Troop,

During this downtime, I would like to challenge the older Scouts in developing a platform to encourage learning. Use the flipgrid site to create educational videos demonstrating Scout skills. We can also use this format for rank advancement.

I will create another board so we can post our videos to the site. If you are a younger Scout, you can go through your handbook and post your knowledge in a short video. After a review, you will get credit for completing that rank requirement. This will help you stay active and engaged in your Scouting.

If you are interested, the Flipgrid link is:
flipgrid.com/bsat287rankadv.

Just copy and paste it into your browser.

Dan

Troop,

This whole world-wide situation seems to bring up a great time to think about Emergency Preparation. Or, maybe we are a little behind the power curve on this one!

The governor has basically closed Schools for another month (until April 17th). For many of you, this means doing your sch oolwork online and emailing, or posting results of your teacher’s assignments to a website. Many of us parents have either taken some classes online, or had some training conducted online, or something like that. So, now it is your turn to get that experience.

Anyway, I thought I would give this on-line training stuff a try with you guys. If you attend Eagleview, you may be familiar with Flipgrid. It is a platform for learning where the teacher posts a short video discussing the requirements, and the students respond in kind with their answers, comments, or whatever is required.

I would like to try this format on this site with the E-Prep MB. If it works out well, we will do other badges this way (and I will encourage the higher ranking Scouts to lead some Rank ADV as well). I also encourage the other Adult Leaders to take up something like this as well. Even if it is just discussing what they have learned from MB work (Cit in Community pops to mind!)

Below is the link to the E-Prep “class”. Be fore-warned: I still require the E-Prep worksheet to be filled out. You can download it from the links, as well as the workbook.

Here is how the class will run: I will post an intro video about E-Prep and discuss the (9) requirements. What I expect from you is that you do the worksheet print or hand written is fine, so long as I can read it when you turn it in. Scanned copies will work since we will be separate for a while.

If you have already completed the First Aid MB (Requirement 1), then you are good to go. If you have not completed it, no worries, we will get to that MB this summer, likely. But by then, you will be done with the rest of the E-Prep MB.

I will also expect you to post a response video for the requirements 2a, 3 (a-d), 4, 5, 6- a recap of what you learned during this requirement, and 8-an explanation of your kits (a walkthrough of the kits).

Rehearsal of your videos is important, so “Be Prepared” before you start shooting the video! Geren has graciously volunteered to do the first set of videos. You can emulate how he does his or be as creative as you want (get family members involved-it’ll be fun!)

If you have an issue posting your videos, we can work something out, no worries. I want you to be successful in this endeavor and learn something as well. So if you have limiting circumstances, let me know.

I also encourage learning from each other by discussing (politely) what each other has posted with a response post of your own. Not a requirement, but encouraged. Ideas for your kits is an easy one. Not everyone has the same stuff available or may not think of that “gadget” that may end up being really useful.

Requirement 7 is the tricky one. Here is what will happen: You will write up a plan to aid the local office of emergency management in a disaster relief effort. There will be many agencies involved and our troop will be assigned by the Volunteer Coordinator to direct traffic into a huge parking lot located in the north west side of the New Life Church (Google map it for reference). The Incident Command Headquarters will be located inside the church, with the various agencies aiding in the disaster located within the building as well. Our Troop will be assigned to direct traffic into the parking lot in an organized manner. Also, Care and Share will have a distribution point on the south east side of the church where we will also be tasked to route recipient traffic through so they get the goods they need to survive for a few days. Your plan should have a map of parking and traffic flow (your parents can lend assistance with this part). The map should show where parking is, how the care and share line will be run and how those folks will be separated from the folks who are working at the headquarters. Your plan should have an equipment list as well. Just remember-we may be working into the night!

You are doing your part in the current “emergency situation” by practicing social distancing, staying home and NOT going out into public crowded areas unnecessarily, I think you are participating in an Emergency Service Project (a real one). However, I still want to see your efforts in drafting up a plan!

The rest of the requirements will be “graded” and discussed individually when you turn in your worksheet. We can do that via FaceTime, Skype, or whatever with your parents permission (and presence).

