This week we will be doing meal and trip prep for the Rock Climbing Campout in Canyon City. After that, we will be playing some climbing games and competitions. If you are going on the campout, make sure to dress appropriately and bring warm clothes.
**Don’t forget, the next Court of Honor is 15 April: so if you are working toward a rank advancement, make sure you get your ScoutMaster Conferences done on 1 April and your Boards of Review done on 8 April. Don’t wait until the last minute……Be Prepared!
**Also, Scout leadership: tentative PLC meeting will be 17 March at 6:30.
The campout for March is quickly approaching. We have locked in a camp location down in Canyon City/Penrose and will be camping from the 15th to the 16th. We will meet at the barn at 1:00 pm on Saturday and drive down and set up. Rock climbing will be all day Sunday at a local site and we will return to the barn around 5:00 pm on Sunday. The Troop has plenty of climbing gear, but if you want to bring your own that will work too. Camp out prep will take place at Tuesday’s meeting. Remember, it’s still technically winter so dress appropriately and bring warm clothes. This is also “car camping” so you can bring extra items if needed. Scouts and adults signup using the signup genius below.
** Summer Camp update: Our roster is finalized and I have everyone’s email address and will be sending out the summer camp guide. Some things to start thinking about: completing medical forms/physicals and completing a swim test (start practicing).
This week, we will be doing Rank Advancement, with senior scouts assisting the younger scouts with the Scout rank.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
11 Mar – Camp out prep with some climbing games/competitions
14-16 Mar – Rock Climbing Camp out (Canyon City)
18 Mar – Game Night (Bowling)
25 Mar – Spring Break (no meeting)
**Don’t forget, the next Court of Honor is 15 April: so if you are working toward a rank advancement, make sure you get your ScoutMaster Conferences done on 1 April and your Boards of Review done on 8 April. Don’t wait until the last minute……Be Prepared!
**Also, Scout leadership: tentative PLC meeting will be 17 March at 6:30.
Please join us in celebrating Austin as he is awarded Scouting’s highest rank of Eagle Scout. The ceremony will be held at the Historic Flying W Ranch on April 10th 2025 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. Cake and refreshments will be served at the reception immediately following the ceremony. Flying W Ranch is located at 3330 Chuckwagon Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80919.
We will meet at Ute Valley to hike or snowshoe (most likely hike). Meet at the Eagleview middle school parking lot off of Vindicator at 7:00. Mr. Austin Petree and/or Mr. Zsoka will bring some chemlights for fun. Make sure you bring a flashlight or headlamp and dress appropriately. The hike will be around 3 miles.
If you still plan to attend summer camp at Camp Buffalo Bill – the most important thing right now is to make sure to sign your agreement and get it to Betsy Douglass today (betsydouglass.bsa@gmail.com). We need to have a good count of who’s going so we can lock in and reserve our dates with the camp on Monday.
Tomorrow’s meeting we will focus on rock climbing in preparation for the March camp out. We will have a slideshow showing our rock climbing adventures over the last two years. Austin will conduct a rock climbing demonstration with the help of Mr. Anderson and/or Axel. If time permits we will conduct rank advancement and/or some more fun games.
**The final sign-up genius for summer camp has been sent out along with a summer camp agreement form. Please sign up again before Friday, 21 February, to confirm you can still attend Camp Buffalo Bill in Wyoming from 7-13 June. Also, complete and sign the agreement and email to Betsy or Mr. Turner or bring a hard copy to our meetings. If you haven’t received either message, please let us know. I will also be bringing hard copy agreement forms to tomorrow’s meeting.**
Upcoming schedule
25 Feb – chemlite hike/snowshoe Ute Valley
4 Mar – Scout rank advancement with Senior Scout mentors
11 Mar – Camp out prep with some climbing games/competitions
We had a great response to the summer camp post last week. Camp Buffalo Bill in Wyoming won by a slim margin. Please use the sign up genius below to confirm you will be able to join us at summer camp from 7-13 June. The troop will also be sending out summer camp agreement letters and bringing a stack of them to tomorrow’s meeting for each Scout and adult to sign. Please sign up and get your agreement signed by this Friday so we can reserve out slot!
On Thursday, 13 February Pack 166 will hold a bridging ceremony at St. Michael’s Church, 7400 Tudor Rd from 6:00-7:30 pm. Three Cub Scouts will be bridging over to Troop 287!
