Troop,

Our meeting this coming week will focus on individual equipment prep and finalize troop equipment load-out into the trailer.

Below are the links for the individual and troop gear lists. If you are attending summer camp (especially if you are a first time summer camper), please ensure your packing list is completed and bought to the meeting so your leadership can conduct an inspection. While not a requirement, it provides the leadership the opportunity to get used to this type of activity.

Any candy, food, snacks, etc., should be brought in a separate bag/container for storing in the trailer overnight and while we are away from the tent sites (access will be granted while we are in camp). The use of bear bins (our trailer) is required and a safety concern. At no time is food allowed in the tents to prevent the boys sleeping with unwanted companions.

A sign up genius will follow for those willing to transport Scouts to camp. We have a roster of 15 Scouts, and will need to seat them for the trip. I would like to meet up at the church on Sunday morning to head up there as a group. Accountability is way easier that way.

https://docs.google.com/document/?authuser=0&usp=docs_web

https://docs.google.com/document/d/15CQ6iFkOiTt_gKXZO105FRw9mWTFPm6pa2UKRfsPKvk/edit

Make sure all those Scouts who attended last week need to bring their books so we can give credit (mostly so the adults don’t forget when it comes time to do SM Conferences).

There were a couple of parents looking for additional information on the Flag Program. It can be found at the link below.

https://portal.clubrunner.ca/3236/SitePage/club-service-programs/flag-program

See you guys on Tuesday!

Dan

Troop and Families,

On our next meeting, we have a couple things going on.

First, we have a guest speaker, Mr. Jacob Anderson, coming to speak to us about Civic Responsibility. Mr. Anderson is from the City of Colorado Springs Civic Engagement Office, and will discuss with us the responsibilities we have inherent to living here in the USA. This will fulfill rank requirements for the citizenship portion for First Four Scouts (First Class Req 9a). (Plan for about a 30-40 minute discussion)

We will also discuss our patrol/troop equipment needs for summer camp and sort out what needs maintenance of the selected equipment. There will be some opportunity for rank advancement stuff too via breakout sessions. (Plan for about 20 minutes).

IPA: Plan for remaining 30 minutes or so.

Troop,

Today I met a few folks from the organization Focus on the Forest. (www.focusontheforest.org). They are based out of Woodland Park and basically go through our local National Forest System cleaning up after those people who leave trash around and really have no clue what Leave No Trace is all about.

As Scouts, part of our mission is to leave any area we visit in better condition than we found it. This is basically what these nice folks over at Focus on the Forest do. They have several programs which include Scouts of all kinds and even have their own “Scout Day” in September. Last year they had 94 Scouts show up and clean up parts of our forests.

The reason I am blabbering on is that this organization is a non-profit that could use all the help it can. Including Eagle Projects for those of you who may be approaching that time.

So, as there are many organizations and opportunities to serve our local area and help out with your projects (Eagle and non-Eagle, or just obtaining volunteer hours), please consider adding this organization to your list to make decisions about future opportunities. Again, this is just one of many organizations to volunteer with. I had never heard of them, and just think their mission is right up our alley, do with this information as you deem appropriate.

Yours in Scouting,

Dan

Scouts and Families,

Tomorrow morning kicks off our flags season bright and early. If you are signed up, we will see you in the morning at 6 at the barn to load up flags and get’r dun. If you have not had the opportunity to sign up, please check out the available slots and throw your name down on the sign up genius.

Coffee and donuts will be provided based upon your enthusiasm, the generosity of the person obtaining said refreshments, and of course, the alarm clock (mostly the alarm clock). If it goes off early enough and gets the appropriate response – not a snooze button, there will be treats; if not: well, you get the idea.

See you in the morning!

Dan

Troop,

Here is the update link for the sign up genius for the COH on the 28th.

Let’s celebrate our accomplishments and our “departing” leader, ASM Blake McTee.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0449ABAD22A02-court

Dan

Troop,

If there is anyone who is interested in participating in the Pikes Peak Soap Box Derby (links below), the troop has four cars that can be used at your leisure.

https://www.soapboxderby.org/pikes-peak/about-us/races/2019-local-race.aspx

https://www.facebook.com/PikesPeakSoapBoxDerby

If you are interested, please let me know and coordinate with me and/or Mr. Tom Sharp for the use of the cars.

