Hi all – I’ve been informed that there are some scouts in need of hoodies/t-shirts. Use the link below to order your shirt. Once submitted, money for the order will be taken from your scout account, if available. As always, payments can be made via cash, check made out to Boy Scout Troop 287, or via Zelle to Treasurer Betsy Douglass betsydouglass.bsa@gmail.com. 

Both adult and youth sizes available.

Prices noted in the form are for a minimum Troop order of 12 items. If we have less than 12 items as a troop, individual prices might be more expensive. (If we have less than 12 items, I will reach out to those that ordered to confirm adjusted prices).

June 2 is the deadline for this current order, so that we can make sure scouts going to Summer Camp have what they need.

Order link: https://www.jotform.com/app/261456406059156

Troop, we will be meeting at 7:00 pm at the northeast corner of Acacia Park downtown (corner of Platte and Nevada). Please be on time, we will begin our walk at 7:15 pm. We will walk around downtown looking at the architecture of various buildings for the architecture merit badge. We will cover questions #1 and #2 of the workbook. Although not necessary, please print out the workbook to make it easier for your scout to work. Your scout will be assigned question #4 for homework and then we will finish up the merit badge on 16 Jun where we will cover questions #3 and #5 with a real architect! Wear class B uniform and bring a water bottle. Adults will be needed to help corral the scouts as we walk around.

Upcoming schedule:

2 Jun: Summer camp prep

10 Jun: Upadowna Service Project at Quail Lake Park (915 E Cheyenne Mountain Blvd) from 5:30-6:30 pm. Meet at the park.

16 Jun: Architect Merit Badge part II

21-27 Jun: Camp A Summer Camp

23 Jun: No meeting

30 Jun: Game Night – Water Balloon fight

Mr. Turner

Tonight, we’ll meet at 7pm and either play dodgeball or head inside for games and rank advancement if the weather remains lousy.

As you know, Troop 287 derives significant funds from our flag planting partnership around major holidays. Sign up for your weekend for the rest of the year. 

On each flag day, flag teams will gather twice. At 6am, everyone will meet at the barn to put flags out. Then, at 7pm, everyone will meet at the barn to take flags in. If you sign up for a day, you sign up for both the morning and evening. 

Scouts will wear their Class A uniform for this. 

Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FACAD2DA1FCCF8-64167983-flag#/

For those with military ties (Active Duty, Reserve, or National Guard), a great discount being offered by Scouting America starting June 1, 2026.

A few notes for some upcoming events:

If you are still interested in the Great Sand Dunes campout, make sure to register on the sign up genius posted by Mr. Griffiths by the end of Thursday night (tonight). If you are planning on going: bring a camp chair so you can relax in the Medano river; bring a towel in case you go swimming and bring any snacks you want (remember not to eat inside your tent). I recommend renting a sand sled early on Saturday morning and then returning it Sunday morning (around $20 for one day and well worth it).

A reminder that the computer system at the church is off limits to scouts unless an adult is with them. The computer is only to be used for Court of Honor presentations and the occasional scout presentation. All setting must be returned to their original settings and games are never to be played on the computer. We need to be respectful of the church’s rules or we risk losing the privilege of using the computer for presentations.

**Northern Tier** Everyone that expressed interest in attending next June/July 2027 – please fill out the agreement emailed out by Betsy Douglass and return to her by Friday, 15 May along with your initial payment. The first payment to Northern Tier is due in June so please submit your payments.

Game Night for 19 May will be dodgeball! Make sure to show up and we’ll have a blast! Remember, if you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball!

Mr. Turner

If you checked out Scout Camp Cards from Mr. Kundert, the cards and/or the money are due back to him at the next meeting, Tuesday, May 19.

If you are returning cards, they must be in good condition without the ‘side’ coupons torn off.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Kundert.

Troop, we will meet at the church at 7:00 pm and will start with Order of the Arrow elections. Order representatives will brief the troop on the Order of the Arrow details and election processes before we vote. Scouts will vote for members they feel are worthy of the Order’s values. Eligible members are Liam, Madden, Charles, Kurt, Ashton, and Rudra. Make sure you wear your Class A uniform and Order sash if you have one. After the election we will plan meals and prep for the Great Sand Dunes campout – make sure you sign up, if you want to go, so we have enough food and drivers. There should also be some time for rank requirements and/or merit badges.

