The Golden Gate Area Council Trail Trekkers Program offers a series of hikes which are located throughout the San Francisco Bay Area that can be completed by Cub Scout age youth from 6-11 years old and their families. These are opportunities for outdoor adventures for all levels of fitness and ability.
Patches may be obtained at the Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, Fairfield, and Alameda Scout Shops or by completing and returning the Trail Trekkers Order Form to the GGAC Service Center.
Click on any of the images below to get details for each hike.
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The Presidio of San Francisco Historic Trail hike was established in 1965 and has over 27 points of historic interest in which to visit. The Historic Trail Program also included a stop at the Rob Hill campsite that was provided to Scouting by the Army following World War II. The patch is a distinctive round Award featuring a Spanish Captain in helmet. The shorter Cub Scout Trail day hike was established with its own patch featuring the view of the Golden Gate Bridge in the early 1980’s.
Begin at Presidio Museum (originally an Army Hospital), and proceed southwest on Funston Avenue. Turn right and head northwest on Moraga Avenue, passing the Officers Club.
Turn right at the Flag Pole, observing the old cannons and the original Spanish Presidio Fort. Visit the Visitors Center on the Main Parade Ground (restrooms and interesting exhibits here).
Turn left on Sheridan Avenue, proceed west to Lincoln Blvd. Stop at San Francisco National Cemetery for prayer or meditation and acknowledgement of deceased veterans serving to our country.
Continue west on Lincoln Blvd., turn right on Crissy Field Avenue. Continue west on Crissy Field Avenue, underneath Doyle Drive Freeway, until it rejoins Lincoln Blvd.
Continue north on Lincoln Blvd., then turn right to hike north on Long Avenue and Marine Drive following the bay coast into Fort Point National Historic Site.
After visiting Fort Point (interesting exhibits and films here, and great views underneath the Golden Gate Bridge), hike south up to the Golden Gate Bridge Visitors Center.
Continue west, then southwest on Coastal Trail past the old cannon batteries on the western side of the Presidio. Hike south until you reach Battery Chamberlain, where Cub Scout pack members may be picked up by automobile at this point (Boy Scout hike continues as described below).
Return from Battery Chamberlain hiking north on Coastal Trail to Lincoln Blvd.
Cross over Lincoln Blvd. and see West Coast World War II memorial.
Continue north until trail on right enters Fort Winfield Scott.
Continue to the right on Ralston Avenue, with the option of entering Fort Winfield Scott fields, then continue north on Ralston Avenue as it loops around Fort Winfield Scott.
Turn left on Storey Avenue, then turn right and continue northeast on Lincoln Avenue.
After going underneath U.S. 101 on Lincoln Avenue, turn left to hike toward Golden Gate Bridge Visitor Center.
After stopping for restrooms and Visitor Center, hike 2.2 miles across Golden Gate Bridge. Troop may be picked up by automobile at Marin County Vista Point at the north end of the bridge (eastern side of U.S. 101 freeway, free direction for automobiles traveling from San Francisco into Marin County).
For Scouts BSA, Venturers, and Sea Scouts, there is the 50-Miler Award available through National
The award recognizes Scouts and Scouters who cover a trail or canoe or boat route of not less than 50 consecutive miles; take a minimum of five consecutive days to complete the trip without the aid of motors.
The patches are available at any Scout Shop. Complete the 50-Miler Award Form and submit it to one of the Golden Gate Area Council offices.
Our Office and Retail hours change occasionally. Follow this link to view our Current Business Hours.
1714 Everett Street
Alameda, CA 94501 | (510) 965-5631
1955 West Texas St. Suite 1
Fairfield, CA 94533 | (925) 674-6166
508 Contra Costa Blvd, Suite K2
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 | (925) 674-8500
6601 Owens Drive, Suite 100
Pleasanton, CA 94588 | (925) 674-6100
The Golden Gate Area Council has instituted a refund policy to ensure our Scouts receive high quality programs & activities. A great deal of advanced planning and purchasing takes place for programs and events of the Golden Gate Area Council during the months and weeks prior to an event.
The Council will refund up to 100% of the costs for any event it cancels. In order to maintain the most cost effective and positive program impact activity, camping, and event refunds of 100% cannot be given. Refunds are not given for No-Shows, schedule conflicts, weather conditions, or behavior issues occurring before or during the event. Refunds are considered based upon the following criteria and timeline and are returned to the person or entity and in the manner in which they were received.
Time Until Start of Event | Percentage Refund |
Up to 14 days prior | 80% refund |
Up to 7 days prior | 60% refund |
7 days or less | No refund* |
*Participants who cancel from an event within 7 days will be considered for up to a 60% refund if the refund request is accompanied by a Doctor’s note. Requests under these circumstances will not be considered if not received at the Council Service Center less than 14 days after the start of the event.
The Golden Gate Area Council believes each Scout should be given every opportunity to attend Camp. At times it can be hard for a family to raise the money, and Camperships can help cover part of the cost of a week of Camp for Golden Gate Area Council members attending one of the Golden Gate Area Council Camps. Campership applications are due by March 27th for continuing Scouts and May 29th for newly bridged Arrow of Light Scouts.
ALL of our Camps are CLOSED and the Staff is off duty from 11:00 AM on Saturday to 11:00AM on Sunday each weekend.
No Troop……..No Problem! You don’t have to miss out on all the fun just because your troop isn’t going to summer camp or because other summer plans mean you won’t be able to go to camp with your Troop. You may even want to do an additional week of camp just because you had such a great time.
New Friends…….New Experiences! Provisional Camping is just like camping with your home troop, except you’ll have the opportunity to camp with new friends as you join Scouts from all over the council and beyond. You’ll meet new people and have the opportunity to develop friendships that can last a lifetime. Provisional Scouts will partner with a selected Golden Gate Area Council Troop with an experienced leader. You’ll have a full time Scoutmaster for the week that, just like your Scoutmaster back home, will make sure you have a safe and fun camp experience. Provisional scouts can participate in all of the camp’s exciting programs including advancement, competitions, and patrol events. It’s a great way to finish additional Merit Badges, or to try a new part of the program that you weren’t able to try before.
NOTE:
SO, sign up now if you’d like to attend camp as part of the provisional camping program!
Provisional Camping is the creation of a temporary Troop or an opportunity to work with another unit. Provisional camping allows youth to attend camp without their home unit. Provisional camping is not new; it is used during many different Scouting events including National Jamborees and High Adventure trips.
The Scout’s family is responsible for transportation to and from Camp. Please contact the Golden Gate Area Council Camping and Outdoor Programs Department ([email protected]) for questions or more information.
First, try to connect the Scout and counselor in Scoutbook. If that is successful, the counselor is registered and qualified. If unsuccessful, go to the counselor’s home council and search for their Advancement Administrators. Most will have an email address for either the Council Advancement Committee or Professional Advisor. Send an email asking if the counselor has been registered and qualified for the merit badge(s) in question and the status of their Youth Protection Training. Ask California councils if the counselor has completed AB506 training and LiveScan. The unit leader’s “blue card” signature verifies their counselor credentials verification.
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Order of the Arrow
