Troop,

Our next meeting on Tuesday at Wilson United Methodist Church will focus on Uniform Inspections and Merit Badge Completion. Right now we are predominantly working on three Merit Badges….Citizenship in the World, Fishing and Cooking.  If you click on the names of the merit badge you will find the worksheets if you need them. Please remember to bring in your popcorn forms to tomorrow night’s meeting.

Next Tuesday on the 30th (the night before Halloween), we have a private Haunted Manitou Springs Tour.  We did this a year ago and its a lot of fun! The Tour is normally $15 per person but the guide is only charging us $10 per person and Adult Leaders are Free!  Stephanie Waters is the tour guide and she has written many books of hauntings in the area. You can check out her website here: http://www.manitoulegends.com/blackcoffee/index.html

We will meeting in Manitou Springs at 7pm on the 30th in the parking lot right across from Hells Kitchen Pizza located at 9 Ruxton Ave, Manitou Springs, CO 80829.  Please dress for the weather and you are welcome to dress up in costume as well. This is a family friendly event and everyone is welcome to attend. This will put you in the Halloween Spirit!!

For planning purposes, the horse campout scheduled for the 2-4th of November is not likely to happen. Its very pricey event and we try to keep the cost of our campouts reasonable.  Other options include doing a bike ride and starting the Cycling Merit Badge.  The council is also running the Rifle Merit Badge if anyone is interested.

Finally, please consider helping out with the Wilson United Methodist Church Harvest Festival on the 27th. They are about 25 helpers short of what they need.  They give us a place to have meetings so its good to help give back when we can.  This time will count as community service hours towards rank advancement or merit badges. Here is the link to sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054BACA929A4FC1-harvest2

Thanks!

Sean

Scouts and parents,

Popcorn orders are due Tuesday, October 23rd.

Please write which prize the Scout has chosen at the bottom of the order form.  There are four prize choices (if the Scout has sold as least $250).  Also, please turn in any money that has been collected.

Popcorn will arrive November 10th. Popcorn orders must be paid in full by November 27th.

Questions?  Please contact Lisa Durrenberger 719-237-3805

Scouts,

Its time for the Wilson Methodist Church Harvest festival. This is a chance to give back to the church that gives us a place to meet every week since 1986.  Every year we have scouts and scout parents help direct cars in the parking lot and help run some of the activities.  The Church needs at least 10 helpers from our troop, both scouts and parents.  There is food and treats and scouts have a pretty good time during this event.  Please sign up if you can help.  Proudly wear your scout uniform to represent the Troop!

The Church Harvest Festival is October 27th from 2-6pm.

Please sign up here:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054BACA929A4FC1-harvest2

Thanks

Sean

Folks,

I apologize for the last minute notice but I was just informed that there is a Groupon for Sky Zone. 2 x 60 min sessions for $16.  Much better than the one hour for $15.  Here is the link!

https://www.groupon.com/deals/sky-zone-colorado-springs-7

Scouts,

Thank you for a great weekend of Camping at Farish! You worked very hard towards your Fishing and Cooking Merit Badges and we will finish those up in the coming weeks!

The Troop decided they would like to attend a trampoline park for Game Night this week so we are going to meet at Sky Zone located at 1750 E Woodmen Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80920.  The cost for Sky Zone is $15 for a hour.  Let’s meet at 630pm so we can jump solid until 730pm!!  If you have never been there then check out the link https://www.skyzone.com/coloradosprings

There is a lot of cool stuff there….Free Style Jumping, Ultimate Dodgeball, Ultimate Slamball, Ultimate Volleyball, and a foam pit to flip into.

Thanks!

Sean

Troop,

Here are the details for this weekend’s Camping Trip!

Weather:
Its going to get cold at night! It looks like we have clear skies on Friday and Saturday but please note that the low on Friday is 33 degrees and 15 on Saturday.  Scouts will be sleeping in Tents so please make sure you have a sleeping back rated to that temperature.  If not, we do have the Barn as a back up plan if it gets too cold.

