Please let us know ASAP if you can go ice climbing with Troop 287 on Sunday, March 1, 2026. The extact time is TBD but we will try to reserve the afternoon slots. See sign up below.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0B44A4A92BAAFD0-60643081-iceclimbing
Troop, we will meet in the church at 7:00 where Mr. Griffiths will be teaching the Personal Fitness merit badge. Uniform is class A’s and remember to bring your worksheet. Adult leadership will also be planning the 2026 outings, including summer camp.
* Attention: Troop 21 has open slots (up to 8) for Philmont for 13-22 June. If you sign up, be prepared for some quick payments and remember you need to be 13 years old. We will make sure to plan around these dates, just in case.
** Just a reminder that when you are posting flags, that you should be in your class A uniform and remember to salute the flag after posting it.
Upcoming calendar:
24 Nov: Truck Transportation Merit Badge (9:00 am – 2:00 pm) at Fort Carson. Sign up on council website
25 Nov: Railroading Merit Badge (9:00 am – 2:00 pm) at Fort Carson. Sign up on council website
25 Nov: Turkey bowl (adults vs. scouts) touch football
2 Dec: Court of Honor
9 Dec: Veteran’s home visit (Bruce McCandless Veteran’s Home) 6:00-8:00
12-13 Dec: Lock-in at the church
16 Dec: Christmas baking fun
23 Dec: No meeting
30 Dec: No meeting
Mr. Turner
Many of you may have received an email or text message from Boy Scouts of America that your membership will expire on 12/31/05.
As we look ahead to the 2026 Membership year:
1. As we did last year, Troop 287 is asking families to renew your scout’s membership once you receive your renewal email/text. Use the link that you received for MyScouting.org.
2. If your scout has money in their scout account to cover registration, and you would like to be reimbursed for this expense, please submit a copy of the receipt to Betsy. A “Print Receipt” button is available at the bottom of the pop-up confirmation screen or via a link in your email confirmation.
3. Dues for the 2026 year will remain at $100 and will be due Jan. 1, 2026. Dues can be taken from your scouts ISA account or paid to the troop via cash, check made out to Boy Scout Troop 287, or Zelle to the troop through email address betsydouglass.bsa@gmail.com.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to treasurer, Betsy Douglass, at BetsyDouglass.bsa@gmail.com.
Troop, we will meet at the church at 7:00 and meal prep for the USAFA Scout Hut trip and then work on the Traffic Safety Merit Badge (remember to bring your worksheet). Wear Class A’s. The scout huts have a kitchen and a gas BBQ grill. We will play lots of board/card games, do some hiking, play some sports, and relax. There will also be plenty of time for rank advancement and working on merit badges. Remember to sign up! Also, if you are an adult and plan to go on the outing, be sure to go to the USAFA link on the sign up and register. This will allow you to get on the base.
**IMPORTANT – if you are going to Sea Base High Adventure Camp in March, we will be having a meeting at the church at 6:00. Also, if you are interested in Boy Scout High Adventure trips in the future, you are welcome to come and listen.
Thanks to everyone who made the last Flags event a success!
Upcoming schedule:
14-16 Nov: USAFA Scout Huts campout
18 Nov: TBD (possibly a merit badge); the court of honor was moved to 2 Dec.
25 Nov: Turkeybowl, scouts vs. adults
2 Dec: Court of Honor (Chilli cookoff)
9 Dec: Veteran’s home visit
12-13 Dec: Lock-in
16 Dec: Christmas baking fun
23 Dec: No meeting
30 Dec: No meeting
Mr. Turner
It’s time for our annual Chili Cook-Off Court of Honor! Please sign up below!
Date and Time: Tuesday, 12/2 @ 6:00pm.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FACAD2DA1FCCF8-60374577-chili
Troop 287 will be staying at the Air Force Academy’s Scout Huts from 14-16 November. We’ll meet at the Barn at 5pm on Friday, 14 November and be back at the barn around 11am on Sunday 16 November. Activities will include hiking, wildlife viewing, flag retirement ceremony, sports, games, and rank advancement.
To join this trip, two things are required:
First, sign up with the Troop here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FACAD2DA1FCCF8-60340382-usafa#/
Then, *update!* adults driving onto the base should register for base access here: https://visit.gvt.us/?b=usaf&i=united_states_air_force_academy&e=2XH67KBS. Those with Department of Defense Common Access Cards should not need to register.
