Starting in January 2008, the Loma Prieta District Training Team of the Monterey Bay Area Council of the Boy Scouts offers New Leaders' Essential Training (a simple 90-minute course) before Roundtable every month. The course is being taught at the LDS Stake Center at 220 Elk Street in Santa Cruz. The Center is inland of Highway 1 only about a block from the Morissey exit. It is very easy to find. Directions The course goes from 6-7:30. The Boy Scout organization believes every boy deserves a trained leader. Every adult in any kind of a role with the Troop is strongly encouraged to receive this training along with the Youth Protection training which is available on line. Training is not just for Scoutmasters! Being trained helps your scout better understand and enjoy scouting and be a more successful Boy Scout. Check the Monterey Bay Area Council Training Link for more information about training.

Happy Holidays,

This year's Festival of Lights with the cold morning weather, light rain and warm spirit of community was a great experience for all who participated. Our troop performed numerous tasks for our hosts the Corralitos Valley Research and Education Association as well as earning some funds for our troop. Of course having fun was the center piece of the event for our troop.

We mourn the loss of our long time friend, a true friend of Scouting and our longest serving Scoutmaster Verle M. Shank, Jr. Mr. Shank passed away Sunday, December 1st in Watsonville after a short illness.

Happy Holidays,

At the archery event two weeks ago, a WEBLOS II scout told us how his school raised over 2,000 lbs of food for 2nd Harvest and at that time I challenged all of you to beat that number and you did.

Over the Thanksgiving holiday at the recommendation of parent and District Representative Joe T., the Troop 599 website became even more secure. We acquired a SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate which assures those visiting our website that our website is secure and encrypts information you send to and receive from the website.