Timeline: 

October 12

• 530pm: Meet at Wilson Methodist Church
• 6pm: Depart to Farish
• 7pm: Check into Farish – Set up Camp

October 13

• 7am: Make Breakfast (Cooking Merit Badge)
• 9-Noon: Fishing Merit Badge
• Noon-1pm: Cook Lunch (Cooking Merit Badge)
• 1pm-5pm: Fishing Merit Badge / Tomahawk and Archery Activities
• 5-7pm: Dinner (Cooking Merit Badge)
• 7-UTC Flag Retirement Ceremony – Free Time

October 14

• 7am: Breakfast (Cooking Merit Badge)
• 830am: Fishing Merit Badge – Free Time
• Noon: Break Down and Return to Church (Families are welcome to stay all day!)

Route :

Here is the PDF Version for full resolution: Strip map to Farish

Meal Plan:

This is what the Troop came up with….let me interpret! :

Friday Dinner: Scouts bring your own cookable meal.  This is going to be something you can use a backpacking stove to cook dinner with. So it can be a dehydrated meal or something that you add hot water too. This is part of the Cooking Merit Badge Requirement. For family members, please bring your own meal for Friday night. Your choice!

Saturday Breakfast: Pancakes, Bacon and Eggs.  Please prepare enough for everyone to include family and guests. Adults will have to bring their own coffee or if you would rather have something in addition to what the scouts are preparing.

Saturday Lunch:  Scouts bring your own cookable meal. This is another meal that the scouts will cook using their backpacking stoves.  So it can be a dehydrated meal or something that you add hot water too. This is part of the Cooking Merit Badge Requirement. Family members must bring their own lunch.

Saturday Dinner: Fish (If Caught), Hamburgers, Buns, Cheese, Potato chips and baked beans.  Please cook enough for all the families. If families do not wish to have this meal then feel free to bring the food of your choice.

Camp Fire Snack: Smores (Chocolate, Marsh Mellows, Graham Crackers). This is part of the Cooking Merit Badge.

Sunday Breakfast: Eggo Waffles, instant oatmeal and Sausage Links. This is part of the Cooking Merit Badge. Plan to cook enough everyone to include family and guests. Adults bring your own coffee.

Sunday Lunch: On your own

Snacks for the weekend: Trail Mix

Other Items needed for shopping list: Charcoal, Ketchup, Mustard, Mayonnaise, Lettuce, Onion, Tomato, Cheese Slices, Butter, Tin Foil, Salt and Pepper,  Paper plates, Napkins, plastic utensils.

• Note: We have 3 charcoal Grills that we can use to cook on, we have our troop Coleman Stoves, Backpacking Stoves and a fire pit. This diet does not accept for dietary restrictions such as gluten sensitivities or allergies.  Please plan accordingly. The cost per scout on this trip will run approximately $15-$20.  There is not a cost to family members.
• For food planning purposes, we have 10 Scouts, 6 Adult Leaders, and 8 Family Members for a total 24 people. 

Packing List:

• Backpack (or Container to carry personal items)
• Sleeping bag (Rated to at least 0 degrees)
• Sleeping pad
• Class A shirt
• Winter Jacket
• Clothes to match the weather (layers)…some of the scouts will fall into the water. It happens every time. Bring a change of clothes.
• Gloves
• Beanie Hat
• Raincoat (Can also be used for warmth)
• First aid kit
• Fire making stuff
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Knife
• At least 2 liters of water
• BSA handbook and any other merit badges you want to work on (You don’t have to carry the book…but write down what skills you want to accomplish)
• Mess kit
• Hygiene kit (toilet paper, trowel, toothbrush, toothpaste, wetwipes etc.)
• Broken in hiking shoes (proper footwear)
• Extra socks
• Healthy snacks
• Compass
• Headlamps or Flashlights
• Cooking and Fishing Worksheets
• Troop Permission Slip http://www.bsatroop287.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/BSA_ParentPermissionForm.pdf

Optional

• Camera
• Back Packing Camp chair
• Hammock
• Football, Frisbee, or extra fun stuff 🙂

Troop Gear:

• Jet Boil Stoves
• Patrol Boxes (Complete with Stoves and all cooking Items)
• Foldable Tables
• Patrol Canopies
• 5 Gallon Water Containers
• Tomahawks
• Firewood

Please message if I forgot anything.

Thanks!

Sean

CU- Boulder has a merit badge university event coming up on November 3rd. Right now we have a campout planned for that weekend but this could be an alternative to the Campout should the troop decide so. The campout planned for 3 November is Horsemanship.

