Berkeley Parents Network: Scouting

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Scouting

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Looking for cub scouts and brownies

Boy Scouts & Cub Scouts

Girl Scouts & Brownies

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Tiger Cubs

Looking for cub scouts and brownies

July 2003

Greetings - We're looking for a great Brownie Troop for our 9 1/2 year old third grader (who attends Tehiyah Day School) and a great Cub Scout Troop for our 7 1/2 year old first grader (who also attends TDS). We'd really appreciate recommendations for troops near our North Oakland neighborhood (which would include Rockridge, Elmwood, or Piedmont). Recommendations in the archives are for Boy Scouts and therefore too old for my Cub. Any information as to how to connect with the specific troop would be great, as the Boy Scouts website is under construction and therefore not much help at all with specifics in our area. Many thanks! Deborah

You don't mention it, but have you tried the Girl Scouts webpage at www.girlscoutsbayarea.org. If you visit there, or better yet, call the local Council Office at (800) 447-4475, they can match you with a troop in your area. Former Girl Scout

This is probably not the best time to be looking for scout troops. Both scout troops my children are in are winding down for the year. Your best bet is to call both council offices in the late summer and try and get hooked up then. Scouting Mom

Boy Scouts

April 2002

I am looking for a Boy Scout Troop that my 7 year old can join. Any ideas? Thank you.

My son joined a very nice very small pack (342) in Oakland that meets in Redwood Heights at the Presbyterian Church near the Safeway. All parts of the pack meet at 7:30 on Monday. I didn't know much about the scouts before, but Ben wanted to join and we decided that despite our political issues with the Scouts we would try it. What I've learned about the experience is that Boy Scouts really seem to know what boys like and need in a group situation and have it set up well for them to have fun and succeed. This troop is quite small, and you could really help define what the troop is by being involved. If you'd like more information, I am happy to provide it, or you can get in touch with my husband Rick Davis at rld at well.com. Myriam

Regarding the Boy Scouts, Troop 271 Park Blvd, Oakland is a great troop. All boys are welcomed to join. If interested you can contact Sue Grandt, 530-7039. The Boy Scouts meet on Tuesday evenings at the Park Blvd Church (sorry I can;t remember the name of the church) the weblos and tigers I think meet on Saturdays. They also have a large girl scout troop that also meets at this church. This church has been supporting the scouts for over 75 years... Cindy

A 7 year old would join the Cub Scouts. Pack 30 is sponsored by the Epworth United Methodist Church on Hopkins Street in Berkeley. You don't say where you live, so you should contact the Mt. Diablo-Silverado Boy Scout Council in Pleasant Hill (925-674-6100) to find the location of the nearest Cub Scout Pack. Don

April 2001

My son has expressed an interest in joining the boy scouts. I'm a little ambivalent, mostly because of the official anti-gay discrimination policy, but I'd like some more information about people's experiences, and perhaps some recommendations for specific groups in the Berkeley/Oakland area. Thanks! Raissa

There is a Scout troop that is "open and affirming", which means that they accept gays in the organization. It meets at the First Congregational Church of Berkeley, and you can get more information about them by calling the church, 848-3696. Louise

I have 3 sons who all joined Cub Scout Pack 296 while in elementary school at Joaquin Miller in the Oakland Hills - in fact I was a den leader for several years. The older two have now gone onto Boy Scout Troop 203 (6th grade and up) which meets at Montera Middle School most Monday nights and has outdoor activities such as camping and biking at least once per month. I cannot speak highly enough of the experience my kids have had. The older one has learning disabilities and Boy Scouts has given him a lot of practical skills, built his physical strength and given him wholesome activities to participate in. My middle son is enjoying the experience in a different way. He's meeting kids from public and private schools in Berkeley and Oakland. Boy Scouts has increased their self-reliance,leadership skills and ability to work with others. They also enjoy being part of a supportive community with many great kids and parents. Troop 203 has a website with lots of information about the troop, how to join, what's on the calendar http://www.geocities.com/Troop_203/ . I am the Outreach Chair for Troop 203 and welcome questions directly - Mary

