Troop, we will meet at the church at 7:00 to learn some first aid skills. Mr. Hoekstra will be teaching the troop the basics about CPR. Remember to bring $6.00 cash to cover the cost of a face shield (you will be able to keep it for future use). Uniform will be class B’s. Also, remember to get together as a patrol and decide what topic and what kind of presentation your patrol will present on the 10 Feb meeting. All scouts should have a speaking part – any kind of visual aides will be up to you. Plan for 20 minutes.

Upcoming schedule:

10 Feb: Patrol presentations

14 Feb: 2nd Saturday Rocketry at Challenger Middle School

17 Feb: Campout prep/Meal prep, winter gear relays

20-22 Feb: Campout (TBD)

24 Feb: Game Night – Flag football part II (Wilson Ranch Park)

1 Mar: Ice Climbing at St. Mary’s Falls

6-8 Mar: Campout canceled (will reschedule rock climbing in the Spring)

10 Mar: Game Night (Pickleball)

Week of 17 Mar: Service Project (Food Bank) – Tuesday meeting may move to another day in the week

22-29 Mar: Sea Base High Adventure

24 Mar: Meeting is canceled for Spring Break

31 Mar: Guest Speaker – U.S. Olympian

Mr. Turner

Troop, we will be headed to the USAFA swimming pool on Sunday from 2:00 – 4:30 (assuming there is no government shutdown). Sea Base crews will be conducting a swim test and snorkel training. All other scouts can conduct a swim test for summer camp. Sea Base crew remember to bring your mask, snorkel, and fins and a 10-lb weight if you happen to have one. Everyone remember to bring a towel, sandals, and a water bottle and maybe a snack. Sea Base crew will head to the church afterwards and work on some admin paperwork and review some of the sailing videos.

Any adults (that can get on base) that can stick around and help with corralling the scouts and assisting with instruction would be appreciated.

Anyone needing a ride onto base, we will meet at the South Gate visitor center (Academy Blvd) around 1:45.

Mr. Turner

Troop 287 needs your help! Do you work in a unique field, have a fun or interesting hobby, and enjoy helping others? The scouts of Troop 287 would love for you to become a Merit Badge Counselor. A merit badge counselor is a responsible adult with knowledge and enthusiasm about a career, hobby or other subject who is willing to share that knowledge and enthusiasm with Scouts. Visit: http://usscouts.org/usscouts/meritbadges.asp to see all the available merit badges and select the ones that interest you. Once you have decided to become a merit badge counselor, talk to the Scoutmaster, a committee member, or any Assistant Scoutmaster and they can explain the process.

Mr. Turner

Send Scouts on an Adventure.

Support Boy Scout Troop 287 with a clean car!

On January 30-31, Tommy’s Express will donate $1 for every car washed to Boy Scout Troop 287 to support their adventure to BSA High Adventure Sea Base this Spring. Get a clean car while supporting a local west-side troop! Print off the flyer and hang it wherever you can and be sure to tell all your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers.

Hey there Troop 287!

This weekend, January 30 and 31, the crew going to Sea Base is having car wash fundraiser at Tommy’s Express on Garden of the Gods. At the below links are two flyers (one square graphic and one 8.5×11 flyer). If you can, please share this with your family and friends and other social networks and encourage folks to stop by Tommy’s for a car wash to support the troop!

Below is some suggested language. At a minimum, I would suggest using the non-bolded language when promoting the event (or something similar). You may want to even encourage folks to wait until the weekend to wash their car after this past cold/snowy weekend!! 

Thanks for your support!

-Betsy

_________________

Get your Car Washed.
Send Scouts on an Adventure.
Support Boy Scout Troop 287 with a clean car!

On January 30-31, Tommy’s Express will donate $1 for every car washed to Boy Scout Troop 287 to support their adventure to BSA High Adventure Sea Base this Spring. Get a clean car while supporting a local west-side troop!

Graphics:
Square

8.5 x 11 Flyer

Troop, we will meet at City Rock at 7:00 pm for some indoor rock climbing. This will help get us prepared for some outdoor rock climbing in March. A day pass is $23.00 and $10.00 for equipment if you don’t have any. Wear climbing appropriate clothes and remember a water bottle. We will finish around 8:30 pm, but you are welcome to stay longer if your ride or parents are staying with you. If you are being dropped off, please fill out a waiver on-line beforehand.

Upcoming schedule:

25 Jan: Sea Base meeting at 6:00 pm at the church

27 Jan: Cyber Merit Badge

30-31 Jan: Car Wash fundraising

3 Feb: Basic CPR or Patrol Presentations

10 Feb: Basic CPR or Patrol Presentations

17 Feb: Campout prep(winter gear relays)/Meal prep

20-22 Feb: Winter campout

Mr. Turner

UPDATE: Sign for Scouts and Adults to attend is now closed. If you’d like to attend, please reach out to Tim Oroszi to see if we can add spots to our roster (based on availability).

Hey Scouts!! 

