As part of our training for Philmont, nine ambitious Scouts, accompanied by three brave adults, gathered at St. Bart’s at 5:00 p.m. to begin a very wet weekend adventure. With on-and-off rain forecast for more than 50 hours, the group knew conditions would be challenging from the start.
On the first day, the crew hiked 3 miles with over 700 feet of elevation gain.
What began as a drizzle turned into steady rain just as tents were being set up for the night.
When asked about a memorable moment, Quinn Yen recalled Sunday morning, when strong winds threatened to rip tents from the ground. While he was helping Tor Anderson, the tent slowly collapsed inward. After Tor stepped out to make breakfast, Quinn found himself briefly squashed between two sides of a soaked tent as freezing wind howled around them — a true test of perseverance.
Saturday proved even more demanding, with the group hiking 13 miles and over 2,200 feet of elevation gain.
By Sunday morning, worsening wind conditions led the group to skip cooking breakfast and pack up quickly. They hiked another 2 miles to exit the forest, where everyone finally warmed up and enjoyed a quick snack — a well-earned finish to a tough but rewarding training weekend.
Troop 42 of San Mateo had an incredible year filled with memorable adventures, including canoeing through Minnesota’s “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” whitewater rafting on the South Fork of the American River, and mountain biking at Mt. Tamarancho.
During the summer of 2025, three crews, each made up of six Scouts and two adults, traveled from San Francisco International Airport to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport on August 2nd. From there, the troop helped out a relative of one of the adult leaders on a large farm before beginning their main expedition.
Each crew embarked on an epic canoe journey, paddling over 50 miles across six days. During portages, Scouts carried 40+ pound canoes along with 30+ pound packs filled with food and cooking supplies.
One highlight came from Crew C, which paddled 18 miles on the second day, completing multiple portages. After hauling canoes and gear uphill to their campsite, the crew enjoyed a blissful half hour to snack, rest, and collect their thoughts after nearly eight hours of nonstop paddling.
Later in the year, Troop 42 took on whitewater rafting on the South Fork of the American River. The trip was packed with excitement, including trust-building games where pairs linked paddles and leaned back together, as well as spirited “boat wars” under the hot sun.
The trip ended on a high note, with everyone smiling as they dried off and helped deflate the rafts — another successful adventure in an action-packed year for Troop 42.
Mountain Biking at Mt. Tamarancho
Later that year, Troop 42 shifted gears for a fast-paced adventure, taking on the trails at Mt. Tamarancho for a day of mountain biking and skill building. For Scouts needing hiking credits, the outing also included a mix of fishing and hiking.
The biking crew set out after dropping off their gear and food at the campsite. The ride began with a thrilling descent off the mountain before continuing through Fairfax to Deer Park on a long trail ride. They stopped at a creek to enjoy lunch before turning around and returning to camp. The route covered 15 miles with about 2,000 feet of climbing — a fun and challenging ride!
Back at the campsite, Scouts set up camp and headed to the local pond to try their luck at fishing. Although no fish were caught, the day was filled with laughter and memories. Later, the Scouts cooked dinner, and as night fell, they gathered around a campfire for a few lively rounds of Mafia, ending the day on a high note.
Summer is just around the corner, and our troop had a fun-packed last outing before the summer! The mystery outing is an annual outing planned by our wonderful adult leaders. The details of the outing, such as the location and activities, are not revealed to the scouts! This mystery outing, our drowsy scouts mustered at St. Barts at 7:20 on Saturday and headed off to the first location of the outing. The scouts debated where they were going while in the car, and some even joked that they were going to math camp!
Upon arrival, it became apparent that we were not at math camp and were at the location of the legendary Quarry Park with its many ziplines, controlled free falls, and ropes courses! The scouts then gathered for the safety training and were released to explore the park with their buddy. The scouts then spent the day flying down ziplines, conquering ropes courses such as the Via Ferrata, which goes around the entirety of the quarry, rock climbing, and rappelling. Many of the scouts on this outing pushed themselves to face their fear of heights and, in doing so, had loads of fun.
At 3:30, our time at the park had to come to an end, and so we traveled to our next location, which was our campgrounds, which were just a walk from Lake Folsom. When we arrived at our campsite, we set up our tents and headed down to the lake. At the lake, we skipped stones and dipped our feet in the cool water. After half an hour at the lake, we headed back to our campsite and started cooking dinner. After dinner, we cleaned up and headed up to the amphitheater for skits. After skits, we all gathered around the campfire, sang scouts’ vespers, and headed to bed.
