Hey scouts! For my Eagle Project I will be building a flag retirement box and I need all the help I can to assemble, paint, and configure the box. All who show up will get volunteer hours and food. I will have all of the tools, gloves, and other supplies at the location, however if you are attending please make sure to bring close toed shoes. There will be saws and other sharp tools involved. The goal by 2pm is to have the box completed and ready to install. 

 Date: 07/22/2023 (Sat.)

 Time: 10:00AM – 2:00PM MDT

 Location: 2560 Stoneridge Dr. 80919

Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050848a9a629a4fa7-marks#/

Greetings from Camp Alexander! 

All are well and having fun. Monday was a bit chaotic, with everyone learning their schedules. The boys definitely got their steps in, running around camp to their merit badge stations, flag ceremonies, and kitchen duty! Monday night was the opening camp fire, and the staff put on a great show. The boys went to bed tired and slept well. 

It’s Tuesday, and the boys have settled into the routine. We are seeing lots of smiles and memories being made. Will got to try out the water in the lake a bit earlier than scheduled, when he capsized his kayak unintentionally. He said the water is very nice. I saw Ben and Lucas on the lake today too, and they were having a blast! Parents, don’t be shocked when your son begs you to buy a kayak when they get home….

Troop 287 has also been very active in shooting sports. I sat in on the Rifle Merit Badge class yesterday, and I was incredibly impressed with the senior instructor Barry. He’s a grandfatherly gentleman that is very good with the boys. He’s strict and very safety-minded. By the end of the lesson, there was no confusion about the rules and procedures for shooting, and everyone got to shoot on day one. In the archery area, Miles and Alex have already shot the necessary score to earn their merit badges. 

Around camp, the kids do a lot of hammocking (hanging out, literally). I’ve setup a Badminton net… we’ll see how long it survives. The Trading Post (sugar shack) is a big hit too, and our campsite is right next to it (unfortunately…?)

Tuesday night was the “carnival night.” The kids got hamburgers, hotdogs, popcorn, and ice cream (Scoutmasters were treated to a steak dinner from the staff, and I could cut through most of the steak  ). We had a chance to mingle with other troop leaders, and heard many glowing comments about Camp A and the staff this year. I have to agree… this is far superior to last year. They are fully staffed with great folks, and they know what they’re doing. 

The boys are on shower cleaning duty now… building some character. If you have any questions or concerns about your son, please reach out. I can recieve and send texts intermittently through the day, and there is a lodge with wifi.

– Mike (and Matt)

Hello, Campers!

Hope you are getting excited and packed for scout camp.  We will plan to come home on Friday night as a troop and aim to leave Camp A after Family Night around 9:30pm. Please coordinate with Mr. Anderson and Mr. Hoekstra before departing so everyone is accounted for. 

See the carpool sign-up below and we still need a volunteer to bring back the troop trailer.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FACAD2DA1FCCF8-getting

PACKING: Please double-check the packing list and remember to use a large plastic bin for all your belongings. Here are a few other things we suggest bringing:

– Camp Chair 

– Swim Goggles

– Snacks: Pack them in a large plastic ziplock with your name and Troop number on it. They will be stored locked in the trailer (cannot be stored in your tent). 

MEDICAL FORMS: We will need to correct any medical form errors on Sunday at the barn before departing. All forms must be correct, complete, and compiled into one document for Camp A. 

GETTING TO AND FROM CAMP:

– Meet at Barn at 1:30pm Sunday, 7/9 for a 2pm departure (see sign up below for carpooling)

– Scouts need to eat lunch beforehand, dinner at Camp A will be provided 

– Troop will check out Friday (7/14) around 9:30pm with a tentative pick-up time at the barn around 10:30pm. 

MORE CAMP SPECIFIC INFORMATION:

Go to the Camp A website, click on “Program” and then “Camp A Leader’s Guide” which is full of helpful info and a daily schedule.

http://campalexanderbsa.org/summer-camp/program/

Camp -A-packing-listDownload

FAMILY NIGHT:

One of the highlights at Camp Alexander is Friday Family Night. Friends and family are welcome to join in the fun and spirit on Friday afternoon as the scouts participate in camp-wide events. At 5:15 PM the camp will have its final assembly, with Scouts dressed in full field uniform. Awards and rank recognitions will be presented at this time. Be sure to have cameras ready to capture the great moments.  Friday evening meal tickets are sold at the Business Office at $10 and must be purchased prior to dining.

