Celebrating 28 years of excellence in Scouting, Troop 618 welcomes members from the surrounding South County/Saddleback Valley communities.
Troop 618 is chartered to Rancho Santa Margarita Cares Foundation and are members of Saddleback District, Orange County Council.
As a Scout led troop, Troop 618 prides itself on providing many different opportunities for Scouts to advance in rank while at the same time have a great scouting experience!
Some of the activities and events that Troop 618 Scouts have recently participated in are:
Troop meetings 2x a month with games, skills instruction and fun! - Plus monthly Patrol activities and outings
Outdoor activities including:
Rock climbing/bouldering in Joshua Tree - Mammoth Mountain Ski and Snow Boarding - local Ski and Snow Boarding - Canoe Trip - Whitewater rafting - Swimming and Water Slide - Zip lining - Shooting sports - Rocket launches - Hiking Santiago Peak - Grunion Run - and more!
Camping at:
Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center, Oso Lake, Firestone Scout Reservation, ONeill Regional Park, and Caspers Regional Park Summer Camp 2016 @ Camp Kern - Summer camp 2015, 2017 @ Cherry Valley on Catalina Island, Summer Camp 2018 @ Camp Chawanakee
Philmont High Adventure Camp 2016 (2 crews)
Having fun together:
Patrol activities - Summer BBQ and Pool party - Troop Holiday party
Saddleback District Camporee @ IROEC, Camp Pendleton and Irvine Lake areas
OCBSA Scout O Rama
Giving Service and Leadership:
Service project for Las Flores Middle School
Youth Volunteers for Saddleback District Day Camp
Order of the Arrow (Ansazai Chapter, Witava Lodge) - Arrow Tour 2015 - Call out - Service - Ordeal - Pow Wow - Conclave - National Leadership Seminar - and contingent members to the 2015 100th Anniversary National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC) at Michigan State -
Outoor Ethics - Leave No Trace Trained Leadership (youth and adult)
National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) - as participants and leadership staff (youth and adult)
Scouting for Food
Ladera Ranch community activities
Mission Viejo Walk Against Drugs - Mission Viejo July 4th Street Faire
Rancho Santa Margarita Patroit's Day ceremony - Rancho Santa Margarita Zero Trash Day co-sponsor
A Scout is Reverant:
Scout Sunday - Scout Sabbath - Peace Light At Oso Lake
Troop 618 Mission:
Troop 618 seeks to develop youth with strong moral character who are confident leaders
that have the tools to serve their community and who look back fondly on their experience in the Troop.
Come find out how much fun it is to be a Scout in Troop 618!
The Congressional Award is the United States Congress’ award for young Americans. It is non-partisan, voluntary, and non-competitive. The program is open to all youth regardless of ability, circumstance, or socioeconomic status. Participants earn Bronze, Silver, and Gold Certificates and Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medals. Each level involves setting goals in four program areas; Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition/Exploration. Earning the Award is a fun and interesting way to get more involved in something you already enjoy or something you’d like to try for the first time. You move at your own pace, on your own or with your friends. This is not an award for past accomplishments. Instead, you are honored for achieving your own challenging goals.
The Congressional Award has no minimum grade point average requirements. It accommodates young people with special needs or disabilities who are willing to take the challenge.
Register online and submit your one-time $25.00 registration fee.
Troop 618 is fortunate to have a group of volunteers who have signed up as counselors for various merit badges you might need or interested in.
Please review the list below and identify any badges you are interested in and contact Mr. Giddens, Christa Smith or Kjersten Damron to get the name, contact info and blue cards.
Join Troop 618 on a fun trip to Snow Valley in the San Bernardino mountains to play in the snow and complete the Snow Sports merit badge. The Snow Sports merit badge package includes a safety meeting, full access lift ticket, rental equipment (skis or snowboard) and 1-1/2 hour group lesson. The Snow Sports merit badge is only open to scouts but there are numerous activities for your family including skiing, snowboarding, sledding, snow play and ski/snowboarding lessons. See the attached PDF for activity details and pricing. All participates will receive group rates!!
Snow Valley: From the steeps of Slide Peak to long cruising intermediate trails to the region’s best beginner terrain to Southern California’s only chairlift serviced sledding area, Snow Valley has something for everyone during winter. In addition to our fantastic terrain, Snow Valley’s award winning Learning Centers offer lessons for all ability levels and ages.
Who: Troop 618 Scouts, Leaders and Families What: Snow Sports Merit Badge Day When: February 27, 2021 Where: Snow Valley, 35100 CA-18, Running Springs, CA 92382, (909) 867-2751 Cost:
Merit Badge package: $84.00
Helmet rental: $8. (or you can bring your own bike helmet)
See the attached PDF for details on additional activities available for scouts and family members Bring extra money for the lunch/snacks Please RSVP by February 15, 2021
More details to come as we get closer to the date.
See calendar entry for February 27, 2021 to register.
Where: Via Zoom, Details below and in the Calendar
Details: Fun activities and contests with pRiZeS!