Troop 203 is always happy to welcome a new boy scout whether he has previous experience with scouting or not.A final comment - I realize that there is some negative sentiment against the Boy Scouts because of their (National) policy toward gays. Andy Young, the Scout Master for 203 and I recently were interviewed by the Montclarion to state our disagreement with that policy. (Published 3/15 I believe). Our website also has a statement of our disagreement with the national policy and our commitment to diversity of all kinds. I personally feel as a parent that the good of boyscouts outweighs any negatives associated with the national view. Mary

Boy Scout Troop 206 in Oakland is a great troop, very active and very concerned about the recent discrimantory policies of the National Organization. We have drafted and adopted our own Policy of Inclusiveness which deals directly with issues of sexual orientation of our Scouts and Adult Leaders. Please feel free to contact me at _____ if you would like to find our more about our troop. We welcome all those interested in Scouting for its focus on the environment and the development of leadership skills in boys. Lesley

August 2001

As many of you may suspect, Boy Scouts in Berkeley do not agree with the National Policy banning gays from membership in Scouting. Pack 30 has even had its position paper stating that it will not discriminate against homosexuals on its website and the Scouting For All website for a year. We have passed out our statement at the Solano Stroll, the 4th of July festival at the Marina and sent it to the Berkeley City Council members and the Schoolboard. We have talked to the media to get our message across as well.

As parents and Scouts we believe that we can make a positive change in Scouting from within, and with the help of others who feel like minded, we can work with those who would like to change National BSA Policy. Please send your voice of protest to the Boy Scouts of America National Headquarters, 1325 W. Walnut Hill Lane, P.O. Box 152079, Irving, Tx 75015-2079. Scouts in Berkeley are not the problem. We are fighting a difficult and lonely battle within Scouting, because we believe that we can change the world for the better. We do not discriminate and will not.

Scouting is a wonderful program for all children, my three children have benefitted greatly and have given countless hours back to the community in service hours. We will continue to offer a quality program for all youth interested. We only ask that you put a local face on Berkeley Boy Scouts and understand that we are fighting National Policy. Many of our Scouts are members of their Gay/Straight Alliance and seek to end discrimination in all areas of our community. Pack 30 is sponsored by Epworth United Methodist Church, which is a Reconciling Congregation, meaning that we actively welcome all. As Berkeley citizens, I know you want to seek out the truth, before you cast your judgement.
Sincerely, Ellen, Ass't Cubmaster Pack 30, Advisor Crew 24

Sea Scouts

March 2001

Know a young man between the ages of 14 - 18 interested in boats (sailing, rowing, navigation, engineering, cruises on the bay and up the delta). Let them know the Northland will be open to come aboard at 1:00 p.m., Saturday March 24th, in the Richmond Marina. This is a year round Sea Scout program with hands on work and play. We have a 73-foot classic wooden power vessal and access to small sail boats, a wooden whaling boat used for rowing, and a 58-foot wooden sail boat (Class C Tall ship). For information call (510)540-8105.

Tiger Cubs

Does anyone know of a tiger scouts groups for a first grader which is not affiliated with a particular school? There isn't one at my son's school and I think he'd really enjoy it, but I worry if there are already long-established relationships, he'd have trouble feeling part of it. We're in Oakland, and would prefer that. Thanks.

Tiger Cubs is a branch of the Cub Scouts intended exclusively for first graders. They will graduate into Cub Scouts in June. That leaves about four months if your son is in first grade. Most certainly the groups that are out there are fairly well established, but they would certainly welcome newcomers. The sooner he starts participating, the sooner he'll get to know the kids. For the location of the Cub Scout Packs located nearest to your home call the scout office at 577-9000 9:00am to 5:00 pm or see their web pages at http://www.sfbac.org (San Francisco Bay Area Council).( Idon't see any Packs in Oakland that are supporting web pages - but it's the usual digital divide) If you are in/near Piedmont, they have their own council, ditto Alameda. I should explain that the Tiger Cubs are affiliated with the Pack in which they be a Cub Scout. Tigers usually attend their monthly Pack meeting and have one monthly meeting with just the Tiger Cubs and their Tiger Cub Partners. (each boy has a partner who is an adult guardian/relative/neighboor ).
Roger

