Scouts select and lead their activities and receive the support from adult leaders to actualize those Scouting experiences by providing guidance on research, budgeting, accessibility, safety, goal-accomplishment and most of all – the fun factor. Outdoor activities and adventures such as camping, fishing, backpacking, or hiking are often the venues through which 284 Scouts develop and master beneficial life skills.

We schedule at least one outdoor activity per month and many of them involve camping several times per year. Camping adventures and outings include but are not limited to Brannon Island, Mt. Diablo Regional State Park, Briones Regional Park, Mount Tamalpais, an overnight in snow caves in the Sierra’s, and Lake Berryessa.

Even if a Scout does not choose to complete the Backpacking merit badge requirements, there is no doubt that Troop 284 will continue to clamor for exciting backpacking outings that incorporate exciting wilderness treks and final destination campouts in gorgeous outdoor landscapes that can only be seen from a backpacking excursion. Some past and future backpacking destinations for Troop 284 Scouts include Desolation Wilderness, Emigration Wilderness, Caribou Wilderness, and Mount Shasta Wilderness or Mount Lassen Wilderness.

In late June, we spend a week at Camp Wolfeboro, the Northern California BSA summer camp in the Stanislaus National Forest. Scouts work on merit badges and camp improvement projects together, while swimming, boating, and hiking opportunities abound. They come back filthy, tired, and thrilled at the idea of going back again.

Doing service projects together is one way for our Scouts to keep their promise to "help other people". We plan regular service projects to give back to our community and our chartering organization. Recent examples for our troop have included Scouting for Food, a cleanup at our local Elementary school, and a Flag Retirement ceremony.

Scouts meet for Troop meetings on one or two Mondays a month at 7:30 p.m. in the Veterans Memorial Building on Mount Diablo Boulevard in Lafayette. A third meeting each month is dedicated to a Patrol meeting either located at the Veterans Memorial Building or at the Patrol Leader’s residence.

Courts of Honor are troop, family, and friend ceremonies where a Scouts accomplishments are recognized on their journey toward Eagle Rank. It is a special occasion that happens several times a year, where scouts receive merit badges and rank advancements since the previous Court of Honor.