The next morning, we woke up to Calvin and Adrian, who had woken up earlier than anyone else and packed up their tents so that they could lead the scouts for the full morning. Then, we made breakfast, packed up camp, and headed home. Overall, this outing was very successful, and this is not an outing that will soon be forgotten.
It’s that exciting time of year again—camporee time! This year’s camporee was filled with action, so let’s dive right in! Our scouts arrived at the Boulder Creek Scout Reserve on Friday, April 27th, where they set up camp in eager anticipation of the weekend’s competitions. While the scouts were busy establishing their campsite, our outing SPL and ASPL attended a camp-wide meeting for SPLs and Scoutmasters to help plan for the events ahead.
Bright and early the next morning, the scouts enjoyed a hearty breakfast before gathering for the campwide flag ceremony. After flags, they split into competition patrols and kicked off a variety of activities, including orienteering, tomahawk throwing, and tackling the giant clove hitch, among others. Throughout the day, the sounds of enthusiasm echoed through the camp, with Troop 42’s patrols leading the charge in spirited yells that sparked friendly replies from other patrols.
As lunchtime rolled around, light rain began to fall, but that didn’t dampen our spirits. Everyone continued to compete and cheer on fellow troops, enjoying every moment of the day. After a full day of rallies and light-hearted competition, we gathered for dinner before heading to the evening flag ceremony. Later, we enjoyed a lively campfire where we showcased and watched various skits.
The following morning started with breakfast and packing up our camp, preparing for the morning flag ceremony. When the time came to announce the awards, excitement filled the air—we not only secured the Spirit Award, but we also took home the Best Overall award!
Once everything was packed up, we donned our work gloves to pitch in with a service project for the camp. After finishing our work, we headed home, exhausted but thrilled from a weekend of fun and camaraderie. This outing was a blast, and we can hardly wait for the next camporee. The organizers truly outdid themselves, and we are incredibly grateful for the effort they put into making this event one of our favorites each year!
Trip Date: January 18–20, 2025 Location: Yosemite National Park By Troop Historian Matthew S.
Our troop kicked off the new year with an unforgettable two-night winter adventure in the breathtaking Yosemite National Park. From epic views to hilarious moments, this campout had it all.
We spent our days hiking through Yosemite’s iconic landscapes, surrounded by towering trees, and taking in some of the park’s most incredible sights. The winter part of the trip was definitely felt, with nighttime temperatures dipping into the 20s. Those campfire moments became all the more cozy and appreciated.
One of the funniest highlights happened while cooking. A scout accidentally set a wet spatula on a cold pan, and somehow, the spatula stuck so well that when they picked it up, the entire pan came with it! That pan-spatula combo became a legendary part of the trip and had everyone laughing.
At night, the skies above Yosemite were stunning. With no city lights around, the stars were crystal clear, and we could see constellations and planets. Stargazing in the cold, crisp air was a peaceful and unforgettable experience.
Between the scenic hikes, the freezing nights, the night skies, and all the laughter we shared, this trip was a perfect reminder of how much adventure and fun we can pack into just one weekend. We can’t wait for the next one!
Our journey began at the Millbrae BART station, where we gathered and split into groups. After a delightful brunch at the Ferry Building, we boarded a ferry to Angel Island.
Upon arriving on the island, we headed to the immigration center to learn about its history. Next, we set off on a challenging yet rewarding hike to the summit of Angel Island. Along the way, we were treated to breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay Area. Reaching the top of the hill, we engaged in an intense game of ‘Vroom.’
As we descended the hill, we bid farewell to our day trip scouts. Upon reaching our campsite, we played a game of ultimate frisbee and prepared for dinner. During dinner, a group of first and second-year scouts transformed into ‘paparazzi,’ eagerly seeking autographs and flashing their flashlights at the senior scouts.
After a satisfying dinner and some ‘paparazzi’ activity, we gathered around a campfire (without the fire) and performed our skits, which included some hilarious stand-up comedy from Austin. A group of older scouts then embarked on a night hike to the summit of Angel Island.
As we ventured into the night, we were captivated by the same stunning views of San Francisco Bay, illuminated by the city’s lights. Upon reaching the top, we heard chatter and then an unexpected appearance of adults wearing crowns of leaves illuminated by lights. It was a real Scooby Doo moment!
In our quest to unravel the mystery, we found clues such as a cheese wrapper, a cracker, and a giant ant. Ultimately, we concluded that the adults had summoned the ant using a charcuterie board.