Looking forward to seeing those of you who signed up tomorrow morning.
Start time: everyone meet at 6:30 AM at the barn. After a brief training session, you are good to go for posting flags.
Pick up time: start picking up flags on your route no earlier than 4:30 PM.
The sign-up genius does show that we have three drivers, four navigators, and eight scouts. That is misleading. We are short two morning and afternoon drivers, one afternoon navigator, and one afternoon Scout. You don’t need a large pick up truck to do flags. Any minivan or small SUV like my Chevy equinox does just fine.
Text me at 719–323–0224 with questions or to sign up at this late notice.
The sign-up genius is below if you want to verify your sign up. Scroll all the way to the bottom for Veterans Day.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FACAD2DA1FCCF8-55352959-flag#
YIS,
JC Kundert
Troop, it’s game night and we will be playing whirlyball! Meet at 3971 Palmer Park Blvd, Colorado Springs at 7:00 pm. Cost will be $15 per person. Wear class B’s.
Mr. Turner
Troop, we will meet at the church at 7:00 pm and carve up some pumpkins! Remember to bring your gutted pumpkin and a design to carve. I will bring tape and carving tools. If you have carving tools, please bring them. Also, if you are able, please arrive a little early to help set up tables in the foyer. Wear clothes that you don’t mind getting a little messy or wear a costume. I can also conduct any scoutmaster conferences or rank advancements. Prizes will be given out for the best pumpkin carving and best costume!
Upcoming events:
4 Nov: Game Night (laser tag)
8 Nov: Veteran’s Day Flags (meet at barn at 6:30 am)
11 Nov: Meal prep and Traffic Safety Merit Badge
14-16 Nov: USAFA Scout Huts Campout
18 Nov: Court of Honor
25 Nov: Turkey Bowl (adults vs. scouts)
Mr. Turner
Troop, In lieu of the canceled Dino March this weekend, we have arranged to go rock climbing. We will meet at the church at 7:00 am on Sunday and head out. We currently have 2 drivers, which can take up to 11 scouts. Other adult leaders and ASMs are encouraged to come as it will be a great time. We will stay local (within an hour drive). You don’t need any special equipment, unless you want to bring your own. Please dress for the weather, in layers, and bring water and a packed lunch. I should also be able to do some Scoutmaster conferences or rank advancement during the downtime.
Mr. Turner
Due to a lack of adult leadership for this weekend’s outing to Dino Death March, we will be canceling the trip.
For Tuesday, remember to bring a gutted pumpkin and a stencil or drawing of what you plan to carve. Also, remember to wear a costume if you want to. Where Class B’s as things can get a little messy. If you need to complete a Scoutmaster Conference, bring your class A’s and scout book.
Mr. Turner
Scouts, Troop 287’s final flag posting of the year is in just over 2 weeks (Saturday, Nov 8th) and we have some slots to fill. Our Flag Posting fundraiser is an easy way to earn some extra money for dues, camps, and even Sea Base…..hint, hint, hint. As of this post, the slots filled are 1 of 4 drivers, 4 of 4 navigators, and 6 of 8 scouts so we need 3 drivers and 2 scouts. Please pay attention to the date as we are posting the Saturday prior to the actual day Veterans Day is celebrated. Due to sunrise & sunset times we will meet at the Scout Barn at 0630 where I will run everyone through a 10-minute training session prior to loading and posting the flags. At 4:30 pm, each team from the morning will meet and begin taking flags down, bundling them, and bringing them back to the Barn. Thank you for all of your help keeping this great event going. I look forward to seeing all of those flags out in the neighborhoods! -Mr. Kundert
The link below takes you to our signup page.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FACAD2DA1FCCF8-55352959-flag#
On 25-27 October, the Troop will camp in Withers Canyon at the Dinosaur Footprints trailhead. The plan is to meet at the barn at 5:30p on the 25th, car camp at the trailhead the nights of the 25-26th, hike to the dinosaur tracks on the 26th, and return on the 27th.
Sign up!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FACAD2DA1FCCF8-59784845-dino#/
Troop, this week we will meet at the church at 7:00 pm for meal prep (Dino Death March) and a service project. Wilson Community Church has asked for our help in making their playground safe and to meet city requirements. We will help spread mulch on the playground and give back to the church that graciously provides us with an awesome meeting place. Please bring head lamps and iron rakes (if you have them). Uniform will be Class B’s. If you have a Scoutmaster Conference, remember to bring your Class A’s.
