2014 Water Park Outing

For the “Water” outing this year, the troop chose to go to the Water World park in Concord.  You’ll notice I put water in quotes.  The Scoutmaster didn’t really consider this a water outing when there are so many good water outings to be had in the area between Lake Sonoma, the Russian River, Richardson Bay, the Petaluma Slough, and Tomales Bay.  Still, it’s what the boys voted for, so away we went.  The Scoutmaster wasn’t about to let the boys get away with a day trip to the water slides though, so we made reservations that the nearby Briones regional park which is part of the impressive East Bay Regional Park system. 

The outing was scheduled on the second weekend after school was out so as to miss all of the graduation parties on the first weekend.  This may have backfired though, as a lot of the families seemed to have already left for vacation.  So it was with a smaller group that we took off for the East Bay. 

Despite the Friday Night traffic, the drive out was quite enjoyable.  We ran down through the North Bay and then through the Caldecott Tunnel to the inland East Bay and we had no trouble pulling into the park.  That’s where things got interesting.  The group campsites at Briones are about a mile from the parking lot.  Groups are allowed to bring several vehicles in and out to transport supplies and we certainly could have driven the scouts to the campsite that way, but we’re scouts!  So we dismounted and sent the truck with the troop trailer in ahead and the boys hiked in and out the .9 miles to and from the campsite.  And what a campsite it is!  Several football fields in size with a large pavilion/fire ring, water and picnic tables.  This site could hold as big a group as you could care to bring.  The troop settled into their new home and got ready for tomorrow’s fun. 

The next morning, after breakfast was made, the troop made the .9 mile hike back out to the parking lot and took off for the park!  Arriving ahead of schedule, there was a short wait to get in and then it was off to the water slides!  The troop made a home base near the vending and food court area which the leaders watched in rotation.  Originally I was worried that the leader left out would feel bad, but climbing all those stairs for the ride left one wanting a break from time to time! 

So the day went, with the boys wandering from ride to ride and back again.  Sometime in the middle of the day, most of the boys we’re found back at home base with overpriced food in hand.  The leaders kept up the usual refrain of, “Where’s your buddy” to the first year scouts when they showed up without theirs.  Finally as the day was winding down, most of the boys were back at home base (some of them napping).  The final few were rounded up and after a quick rinse off to get rid of the chlorine, it was back to the cars and the campsite.

Back at camp, dinner was put together and then what to do with the rest of the time?  A fire of course!  The senior scouts put together a quick class on fire building for the new scouts and then it was time to sit back and watch the cheery flames.  Finally, as the flames died down, it was time to head off for bed. 

The next morning, the troop made breakfast and broke camp.  The boys took the road for the last hike out and everyone was on the road for home.  This time the group took the back roads north out of the East Bay and got to see that pretty scenery.  In a little over an hour everyone was home.

Participants: Sam, Zack, Landon, Payton, Bryce, Owen, Sebastian, Diego, Carl

Leaders:  Mr. Polkinghorn, Mrs. Reese, Mr. Frazee

Lessons Learned:  Briones is a beautiful park but a the campsites are a ways from the parking lot.  Water world is fun.  Make sure to reapply your sunscreen!!!!