Merit Badge University at CU-Boulder is an event where Section 30 of Alpha Phi Omega holds classes for Front Range area Boy Scouts in various merit badges. We typically offer over 30 different merit badges every semester.  This event has been held at the University of Colorado Boulder campus for 25 plus years. The event attracts over 400 Boy Scouts and 40-55 college student volunteers from APO Chapters throughout Colorado.

Click this link for a complete list of the Merit Badged offered http://www.mbuonline.org/?page_id=78

The will take place on the CU Boulder campus from 830am – 515pm.

Information about Merit Badge University can be found here: http://www.mbuonline.org/?page_id=250

If you are interested in signing up for this then please sign up at the troop signup genius here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054BACA929A4FC1-merit

Thanks!

Sean

Folks,

This is a pretty big prep meeting tomorrow!  We are going to get everything ready for our trip to Farish (45 Min from the church).  This is a family camp out so all of you are invited to attend!  We plan on doing the Cooking Merit Badge and the Fishing Merit Badge. Scout need to plan to have all the food to accomplish the Cooking Merit Badge.  Be prepared for a few scout to go shopping to purchase the items.  Also remember to bring your fishing poles and gear. If you are over 16 and want to fish then you can buy your license at Farish. This is federal property so I feel that is the best place to buy the license as it might be different then the Colorado License.

Some other activities to plan for….

• Tomahawk Throwing
• Adl Adl Throwing
• Flag Retirements ceremonies
• Having an awesome time!!!

Lets have a great time!!!

Honestly I cannot wait for this trip! Its going to be relaxing and fun!!!!! Please sign up

Sean

Folks,

We are in for a fun car camping family weekend of cooking, fishing and scout activities.  The next Camp out will be at Farish Recreational Area located in Woodland Park. This is a campground that owned by the Air Force Academy so it has all the amenities.  It has a store, heated building (if some parents want to sleep inside), electricity, fishing ponds, etc.  It doesn’t have pull up bars though because the Army doesn’t own it 🙂

Attached above is the map. We are staying at a location called the “Barn.” This is not actually a barn but instead a heated building with power. Last time I was there it had a couple refrigerators, carpeted floors and other indoor amenities.

We are offering to host some Cub Scouts for a few hours too but so far we do not have any takers…but we need to be prepared for that just in case. We can bring some tomahawks to throw and some Adl Adle spears (I think we have some in the barn).

We will be working on two merit badges….Cooking (Eagle Required) and Fishing. Please sign your scout up for which one they would like to accomplish.  We may be able to have all of them do both but it will be tight!

Remember this is a family camp out too so parents and siblings are free to attend and spend the weekend with your scouts!! There are plenty of things to do with families…hike, mountian bike, fish, etc. Those 15 and under can fish for free. 16 years old and older must buy a fishing license and they can be bought from the shop at Farish.  Scouts need to supply their own fishing poles, bait and hooks because the troop doesn’t own any.

We will meet at the church on Friday the 12th at 5pm and depart as soon as we can. We will return on Sunday around noon-2pm (to finish up Merit Badges if needed).

Please sign up here!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054BACA929A4FC1-farish

Thanks Sean

Scouts,

Tonight we are making a small adjustment to the calendar.  We are going to work on Requirement #4 of the Citizenship in the World MB. The remainder of the MB will be completed by the scouts and turned into Mr. Reeves.   The goal is that we are able to start and finish Merit Badges in a timely manner! Parents, please follow up with your scouts to finish this Eagle Required MB. This will take about 30-45 Min of the Meeting time.

We will start and complete the Cooking Merit Badge at the Farish Campout from 12-14 Oct.

Scout Leadership:  Please use your remaining time to plan for the Farish Campout or possible conduct a SLC meeting.

Things to consider fro the Farish Campout….This is a family campout, we will be working on the fishing and cooking MB’s.  All meals will focus on those two MB’s….if we catch fish then we can cook them up. We might have some webelos there so plan two hours to be a Webelo event….such as Tomahawk Throwing, Firem’n’s Chit, Toten Chit, and Atl-Atl throwing. Also, plan to retire some American Flag’s at the night time ceremony on Saturday night!

Here is the Map and Brochure for Farish. I will generate the sign up genius today.

USAFA Support – Farish Brochure

See you tonight!