Isaac Thesing
Knox Reed
Sawyer Tonge
On Saturday, 15 February Pack 62 will hold a bridging ceremony at Sunrise United Methodist Church, 2655 Briargate Blvd from 4:00-6:00 pm. One Cub Scout will be bridging over to Troop 287!
Eddie Peterson
If you plan to attend, please were your Class A’s. Come out in force and let’s show the Cub Scouts how to represent and welcome our newest members!
This week some scouts will be conducting classes to teach new scouts and refresh older scouts on some basic scouting skills. Make sure you arrive early to set up if you are one of the scouts presenting.
Knots: Nathan
First Aid: Rudra
Clothing/Packing: Liam
Team Building: Austin
We will also be welcoming Patrick Kundert to the troop. He had his bridging ceremony on Sunday and will be joining us tomorrow. There are two additional bridging ceremonies this week: Thursday 6:00-7:30 pm at St Michaels Church for Isaac Thesing and Saturday 4:00-6:00 pm at Sunrise United Methodist Church for Eddie Peterson. The troop would like to represent at these ceremonies with some younger and older scouts, so if you are available let your leadership know.
This week for the game night we will be going to Whirlyball!! It is $15 per person. Make sure to arrive a few minutes before 7:00 so we can have a full hour of fun!!!
Address: 3971 Palmer Park Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80909
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
2/5: PLC meeting at 7:30 (monthly on-line planning meeting for scout leadership)
2/11: Prep/Class on how to prepare for winter campouts
**Parents interested in sending their Scout to Summer Camp 2025: Start thinking about whether you want to send your Scout to Summer camp. The Troop quickly needs to determine how many Scouts are planning on going along with any parents who are willing to assist at camp. Some options for parents would be for one parent to attend the whole week or have several parents serve a day or two each, along with myself. Some factors to consider are location and dates. The troop voted last year and thought that Camp Buffalo Bill in Wyoming would be fun, but it is about 9 1/2 hours away. We could also do Camp Alexander which is about 1 1/2 hours away. Dates available in June are: weeks 1-3 for Camp A and weeks 2-4 for Camp Buffalo Bill (camp is only 1 week). I believe Buffalo Bill is $525 and Camp A is $450. The troop previously went to Camp A in 2023. You can text me directly if your Scout wants to attend, which camp, which dates are best, and if you are available to help.
Below is a spreadsheet of everyone that is going ice climbing along with arrival date and transportation. For those that are departing on Friday, we will meet at the barn at 6:00 pm.
We will be meeting at the barn on Friday at 5:00 to grab troop gear and carpool to Camp A. Mr. Zsoka, Mr. Turner, and Mr. Anderson will be driving. We should return to the barn on Sunday around 11:00. Also, we are staying in the lower conference room (a large open room) so we should be able to play board games or card games in the evening (bring what you want to play).
Packing List for Campout
Essentials: Backpack, Water bottle, Hygiene essentials, First Aide Kit
Clothing: Medium gloves, Sunglasses, Snow pants, Thick jacket or ski jacket, Lots of layers and a change of cloths
Sleeping Gear: Sleeping pad, Sleeping bag, Pillow
Activities & Equipment:
Sled (Optional, Remember to bring a helmet if sledding)
Microspikes or Yaktrax for hockey (Optional)
Snowshoes (Optional)
Boots for the crampons for Ice Climbing (Required)
Camping Furniture:
Camping chairs
From Camp A Website:
Ice Climbing Personal Gear List (PLEASE bring these items)
Waterproof pants and jacket appropriate for winter conditions. Please be aware the crampons are sharp and may cut your pants if you are not careful.
Gloves. Tighter-fitting gloves are preferred so that you can grip the Technical Ice Axe as you climb. Waterproof gloves work the best, and you may need to bring two sets.
Sunglasses or ski goggles. Depending on weather conditions, goggles may be necessary to stay warm and continue climbing.
Wool or fleece hat to wear under the helmet to stay warm as you climb.
All other winter clothing, you will need to stay warm.
Also, if you are planning to complete the Sustainability Merit Badge – here is the final requirement:
8a. On a campout or other outdoor Scouting activity that you attend, make notes on the sustainability practices you and your fellow Scouts practice. Observe transportation, forestry, soil conservation, water resources, habitat, buildings, campsites, and sanitation. Share what you observed and learned with your counselor.
