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.
Our volunteer opportunity for this week has fallen through, but like any good scout, we are prepared to improvise.
Troop 287 Holiday Gathering and Ugly Sweater contest.
Uniform will be an ugly holiday sweater or comfy pajamas. (Prizes for top 3 ugly sweaters)
Tonight we will enjoy some holiday treats and do some “Patrol team building exercises” … Games (5 Man Snowshoe). We will also go over the adventure plan for next year and give the PLC a little time to prepare for the January and February meetings and outings.
We have reserved cabins and ice climbing slots at Camp Alexander for the first weekend in February. The cabins are booked for 2 nights (Friday 1/31 and Saturday 2/1) and the cost is $25pp (both nights included) for your stay.
The ice climbing will be held on Saturday from 11:15 am to 2:15 pm and costs $70pp. This price will include all the gear, instruction, and 3 hours of awesome ice climbing. Space is limited for ice climbing so grab your spot ASAP! Any questions, contact Mike Anderson at (801) 791-7854 or Janelle Anderson at (801) 518-9569.
This week, we will be making our troop flags. Make sure to bring supplies to create your unique flag. After that, we will have a 5-man Snowshoe team-building activity.
The Troop 287 Annual Lock-in is scheduled for Friday, December 6th into Saturday, December 7th. Please signup below early so we can make all the arrangements.
It will start at the church at 5:30pm Friday December 6th. The Troop will be providing Pizza for dinner and drinks. Please bring a sleeping bag and pillow and something to change into to sleep so you all can throw those in the corner and not use them as we know you will all be up all night playing anyway.
Reminder to bring any fun card, board, or video games you may want to play.
Saturday morning we will do a good cleanup on the church and pickup on Saturday morning will be at 9:00am.
This week, Mr. Hatch will start us out on the Sustainability Merit Badge. The scouts who want to complete the merit badge should bring writing materials and a food package that they have researched how the contents made it from farm to their home.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
11/19: Mr. Hatch Sustainability Merit Badge
11/22-11/24: NO Campout
11/26: Game Night: Ice Skating at Acacia Park Discussion with Midshipman Ryan Flaherty from the United States Naval Academy
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.