There are many resources available for research on this topic. A simple Internet search will land you sufficient results.

I know there is a lot of work associated with this MB, however, it is an Eagle Required Badge, and I would really like you all to take something away from this badge. If you sign up, please understand that a bit of effort is required.

Here is a kicker: if you are interested in the Moviemaking Merit Badge, let me know before you start videos on this one, we can work the requirements together.

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

I will also be available via phone, or video chat. Just give me a heads up since I still have to work at the police department during this madness.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to contact me directly.

Here is the link to the class (use @BSAt287 as the password-case sensitive). Log in with the code: mcguire3820. Then enter the password above.

https:flipgrid.com/a7ba0ae6

Dan

Troop,

Due to the closure of D-11 (the schedule we follow), and the Covid social distancing stuff, we are not having meetings until at the earliest April.

In the interest of keeping you all (and your parents) sane, take up a couple of merit badges and learn some stuff. Here is a list of MB’s our troop has counselors for (some of the admin ones just take research on line):
One the Council site:
American Business
Archery
Athletics
Camping
Cit in Community
Communications
Crime Prevention
Cycling
Emergency Preparedness
Family Life
Fingerprinting
Home Repairs
Journalism
Metalwork
Personal Fitness
Personal Management
Public Speaking
Safety
Skating
Woodwork

Not listed on the Council site (may need a renewal):
Backpacking
First Aid
Geocaching
Hiking
Law
Nature
Orienteering
Sports
Wilderness Survival
Rifle Shooting
Scuba
Swimming
Cooking
Pioneering
Dog Care
Fishing
Automotive Maintenance
Cit in the World
Coin Collecting
Theater
Digital Technology
Entrepreneurship
Astronomy
Photography
Golf
Leather work
Inventing
Indian Lore

Just shoot me an email (cc your parents) and I will approve your MB selection (and let you know who in our troop is a counselor for it). If you choose a MB that is not listed, you can find a list of MB counselors here: http://www.pikespeakbsa.org/Advancement/MBC2 . You’ll have to contact that particular counselor to determine what they need from you (you’ll need the approved blue card first).

I will counsel you on any of the MBs I am qualified for via email, Facetime (with your parents permission), Skype, or whatever so you need to be successful. Personally, I require the workbook to be filled out (hand written or typed is fine); scanned and emailed is good.

I am sure the other Scoutmasters will be willing to do the same. You’ll just need to coordinate with them directly.

Stay safe, and wash your hands!

Dan

Troop,

After careful consideration, coordination, contemplation, (and some other words that start with C), I have decided to cancel the trip this weekend.

If you purchased perishable food and would like reimbursement, let me know, we will get you squared away. For any non-perishables, we can save for future use, and will reimburse you for them as well.

I know this is not the decision many of you were looking for, but I want to err on the side of caution to protect the Scouts and Adult Leaders. Maybe I am being over protective (been known for that), but I believe this is the best decision for the Troop. Please know that I did not come to this decision lightly. For those of you who know me, I routinely will push the envelope to get things to happen, but this is not one of those times.

As a parent, I really want to go and have fun camping and shooting with my kid. As a leader, I feel it is my responsibility to ensure the safety of all who are involved in our activities. Not only exposure of our kids to each other, but to the many other Scouts and Scouting families who are attending CCD this weekend, and utilizing the camp and range facilities (shotgun, archery, and the other half of the rifle range).

Thanks for all the support you guys have shown via text message and such. I appreciate it.

As far as future meetings, D-11 is closed for the next two weeks, so Game Night is cancelled for the 17th. We will re-evaluate our meetings at the beginning of April. I will make a post as to where we are in that process when the time comes (school districts are re-evaluating on Mar 26th).

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to contact me directly.

Dan

Troop, this weekend the range is reserved and so is the campsite out at Cris Dobbins, near Elbert, CO.

NUT ALLERGY FOR THOSE PURCHASING FOOD: NO NUTS THIS WEEKEND.
Here is the plan: Ethan G. and Austin P. are purchasing the food for their patrols. There are a total of 7 Scouts attending (according to the sign-up) on Saturday (plan and purchase accordingly, gents!). I think there will be 5 adult leaders there on Saturday to help supervise each other (because the Scouts don’t need supervision, right!)