Mr. Hatch recommended you write out your notes and either email or turn them in to him for review/discussion.
2/4: Game Night: WhirlyBall at Colorado Springs, 3871 Palmer Park Blvd; $15.00 per person. 7:00 pm start time, arrive a few minutes early so we can have a full hour of fun!
2/5: PLC on-line meeting at 7:30
2/11: Scout led classes on how to prepare for winter campouts
This week, some new scouts will visit our troop to explore it. We’ll set up a few stations run by some scouts to show what we do here. These include a tent station, a ropes station, an ice/rock climbing station, a first aid station, a skit involving four to six scouts, and a slideshow at the end.
Make sure to be in Class A uniform and arrive early to set up your stations – be prepared to talk/demonstrate for about 15 minutes. Also, bring lots of knives, axes, saws, etc for the TSA skit.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
1/28: Meal planning and prep for the Ice Climbing Campout
This week, some new scouts will visit our troop to explore it. We’ll set up a few stations run by some scouts to show what we do here. These include a tent station, a ropes station, an ice/rock climbing station, a first aid station, a skit involving four to six scouts, and a slideshow at the end.
Make sure to be in Class A uniform!
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
1/28: Meal planning and prep for the Ice Climbing Campout
2/4: Game Night: WhirleyBall at Colorado Springs, 3871 Palmer Park Blvd; $15.00 per person
2/11: Prep/Class on how to prepare for winter campouts
Troop,
This week, some new scouts will visit our troop to explore it. We’ll set up a few stations run by some scouts to show what we do here. These include a tent station, a ropes station, an ice/rock climbing station, a first aid station, a skit involving four to six scouts, and a slideshow at the end.
Make sure to be in Class A uniform!
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
1/28: Meal planning and prep for the Ice Climbing Campout
2/4: Game Night: WhirleyBall at Colorado Springs, 3871 Palmer Park Blvd; $15.00 per person
2/11: Prep/Class on how to prepare for winter campouts
Troop,
This week, some new scouts will visit our troop to explore it. We’ll set up a few stations run by some scouts to show what we do here. These include a tent station, a ropes station, an ice/rock climbing station, a first aid station, a skit involving four to six scouts, and a slideshow at the end.
Make sure to be in Class A uniform and arrive early to set up your stations – be prepared to talk/demonstrate at your station for about 15 minutes. Also bring lots of knives, axes, saws, etc for the TSA skit.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
1/28: Meal planning and prep for the Ice Climbing Campout
This week, we will be watching Raiders of the Lost Ark at the church from 6:30-8:30! Mr. Zsoka and Mr. Petree will be bringing popcorn and soda, but feel free to bring your own snacks if you’d like.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
1/21: Troop Bridging: Some new scouts will visit our troop to explore it. We’ll set up a few stations to show what we do here. These include a tent station, a ropes station, an ice/rock climbing station, a first aid station, a skit involving four to six scouts, and a slideshow at the end.
1/28: Meal planning and prep for the Ice Climbing Campout
I hope you had a great Christmas and a Happy New Year! Hopefully it doesn’t snow too much this evening.
Our first meeting of the year will be a potpourri (meet at the church): We will discuss the upcoming ski trip, John will give a class to complete his Emergency Preparedness Merit Badge, some of the scout leaders will complete some planning, and there will also be some time for rank advancement and some games.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
12 January: Troop Ski Trip at Monarch Mountain (make sure you have you gear or rentals and your lift ticket). We will meet at the barn at 0600 and carpool there.
31 Jan – 2 Feb: Our first campout of 2025 – Ice Climbing and cabins at Camp Alexander. Make sure to sign up on the signup genius that was sent out. You do not have to ice climb, but if you decide to it will be $70.00 pp. Other things we have fun doing at the cabins are sledding, snow shoeing, and ice hockey on the lake. Also, if you attended the Sustainability Merit Badge Class with Mr. Hatch, you can use this campout to complete your final requirement.
Welcome to the website of Boy Scout Troop 287 at Wilson United Methodist Church, located on the northwest side of Colorado Springs, CO, in school districts 11 and 20. We are in the BSA Pikes Peak Council, Frontier District.
To the left, you can view our news and events. Below you can browse information about our troop, subscribe to our blog by email, download documents, and access useful links.