This is a pretty cool event, think of it like a life size Pine Wood Derby.

The dates are rapidly approaching, trials are on 2 Jun and the race is on 9 Jun.

Dan

Parents and Scouts,

Due to inclimate weather and our plan to cook outside, we are going to push back the COA for a week. In addition, there have not been too many folks signed up for items on the Sign-up list. You can review what is needed at the link below.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0449abad22a02-court

So, let’s reset and get engaged with our COA, as a reminder, this will be the last COA for Assistant Scoutmaster Blake McTee; let’s make it a memorable one.

Since we will not be having the COA, we will have a regular meeting, remember the third meeting of the month is Uniform Inspection.

Have a great night!

Dan

Troop (MTB Campers for this weekend):

As usual, we will meet up at the church at 5:30pm and plan leave for Farish by 6 (40 minute drive or so)-we may actually get to set up camp while it is still light!

We will not NEED our patrol boxes (but may want to load one just in case), but those who are cooking need to understand what is required to cook what is being brought and need to make adjustments for preparing the meals. From what I know about the meals, they can be cooked in a mess kit (but we will need a sanitizing station to clean).

Our main gear can be loaded up and stored in our vehicles while we ride down the hill and can recover them later on Sunday afternoon (day pack w/10 essentials on the rides).

We can plan to meet back up and get gear later on Sunday evening, or whenever is convenient. We hope to be at the Church by noon. Updates to family members will come as cell service allows. If you want to ride down the hill with us, I think our plan is to roll out of Farish around 9 on Sunday. There is no cell service up there, so if you are not there, we will assume you are not coming.

Let me know if there are any questions or concerns. I am sure I didn’t cover everything and I likely forgot a bunch of stuff. -but we will be safe and have fun regardless.

Dan

Troop,
The MTB campout is here! We have five Scouts and three adults headed up to Farish Rec Area for the MTB campout. Conner is purchasing the food for the Scouts, and adults will be responsible for their grub.

We plan to ride four routes on Saturday (2 x 2 miles; 2 x 5miles) and on Sunday we plan to ride from Farish all the way back to the Church for a total ride of 25.1 miles (on Rampart Range Road). Anyone who wants to join us, is more than welcome. Our start time on Sunday, in order to get back by 12noon, will be 9am Boy Scout time-which means very “ish”.

Safety gar required is helmet. Recommended are gloves, eye pro, and any other gear you may want to add (shin/knee/elbow guards, etc.).

The weather this weekend is supposed to rain, so ensure the appropriate gear is packed. Layers! Pack as if we were hiking, just to keep used to that sort of camping. No Patrol boxes, since there are only five scouts, we can cook on mess kits or in the fire.

So, the weekend looks to be fun, either muddy fun, or MTB fun, either way, we will have a great time!

Geren, Troop Scribe

Troop,

There are currently only three Scouts signed up for the MTB campout this weekend. I assume that will change in the next day or so!

Tomorrow night’s meeting will focus on campout prep (food, packing list, etc.) for the trip to Farish. The boys will also map recon for routes that will complete the Cycling merit badge requirements. We will not be able to complete all of the requirements, but will be able to get a good start on them! Ride requirements are:

Ride the following rides with your counselor: two 2 mile rides; two 5 mile rides; two 8 mile rides; and one 22 mile ride.

If time permits, we can also knock out some rank requirements to keep up with the tradition of rushing to completion the week before the COA!

Dan

Hello Troop!

Its time for Rank Advancements and to present Merit Badges! Tuesday, May 21st is our Court of Honor and it will be a BBQ themed event. The Troop is going to provide the Hamburgers, Hotdogs, Brats and the Buns.  We are asking the families to bring the sides:

Please sign up for the side dish you can bring.

Set up begins at 5:30 pm and the COH starts at 6pm at the Church

Roxann

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0449abad22a02-court

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C4AADA829A7FE3-mtbcampout

Above is the link to the sign up for the MTB campout next weekend. The Scouts will need a good number of attendees so they can plan for food at next week’s meeting.

Scouts, 

Out next campout is our Mountain Bike (MTB) campout up at Farish Rec area 17-19 May. Scouts will plan food and routes using available maps at next Week’s meeting (14 May). We have to make a couple of decisions on where everyone is to sleep since we have a pavillion, a cabin, and some tent sites. We may be able to consolodate on the Pavillion with tents (which would be best). 