Upcoming schedule:

15-17 May: Great Sand Dunes campout

19 May: Game Night (Dodgeball)

25 May: Memorial Day Flags

26 May: Architect Merit Badge (we will meet at a downtown location)

Week of 2 Jun: Upadowna service project

9 Jun: Architect Merit Badge (Part II)

16 Jun: Summer Camp prep

21-27 Jun: Summer Camp (Camp A)

23 Jun: No Meeting

30 Jun: Game Night (Water balloon fights)

Mr. Turner

Troop, I was recently looking through Scoutbook and the awards section – there are a lot of awards, some of which I believe some of you may have already qualified for. One of those is the Conservation Good Turn Award. The Upadowna litter removal the Troop completed on Sept 15, 2025 qualifies you for this award. Please text me if you attended that service project. If you didn’t attend, don’t worry we have another Upadowna service project scheduled for the week of 2 June.

Mr. Turner

Troop 287 will be camping at the Great Sand Dunes from 15-17 May. Sign up as a Scout, adult camper, or driver either way. Thanks!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FACAD2DA1FCCF8-63973054-sand

Troop, we will meet at the barn at 7:00 pm and then walk over to the park for some dodgeball – a little snow could make for some slippery fun. Dress warm!

Upcoming schedule:

12 May: Meal/campout planning; rank advancement

15-17 May: Great Sand Dunes campout

19 May: Game night – skyzone

26 May: Architect MB part 1

2 Jun: Upadowna service project

Mr. Turner

Court of Honor is tomorrow! Our Eagle Scouts will be grilling hot dogs! If you haven’t had a chance to sign up to bring a side or dessert please do now.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Date and Time: Tuesday, 4/28 @ 7:00pm – dinner first and then a quick ceremony.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FACAD2DA1FCCF8-63371520-hotdog

Fruita Bike Camping Trip – April 24-26

We will meet at the Barn on Friday April 24 th at 11:30 am. Leave by 12 noon at the latest. Eat or pack a
personal lunch. We will eat at the campground for the Friday night meal as a troop.
Arrive on time. It is a 5 to 5 ½ hour drive.

We will be staying at North Fruita Desert Campground (18 Road – North Fruita Desert) in sites K4 and
K7.

We will come back Sunday morning, between 8am and 9am pending weather. Arriving back at the barn
between 2pm and 3pm.

Important: drop your bikes off before Friday. So we can get loaded up.
Either at Tony Reed’s House : 7240 Oak Valley Dr. 719-522-3821
Or at Danny Darvalics House: 1231 Crown Haven Cir. 540-320-2028
Weather is 70 during day and mid 40’s at night. Some chance of rain on Sunday.

We need a firm Head Count by Wednesday at 12 noon. See link below. We have limited room for scouts
and bikes.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FACAD2DA1FCCF8-63459112-2426#/

Some Packing Items to bring (not an all encompassing list).
Bike Helmet, Bike, Spare Tube if you have one, bike tools if you have them, Mess Kit, Water Bottle
and/or backpack with bladder. Scout 10 essentials. Personal snacks/trail food while riding. Sun screen
and sun glasses. Good shoes for biking.

Troop, we will be meeting in the church at 7:00 pm where Tate will lead us in a rehearsal for the Court of Honor. We will also be planning meals for the Fruita campout (24-26 April) and checking bikes for anyone that needs it. Uniform will be class A’s – make sure you wear your entire uniform and look sharp so we can check it prior to the Court of Honor.

ATTENTION: Anyone looking for service hours or just wanting to volunteer – Mr. Tonge found an awesome opportunity at RockRimmon Elementary School on Saturday May 2 from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. You can Google COSILoveYou and search for Rockrimmon Elementary to register or go to this link: https://serve.coliloveyou.com/volunteer/view-projects/ID/815/register/true

**Can all Sea Base participants please attend this Tuesday meeting**

Upcoming schedule:

24-26 Apr – Fruita Campout

28 Apr – Court of Honor Hot Dog BBQ

5 May – Game Night (Dodgeball)

12 May – Meal Planning/prep for campout

15-17 May – Great Sand Dunes campout

19 May – Game Night (Skyzone)

26 May – Architect Merit Badge

Mr. Turner

Troop, we will be meeting at the church at 7:00 for scout leadership elections and rank advancement. We will review the positions once again and those interested will be given a chance to give a speech. After all positions have been reviewed and all scouts have spoken, we will pass out ballots and everyone will vote. After voting, the adults will tally up the votes while the scouts work on rank advancement. There will also be time for any last minute scoutmaster conferences and/or boards of review (pending committee availability). We will also review ranks and merit badges for the CoH.