Elbert County is currently under Stage 2 fire restrictions due to high winds and dry conditions, so we will not be able to have any open fires. Camp stoves and stuff like that are good to go, but no fire pit.

Weather (dress and pack appropriately). I don’t think we have anyone going that has not been on a cold weather trip, so please make sure you bring the right stuff:

Packing: As with most cases, we like to pack out as if we were hiking across country. Self sufficiency and all that. pack what you need, but don’t over do it because you have to carry it all yourself!

Timeline (these are the hard times. Scouts will develop the backwards planning for meals and other marginal incidental things:
5:30pm Friday: Meet up at the barn and cross load equipment and kids. then roll out to CCD, set up camp, sleep. (Dinner on your own or bring it with)
8:00am Saturday: Range goes hot, Mr. Warner will provide instruction and all that. (b-fast prior-planning by Scouts)
1:00pm (or whenever): Range goes cold. We clean firearms and turn them in.
2:00pm: return to camp and work ADV, camp skills and all that fun Scout stuff. Lunch, dinner, sleep~.
No later than 10am Sunday: back at the barn for pickup. (we may be there earlier for recovery operations); (b-fast & pack-up is determined on the motivation of the crew)

If you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please let me know. I likely forgot something.

Dan

Troop,

This week we seem to have nice weather. We also have a few things to do at this week’s meeting:
1. Mr. Durrenberger will go over some of the Cit in the Community MB work that you guys were supposed to have completed (~30 min).
2. We need to complete Campout Prep. We have a reservation at Camp Cris Dobbins for Friday and Saturday nights. We also have a reservation for their Rifle Range all day on Saturday. (I am working the logistics of what Firearms we can use there – theirs or ours and stuff like that). Regardless, we are going to shoot some targets! (~30mins)
3. Have some fun and maybe get some requirements signed off by PLs and the SPL/ASPL.(~30mins)

Sign up here (timeline is in the signup):

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

Dan

Scout Sunday is this Sunday. We are meeting at 9:45 for 10:30 service.

Tom Sharp

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

Troop, Here is an updated link for Camp Card sales this weekend. Mrs. Durrenberger secured us another date in April to sell cards. I’ve added it to the sign up.

Free for all on the March date, go ahead and sign up for any slot you would like to sell for.

Also, please fill in the gaps in the time slots. This way we can have continuity for cards and money from the start of the day until the last shift. If we don’t have someone to hand the cards and money to, that person will be responsible for maintaining it until the next shift shows up.

Dan

Troop,

This week will be focused on rank advancement. Since Mother Nature was not feeling well for the month of February and wreaked havoc on our meeting schedule, we have to make a few adjustments. No biggie.

We had an awesome time camping this weekend up in the rampart range. We had five Scouts learn a few things about fire making and a few tips ad tricks about bushcrafting.

Anyway, lets go through our books and make sure what we have done is documented in our Scoutbooks. I know a few of the newer Scouts are chomping at the bit to take care of some rank advancement tasks.

If you need a SM Conference, let me know via the sign up genius link below.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0c4aada829a7fe3-scoutmaster

See you on Tuesday night!

Dan

Troop,

Here is a re-post for the Scout Sunday you all heard about during hte CoH. We are looking for about 10 Scouts to participate. A great way to give back to the organization which gives us a home for Scouting.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0c4aada829a7fe3-scout

Dan

Troop, here is the order form for the Class B shirts. They come in 3 varieties.: 1) short sleeve, 2) long sleeve, and 3) hooded sweatshirt.

Here is the deal on our shirts: The basic color we use is the forest green with white lettering. If you download and print this order form, this is the color combination you will receive. They are the ones we had at the CoH the other night.

If you want to change the color of the shirt, that is no problem. We will need a minimum order of 12 shirts to get the pricing listed on the form. The basic order is for any shirt color and only one ink color. So, if you want a colored shirt that is good with white ink, no problem. If we have an order that has a light colored shirt with dark ink added into the mix (like a tan shirt with black ink), we will incur a $10 service charge for that batch of shirts.