Girl Scouts

October 2001

I am looking for a Brownie troop for my 1st grade daughter and her 2nd grade friend in Oakland (North, Montclair, Redwood Heights - we're flexible). I called the council a month ago and they said they'd put us on a waiting list and someone would call. I still haven't heard from anyone so I'd appreciate any leads you can give. Michael

I just went through this process of finding a troop for my daughter. Here are the steps I took:
1. I emailed Sandra Munoz at the GS Council office in oakland: Sandra at girlscoutsbayarea.org. She sent a form to me at my home that I filled out and returned. It was a form to request placement in a troop (troop leaders call the office when they are looking for more girls for their troops). Shortly thereafter I received a confirmation postcard that my form had been received. I did not hear anything else for a month.

2. So, I decided to contact a few mom's of friends of my daughter's who I knew had been in or were in a troop. One of the moms offered to ask her daughter's troop leader if there was space, but there was not.

3. I called Sandra Munoz (about a month after I initially contacted her) and let her know that I was still interested. Within a week she called back to say a new troop was forming. We went to the meeting and it turned out to be a very nice group.

4. The same week that we went to the meeting above, the leader from the first troop called to say a spot had opened up and would my daughter be interested. Since my daughter's good friend was in the first troop, she wanted to switch.

To sum up, I would call or email Sandra and let her know you are still interested, and I would ask other parents your daughter's classmates and see if they know of any troops. Good luck! Kim

Have you tried Girl Scouts of America headquarters? They are located in Oakland they should be able to give you a listing of Brownie Troops. The number is 562-8470. I hope this helps. Tamara

I am looking for a girl scout troop for my 10 year old (5th grade) daughter near the Montclair, Piedmont, or Rockridge areas. I have contacted a number of schools and the girl scout office without luck. My husband and I are happy to help out with troop activities. Any help locating a troop is much appreciated. Marjori

If the SF Bay Council (http//www.sfbgirlscouts.org/ can't give you information on a troop with an opening, your best bet is to start your own with your daughter and some of her friends. It's easy and the Council will help you. The troops are usually made of girls around the same age, with parent volunteers running things, and it's hard to find a troop willing to add more girls. I've been involved with my daughter's troop since the girls were in kindergarten and they're now in 6th grade. It's fun and the Scout office has lots of resources. Good luck! Cathy

Here's some advice re finding/starting a girl scout troop.

I've been a co-leader for three years. Another mom at our elem school and I started a brownie troop when our daughters were in first grade. I recruited a graduate student co-leader last year, which worked almost as well. I've learned that if you really want your child to have an experience like this, you're better off commiting yourself to being very involved, and admittedly, it's a lot of work!

I just spoke with the SF Bay Area girl scout council, and they ask that you either call or e-mail Dolores Reveles -- 510-562-8470 ext 107 or dolores at sanfranciscobayarea.org.

It's recruitment time -- they're getting lots of calls like yours -- and they are interested in seeing as many troops form as possible, so you may have a chance. Good luck!

Yours, Melissa

You should call the East Bay Regional Girl Scout Council on Edgewater Avenue in Oakland. They can connect you with other troops in your area. Good luck; scouting is a fun activity for girls and parents. Your daughter would belong in a group called "Daises." Sharon

We have openings for 10 year old girls in our troop, but we are located in El Cerrito. We would love to have you if you are willing to make the trek. We meet twice a month on Wednesdays at 545-710. Scouting has many fun activities with the larger association, such as the upcoming Camporee weekend and the spring songfest and dance festivals. Otherwise, you can contact the SF Bay Girl Scouts at 510-562-8470 or e-mail at info at sfbgirlscouts.org for something closer to home. Wendy

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