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It is time for the annual re-registration of all Scouts and adults in Troop 486, the process known as Recharter. Failure to complete all the necessary steps will mean that your Scout will not be registered for the upcoming year.
Registration Deadline November 3, 2015
- 1 Scout: $61
- 1 Scout + 1 Adult: $110
- 2 Scouts: $110
- 2 Scouts + 1 Adult: $159
- 3 Scouts + 1 Adult: $208
- 1 Adult (no Scout): $49
- 2 Adults (no Scout): $98
Recharter FYI
- Scout fees include National registration, Boys Life and Friend of Scouting donation (to help our Council)
- New members must also fill out a BSA Application – forms available at meetings
- Youth Protection Training (YPT) is a MUST – see below for more information
- The registration fees must be paid at a troop meeting – see Payment Options below
- This year you will need to fill out a BSA medical form (part B&C) – see link below
- Parents are important to Troop 486 and we need your help – Please fill out a Parent Resource Survey and return with your registration.
Register your SCOUT and PARENT Volunteer
- Download, print and fill out (part B&C) Boy Scouts Medical Form
- Check your YPT Status. If it expires before summer of 2016, it will NOT be current
- If your YPT is not current you must go through training and provide a copy of your certificate
- Please select at least one volunteer position
- Return completed forms with attached payment & updated YPT form to a troop meeting by due date
Youth Protection Training
- To verify your training certification is current, or to complete the certification, please click here and follow the steps.
Payment Options
Registration fees must be paid in person at a troop meeting by either:
- Cash
- Check (made out to “BSA Troop 486” and with all names written in the memo field)
Please contact Carl Migallos or Glen Thompson with any questions.
Thank you for your prompt attention to getting this done in a timely manner.
The Scouts accomplished a 10 mile hike along the Millard Canyon Trail and the Sunset Ridge Trail. It started out a little rough. We totally missed the trail and ended up going around one of the hills behind JPL. One of the adult leaders suggested that Mr. T was looking at the babes at the Millard Campsite and missed the trail. Mr. T did not see either. However, we did see two deer jumping from rock to rock that did not even look real. They looked like their legs were spring boards. Eventually, we did find the trail and continued on our way. At the Echo Mountain trailhead, we evaluated how the Scouts were doing, and we decided to hike down to Echo Mountain and have lunch where Mr. Lowe’s hotel once stood. The boys enjoyed the view and the reason that Echo Mountain is called Echo Mountain. Fortunately, there were only a few other hikers who did not enjoy the echo as much as the Scouts did.
It was a fantastic day for hiking, not too hot, not too cold, a little overcast; just right. Christiano did a great job keeping the Scouts together on the hike. The newer Scouts still had smiles on their faces when we were done.
When we get a little more miles on the Scouts’ boots, we will attempt to make it to where the Ye Old Tavern once stood.
Troop 486 is in the process of rechartering, and if you haven’t done so already please read more about Youth Protection training and follow the steps below to renew your training certification.
- To take Youth Protection training go to My.Scouting.org and create an account (or log in if you already have an account). If you created a new account you’ll receive an email notification with your account information, including a member ID/reference number.
- From the My.Scouting.org portal, click “Home” then “My Dashboard” from the menu list. The My Training page displays to take Youth Protection training.
- Upon completion, you may print a training certificate to submit with a volunteer application. Your training will automatically be updated in the system and associated with the member ID/reference number issued when you created your account.
This Saturday (Oct 17) we will be hiking part of the Millard Canyon trail and traveling back in time to the former Ye Alpine Tavern, now known as the Mount Lowe Trail Camp. Unfortunately, the tavern is long gone, but the hike has some wonderful landmarks and history along the way. This hike will be approximately 11 miles with a 2,400 foot elevation gain. We will start at the upper portion of the Millard Canyon trail and exit at Sunset Ridge (2.5 miles). We will then hike along an old electric railway bed built and used between 1893 and 1936. We will be able to see the foundations of where The Chalet and Echo Mountain House once stood on the edge of Echo Mountain before a fire ravaged the hopes and dreams of Thaddeus S. C. Lowe, a Civil War balloonist and inventor. Between 1893 and 1936, over 3,100,000 people visited the renowned mountain railway and resort complex that Mr. Lowe created. Our final destination will be the Mount Lowe Trail Camp (3 miles). We will return the same way. There is another trail that we could take back (Sam Merrill trail). We will evaluate how the boys and adults are doing at that point prior to deciding on the Sam Merrill trail route.