Upcoming schedule:
25-27 Oct: Dino Death March outing – 10-15 mile hike to see amazing dinosaur tracks near the Purgatory River. Car camping at the trailhead. Sign-up genius coming soon.
28 Oct: Pumpkin carving and costume contest (bring a gutted pumpkin). Prizes will be giving for best carving and best costume
4 Nov: Game night – Laser Tag
11 Nov: Meal Prep and Traffic Safety Merit Badge
14-16 Nov: Campout at USAFA huts
18 Nov: Court of Honor
25 Nov: Scouts vs. Adults Turkey Bowl
Mr. Turner
Troop, times for Eagle Claw have been determined: Saturday 9:00 am – 3:00 pm and Sunday 11:00 am – 4:00 pm. Uniform will be Class B’s (come prepared for the weather). Meet at the barn and remember to bring your scoutbook, the ten essentials, and a water bottle.
**Eagle Claw is a class led by a Camp Buffalo Bill counselor (Callin) – you will complete lots of rank requirements for the ranks of Scout all the way up to 1st Class (some requirements may need to be completed at home). Things like first aid, cooking, knots, hiking, orienteering, etc. This is an awesome opportunity that doesn’t come around very often. If your scout is not a 1st Class rank, it is highly encouraged that they attend these classes.
Mr. Turner
Troop, we will be conducting a moonlit hike to the top of Pulpit Rock. Meet at the Pulpit Rock trailhead at 7:00 pm. Bring some water and dress for some really cool weather. Parents can pick up their scouts at the trailhead around 8:30 pm. For any scout wishing to complete a scoutmaster conference, I will be at Discovery Park on Buckeye Dr on Tuesday from 5:00 – 6:30 pm (make sure you wear your class A’s) – first come, first served.
**Attention Camp Buffalo Bill attendees – Summer camp patches have finally arrived! I will bring an example to the hike so everyone can see, but we will present these at the November Court of Honor.
Upcoming schedule:
11-12 Oct: Eagle Claw at the barn (times TBD) – these classes will help you get most of the way to First Class rank
14 Oct: Scout planning for 2026 (this is where you will brainstorm ideas on what you want to do for monthly campouts next year, along with summer camp)
21 Oct: meal prep and Traffic Safety MB
24-26 Oct: Dino Death March – 10 mile round trip hike to see the dinosaur tracks along the Purgatory River near La Junta
28 Oct: Pumpkin Carving / Costume contest (prizes will be awarded for both) – each scout should bring a gutted pumpkin ready to carve
Mr. Turner
Eagle Claw is for newer scouts working towards Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class. It is a condensed two day session to focus on requirements and hands on skills.
Eagle Claw Weekend:
Who: The intended audience is primarily for New Scouts (advancing) + older scouts (teaching). The class will be led by Callin Dawson who was an instructor at Camp Buffalo Bill. He will be supported by our troop leadership and senior scouts.
What: Condensed two day session to focus on requirements and hands on skills with the goal to get through the majority of the rank requirements to get to first class. *please note* there will still be items a scout will need to complete outside of the session to make rank.
When: Weekend of October 11th and 12th.
Where: Wilson Ranch Church – 6460 Flying W Ranch Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80919
Why: Build scout skills, rank up and grow towards Eagle.
Sign up at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FACAD2DA1FCCF8-59198220-troop
Troop, we will be conducting a Skills Round Robin event on Tuesday. Senior scouts will be teaching essential classes – knots, first aid, and backpacking/Fireman’s chit. If you are teaching a class, make sure to bring any necessary training aids.
Upcoming schdule:
7 Oct: Full moon hike (Pulpit Rock)
11-12 Oct: Eagle Claw (this is a awesome opportunity for newer scouts to rank up – we have a summer camp counselor coming to teach the classes, so don’t miss out!) Signup coming soon.
14 Oct: Scout planning for 2026 outings
21 Oct: Meal prep and Traffic Safety MB
24-26 Oct: Dino Death March – join us for some awesome hiking to dinosaur tracks on the Purgatory River near La Junta (car camping at the trailhead)
28 Oct: Pumpkin carving and costume contest
Mr. Turner
Troop, we are canceling the WWII Aviation Museum visit on Sep 27 due a lack of interest. We may try to reschedule it for a future date. See everyone on Tuesday.
Mr. Turner