**ATTENTION: For any scouts that will be 13 by next summer and are interested in BSA high adventure camps – Troop 287 will look to reserve crews for Northern Tier. Please talk with your scouts about attending; adults and parents are encouraged to attend as well (dependent on the number of scouts attending and the number of crews we can fill).

*I may be able to attend tomorrow’s meeting for about an hour*

Upcoming schedule:

18-19 Apr: Tate Mathaidess Eagle project at USAFA (see sign up for details)

21 Apr: CoH rehearsal, meal planning, bike inspections

24-26 Apr: Fruita mountain biking campout

28 Apr: Court of Honor

5 May: Game night (dodgeball)

12 May: Meal planning & prep; rank advancement

15-17 May: Great Sand Dunes campout

19 May: Game night – skyzone

Mr. Turner

Tate Matthaidess is installing an erosion diversion wall and cleaning up the patio at the historic Douglas Family Dude Ranch (Scout Huts) on the U.S. Air Force Academy next weekend, 18-19 April and would like volunteers to use a SignUpGenius RSVP for his planning.  

When signing up, please indicate if you can meet at the Scout Huts or need a ride from Wilson Community Church and if you need eye protection or gloves. Tate is planning to complete the project in one day, but would also appreciate understanding who might be available on the 19th (if needed). 

Project Times will run from 9:00am – 5:00 pm both days.  Scouts can join for as much time as they want. Tate will provide snacks, pizza and drinks for all volunteers. 

If you need a ride from Wilson Community Church, Tate’s family will provide Transportation at 8:45am. We will plan on a drop-off shortly after 5:15pm that day too. If you need guest access to the U.S. Air Force Academy, Tate has a pre-approved gate access pass that he can share with you electronically.

**Update** Please reach out to Tate at tate.matthaidess@gmail.com and he will provide the QR code and gate pass information. 

Make sure you wear closed toe shoes and clothing you are willing to get dirty!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FACAD2DA1FCCF8-63459294-eagle

Troop 287 will camp at the North Fruita Desert Campground on 24-26 April. We’re looking for drivers too, as it is a five hour drive.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FACAD2DA1FCCF8-63459112-2426

Troop 287! Summer is quickly approaching and so is our next Court of Honor on April 28th. It’s BBQ season, so we have asked all our Eagle Scouts to come command the grill and serve up some hot dogs and sides. Families, we need your help to make sure this is a successful event.  Please sign up to bring your favorite summertime side or dessert. The troop will be providing hot dogs and buns. We look forward to seeing you there! Thanks for your support.

Date and Time: Tuesday, 4/28 @ 6:30pm – dinner first and then a quick ceremony.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FACAD2DA1FCCF8-63371520-hotdog

Troop, we will meet at the barn to have a bon fire with hot dogs and smores and to review the scout leadership positions. As of right now (10:00 pm on 6 April) there are only 7 scouts signed up. If your scout is interested in a leadership position with the troop, they should attend. Please go to this site and sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FACAD2DA1FCCF8-63308348-7aprtroop#/. This will ensure there is enough food for the scouts. Bring your water bottles. Uniform will be Class B’s. For troop leadership position descriptions please go to this site: https://troopleader.scouting.org/general-troop-information/troop-structure/troop-positions/

**Special note: Parents – when scouts are tasked to buy food for an weekend outing, please supervise their spending to keep costs around $15-$20 per scout total. This helps them to be frugal shoppers, but also keeps weekend campout costs manageable for everyone.

Upcoming schedule:

14 April – Scout elections & rank advancement

21 April – Court of Honor rehearsal, meal planning & bike inspections

28 April – Court of Honor

5 May – Game Night: dodgeball

12 May – Meal planning/campout prep (rank advancement is time is available)

15-17 May – Great Sand Dunes campout

19 May – Game Night: Skyzone

26 May – Architect Merit Badge

Mr. Turner

We’re excited to have a bonfire next Tuesday at the barn next to the church. Scouts can enjoy hot dogs, chips, drinks, and s’mores while we review troop positions before the next election.

Register here so we know how much food to buy.