Tomales Bay Kayaking (Schleys)

Hi Scouts and Scouters going to Tomales Bay:
STATUS UPDATE
” The federal government may be on shutdown but Point Reyes is still open for our trip. We are going, and we will have fun! The forecast is for cloudy weather in the 60s daytime, but come prepared for rain.
” We have 25 signed up to attend. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU ARE PAID IN FULL BY OCTOBER 7.
PACKING
Our first night (Saturday) will be on the mainland at a group campsite. Your adult leaders will prepare a group dinner. This is car camping, you will not need backpacks for your gear. Scouts (both nights) will sleep 2 per tent, use the troops tents or your own very similar tent. No party tents!
For the kayak trip and overnight (Sunday) beach camping, ALL GEAR AND FOOD WILL BE PACKED INTO ONE 15-LITER DRY BAG PER BOAT (2 PERSONS PER BOAT). Keep it small and light!
For Paddling:
” Hat with sun visor (ball cap or hat with full brim; it can be windy so a hat with a strap is a good choice)
” Sunglasses (retention strap recommended)
” Sun screen and lip balm
” Full water bottle (we recommend at least 32 oz/1 liter per person)
” Clothing for warm weather: swimsuit and/or nylon (quick dry) shorts/pants; quick dry short or long sleeve top
” Clothing for cold weather: rain pants or water resistant/quick dry pants; quick dry long sleeve top (wool, silk, or synthetic recommended);warmth layer (fleece pullover, jacket, or vest; synthetic puffy vest or jacket; wool sweater); long underwear (synthetic, wool, or silk) is recommended in colder months (usually late November – mid-April)
” Windbreaker (or use one of our paddle jackets)
” Please note: cotton or cotton blend clothing is not appropriate for paddling in any season as cotton retains water and will keep you cold when it becomes wet.
” Shoes you don’t mind getting wet & muddy. Some suggestions: water sandals (e.g. Keens, Tevas, Chacos), wetsuit booties, aqua socks, old sneakers with wool socks, rubber boots, etc. No flip-flops or loose fitting footwear.
For Camping:
” The adult leaders will bring water for drinking & cooking. There is no source of water at the beach campsite.
” Meals (Sat. lunch & dinner, Sunday breakfast) will be bought and cooked by patrol groups (to be confirmed Tuesday night Oct. 7). We will check out stoves and cooking equipment Oct. 14th. Anything that needs to be kept cold must be in small, soft-sided coolers.
” Personal drinking cup/mug, bowl, plate, and utensils
” Compact sleeping bag & sleeping pad
” Lightweight rain gear
” A set of warm clothes, including fleece pullover or wool sweater, and dry shoes for camp and light hiking–different from what you’ll wear while paddling. Your paddling clothes will get wet and you need dry clothes to wear at camp and for sleeping.
” 2 pairs of warm socks (avoid cotton)
” Wool or fleece hat
” Toiletries there is a pit toilet at the beach campsite, but bring some TP.
” Flashlight or headlamp & extra batteries
Packing Suggestions:
” Pre-pack your gear (most important for sleeping bags and dry clothing for camp) into into stuff sacks, duffel bags, or back packs LINED with a thick plastic trash bag. 
” Remove excess packaging from food items and leave it at home.
” Keep all your food items & scented items (e.g. scented lip balm, lotion) together, and make sure you don’t leave any snack bars, food garbage, or scented items in clothing pockets or in tents. (Raccoons want your snacks!) All food and scented items need to be secured inside the closed hatches of the kayaks or in animal proof containers (bear bins) overnight or while away from camp.
Nighttime low temperatures range from 40 – 55 degrees and it is often damp after the sun sets. Be sure to have warm clothing for your time at camp and sleeping.
I will follow up with waivers for everyones signatures, and will contact all drivers about the number of vehicles and seats needed.
Please email me (mschley@slgl-law.com) with any questions.
Yours in Scouting, Mike Schley ASM
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KAYAK CAMPING TOMALES BAY 10/18-20/2025
We will spend two nights camping at Tomales Bay in Marin County. A highlight of the trip will be kayaking during the moonless night of October 19 at one of the best bioluminescence spots in the world. We will have professional guides to help us explore the Bay.
SIGN UP (in Scoutbook) AND PAY YOUR $150 INSTALLMENT NOW, TO ENSURE YOUR SEAT! Make payments to Ms. Bowen.
Itinerary:
” Car travel October 18 to Tomales Bay, stop and explore Muir Woods.
” Oct. 18: Group camping at Olema Campground, group dinner patrol breakfast.
” Oct. 19: Kayak across Tomales Bay, make camp on far shore. Meals by patrol.
” Oct. 19 evening: Guided luminescence paddle on Tomales Bay
” Oct. 20: Paddle back across the Bay, travel home.
Cost: $475, paid $150 at signup and $325 by October 1.
The troop last made this trip in 2019 and it was very popular.
WE HAVE 20 SPOTS FOR SCOUTS AND NEED 5 ADULT DRIVERS. ALL MUST HAVE PASSED THE SWIM TEST IN 2025 WITH MRS. SCHLEY. IF THE TRIP IS OVERSUBSCRIBED, THE FIRST 20 SPOTS WILL GO IN ORDER OF SIGNUP WITH PAYMENT OF $150. Priority will be given to a Scout whose parent is driving.
Questions? Contact Mr. Schley 805-689-9818 mschley@slgl-law.com