During our time on the island, I had the privilege of interviewing Calvin Baxter, one of our senior scouts. He shared his thoughts on this year’s Angel Island outing, noting that Bart this year was more organized compared to last year. He also expressed his enjoyment of the night hike to the top of Angel Island.
As the day drew to a close, we headed back to camp. Early the next morning, a couple of our leadership scouts embarked on a hike back to the immigration center. The eerie ambiance was created by the darkness and the continued illumination of the immigration center’s lights, as well as the spooky squawking of a bird. After reaching the shore, we engaged in a refreshing tai chi session amidst the breathtaking sunrise.
Subsequently, we returned to camp, initiated breakfast preparations, and efficiently packed up our belongings. Then, we set off on another hike, this time to the welcome center, where we first stepped foot on the island. During our journey, we had the privilege of spotting a majestic bald eagle soaring overhead. Upon reaching the welcome center, we boarded the ferry back to the Ferry Building. From there, we swiftly made our way to the Embarcadero and caught the Bart straight back to Millbrae. Our scouts thoroughly enjoyed this outing, and we eagerly anticipate embarking on a similar adventure next year!
We’ve had a fantastic start! To kick things off, we had our annual parent-scout outing at Mount Madonna on the weekend of September 11.
When scouts arrived, they were greeted by our senior scouts’ pioneering project, a watchtower. Throughout the weekend we engaged in various activities like capture the flag, a carrying relay race, and an adults vs scouts wiffle ball game (as always, the parents won).
That night, we held a campfire where we performed skits, and our senior scouts performed the song ‘Upside Down’ with our fearless leader, Ethan Hua playing guitar. Late in the evening, we solemnly held a 9/11 memorial service that included a flag retirement ceremony.
This month, an exciting lineup of events is planned, including our highly anticipated Angel Island backpacking trip. This outing promises to be an adventure of two parts: a day trip and an overnight backpacking experience. We also have a service project, the Troop Scouting for Food Drive for Samaritan House, which is coming up. We eagerly anticipate a fantastic month ahead and, as always, a remarkable scouting year filled with service, community, and adventures!
Before the Scouting Year officially kicked off, the Greenbar scouts spent a fun weekend at Sam McDonald Park in Pescadero for a weekend of leadership training, games, pioneering, first aid skills, and primitive cooking.
The weekend started off with a short backpacking hike to our Modoc Campground with a brief stop at another camp were we practiced carrying scouts using various methods like the fireman’s carry, chair carry, and a rope litter. Scouts ended that portion of the day with a few competition games, including a long jump game and a carry relay. Congratulations to patrol 2 for winning!
After lunch, the day continued with first aid training including treating a very bloody looking Brandon, and Mr Hua having a “seizure” during a teaching session. Then unfortunately 4 scouts were “struck by lighting” so we had to be prepared for anything.
The ILST teaching scouts completed their modules that afternoon and the troop then practiced making a log lift apparatus that we used for morning flags the next day. That evening patrols had to cook meals over an open fire, using a grill, dutch oven, or foil. One patrol even made a Beef Wellington! YUM!
Campfire was particularly memorable with several new skits and Austen’s debut comedy show. All in all it was a great weekend filled with many challenges and fun activities.
The Scouts had an exciting time learning to sail and fish during their trip to Florida. They began by visiting an alligator farm and exploring the Everglades, where they encountered exotic animals and wild iguanas. After a night in Miami, they enjoyed a day at the beach and prepared some food. Their adventure continued at the sea base, where they received instructions and were shown around before dinner. Then, they boarded a boat and sailed on the bay, indulging in fishing and catching a shark among other fish. Returning to the sea base, they spent the next day snorkeling, although some experienced seasickness. Sailing back to the base the following day, they enjoyed dinner and a presentation. The next morning, they engaged in kayak fishing, snorkeling, and sunset paddling. Finally, they participated in a service project and celebrated with a Luau featuring various enjoyable activities.
During the outing, the group engaged in various activities. Their favorite part was building a snow shelter, which involved crafting a shelter beneath the snow with a sled serving as a door. Sleeping in something self-made added to the enjoyment. Additionally, they stayed in a cabin equipped with heaters, where they enjoyed intense card games. They started by walking up a snowy hill on Saturday. It was hard work with the snowshoes. They spent the night in a warm cabin, playing exciting card games. The next day, they slid down the slopes on sleds, which was a lot of fun. The best part was when they reached the top of a hill and saw the whole valley below them. The sunset was amazing! It made the whole trip even more exciting and beautiful.