So anyway, think about it, and you can print out the order form and bring it to any troop meeting with your payment. Once we get a minimum order, we will send to print. The appropriate folks will sign off on the sheets as necessary.

Sizing. The youth small and medium are way too small for even our smallest Scout, so they are no longer being offered. If you want one for a younger sibling or something like that, let me know and we will work it out. Most kids will be able to get away with a Youth Large for a year or so, then move to an adult small. They don’t offer the sweatshirt in youth sizes. For adults: I am 5’10”, 190(ish) and an adult small sweatshirt fits me snug (I like that for hiking); I swim in the XL, but wear it casually.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please let me know. I know I babble on about stuff sometimes, you’ll just have to get used to it.

Dan

For those who have Pizza Pal Cards, please turn them in to Mrs. Roxann Pharris. Also, turn in the money associated with the sales that you have done.

This action is due ASAP!!! We are moving into Camp Card Season. There is a lot of money (and cards) out there. Lets get this taken care of so your Scout’s efforts are awarded in their accounts. Basically, we need to reconcile the program.

If you are interested in the Pizza Pal Card Program, please see Mrs. Pharris. Basically, they are for Old Chicago Restaurants here in town. The cards cost $15 each, and the Scout gets 50% of the sales ($7.50). The Card is worth $30 of pizza at the restaurant.

Dan

Hey Troop,

This Weekend we have the Bushcraft campout planned and we’ll be meeting up on Rampart Range Road, site 951. The packing list is in the link provided below.

Alex is buying the food for the trip. Here is the menu we decided on:
Saturday
Breakfast: Bacon, oatmeal
Lunch: ramen, fruit
Dinner: hobo meals (carrots, onions, kielbasa, peppers)

This is only a one night campout due to conflicting schedules and all that parent stuff. This is why there are only three meals.

After school and homework, Please leave ASAP so we still have time to set up and not get stuck in the dark. Well stay up there for one night then meet at the church around 5 o’clock Saturday. If your Scout needs a ride up please call or text 228-806-9063 (Mr. McGuire).

-Geren M.
Troop 287 SPL

Troop,

Tomorrow night, 26 Feb, at 6pm the Pack 24 Blue and Gold dinner is being held at West Elementary School (they’ve offered to feed us-dangerous with a bunch of Scouts).

We are receiving three highly motivated Scouts into our Scouting Family. Please come on out and welcome these guys into the fold! They are also invited to our CoH tonight, so you will know who is coming over.

West Elementary School, 6pm (dinner is offered-again, eat up!). 25 N 20th St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904. AOL Crossover starts at 6:30pm and should take about 30 mins to complete. Let’ support these new Scouts!

Dan

Troop,

Here is a fund raising opportunity for you as a Scout. All proceeds benefit you and your Scouting career. This money earned can be used for Scouting activities or equipment directly related to a Scouting requirement (rank or MB).

Camp cards sell for $5 each and you earn $2.50 per card you sell. The troop gets nothing from this effort.

Below is a sign up for a Troop “booth” at Bass Pro Shops on March 7 from 9am -3pm. There are 12 slots available for selling at this booth (one hour slots, two Scouts per hour). Scouts will be provided with Camp Cards to sell to patrons of Bass Pro Shops and the proceeds at the end of the day will be tallied and divided by those who participated (12 slots, total divided by 12). The slots are for everyone’s opportunity. Please do not sign up for more than one slot until given the go-ahead to do so. This allows others to sign up. Once the free for all is given, and there are slots available, go ahead and sign up. If you work three hours, you will get three portions of the 12.

On an individual basis, you can sign for cards from Mrs. Durrenberger and sell them door to door. Just know that whatever cards you sign for, you are financially responsible for them. If you sign for 20 cards, you will have to turn in either the unsold cards, or the face value of each card ($5).

The camp card program is really easy and has no negative bearing on the Troop or the Scout. We simply turn in the unsold cards at the end of the season and don’t have an obligation after that. It’s a win-win situation.

