Boy Scouts of America Launches "Scout Me In" Campaign for Boys and Girls

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) recently unveiled the new Scout Me In campaign that features girls, as well as boys, in its iconic Cub Scout program for the first time. Starting this summer, all kids are invited to say, “Scout Me In,” as they join the fun, adventure and character-building opportunities found in Cub Scouts. 

The Scout Me In campaign celebrates the BSA’s expansion to serve families and welcome girls and boys into Scouting in communities across the country. It reinforces that the mission and core values in the Scout Oath and Scout Law are welcoming, inclusive and foundational for both young men and women. Since announcing the BSA’s historic decision to welcome girls into Scouting, more than 3,000 girls across the nation have already enrolled in the BSA’s Early Adopter Program and are participating in Cub Scouts ahead of the full launch later this year.

About the Boy Scouts of America

The Boy Scouts of America provides the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training, which helps young people be “Prepared. For Life.®” The Scouting organization is composed of nearly 2.3 million youth members between the ages of 5 and 21 and approximately 960,000 volunteers in local councils throughout the United States and its territories. For more information on the Boy Scouts of America, please visit www.scouting.org.

Visit the Boy Scouts of America Ventura County Council website at www.vccbsa.org.

Take a Hike with Popular Ventura County Meetup Group "The Moderate Hikers"

One of the most popular Meetup groups in Ventura County is The Moderate Hikers. The group is run by a local Thousand Oaks woman who started it with one vision in mind: To create a fun, social hiking group where everyone felt welcome.

Katya Volpi, Hike Leader & Organizer, says it all started from her failed attempt at hiking.

“About 8 years ago, I needed to start exercising regularly for my physical and mental health, so I decided to try hiking, but the few local groups out there were too advanced for me, which I ended up learning the hard way.”

She joined the group on a hike and quickly found herself losing sight of everyone as she fell further and further behind. “Here I was, on an unfamiliar trail, by myself, not knowing where it was leading, but I kept going because I didn’t want to give up."

"Once I reached the top of the trail, the entire group was waiting for me. The group of about 30 hikers were not too happy about it either because they were experienced and expected you to know your own abilities. I essentially did the Hike of Shame the entire way back, coming in last and looking pretty ragged. I vowed from that moment to become a stronger hiker.”

Hiking four to five days a week on her own for several weeks, Katya developed her skills and became better and stronger, but after trying another hike with that same group, she found she still couldn’t keep up.

“I didn't completely lose sight of them, and it certainly wasn’t difficult to finish the hike, but they were going at such a fast clip. I realized then that I am not super-fast, nor do I want to be. For me, it’s not a race, it’s an enjoyable, healthy activity. It was then I realized there was a need for a different option. I thought, there must be others like me that want to do a reasonable amount of miles at a moderate pace, so I decided to start my own group."

"I took note of what was lacking with the groups already established, thought about how I wanted to present mine, and saw an opportunity to make a better hiking group. I wanted it to be friendly and welcoming, so I get to know my members on a personal level. It’s a group where you can meet new people and make friends because I make it social, interactive and fun; we don’t take ourselves too seriously. I never want anyone to feel like they don’t belong.”

Those qualities are what she attributes to the success of the group. “I have been running The Moderate Hikers for 7 1/2 years, I have almost 3,000 members and we’re still growing strong. Even our name lets people know exactly what you can expect. Its success is a testament to my passion and commitment, but make no mistake, my members are what makes this group because without them, I wouldn’t have one. Every time I hike with them, I am inspired by their sense of adventure and willingness to participate! I am truly grateful to have such an amazing group.”

You can find Katya and The Moderate Hikers at www.meetup.com/themoderatehikers.

Premiere of "Westlake Village Rocks" Group

A Westlake Village Rocks group has been launched by CReATE STUDIO and Girls Club Strong to spread the joy of painting, hiding and finding cheerful rocks in the City of Westlake Village. And of course, you are encouraged to post photos of the inspirational, comical and/or beautiful rocks you have discovered, and perhaps re-hid, on the Westlake Village Rocks Facebook page at www.facebook.com/westlakevillagerocks.

There is also a Newbury Park Rocks group and others around Ventura County.

"Newbury Park Rocks" Group Proves to Be Quite Popular on CVG Facebook Page

Image courtesy of Newbury Park Rocks Facebook Page

I didn't think much of it when a Facebook Page called "Newbury Park Rocks" contacted us to share a little about but what they do. 

So what do they do? Well, apparently this is becoming "a thing" throughout the country. The group paints, hides and finds decorative, painted rocks in the Newbury Park area.

Grab a rock and paint something whimsical, funny, inspirational and/or uplifting on it. After it dries, place it somewhere, partially hidden, such that someone will discover and enjoy that rock.

Well that certainly is a fun idea! So I thought, OK, I'll make mention of it on a Monday late morning, on the Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Page and I'm sure a few folks will find it interesting.

Well on one count, I was right. Some folks did indeed find it interesting. But I was wrong on "a few," as over 160 people have clicked the "Like" button and the interest has been very strong. I'm certain other rock hiding groups will pop up throughout Ventura County.

Cute idea!

The Ventura County Genealogical Society Can Help You Track Your Roots

Founded in 1978, the Ventura County Genealogical Society is a non-profit educational organization in Ventura that is dedicated to the promotion of genealogy, public education and fellowship to everyone interested in family histories.

The goals of the Society are to encourage family history and genealogical research; to educate and instruct members through lectures, workshops, and an annual seminar; to educate the members in effective genealogical research skills, and to publish information of interest to genealogists.

Some of the various topics that I've seen the Society cover include using online genealogical resources, family history training, family legacy writing workshops and much more.

With over 200 members, the Ventura County Genealogical Society hosts speakers at monthly meetings generally on the third Saturday of each month (except December) in Ventura.  The Society also maintains a reference library located at the Camarillo Public Library.

For more information about the Society, visit www.venturacogensoc.org.

Cloudy and Cool Conejo Valley This First Sunday of 2013

Darts Promoter L. David Irete captured this neat photo of the Conejo Valley before sundown tonight on this cool, cloudy, slightly rainy first Sunday of 2013. Irete is the biggest darts enthusiast in town, so make sure to follow his Facebook page.

It is supposed to be sunny tomorrow, but the rain is expected back later in the week. No worries...check this list of things to do around Ventura County with the kids when it is WET outside (unless of course you enjoy jumping in puddles!).

Here's how it looked around 11 a.m. this morning while I was running (literally) around town.

Cool, Blustery New Year's Day 2013 in the Conejo Valley

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Today was a beautiful, dry New Year's Day in the Conejo Valley, with cool temperatures, partly cloudy skies and plenty of wind. We were out and about around town  and plenty of people were enjoying the outdoors, appropriately dressed!

If one of your new year's resolutions is to become more active, you are in the right place! Here are some great activities to look into in 2013:

Trails and hiking around Ventura County

Hiking groups around Ventura County

Hundreds of community parks around Ventura County

Fish and fishing options around Ventura County

Golf courses and tennis courts around Ventura County

Horseback riding options around Ventura County

Running and cycling groups throughout Ventura County