid=161
Contra Costa Transfer & Recovery Station Tours: Ever wonder what happens to trash after it's whisked away from the curb? Gain an eye-opening glimpse into the world of garbage on these free tours.
Mt. Diablo Recycling Tours: Learn what happens to recycling after it leaves your curb! Contact Adriana Medina, Adriana.Medina@garaventaent.com
The Briones newsletter is sent out around the first of each month to those on the Briones email distribution list. If you wish to have something published in the newsletter, please send it to Norman Gee at normgee50@gmail.com and put Briones News in the subject line.
