Troop 488 meets at St. Mary’s Church on Mondays at 7 pm. They are chartered by Vacaville Elks Lodge #1034. The former Mayor of Vacaville, Dave Fleming, is the Scoutmaster and has been since 1974.

The Troop currently has approximately 35 active Scouts and seven active Assistant Scoutmasters. This past year in 2006 the Troop has climbed Mt. Wittenburg, Mission Peak, Mt. Diablo and Mt. St. Helena in the Bay Area and the Tooth of Time in New Mexico. We also did 20 mile hike/camps at both Pt. Reyes and Ohlone Wilderness along with a 50 miler in Redwoods National Park. Last June, 12 of our Scouts and Leaders traveled to Philmont Scout Camp in New Mexico and over 12 days hiked over 75 miles. In July we sent 19 Scouts and 7 Leaders to a week long Summer Camp at Camp Wolfeboro in the High Sierras. Both our Philmont and Wolfeboro trips were fully paid for by all participating Scouts through our Recycling and other key fundraisers.

The Troop is responsible for picking up recyclable products from the Leisure Town Senior Community once a month. The center, located at the Vacaville City Corp Yard on Ulatis Dr., is open to the public to drop off recyclable plastics, newspapers, glass, aluminum, and tin cans between the hours of 9:00 and 12:00. See the recycling page for location and schedule. Follow the "Recyle" link at the top of the page for recyclable items information.

PAST EVENTS

March 23rd-24th 2007

Camp/Climb Mt. Tamalpais -Friday night in the dark we found our campsite gate locked, the combination changed and the Troop looking for an alternate site. This was found near our Saturday trailhead parking lot. over 20 Scouts and parents participated in this 8 mile hike with most home before 6 pm. Our Group Leader was ASM Bob Wakelee. Again thanks Bob and all the other adults that made this hike possible.

March 16th - 18th, 2007

Our Scout Leadership Retreat for 1st Class and above was held at the Reed's Tuolumne River Lodge near Waterford. Over 12 Scouts participated using the National Youth Training Program. Friday night they joined the Reed Company for a dinner of Corn Beef and Cabbage in celebration of the following St. Patrick's Day. Thereon they managed there own cooking. During breaks there was a heated Bocce Ball elimination Tournament.

Feb 4th, 2007

Eagle Court of Honor: Joe Buckley and Joel Jones receive their long awaited Eagles. Click here for further information

Summer Camp 2004
Wow, what a turnout for summer camp! 22 of our boys went and had a fantastic time. Nine boys went to Camp Winton for their first time, earning Brave status during the traditional tribal ritual. Another four boys have attained Chief Council status, marking their fourth year at the camp. Along with all the fun, 51 merit badges were earned, and the BSA Lifeguard certification was awarded to Joe Buckley. A highlight of the week was the overnight canoe trek where the boys jumped off cliffs (good thing the Moms weren't looking!), made Hobo Stew (don't ask!), and enjoyed Dutch Oven Cobblers for dessert. Thanks to our SPL Nick Sanborn, Assistant Scoumasters Shawn Sanborn and Jeff Reed from Troop 488 and Dave Henthorn from Troop 332 for leading the contingent. Next years summer camp is scheduled from 10-16 July 2005.

50 Mile Trek Completed! 2004
For the third year in row, Mr. Doug Cope coordinated and led the Troop's annual 50-mile trek. The trek departed on Friday, the 2nd of July, from Baskin Robbins at 1:30 and headed up to the Lost Coast Trail. We're not sure which was harder, the drive up and back or the hike. The hike took the trekkers along upper Northern California’s scenic Lost Coast. We soon found out how the area got its name. After dropping off vehicles at the ending point of the trek at 6:30 pm, it was after midnight before we arrived at the starting point. The weather was perfect for the trek. At the midpoint, the hikers and drivers made a quick stop in the picturesque town of Shelter Cove for a bite to eat before continuing on. The trek was going all too well when mis-fortune struck. One of the fathers rolled his ankle on a rock and heard a loud crack. There was no doubt the ankle was broken! Mr. Cope and the Scouts reacted quickly and soon had a plan in the works beginning with the construction of some crude crutches. The group then split up, the group with the hapless victim hiked two miles to the nearest road which was luckily close to a ranger station. Mr. Cope’s group of seasoned trekkers hiked an amazing 20 miles to get the vehicles. Later that night they met up with the each other at the Hospital in Garberville. All in all the boys had a good time and learned about being prepared and the value of having a good plan. Next year's trek to Lava Beds National Monument is already in the early planning stages and will again be led by Doug Cope. It will probably be Doug's last 50 mile hike with our troop as Doug has moved to Palo Alto. He will be missed!