Scouter Scouter Weekly: The New BeAScout.org, Fall Leader Prep & Council Updates

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Personal growth, Lifelong Connections, and the first Canine Endowment member!

Thanks to our incredible supporters, Scouting in Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council continues to thrive. On August 16, we gathered at Chesebrough Scout Reservation for our 2026 Heritage Reception to express our deepest gratitude to those who give to the legacy of Scouting. The highlight of the evening was hearing directly from our Scouting family:

55 Years of Memories: Emile Metressat shared how his very first campout at Camp Hi-Sierra sparked a passion that keeps him active in Scouting 55 years later.

Personal Growth: Nathaniel Lim reflected on overcoming a rocky start with help from his troop leader, teaching him goal-setting that drives him to this day.

Lifelong Connections & Special Moments: Annabelle Resch highlighted the lifelong friendships she built, while Mark McHaddon shared how Scouting gave him hope and a welcoming community, plus a special moment when his late pup, Gideon McHaddon, was honored as our first Canine James E. West awardee!

Generational Impact: Ron Dyke and Anandraj Vengadassalam both spoke about joining for their sons and finding their own transformative, lasting passion for the movement along the way.

Thank you to everyone who invests in our mission and makes these stories possible!

Monterey Bay Trading Post Hours Update!

Please note that the Monterey Bay Trading Post is temporarily closed on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays this week and next week, but will remain open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Normal operating hours across all days will resume on Monday, August 31st.

2 Great Family Labor Day Camps

Camp Chesebrough or Hi-Sierra Friday, Sept 4 – Sunday, Sept 6

We are offering two incredible, all-inclusive family getaways featuring high-energy activities, archery, BB guns, climbing, and legendary evening campfires. Choose Camp Chesebrough in the Santa Cruz Mountain redwoods ($75/person, $35 for under 5) for a quick, magical escape close to home. Or, head to Camp Hi-Sierra in the high mountains of the Stanislaus National Forest ($75/person, $30 for under 5) for mountain biking, scout skills, and historic logging-country charm. Both camps include all meals and programming, so pick your family's perfect adventure and register today!

Did You Leave Something Behind at Camp Hi-Sierra?

We know you had an absolute blast at camp, but double-check your closets and water bottle cupboard; you might have left a favorite item behind! Our council office is currently holding a mountain of water bottles, uniforms, shoes, sweatshirts, and other gear waiting to be reunited with their rightful owners. Contact Bel.Gonzalez@scouting.org to claim your lost camp treasures before they head to Goodwill next week!

Have you Saved a Life Lately?

The lifesaving and meritorious action awards are presented to registered youth members and adult leaders who have performed significant acts of service or attempted to save a life. These awards highlight the values of courage, skill, and self-sacrifice in line with Scouting principles. Different award levels: Honor Medal with Crossed Palms, Honor Medal, Heroism Award, Medal of Merit, and Certificate for Meritorious Action serve to honor those who exemplify the spirit of Scouting through their lifesaving actions and meritorious service. They not only recognize individual bravery but also encourage a culture of preparedness and community service within the Scouting movement. For more information, click here!

Meet the SVMBC Team: Amanda

Amanda jumped into Scouting as a Den Leader after her first-grade son brought home a flyer featuring a confident girl doing archery and insisted on trying Cub Scouts. After volunteering at Summer Day Camp in ’23, she joined the Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council staff as a District Executive before moving into her current role as Marketing Director, where she crafts Scouter Weekly (if you made it this far, reply to this email and tell me how you roast your marshmallow: low and slow, fast and charred, or outta the bag, for a shoutout in the next issue! 🔥). Having witnessed incredible transformations in her two boys, a Webelos Scout and a Scout who just bridged into a troop, Amanda is deeply passionate about growing council programs and sharing the impact of Scouting with others.

When she’s not Scouting (haha), you can usually find Amanda outdoors or getting creative. She loves sewing, working in her garden, coffee, napping, cooking, Rotary, and hitting the trails for a good hike with her family.

Camp Chesebrough Work Party

August 22 - It's not too late!

Help maintain trails, repair structures, clear debris, and upgrade program areas to keep our camp in top-notch shape. This event is open to Tigers through AOL Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturers, and adult volunteers. (Bonus: Scouts BSA members can earn up to 6 conservation service hours for rank advancement!)

Learn More here: Roll up your sleeves, make a lasting impact, and sign up today!

Sporting Clays Supporting SVMBC

We are back with our exciting annual Sporting Clays event on September 10, 2026 // 10:30 a.m. at Coyote Valley Sporting Clays in Morgan Hill. The day is filled with great food, good times, more details below:

All Shooting Experience (shotgun, rifle, pistol), Archery, and Tomahawk stations include ammo
Boxed Lunch and Dinner/Awards reception
Drinks and snacks made available throughout the event
Swag Gift Bag
Team golf cart
One shotgun rental per team (if needed)
Trophies for top three teams and 3 Top Shot Players
Access to the Hospitality tent during reception
Raffle Participation

Tickets and packages link. If you need more information or would like to volunteer to help at our event. Please contact clays@svmbc.org

Council Training Calendar

Aug 28 - 30 - Wood Badge -Late Summer (ONLY A FEW SPOTS LEFT!)