There is no charge for the Scouts and leaders in attendance at camp during the week as the cost is already included in the camp fee. The closing campfire, performed by the Scouts, will begin at approximately 7:45 PM and should conclude by 9:30 PM.

THEME DAYS:

This is not mandatory of course, but many of the boys enjoy participating!

Monday – Crazy Sock Day – wear your favorite crazy sock(s)!

Tuesday – Camp T-Shirt Day – wear your favorite Camp Alexander t-shirt

Wednesday – OA Day – wear your OA sash with full field uniform

Thursday – Crazy Hat Day—wear a crazy hat!

Friday – Floral Fridays– wear your favorite floral shirt

GETTING TO AND FROM CAMP:

– Meet at Barn at 1:30pm Sunday, 7/9 for a 2pm departure (see sign up below for carpooling)

– Scouts need to eat lunch beforehand, dinner at Camp A will be provided 

– Last check out the following Saturday (7/15) is at 8:15am so drivers should plan to pick up scouts by 8am or the night before (see below). Once drivers have reception, they can send ETA updates.

FAMILY NIGHT

One of the highlights at Camp Alexander is Friday Family Night. Friends and family are welcome to join in the fun and spirit on Friday afternoon as the scouts participate in camp wide events. At 5:15 PM the camp will have its final assembly, with Scouts dressed in full field uniform. Awards and rank recognitions will be presented at this time. Be sure to have cameras ready to capture the great moments.  Friday evening meal tickets are sold at the Business Office at $10 and must be purchased prior to dining.

There is no charge for the Scouts and leaders in attendance at camp during the week as the cost is already included in the camp fee. The closing campfire, performed by the Scouts, will begin at approximately 7:45 PM and should conclude by 9:30 PM.

If there is enough interest in family night and bringing your scout home with you after we might plan to have the whole troop check out on Friday night.  Please indicate that on the sign up below. Mike will need to leave Friday night anyway for a memorial service Saturday morning.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FACAD2DA1FCCF8-getting

PACKING:

– Use large plastic bins labeled with scout name, troop, phone number 

– Packing list was passed out at the last meeting and is also attached here.

THEME DAYS:

This is not mandatory of course, but many of the boys enjoy participating!

Monday – Crazy Sock Day – wear your favorite crazy sock(s)!

Tuesday – Camp T-Shirt Day – wear your favorite Camp Alexander t-shirt

Wednesday – OA Day – wear your OA sash with full field uniform

Thursday – Crazy Hat Day—wear a crazy hat!

Friday – Floral Fridays– wear your favorite floral shirt

MORE CAMP SPECIFIC INFORMATION:

Go to the Camp A website, click on “Program” and then “Camp A Leader’s Guide” which is full of helpful info and a daily schedule.

http://campalexanderbsa.org/summer-camp/program/

Hi Troop!

Sorry for the last-minute note. We are going to go over some scout camp items and hopefully play a few games. Wear Class B (or comfortable clothes) for fun activities. If you can’t make it, we understand that summer is a busy time for everyone.

Axel

Wear comfortable clothes to scouts tonight. We will meet at the barn and then walk to the park for ultimate frisbee!

Just about the whole troop is out enjoying summer, so we are cancelling tonight’s meeting. See you next week!

Friday, June 16th to Sunday, June 18

This is a 16 mile round trip hike.  We will do 8 miles on Saturday and 8 out on Sunday.  Please sign up your scout if he is interested.  Please also sign up if you are able to drive scouts to or from the trailhead. 

Plan: Meet at barn and drive to Stillwater Campground (sites B005 and B006) on Friday, 16 June. Camp overnight then drive to Monarch Lake Trailhead (30 min) morning of 17 June. Park at trailhead and hike to Crater Lake via Cascade Creek Trail (8 miles). Camp at Crater Lake (reserved group site) Saturday, 17 June and explore area. Hike out morning of 18 June and drive back to barn.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FACAD2DA1FCCF8-lone

I have had some requests for COH programs from previous ceremonies so I decided to post a handful of them here. Going forward I will post them as we go as well.

Tuesday, May 23rd at 7:00

This month we decided to do things a little bit differently to accommodate everyone’s busy end of school schedules. We will start the Court of Honor ceremony promptly at 7:00 and then will enjoy some dessert and time together afterwards. Please sign up on at this link to bring a dessert to share.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FACAD2DA1FCCF8-may2023

Let me know if you have any questions.

