by Matty S, Troop Historian
Our journey began at the Millbrae BART station, where we gathered and split into groups. After a delightful brunch at the Ferry Building, we boarded a ferry to Angel Island.
Upon arriving on the island, we headed to the immigration center to learn about its history. Next, we set off on a challenging yet rewarding hike to the summit of Angel Island. Along the way, we were treated to breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay Area. Reaching the top of the hill, we engaged in an intense game of ‘Vroom.’
As we descended the hill, we bid farewell to our day trip scouts. Upon reaching our campsite, we played a game of ultimate frisbee and prepared for dinner. During dinner, a group of first and second-year scouts transformed into ‘paparazzi,’ eagerly seeking autographs and flashing their flashlights at the senior scouts.
After a satisfying dinner and some ‘paparazzi’ activity, we gathered around a campfire (without the fire) and performed our skits, which included some hilarious stand-up comedy from Austin. A group of older scouts then embarked on a night hike to the summit of Angel Island.
As we ventured into the night, we were captivated by the same stunning views of San Francisco Bay, illuminated by the city’s lights. Upon reaching the top, we heard chatter and then an unexpected appearance of adults wearing crowns of leaves illuminated by lights. It was a real Scooby Doo moment!
In our quest to unravel the mystery, we found clues such as a cheese wrapper, a cracker, and a giant ant. Ultimately, we concluded that the adults had summoned the ant using a charcuterie board.
During our time on the island, I had the privilege of interviewing Calvin Baxter, one of our senior scouts. He shared his thoughts on this year’s Angel Island outing, noting that Bart this year was more organized compared to last year. He also expressed his enjoyment of the night hike to the top of Angel Island.
As the day drew to a close, we headed back to camp. Early the next morning, a couple of our leadership scouts embarked on a hike back to the immigration center. The eerie ambiance was created by the darkness and the continued illumination of the immigration center’s lights, as well as the spooky squawking of a bird. After reaching the shore, we engaged in a refreshing tai chi session amidst the breathtaking sunrise.
Subsequently, we returned to camp, initiated breakfast preparations, and efficiently packed up our belongings. Then, we set off on another hike, this time to the welcome center, where we first stepped foot on the island. During our journey, we had the privilege of spotting a majestic bald eagle soaring overhead. Upon reaching the welcome center, we boarded the ferry back to the Ferry Building. From there, we swiftly made our way to the Embarcadero and caught the Bart straight back to Millbrae. Our scouts thoroughly enjoyed this outing, and we eagerly anticipate embarking on a similar adventure next year!