Sept 2 - Merit Badge Counselor Training

Sept 12 - First Aid AED + CPR

Sept 19 - BLT- Basic Leader Training Day

Sept 19 - Wilderness First Aid

Sept 25 - Intro To Outdoor Leader Skills

Sept 26 - 27- Leave No Trace Level 1 (14+)

CPR/AED & First Aid Wilderness Training

Safety First: CPR/AED & Wilderness First Aid Training | Council Service Center

Are you and your unit prepared for the unexpected in the backcountry? Wilderness First Aid (WFA) is essential for any leader or senior Scout planning outdoor adventures, weekend campouts, or High Adventure trips. Learn critical patient assessment, outdoor injury treatment, and evacuation decision-making through hands-on ESCI instruction accepted by National High Adventure bases.

CPR/AED & Basic First Aid (Prerequisite to WFA)Dates: Sept 12 OR Oct 10, 2026. An interactive course to teach basic first aid and CPR with AED and First Aid training. Designed for Scoutmasters, ASM’s and scouters. Minimum is 14 years of age.
Wilderness First Aid (WFA)Dates: Sept 19–20 OR Oct 17–18, 2026. Put your skills to the test in this immersive weekend course. Bring a sack lunch, notebook, pen, water, and printed proof of your current CPR/AED certification on day one

BLT- Basic Leader Training

Adult & Youth Leader Training Day | Saturday, Sept 19, 2026 | Milpitas, CA

Get fully trained and connected! This in-person training day at the Electrical Training Alliance of Silicon Valley covers leader basics for Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, and Venturing. Check-in starts at 7:30 AM, followed by morning Position-Specific courses from 8:00 AM to noon. After a provided pizza lunch, the afternoon features Safeguarding Youth and the Adventure Safety series from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM, with an all-day leadership track available for Venturing youth and adults. Your $15 registration covers all course materials, a Trained patch, a light breakfast, coffee, and lunch. Bring a pen, paper, and your leader handbook: secure your spot today!

Coastal Cleanup 2026

Saturday, Sept 19, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

A Scout is Clean! Join volunteers across California for a statewide cleanup project that helps protect our waterways. This service event is open to everyone—families, dens, packs, troops, patrols, ships, and crews! Pick a local cleanup site in your area (beaches, lakes, streams, and ponds all count) and gather reusable supplies from home, like a bucket and gardening gloves.

Event patches are available for $3 each and can be ordered during registration for pickup. Click here to sign up your unit and help keep California clean and beautiful!

ScoutHER Camp

Sat, Sept 12 – Sun, Sept 13, 2026 | Sanborn County Park

Calling all Scout moms, female leaders, and outdoor-curious women! ScoutHER Camp is a beginner-friendly overnight event designed to build your camping confidence. Learn tent setup, Leave No Trace, navigation, and outdoor skills while enjoying a scenic hike, campfire fun, and meals with a supportive community. No prior experience needed!

Registration includes camping, materials, and all meals (Saturday lunch through Sunday breakfast). $65 standard / $70 late, after 8/27). Contact Karine Placidet at karine4scouting@gmail.com with questions, or claim your spot today!

Calling All Licensed Amateur Radio Operators!
We are looking for licensed amateur radio operators to help bring Jamboree-on-the-Air to life on Saturday, October 17th (registration coming soon!) at the Los Gatos Youth Park. Come set up a station, run equipment, and help youth connect live with Scouts around the globe while assisting them in earning their Radio Merit Badge. It is a rewarding, free community event for all ages. Reach out today to help us activate the airwaves! Email Tina: tkonline639703@gmail.com

Cub-O-Ree at Camp Chesebrough

Oct 3 OR Oct 4, 2026 | 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Whether you are brand new to Scouting or a returning Cub Scout, get ready for the ultimate outdoor kickoff at Camp Chesebrough! Designed specifically for Cub Scouts, this age-focused day of camp fun is packed with living history, Raingutter Regatta races, knot-tying, flag ceremonies, target sports, and climbing. Packs, this is the perfect opportunity to welcome your newest September recruits and dive straight into the adventure! Choose the single day that fits your schedule best: Saturday, Oct 3 or Sunday, Oct 4. Reserve your spot today!

Youth $40 before Sept 1 ($50 after) | Adults $20 (Check-in starts at 8:30 AM; program runs promptly from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM).

Scout Night with the San Jose Sharks

Saturday, Oct 3, 2026 | 7 pm | SAP Center ("The Tank")

Join us for our annual Scout Night at The Tank on October 3rd! All Scouts, leaders, and families are welcome to cheer on the Sharks, and it makes a great unit outing! Every special event ticket includes an exclusive, limited-edition Scout Night patch: reserve your seats today!