What To Bring
The Scouts will need their day packs with their 10+ essentials. 2 Nalgene bottles or a 3 liter water bladder are needed for the hike (There is no water along the trail). The Scout must also bring trail snacks and a lunch. There is some poison oak along the top of Millard Canyon so long pants are recommended. The Sunset Ridge portion of the hike will be exposed to the sun, so have your Scout bring a hat and sun screen. Hiking boots are a must for this hike. During this time of year, always be prepared for inclement weather. A lightweight rain poncho should be one of the Scout’s 10+ essentials.
When and Where
We will meet at the church at the West parking lot at 6:30am. We plan on returning to the church between 2-3pm, although this may be pushing it since it is a long hike.
If you are a parent that will be joining us, or if you can help drive the Scouts to/from the hike, here are some directions to where we will park. From Loma Alta Drive in Altadena, turn north on Chaney Trail Drive and follow it to the ridge top junction. Sometimes the trail head parking is crowded. It may be easier to park in the parking area at the bottom of Millard Canyon. This will be to the left of the ridge top junction. If you will be parking your vehicle and joining us on the hike, you will need a $5 California Adventure Pass since you will be in the Angeles National Forest. An Adventure Pass can be purchased at any sporting goods retailer or US Forestry Office.
Scouting for Food is a traditional Troop 486 Scouting event that involves the collection of food for local Food Banks. Its been a project of the Boy Scouts of America for decades. Scouts are encouraged to talk to their family, friends, relatives and neighbors about donating food to help feed the hungry. Collected food will be distributed to needy families throughout the communities of the Council. This is a wonderful, important and valuable Scouting Service Project. Each Scout that participates will earn Service Hours, which are needed as the Scout advances in rank.
Please place donations in a container or bag, with ten (10) food items in each. All donations must be turned in during the Oct 27 Troop Meeting.
Not sure what to donate? Some of the most highly needed items are:
- Canned Goods (Tuna or Chicken, Fruit, Vegetables, Soups or Chili, Spaghetti or Ravioli)
- Peanut Butter
- Cereals (multi grain, low sugar such as Cheerios, Corn Flakes, Raisin Bran, Grape Nuts, oatmeal)
- Pancake or Muffin Mixes
- Crackers or Cookies
- Instant Soup
- Rice or Beans
- Grains (pasta, whole grain pasta, rice, brown rice, boxed macaroni & cheese)
- Powered Juice or Milk
- Dried Fruits
- Snack Bars
- Any other nonperishable food item
Please remember:
- No frozen foods
- No open containers
- No glass containers
We had some awesome Rock-Climbing this past Saturday for 13 Scouts (plus a mom) who enjoyed the rocks at Keller Peak in Running Springs, CA! The temperature was in the low to mid 70’s throughout Saturday. BSA On-Belay Director/Trainer Paul Espinoza, along with our very own Troop 486 Climbing Director Mike Ferrera, and with Carl M. there to help & supervise, rock-climbing trainees Mike K. and Glen T. set-up all the climbs, rappels & safety lines for the troop.
There was an adult prepared communal breakfast for everyone Saturday. Scout patrols prepared their own lunches & dinners, and based on their looks they prepared and ate very well. And as history has shown, the Adult patrol ALWAYS eats well and never goes to bed hungry. Compliments to the cooks/food-buyers Glen T., Chris L. & Mike K.
A fast-moving tropical storm, though not expected until about noon on Sunday, came upon Running Springs just past 2:00am early Sunday morning and delivered heavy fog, wind and a steady drizzling rain that never stopped. Patrol and gear boxes were packed up and loaded into vehicles quickly, and the Scouts worked together to remain mostly warm and dry (though not all of their gear) overnight under EZ-Up covers/shelters. A few Scouts ended up inside a vehicle, 3 adults also stayed inside vehicles, and a couple of adults took shelter under a bathroom hallway. The weather/temperature encountered Saturday-Sunday was a total opposite from Friday-Saturday. As a result of the drastic and sudden change in the weather, the Scouts have a better understanding of what it means to “Be Prepared”.
After a long and challenging night the patrols elected to eat breakfast somewhere at the base of the mountain, so everyone packed-up and left camp about 8am on Sunday while the heavy fog, wind and drizzling rain continued. The Scouts arrived at the church about 10:30am for pick-up.
All in all everyone remained in good spirit, though a bit wet & cold. There definitely were some “teachable moments” during this weekend at Keller Peak Campout that the Scouts will appreciate and, hopefully, won’t forget on future trips.
