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3/13 - Roundtable TONIGHT- Making Scouting Accessible to Special Needs Youth
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Roundtable – Thursday March 13, 2025 at 7:00pm at Washington HS
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Scouting America is committed to making our programs fully inclusive to all youth, including those with special needs. Many units struggle with achieving this goal, as volunteers may not have any training on how to integrate scouts with special needs into their units in a way that provides the best possible program to all activities.
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Youth may have special needs because of physical, cognitive, or neurological causes.
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Scouting America has programs and resources to support volunteers, but many volunteers don’t know about them, or how to access them.
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At the next roundtable our speakers will be Anthony (Tony) Mei and Linda Owczarz, the chair and vice-chair of the GGAC Special Needs and Disabilities (SND) Committee. Tony and Linda will discuss scenarios scout leaders may encounter and provide resources that unit leaders can use. They ask that you bring your questions and experiences. This discussion will cover all programs and ages.
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We hope to see you there.
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Thursday, March 13th 7:00 at the Washington High School Cafeteria
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If you have any questions, please contact Lee Amon  or via Slack.
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4/5 - Mission Peak Yo-Yo Day is back!
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Saturday, April 5th, 2025 1pm-4pm
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Silliman Community Activity Center
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6800 Mowry Ave, Newark, CA
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Join us for this FREE unique and fun event with a new modern twist! Co-sponsored by Duncan Yo-Yos, San Francisco Spindox Yo-Yo Club, and Scout Leader Eve Marie Little, the Mission Peak District Yo-Yo Day is open to ANY YOUTH who is interested in having fun, especially Cub Scouts working on their Adventure Yo-Yo elective!
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Registration is not required; however, we highly recommend pre-purchasing one of our official offerings. Duncan Yo-Yo kits are limited to the first 25 youth, and the solo Duncan Butterfly Yo-Yos are limited to another 25 youths. These pre-purchased items will be available for pick-up at the registration table on the day of the event. Please note that no yo-yos may be purchased on the day of the event, as the Silliman Community Activity Center does not allow money to be exchanged on-site. We encourage you to order now to secure your kit!
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You are more than welcome to bring your own yo-yos!
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ACORN and IOLS Training are coming up in April and May!
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Registration for Mission Peak Districts Acorn Training - SMPST (Scoutmaster Position Specific Training) and IOLS (Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills) courses, collectively known as ACORN Training in the Mission Peak District, is open. Both courses must be completed to earn the "Trained" status and to wear the Trained Patch on an adult scouters uniform.
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Trained Adult Leaders are required for Scouts BSA Events. FYI - The SMPST course is not just for scoutmasters! It is designed for all adults and covers how a troop is run. Topics include the aims and methods of scouting, troop organization, the patrol method, the patrol leader’s council, how to organize and help plan a great scouting program, how to promote fun and successful troop campouts, training youth leadership, membership and finances, calendar planning, the advancement program, and other topics. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED IN-PERSON vs online.
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IOLS is an introduction to outdoor leadership skills. This course provides adult scouters training on the topics that scouts learn as they progress from the Scout rank to the rank of First Class. Topics include Health and Safety, Meal Planning, Cooking & Sanitation, Outdoor Ethics, Wood Tools, Campfires/Stoves, Hiking/Backpacking/Equipment, Maps and Compasses, Ropes, Knots & Lashings, First Aid, Plants & Animals, and more.
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We have a few spots left, but because of its popularity, registration is filling up fast!
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Katherine Brovont, Course Director ACORN 2024 -2025 ( )
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Ankur Zindal SPL, ACORN 2024-2025
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Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor Course coming up in various locations/dates!
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This is a great opportunity to do be able to be trained at another level in this important subject. Upon successful completion of this course, each participant will become a qualified Leave No Trace Trainer. They will be equipped to understand, demonstrate, and teach minimum impact techniques, lead outdoor ethics discussions and help others explore their own personal outdoor ethics, and conduct Leave No Trace workshops.
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5/3 - Earn Your Railroading Merit Badge at Niles Canyon Railway Yard
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Step into the world of railroading and experience the thrill of the tracks! Scouts, get ready for a unique, hands-on adventure at the historic Niles Canyon Railway, where you’ll dive deep into railroad operations, safety, and history while earning your Railroading Merit Badge.
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This is more than just a classroom session—it’s a journey into the heart of railroading! You’ll explore locomotive, Steam Engines, learn from industry experts, and witness the inner workings of a railway in action. Whether you’re a train enthusiast or just eager to earn another badge, this event is an opportunity you won’t want to miss!
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✅ Hands-on Experience – Work alongside professionals and get up close with real trains.
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✅ Interactive Learning – Go beyond the textbook with engaging, real-world applications.
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✅ Exclusive Access – Get behind-the-scenes insights into railway operations.
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✅ Earn Your Merit Badge – Complete essential badge requirements in a fun and educational setting.
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📍 Location: Niles Canyon Railway Yard, 5550 Niles Canyon Rd, Sunol, CA 94586
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🕗 Check-in: 8:00 AM | Classroom Session Starts: 8:30 AM
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🚂 Pre-requisites Required: Scouts must complete requirements 2, 4, and 7 before attending.
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🚂 Bring These Essentials:
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- A printed Railroading Merit Badge workbook
- A signed Blue Card from your Scoutmaster
- A notebook & pen/pencil for notes
- Lunch, snacks, and water
🚂 Pre-registration Required – No walk-ins allowed!
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June 8 to 14 - NYLT Weeklong Training and Camping opportunity at Los Mochos!
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Registration is open for all scouts age 13 and above and currently holding a First Class rank by June 1. Be aware: The Course may fill up by early May. Don’t miss this opportunity. The final registration date is May 28th and early registration cost is $475 through May 1st. We hope we see them on course!
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Email  with questions or concerns.
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NYLT Youth Staff is in training to bring Scouts an outstanding week at Rancho Los Mochos June 8-14. Don’t let your scout pass up this chance to develop to a higher leadership level. Enroll them to become the fully-capable leader they are destined to be. Visit NYLT – Training | GGAC for details on NYLT and what the program is all about.
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5/3 - Free Water Safety Clinic in Alameda!
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Exciting "Aquatics for Everyone- A Free Water Safety Clinic" is coming up for everyone, including scouts!
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The program will provide participants with a free swim lesson, CPR class, First Aid Class, and Drowning Prevention class upon registration. This event is free and is being held on May 3, 2025. There will be 2 hour sessions between the times of 10am and 6pm. Our goal is to serve 1000 individuals that day! In addition to the classes, each participant will get an opportunity to meet and network with local health/ wellness vendors and purchase products!
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3/22 & 3/23 - Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) training available!
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Is your pack ready for a spring or summer campout?
The idea of taking a group of Cub Scouts Camping can be a little daunting, and you may have some questions, such as:
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- Where can you find good campsites for your pack?
- Where do you start planning?
- What equipment do you need?
- How do you run an event that is fun while keeping all your cubs safe?
- How do you manage meal planning and dietary restrictions?
- What are Scouting America’s rules and policies for Cub Scout Camping?
Luckily the answers to these and many other questions are available at our upcoming Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) training.
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The training will take place over the weekend of March 22nd and 23rd. We will meet at the Veterans Hall in Niles on Saturday morning where we will have a series of classes, followed by an overnight campout in Garin Park in Hayward.
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At least one BALOO trained adult is required for any pack or den campout, and more is always better.
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Registration closes on March 15. Don’t miss out on this outstanding opportunity.
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Questions? Please reach out to Lee Amon or via Slack
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