Union Station Foundation Service Project

Troop 516 served dinner to over 20 famlies Tuesday night at the Union Station Foundation. The boys cooked up beef and chicken tacos together with rice and beans. They did a great job preparing a meal for 50 plus people as well as serving and cleaning up. I think they also realized how fortuante they are and how good it feels to help others in need. The following boys each earned four hours of service - McKay H., Dakota H., Brandon R., Patrick R., Davis G., Noah A., Auden F., Dimas A., Daniel D., and Tim A. Also a special thanks to leaders Kenny O., and Brent H. for helping out and to Audie, Noah, and Tim for putting the project together and the Union Station Foundation for the opportunity to serve.

Troop 516 Eagle Scout - Daniel B. 3-22-09

Congratulations Daniel B. on achieving the Eagle Scout Rank on March 22, 2009!! You have served your troop well these past eight years and your hard work has finally paid off. We wish you the best and many more successes to come.

Stake Court of Honor - March 7, 2009

We had our first of two Stake Court Honors (COH) this past weekend. Since having our last COH six months prior Troop 516 earned 13 rank advancements and 30 merit badges. Great Job Boys!!

The following scouts earned rank advancements and merit badges. Doug M. earned his Eagle, Family Life, Personal Fitness, Personal Management, Music and Golf. Jun L. earned Citzenship in the World. Wyatt F. earned Camping. David M. earned Skating. Dimas A. earned Art. Noah A. earned Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, Art, and Citizenship in the World. Nick B. earned Skating. Daniel D. earned skating. Auden F. earned Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, 1st Class, Art and Citizenship in the World. Davis G. earned Star, Skating, Golf, Art, Cinematagraphy, Photography, Dakota H. earend Art. Ray Kim earned Citizenship in the World. Ryan Kim earned Art and Citizenship in the World. Patrick R. eanred Art and Home Repair. Brandon R. earned 2nd Class, Art, and Home Repair. James W. earned Life, Art, Cinematagraphy, and Photography. Anthony Z. earned Scout and Tenderfoot. Christopher M. earned Scout. Andrew B. earned Communications.

Snow Camping

Snow Camp 2009 –

On February 21, Troop 516 went on their annual snow camp. We went to the same place as last year, Chula Vista Camp, which is located at Mt. Pinos in the City of Frazier Park. Frazier Park is located approximately 75 miles from South Pasadena taking the 210 to the I-5 North. Once you get to Frazier Park, it’s another 12 miles to the base of Mt. Pinos, and then another 16 miles to the top. There you park and hike another 500 ft. to the Chula Vista Campsite. I went early that day to make sure we reserved a good camping spot which included a picnic table and fire ring. I had to dig out the table, fire ring, and area for the tents. If you wait until night to do this the ground is frozen and it’s almost impossible to dig down more than a couple of feet. That night we ate hamburger helper in tortillas and had cookies for dessert. The boys built a huge fire, did some late night sledding followed by a few card games and then it was off to bed. The next morning we broke camp, made some awful pancakes followed by a few more hours of sledding.

Very Important Tips – (1.) get their early during the day to reserve the campsite. (2.) do not try to dig out the area for the tents or else you will be digging for ever. Instead bring a metal rake and smooth the area out for the tents, let the ground freeze and then set the tents up. (3.)make sure the boys bring SLEEPING PADS you do not want to sleep on a sheet of ice. Bring two if they have them. (4.) bring waterproof boots. If they do not have boots make them put their feet in zip-lock bags and then with stretchable duct tape but trash bags over their shots around their feet because if their feet get wet you’re done. (5.) gloves, not mittens are a must.

We did rent five (4-season) tents from A-16 for $140 for the night.

Lastly I was very surprised how cold it got. During the day you could wear a short sleeved shirt. When the sun goes down the jacket come on. At about 10:00 PM it seemed to drop another ten degrees and at 1:00 AM it dropped another five degrees. It was freezing cold at 1:00 AM until about 9:00 AM.

The boys had a blast, this is by far one of their favorite trips.

Norton Simon Musem

In order to meet certain requirements of the ART Merit badge Troop 516 went to the Norton Simon Musem in Pasadena in February 2009. While there we were able to view art from the 14th - 16th Century, 17th - 18th century as well as the 19th century. Several pieces by Impressionists and Post Impressionists were on display such as Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh. I think the boys enjoyed the Asian Sculpture Garden the best. Troop 516 also wants to give a special thanks to Jordan Daines who was our counselor for the Art Meirt badge. The boys did their best to copy some of Jordan's artwork . It wasn't until after we told her whose paintings they were that she was able to recognize them. Again thanks Jordan!

Hoegee Trail Campout

January 16, 2009 Troop 516 hiked 3 miles up Hoegee Trail to campout for the night. In attendance were Brandon R., Patrick R., Daniel D., Davis G., Nick B., Dimas, Ryan K., and James W. It took about 2 hours to get up to the campsite where the boys set up camp for the night. We built a huge fire and cooked hamburger helper for dinner. The boys did a great job getting up the side of Mt. Wilson which was no easy climb.

This is at the Trailhead where the boys confirmed that it was really a 3 mile hike to the campsite.

It was so dark hiking up. At one point we turned off all the flashlights and you really could not see your hand in front of your face.

This is us hiking out the next morning at 7:00 AM. The sun was a welcome sight.

Selling Programs at The Rose Bowl Parade

January 1, 2009 Troop 516 sold programs at this year's Rose Bowl Parade. It was our first year selling programs at the parade and we raised over $550 with only four boys selling. James W. sold the most with 177 programs followed by Davis G. at 126, Nick B. at 95 and Benjamin G, at 95 programs sold.








One of the perks of selling programs is when the parade starts the selling stops, and we got front row seats at the corner of Orange Grove and Colorado Boulevard.








Our top seller James W. and his dad at 6:00 AM New Year's Day in front of the NBC booth at the corner of Orage Grove and Colorado Boulevard. Al Roker was up in the booth throwing roses to everyone below.









Couldn't help but take a photo of the best float in this year's parade.