Jenine (619-607-1647)

If your scout is a 1st class or higher, not going to Northern Tier AND interested in NYLT, please have them write a quick “scholarship application” tonight and submit before our council meeting tomorrow.

See the full post below but here are the questions:

1.        Why do you want to attend NYLT?

2.       How might you apply what you have learned when you get back to the troop?  Describe 3 specific actions you can take to apply what you have learned to benefit the troop by the end of the calendar year.

For our March campout, we’ll be doing some Mountain Biking, down in Canon City, “the Banana Belt of Colorado”. We will be riding at the South Canon open space. This is a new trail system, purpose-built for mountain biking with a great variety of trails for new and experienced riders. We will be camping at Temple View Campground, which is just a few miles up the road: 

https://goo.gl/maps/PwYSmGE2fBrGs9sc7

We will meet at the church at 5pm to load gear and bikes and plan to return by noon on Sunday. We will be car camping and riding bikes on Saturday. You don’t have to have a mountain bike to attend, but it is highly encouraged. Please make sure it is in working order. Mr. Anderson will bring a tool kit, but he won’t have spare parts for everyone’s bikes. We will have opportunities to work on the Cycling Merit Badge too. 

We really need drivers with bike racks. The drive is under an hour, so it’s an easy one. 

Please sign up as soon as possible so we can get started figuring out logistics!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FACAD2DA1FCCF8-canyon

*Open to First Class and higher.  

*Dates this year are 6/11-17 (same as Northern Tier, sorry!)

“The NYLT course centers around the concepts of what a leader must BE, what a leader must KNOW, and what a leader must DO. The key elements are then taught with a clear focus on HOW TO. The skills come alive during the week as the patrol goes on a Quest for the Meaning of Leadership.”

“Through activities, presentations, challenges, discussions, and audio-visual support, NYLT participants will be engaged in a unified approach to leadership that will give them the skill and confidence to lead well.”

See more at: 

https://www.scouting.org/programs/scouts-bsa/troop-resources/nylt/

https://pathwaytotherockies.org/resources/training/nylt/

NYLT “Scholarship Application”

In order to be considered for the Troop 287 NYLT $100 scholarship please complete the following questions in an email to winslowfamily4@gmail.com before our next council meeting on 3/14.  The council will review the submissions at that time.  Please let me know if you have any questions.

1.        Why do you want to attend NYLT?

2.       How might you apply what you have learned when you get back to the troop?  Describe 3 specific actions you can take to apply what you have learned to benefit the troop by the end of the calendar year.

Date: Tuesday, February 28

Time: 5:30 set up, 6:00 dinner, ceremony and awards following dinner.

If you are bringing chili please be sure the scout makes it. There will be prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place!

All scouts should be in their Class A uniform.

Please sign up as soon as possible and let me know if you have any questions.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FACAD2DA1FCCF8-chili

Alex has extended the date of this donation drive to February 14th. If you have any extra warm gloves, hats, etc. at home please bring them to the meeting. Alternatively you can drop them off at his house any time before 2/14, there is a bin on the front porch for donations.

Court of Honor Potluck sign-ups are looking a little sparse!! Please sign up as soon as possible in the RSVP section (for each member of your family that will be attending) and for food items that you will be bringing. Remember the troop will reimburse you for the expense of the meat. Let me know if you have any questions!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FACAD2DA1FCCF8-thanksgiving

Time to get together for a Thanksgiving feast and Court of Honor!

Date: Tuesday, November 15

Time: 5:30 set up, 6:00 dinner, ceremony and awards following dinner.

Let me know if you have any questions.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FACAD2DA1FCCF8-thanksgiving

Please RSVP as soon as possible so we know how much ice cream to purchase!

When: August 23rd @ 5:30

Where: Wilson Church

Please RSVP and choose something fun to bring.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FACAD2DA1FCCF8-icecream

When: August 23rd @ 5:30

Where: Wilson Church

Please RSVP and choose something fun to bring.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FACAD2DA1FCCF8-icecream

Please join us for a celebration of the last 3 months of scouting fun! Dinner will be catered by Bird Dog BBQ, so no need to bring anything! Please just sign up at the link below so that we have accurate numbers for dinner.

Tuesday, May 17: dinner at 6:00; awards at 7ish

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FACAD2DA1FCCF8-court