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

As always, let me know if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. A brief will be provided tomorrow at the CoH.

Dan

Troop,

Tomorrow night is the CoH and we have 5 submissions for the Chili cook-off. Come-on Scouts! Show what you’ve got and throw your best work into a pot of chili! Or bring a side dish.

We are looking to feed about 50+ people (about 25 Scouts plus Family members), so be prepared for that!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0c4aada829a7fe3-court

Also, as a reminder from the Troop Treasurer: Bring your checkbooks, cash, PayPal link, Venmo, CashApp, Zelle, etc. for due dues (see what I did there). $60 for the remainder of the year (pro-rated for new Scouts).

We will also spend about 15 minutes at the end of the CoH to talk about cold weather camping for those who are [bushcraft] camping with us this weekend. Just to make sure we are ready for the high adventure in the cold weather this weekend.

If you have any questions, let me know!

Dan

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C4AADA829A7FE3-winter1

Troop, in absence of the AFA Freeze-O-Ree we will be camping national forest land up on our local Rampart Range.

This will be another chance to take advantage of some great winter camping and hiking. Saturday we will be hiking to Rampart Reservoir via the Rainbow Gulch Trail. While snowshoes are not necessary you may bring them or a set of Yak Trax. Along the way and back at camp we can work on rank and merit badge requirements so Be Prepared with items you look to accomplish.

The plan is to camp along the West side of Rampart Range Road South of the Rainbow Gulch Trail Head and North of FR-306. There are some pretty good spots in that area that go primarily unused this time of year.

This will be a car campout in a winter environment so please bring appropriate gear for the task, but as always try to pack as if you were backpacking. If you are new or need assistance, seek your youth leadership and the resources of your Boy Scout Handbook and Troop 287 Webpage Resources.

Let’s get the attendance up for this activity and have ourselves a good ‘ol Patrol Cook-off.

Sign up is at the top of the post. Ray-thanks for putting this together!

Dan

Troop,

This time, we are going to make it happen (silly snow days)! CoH/Chili cook-off is re-scheduled for next week. I updated the Sign-up, so you still have time to break out grand daddy’s “burn yo’ face off” chili recipe and get ‘er done (see image above). Let’s get some competition going. Try out those recipes that can also be cooked in a dutch oven during a campout!

There are a few things that will happen at the CoH as well and I want to provide a little lead time:
1. If you have Pizza cards, or the money for them, please bring it to the meeting and give it to Mrs. Roxann Pharris.
2. Elections will be held for SPL/ASPL and PLs. Think about who you want leading you for the next six months. For the new Scouts, this will be an opportunity to see how we run our (new) election process.
3. New Scouts: Applications and dues (pro-rated to $60 for the rest of the year) to be collected.

I will put another post out, but want to get it into everyone’s mind: Next Wednesday, 26 Feb, we will be welcoming three more new Scouts from Pack 24 at West Elementary School at 6pm, so save the date and we can all be there to welcome these new Scouts. They will also be at our CoH to celebrate with us (and see what they are getting themselves into).

If you are a new Scout, do not forget to bring in your neckerchief that you received at the crossover so we can trade it out for the official Troop 287 neckerchief (see #3 above). One for one swap-no IOUs!

More to follow as we approach Tuesday. As always, give me a call/text/email if you have concerns or questions.

Dan

Troop,

Due to the closure of D-11, we are postponing CoH until next week. If you have already started your chili, please enjoy it with your family tonight. Call this the trial run for next week!

Also, Scouts, this is your opportunity to do a good turn and clear off the driveway and sidewalks!

Anyway, stay safe and warm. We will see you next week!

Dan

Troop,

It was brought to my attention that the time was not listed in the previous post for the cook-off. Here is the schedule for next Tuesday, 18 Feb:

5:30pm – arrive begin set up (tables, chairs, etc.)
6:00pm – serve food
6:30pm – collect votes on best overall chili
6:45pm – begin clean-up
7:00pm – move to sanctuary for COH stuff (goes until complete).

Dan