Anyhow, please sign up and bring your bike, helmet, and all other safety gear for a few rides.

The riding requirements are two 2-mile rides, two 5-mile rides, two 8-mile rides (in that order), and a 22 mile ride. We will try and get at least three rides in during the weekend and finish up on another weekend later this year. At least all the admin and technical stuff should be done this month!

Dan

Scouts and Families,

Tonight’s meeting kicks off our flag season. We will focus on getting our flags ready and making sure our buckets are well equipped to manage the task on Memorial Day.

This is the Troop’s primary funding effort, so we need to ensure all the flags we put in subscriber’s yards, are good to go without rips, frays, or other issues.

If you have not signed up yet for flag distributions, please do so!

I will also hand out merit badge worksheets for Automotive Maintenance (May’s merit badge-we may have to reschedule this one) and Cycling (the focus of our campout next weekend). I will put out a separate post for the campout sign up.

Dan

Greetings Scouts and Families!

This week’s meeting will focus on Rank Advancement and MB completion. Higher ranking Scouts will dedicate their time to getting who I call “First Four” Scouts (Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, and in some cases-First Class Ranks) up to snuff on their requirements using the EDGE method. Adult Leaders will be on stand-by to sign off requirements and conduct any SM Conferences needed. Higher Ranking Scouts (First Class, Star, and Life) need to be ready to begin developing their EDGE methodology for use with younger Scouts and also begin thinking about their service hours and projects.

See you tomorrow night! Class B uniforms!

Dan

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0849AAA623A13-flag

Scouts and Families,

Above is the latest link for our Flag program sign up. This is the program which provides most of the operating funds for our troop and is the only “Troop” fund raiser (Popcorn and Camp Cards are individual efforts). Please Take an opportunity to sign up if you can.

In preparation for our Flags season, we will be preparing our Troops inventory of flags during our May 7th meeting.

Yours in Scouting,

Dan

Scouts/Families,

A reminder for tonight’s meeting:

We are meeting at Fire Station 18, will have a uniform inspection and move directly into the Station tour.

Camp Card money is due to Mrs. Durrenberger. If not money, then left over cards are to be turned in.

See you all tonight!

Dan

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C4AADA829A7FE3-soup

Soup Kitchen – Community Service Hours

Troop,

This Spring’s Soup Kitchen will be on April 28th at the Sacred Heart Church. It will start at 5:45pm and probably run until about 7pm. Please come in your class A’s and full of giving and helping Spirit! It will be at the Sacred Heart Church located at 2030 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80904.

We need at least 10 scouts and 6 adults. Friends and Family are welcome to lend assistance as well. The link is above for the signup.

Thanks!

Dan

Date: 04/28/2019 (Sun.)

Time: 5:45pm – 7:00pm MDT

Location: Sacred Heart Church, 2030 W. Colorado Ave.

Troop,

Just a reminder to get it in your mindset that next week we will be continuing our Fire Safety Merit Badge at Fire station 18 (right around the corner from the church) at 6830 Hadler View.

Remember to bring your Fire Safety Merit Badge Worksheet (filled out) and wear your Class A uniform. We will conduct a uniform inspection right at 7pm, then roll into the station tour. Patrol Leaders and SPL will conduct the inspection.

Thanks,

Dan

Troop,

We had an excellent camping trip to the Great Sand Dunes. We are going to follow it up with a fun Game night at Pinon Valley Park (5585 Mule Deer Dr.) stating at 6:30pm to maximize light and fun. The Scouts were thinking kick ball or flag football. We will make a final decision when everyone arrives.

Thanks,

Dan

Troop,

On Tuesday’s meeting, we discussed the patrol menus for the weekend and assigned Austin and Evan to purchase the food. We also inspected our Patrol boxes and made a list of required purchases (propane, paper towels, etc).

Here is the personal gear list that we discussed (ensure you adjust for the weather!):

10 essentials

Sleeping bag – it is going to be 20degrees at night – 0 degree bag is suggested

snow gear

sleeping mat

mess kit

Check your Scout Handbook for a more complete list as well as checking over the attachment below.

Geren M.

Troop 287 Scribe