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Brrr….it’s Cold, but Spring is Around the Corner!

UPDATE March 2 :

We would like to address some comments to this post about the removal of the existing pool and replacing it with a lake.

While this change will indeed affect those camp users that currently use the pool as is, the pool is not a part of the property that we can maintain over time in a way that is consistent with the Vision Plan for the camp – financially or programmatically.

The existing pool needs significant repair, and costs thousands of dollars and many hours of personnel time to stay usable but offers little in the way of an overall waterfront experience.  The lake will provide swimming, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, and will also be more aesthetically aligned with the new layout of that main area of camp.  It also offers increased water resource for fire control, with access for fire trucks not just for the NorCal property but to be used for surrounding Cal Fire needs.

The council is consciously delaying the conversion project until after this summer’s planned use by existing pool users and are happy to provide more information on how the new lake will be an even better option for everyone for water recreation in the future.

ORIGINAL POST:

It’s been mighty cold up here at NorCal, in fact it just snowed! However, there is proof that Spring is just around the corner–springtime is the land awakening, and as you can see in this short video the land is indeed awakening here at camp! Continue reading “Brrr….it’s Cold, but Spring is Around the Corner!”

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New Year, New Building!

Happy New Year to everyone!

It’s been a while since our last update, however during the holiday break much progress has been made on NorCal’s first new construction project, the Maintenance Building. In fact, it’s nearly completed! Final work is being done as we speak–interior walls, electrical, lighting and plumbing.

As you will see from this final time-lapse video, this is a massive building that will not only store program equipment and supplies, but will also house a completely stocked shop with all the tools and equipment necessary to start building out the rest of your camp.

Continue reading “New Year, New Building!”

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Sometimes it Takes a Village!

By Laura Lovell, Director of Camp and Properties

In our last post, I was telling you about the challenge disassembling and cost effectively moving the massive beams and other climbing wall components from the Van Vleck farm in Rancho Murietta to NorCal.

If we figured out how to do this, our dream of having this climbing and repelling tower as the centerpiece of the NorCal COPE course would become reality!

Continue reading “Sometimes it Takes a Village!”

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Climbing High–The Making of a new COPE Course?

By Laura Lovell, Director of Camp and Properties

Earlier this summer, Scouter Wess Larsen told me about a climbing tower that had been erected for the LDS Jamboree group on the Van Vleck farm (see photo above) in Rancho Murietta, but was no longer being used. The Van Vlecks had asked for the tower to be removed. From what I gathered, this was not your average climbing wall, but a massive structure, made with huge metal beams. Could we somehow relocate it to NorCal and use it as the centerpiece of our new COPE course? Hmmm… Continue reading “Climbing High–The Making of a new COPE Course?”

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Past Presidents BBQ at NorCal

On Wednesday evening the annual Past Presidents BBQ Dinner was held for the first time at the NorCal Adventure Area in the outdoor dining hall. A number of our past presidents and other guests were in attendance to not only enjoy a fantastic barbecue steak dinner, but also get an update from Scout Executive Chuck Brasfeild, on the “state of the union” for the Golden Empire Council, and of course, NorCal! Continue reading “Past Presidents BBQ at NorCal”