1. In lieu of the Secret Santa, we invite you to donate an unwrapped toy for the Spark of Love Toy Drive. When you RSVP to attend the the party (please reply to this email), we will pick up your unwrapped toy donation from your porch on Saturday 12/19 when we drop off your cookie decorating kit.
2. Festive Attire/Ugly Sweater Contest! (Get creative! Hats, lights, the works. Create *and wear* an ugly holiday sweater or T-shirt, or wear one you already have.)
3. Festive Background Contest (virtual Zoom background or real)
4. Real Time Cookie Decorating Contest (a kit will be delivered to you before the party and the decorating contest will be DURING our party. Please rsvp by 12/14 to ensure you get a cookie decorating kit! There will be enough cookies for your family to join in.
5. Skribblio (online Pictionary-type game)
6. Service project - Donate to our Adopt a Marine Family gift drive. Items needed:
- Puzzles
- Family Games
- Gift Cards
- Men’s Socks
To donate- after you RSVP to the party, we will pick up your donation from your porch on Saturday, December 19th. We will drop off your Cookie Decorating Kit at the same time. Please RSVP!!ZOOM DETAILS:
Troop618 RSM is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
This year we have missed two of our biggest fundraisers due to Covid19. To help raise funds for the Troop and for the Scouts’ Accounts for summer camp, campouts, and other expenses, we are having a Holiday Wreath fundraiser! It begins TODAY! We are partnering with Mickman Brothers, a company that sells holiday fundraising products and is committed to conservation. For every Holiday Gift Product purchased, they plant a tree in honor of the gift recipient. To date, Mickman Brothers has funded the planting of 800,000 trees in 49 states throughout our nation’s forests!
Our fundraiser will offer beautiful, fresh cut evergreen wreaths which are great for gifts (teachers, coaches, colleagues, clients, friends, family, neighbors) and for your own holiday décor.
Two ways to sell:
1. Local sales- Take orders (via telephone, text, send emails, post on social media, or go door to door in your neighborhood) and collect money now through November 15. This is for local delivery only. The wreaths will be shipped to the troop, and Scouts deliver the wreaths to their customers the week of December 7th. Scouts earn approx $8-$9 per wreath sold for their scout account. This option can be minimal or no contact sales with a porch drop off, just let your customer know when you drop off! The benefit of Local Sales is lower prices for the customer and a larger profit for the Scouts and the Troop.
2. Online sales- invite family and friends to order online. Items will be shipped directly to them or to their gift recipient. Scouts earn $8 for each item sold. The benefit of online sales is no physical contact when selling, you can invite friends and family from far away to purchase items for our fundraiser, and items are shipped directly. More items are available for purchase online, but the prices are higher than the wreaths we offer for our Local sales.
Order deadline for Local Sales: Sunday, Nov 15, all order forms and money must be turned in by this date. You may also turn in orders and money at the November 9th Troop Meeting, or email Kjersten anytime with your orders and Venmo or drop off a check or cash at your convenience prior to 11/15. Please contact me before dropping off cash or checks. Thank you!
Delivery week: Wreaths will arrive Dec 7-9. Scouts will be notified to pickup wreaths and make your deliveries that week.
Online order deadline: Dec 1, delivery notification will be on the online order. For online orders, there is no involvement for Scouts after sharing the link to our fundraiser.
Selling Suggestions:
1. Make a goal to sell 5 or more wreaths
2. Create a list of people who may want to buy a fresh holiday wreath, such as:
Grandparents
Aunts and Uncles
Family friends
Parents’ work colleagues
Neighbors
Friends from activities like sports or church
3. Contact people on your list via telephone, text, email, social media, or go door to door in your neighborhood if you are comfortable. If selling in person, be Covid safe and wear a mask. Scouts should not sell alone.
4. Introduce yourself and ask if they would like to support scouting by purchasing a festive holiday wreath!
5. Share the 4 wreath options, all are 25" in diameter. (Show the brochure in person or attach the PDF to your message)
6. Write down the order on the order form (attached), including contact info, and Collect the money when they place their order (cash or check made out to Troop 618)
7. Thank them and let them know their wreath will be arriving the week of December 7th!
Local Wreath Sale Prices (all are 25" wreaths):
Classic $30
Victorian $37
Cranberry Splash $37
Wintergreen $37
For friends and family that do not live locally, share the Gift It Forward online sales option! Wreaths and other items will be mailed directly to them when purchased online.
Physical brochures will be available early next week for Local Sales and Online Sales. PDFs of the brochure are attached and can be shared digitally or printed.
This fundraiser is for YOU! Profits ($8.50 - $9.44 per item, depending on the item sold) will go to your Scout Account, with a small portion already factored in for the Troop. Please contact me with any questions.
Who: Troop 618 Scouts, Adults and Family members What: Oak Park Canyon Camp Outs When: October 16 to 18, 2020 and November 13 to 15, 2020 Where: Oak Canyon Park, 5305 E. Santiago Canyon Road, Silverado, CA 92676 Cost: $64 per person per camp out
More details to come as we get closer to the dates.
See the “Event Registration” section on the right side of the Troop Website and calendar entry for October 16, 2020 and November 13, 2020 to register and pay.