Sean

Scouts,

Tonight’s focus will be continuing the Citizenship in the World Merit Badge.  There will likely be time left over during the meeting so Scout Leadership and can conduct an Interpatrol activity for the remaining time!

Thanks

Sean

Scouts,

This Tuesday’s meeting is going to be Citizenship in the World. It is an Eagle required Merit Badge. We will start at 7pm….normal time.

Also, as a follow up to the campout, please bring in all of your Hennessy Hammocks, Water Filtration Pumps and Stoves. Please make sure they are clean and dry.

Thanks!

Sean

Troop,

Our next community service opportunity will be serving food to those in need at a Soup Kitchen. It will be Sunday the 23rd at 545pm.  We could use about 10 scout’s and a few adults to help this night.

Its located at the Sacred Heart Church located at 2030 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80904

Please sign up here!!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054BACA929A4FC1-soup2

Folks,

Thanks for a great hiking trip!  We have a good time that included some night hiking, setting up hammocks in the dark, water purification, land navigation, dessert cook off and tough mountain hiking!  Everyone did really well!

Here is the link to the pics that are posted on the website thus far https://photos.app.goo.gl/FzEsvcv8uUbGAPfi6 . You should be able to download the pics from there easier than the website.  There will be more pics coming as we all consolidate the photos into the folder!

‘Break’

Our next meeting is game night at Springs Trampoline located at 2512 Airport Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80910. We will meet there on Wednesday the 12th because its closed on Tuesday’s. I hope that doesn’t upset anyone’s schedule too much.  We will also meet there at 6pm because they close at 8pm. From the website, it looks like the cost is $11 for an hour of jumping and there is a special on Wednesday for a 2nd hour for half price.  Here is a link to their site!

https://springstp.com

Thanks

Sean

*NOTE: Scout’s Must Provide their own Mountain House meal (or equivalent) for Saturday Night’s dinner!!  That meal will not be included in what the scouts buy.

Weather: The weather looks great for Saturday but be prepared to set up in the rain.  Also, please have your headlamps and rain coat accessible at the top of your backpack to aid in hiking and setting up camp in the dark.

Route:  The tentative route is depicted in the picture of the map above. Here is a full resolution PDF of the map so you can download it and print a copy: alltrails-bishop-castle. We will park cars near Davenport Campground right by the trailhead then hike in a counter clockwise direction around squirrel creek trail.

Meal Plan:

Friday Dinner: Bring your own (Subway or something similar)

Saturday Breakfast: Mini muffins and oatmeal

Saturday Lunch: Bread, jelly, peanut butter, and granola bars

Saturday Dinner: Mountain House Meals (Scouts responsible for bringing this one meal!!) and dessert cook off (Make sure dessert is purchased in accordance with scout decisions in the planning meeting)

Sunday Breakfast: Bagels and oatmeal

Snacks: Granola bars and trail mix

*Zip lock bags must be purchased to divide meals before hiking.

Note:

• Evan R is buying the food for this trip. 8 Scouts are signed up. By food for 7 because one scout is on a special diet and will bring his own food. Budget is $12 per scout. There was an additional dessert cook off between patrols. Make the dessert cook off items are purchased in accordance with whatever the planning meeting decided.
• Adults will bring their own food.
• Scout’s can bring some of their own additional snacks if they choose
• Scouts are responsible for bringing their Saturday night Mountain House Meal or something equivalent for Saturday night.

Packing List:

• Backpack
• Sleeping bag (Rated to at least 35 degrees)
• Sleeping pad (Optional)
• Class A shirt
• Clothes to match the weather (layers)…not too much clothes.
• Raincoat (Can also be used for warmth)
• First aid kit
• Fire making stuff (Fire Ban might be in effect)
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• Brimmed Hat
• Sunglasses
• Knife
• At least 2 liters of water
• BSA handbook and any other merit badges you want to work on (You don’t have to carry the book…but write down what skills you want to accomplish)
• Mess kit
• Hygiene kit (toilet paper, trowel, toothbrush, toothpaste, wetwipes etc.)
• Broken in hiking shoes (proper footwear)
• Extra socks
• Healthy snacks
• Compass
• Hammock (One of the Troop’s or your own)
• Garbage Bag (Scouts will hike out their own garbage)
• Food Bag

Optional

• Camera
• Back Packing Camp chair

Troop Gear:

