Use this category to add news to the Troop blog. News can be a collection of announcements, live updates (photos, videos, etc.) on outings, or any information that pertains to the entire Troop.
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
Miles Kunkle’s Eagle Scout Court of Honor is scheduled to be held at the church on Saturday February 22nd, 2025 from 3:00 to 5:00pm. Please attend to honor this monumental achievement!
We still have many NON-REFUNDABLE slots for ice climbing on Sat, February 1st. No prior experience needed. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that costs the general public $240 per person, but it’s only $70 for scouts. While the climbing coincides with the weekend cabin trip at Camp A, you do not need to stay for the entire weekend to do ice climbing. You can come up just for climbing on Saturday (3hr slots). We really want to fill the slots with Troop 287 scouts, but we will start giving away our slots this week
On the sign-up you will see separate sign-ups for the cabins (scout & adults) and a sign-up for ice climbing (scouts & adults). If you have any questions please contact Janelle Anderson (801)518-9659.
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
Still have a Christmas tree to dispose of? Scout Troop 78 is conducting its 23rd annual Christmas Tree Recycling program! We are once again collecting trees to use for mulch at the USAFA “B-52 Scout Campsite” to help control erosion. Our remaining collection days are: Saturday, Jan 11th (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) Sunday, Jan 12th (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Our drop off locations are: Eagleview Middle School (1325 Vindicator Dr. – west side) Progressive Insurance (12710 Voyager Parkway – NE corner) If you would like to make a reservation for a pick up, please visit our website to complete the “Tree Pickup Reservation Form” at this link: www.78trees.net
Donations are welcomed and greatly appreciated to support our scouts. Best wishes for a very Happy New Year! Scouts of Troop 78
Troop 287, We have some exciting things planned this year, so mark your 2025 calendars! Sign-ups for adult help and interested scouts will be sent out every month. Looking forward to a great year!
Jan 12 — Monarch Ski Day
Jan 31 – 2 Feb — Camp A cabins & Ice climbing 1 Feb – Ice Climbing at Camp A (you are not required to do the weekend campout to do the ice climbing, as long as you have your own transportation to/from Camp A).
Mar 14 -16 — Activity/Location TBD. Ice fishing was proposed.
April 25 – 27 — Fruita, CO (Mountain biking/hiking)
May 16 -18 — Sand Dunes
June 22 – 28 — Summer Camp (Tentative – depending on interest)
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.
Miles Knuckle Eagle Court of Honor February 22, 2025 at 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Wilson Community Church, 6460 Flying W Ranch Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80919, USA
Troop Meeting February 25, 2025 at 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Troop Meeting March 4, 2025 at 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Troop Meetings
Every Tuesday, 7-8:30 p.m.
Wilson Ranch Community Church
Scoutmaster: Anthony Turner
