Troop 73, Alameda

07/09/2026

07/09/2026

Summer Camp at Wolfeboro - what a hidden gem of a camp, tucked away between Bear Valley and Big Meadow, high in the hills by the Stanislaus River. Tall trees, cascading waterfalls, and giant boulders. What is there not to like?

If you could think of a perfect way for a child to spend one magic week in the summer - that’s it. Running in the woods with friends, with lots of fun things to do - rowing, doing all sorts of crafts, rock climbing, archery, you name it! And then doing even more exciting stuff in the evening, like winning a cooking competition, rehearsing the skits, finishing the crafts, or playing board games with the whole troop!

Every day would end by the bonfire, then rolling into the tent and falling fast asleep (or chatting the night away with the buddy), just to wake up to the chirping of birds and start all over again.

Camp Wolfeboro, what a magic place!

06/24/2026

Playing with fire - checking out the portable camp stoves, attending training on the USS Hornet, having a troop discussion about a recent trip. This is what a scout-run troop looks like.

06/15/2026

Scouts went on a rugged adventure this weekend at the Hell Hole reservoir by canoes and stayed there for two nights! 21 people, 7 canoes and one kayak. They filtered their drinking water from the creek, cooked their meals on the fire. Our first female ASPL Katya stayed up until 2a.m. the night before the trip marinating the bbq meat for shish kebabs. Lee made a killer Dutch oven peach and plum cobbler on the coals, Vitali taught knots and lashings by building a raft, Nadia taught safe water rescue techniques, and Asa taught himself to conduct a flag retirement ceremony for the flag day. The plums were from Nadia’s garden and she also brought some honey produced by her father’s honey bees. We used honey with the sourdough pancakes with apple - a Ukrainian twist on Lee’s recipe. During the day we crossed the lake to climb to the waterfall, but it was hot and the waterfall dried up. So we sat on big rocks and to eat our lunch, when Vitali surprised us with two giant watermelons. Yes, he actually climbed up the mountain with two watermelons in his backpack! To top it off, Nadia and Asa celebrated their birthdays just a few decades apart. What else can you wish for in one weekend?

04/28/2026

Fun times at Del Valle Lake

04/28/2026

Busy weekend for the scouts at Del Valle park! Saturday started with a service project - beach cleanup at Del Valle Lake, an art project at the visitors center, followed by games and a totten chip training, including practical use of the saw and ax, then a delicious spaghetti dinner with meat sauce and garlic bread, finishing off the day with cast iron skills, s’mores by the fire, and board games.

The next day we had a bagel breakfast with salmon and capers (who said camping food can’t be fancy?), then went on a nature hike to learn about California native plants (including poison oak - when in three, let them be!) and beautiful flowers with funny names such as Ferry Lanterns, sticky monkey, and many others. Then more games, learning tool sharpening skills, and finishing it all off with a swim test in the lake with a cup of hot cocoa. I hope I did not miss anything…. And how was your weekend?

01/21/2026

Snow camping at Carson Pass in the Eldorado National Forest

12/03/2025

Congratulations to our newest Eagle Scout Aidan on passing the Eagle Board of Review. Aidan is an outstanding young man and an exemplary youth leader. I am so proud and honored to serve as his scoutmaster.