• Jet Boil Stove (1 per buddy team) with Fuel
• Water Purification pump (2 per troop)
• Map (1 per buddy team)
• Bear Bag and String
• Cat Hole Shovel

Timeline:

3 Aug:

5pm: Meet at Wilson United Methodist Church

530pm: Depart to San Isabel National Forest

730pm: Arrive at Trail Head (By Davenport Campground)

4 Aug:

all day and night: Backpacking/Camping/Scout Activities

5 Aug:

9am:  Arrive at Bishops Castle

2-3pm: Arrive Back at the church

Scouts & Families,

Labor Day is almost here and we need just one more Scout for September 3^rd !  Please sign up using Sign-Up Genius.

All  Drivers & Navigators already signed up should have received an email from Sandy J. with route assignments, list of addresses and a link to the google map.  If you have any questions, please email or text Lisa D.

We will meet at 6:30am at the barn to load the vehicles and then head out to start the routes. We’ll meet at the barn at 4:30pm for afternoon pickup.

Scouts should wear their Class A uniforms.

Thanks!

Lisa

* Route May Change Based off Troop Planning.

Weather: 

Timeline:

3 Aug:

5pm: Meet at Wilson United Methodist Church

530pm: Depart to San Isabel National Forest

730pm: Arrive at Trail Head

4 Aug:
Backpacking

5 Aug:

10am:  Arrive at Bishops Castle

2-3pm: Arrive Back at the church

Packing List for Bishop’s Castle (To be refined by Troop Leadership)

• Backpack
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping pad
• Class A shirt
• Clothes to match the weather (layers)
• Raincoat
• First aid kit
• Fire making stuff (Fire Ban might be in effect)
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• Brimmed Hat
• Sunglasses
• Knife
• At least 2 liters of water
• BSA handbook and any other merit badges you want to work on
• Mess kit
• Hygiene kit (toilet paper, trowel, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)
• Broken in hiking shoes (proper footwear)
• Extra socks
• Healthy snacks
• Compass
• Hammock (One of the Troop’s or your own)

Optional

• Camera
• Back Packing Camp chair

Troop Gear:

• Jet Boil Stove (1 per buddy team) with Fuel
• Water Purification pump (2 per troop:
• Map (1 per buddy team)

Menu: (to be determined by Troop)

Troop,

The last I looked we still need 1 driver, 1 navigator and 2 scouts to do a route on Labor Day.  Please sign up here if you can do it!! I will be out of the state this holiday or I would do it!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f054baca929a4fc1-flag1

Thanks

Sean

Campers,

Our next campout will be around the Bishop’s Castle are in San Isabel National forest.  This will be a an easy to moderate backpacking trip that is good for all abilities of scouts!  On Sunday when we will go to Bishop’s Castle and hang there as long as the scouts want to. I would like to invite all families to come check it out on Sunday too with their scouts. Its truly an amazing thing!  Here is a link to its website: http://www.bishopcastle.org.

Also, I have 10 brand new Hennessy Hammocks that are for scout sized dudes that the scouts can use for this trip.   These are super cool and probably the best hammocks  you will ever use!  So this camp out can be a hammock camping trip too!  Sounds good huh!! Here is a link to the Hennessy Hammocks so you can check them out too.  https://hennessyhammock.com. The first 10 Scouts that sign up for one will get them then the remaining scouts will either have to use the tent or bring their own hammocks.

We will likely meet at the church on Friday Sept 7th at 5pm and Return on Sunday afternoon after seeing Bishop’s Castle.  Parents are more than welcome to take their scouts directly home from Bishop’s castle too if they choose.

Let have some fun!!

Pleas Sign up for the campout and hammocks here!

www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F054BACA929A4FC1-bishops1

Sean

Troop!

Our next COH is upon us! This is a HUGE one with lots of Rank advancements, Merit Badges and a change of leadership! I am so proud of all our scouts and parents for making this possible!

The theme of this COH is ICE CREAM! Its the Ice Cream Social.

The troop will provide the ice cream but scouts will need to bring toppings to share! Please sign up for whatever toppings you would like to bring to share with the Troop.

Sign Up for Toppings here: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F054BACA929A4FC1-court2

Set up begins at 530pm.  We will start serving the Ice Cream around 6pm.  The formal portion of the ceremony will begin around 645ish….could be a little earlier or later.

See you there!