As you saw from the post last week, Troop 287 is going to Summer Camp at Camp A, June 21-27, 2026. See the Sign-Up Genius to add your name to the list. The deadline to sign-up for Camp is January 16. 

**If you are interested in attending, but aren’t sure if you can commit by the sign-up deadline, chat with Scoutmaster Turner. We can always add scouts to the troop’s camp roster after we register as long as space is available. 

Sign-Up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FACAD2DA1FCCF8-61505695-2127#/

The participation fee to attend Camp A is $550 per scout/$385 per adult. This includes your registration fee (scout fee includes registration fee for two required adults) , mileage to/from camp, and patches. Should this not be enough, we will ask for additional funds from each participant after their return from camp. (These fees do not include any costs associated with the merit badge sessions at camp.) If this incidental amount is too much, we will refund each scout accordingly. Your Scout’s spot at Summer Camp is not guaranteed until the initial deposit is received. The payment plan outlined in the agreement has been set up to enable the Troop to make the scheduled payments to Camp Alexander. Registration fees can be paid in full any time before April 2026.

Agreement: https://www.bsatroop287.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-Summer-Camp-Camp-A.pdf

To confirm your spot, please download the Summer Camp Agreement (link above) and return it to Betsy in-person or via email along with your initial deposit. Payment can be made via cash, check made out to Boy Scout Troop 287, or via Zelle to my email betsydouglass.bsa@gmail.com. 

Reach out to Betsy or Mr. Turner if you have any questions. 

Troop, we will be meeting at the church at 7:00 pm to complete some rank advancement. Bring your scoutbook and any extra items to complete your requirements. Older scouts can help newer scouts with requirements and adults will be on hand to sign off on them. You can also work on your merit badges. We will also have time for Scoutmaster conferences and some board members may be available for Boards of Review. Uniform will be Class A’s.

Upcoming Schedule:

20 Jan: Indoor rock climbing

27 Jan: Cyber Merit Badge

3 Feb: CPR training or patrol presentations

10 Feb: CPR training or patrol presentations

14 Feb: 2nd Saturday Rocketry at Challenger Middle School

17 Feb: Campout prep (winter gear relay), Meal prep

20-22 Feb: Mennonite Cabins campout, snowshoe

24 Feb: Game Night (Touch Football – adults vs scouts rematch)

1 Mar: Camp A ice climbing (13+)

3 Mar: Rock climbing class, meal prep

6-8 Mar: Shelf Road rock climbing campout

10 Mar: Game Night – Pickleball

14 Mar: 2nd Saturday Rocketry at Challenger Middle School

Week of 17 Mar: Service Project – Food Bank (this may move to a Saturday based on available times)

22-29 Mar: Sea Base

24 Mar: No meeting (Spring Break)

31 Mar: Guest Speaker (TBD)

Mr. Turner

Troop 287 is planning a Scout Ski day at Monarch Mountain on 11 January. They’ve got about 20 inches of base and 80% of the mountain is open. With the snow forecast for Friday, it should be a great day.

We’ll depart the barn at 0630, drive the 2 1/2 hours to Monarch, ski all day, and return around 7pm. Scouts should bring their own equipment and lift ticket.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FACAD2DA1FCCF8-61505999-sign#/

** Note: Updated to allow multiple adult sign-ups. **

Head over to sign up genius to help us get a headcount of Scouts and Adults staying at camp, and drivers to/from camp. Troop 287 will be going to Camp Alexander from 21 – 27 June.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FACAD2DA1FCCF8-61505695-2127#/

Troop, we will meet at the church at 7:00 pm for some free play. Play some games inside or outside, while the adults and scout leadership plan out the next few months of meetings. Uniform is class B’s. You can also bring your scout books and knock out some rank or merit badge requirements. Also, if you haven’t turned in your Traffic Safety Merit Badge homework – bring it.

**Parents – Due to scheduling issues, the summer camp venue has changed to Camp A. The dates remain 21-27 June. Please have your scout inform me if they are going or text me directly so we can get accurate numbers for registration.

Upcoming events:

11 Jan: Scout ski day at Monarch Ski Resort

30 Jan: Tommy’s Express Car Wash fundraiser (Table set up from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm) to support our Sea Base crews.

20-22 Feb: Snow caves campout

6-8 Mar: Shelf Road rock climbing campout

Mr. Turner

Troop, here is an opportunity to recycle your Christmas tree and to let others know:

Do you have a Christmas Tree to dispose of? Boy Scout Troop 78 is conducting its 24th annual Christmas Tree Recycling program! They are collecting trees to use for mulch at the USAFA B-52 scout campsite to help control erosion.

Collection days are: Saturday January 3rd and 10th (9:00 am to 4:00 pm) and Sunday January 4th and 11th (9:00 am to 4:00 pm).

Drop off location is: Eagleview Middle School (1325 Vindicator Dr) on the west side.

Alternatively, if you would like to make a reservation for a pick up, please visit 78trees.net and complete the “Tree Pickup Reservation form”.

Donations are welcomed and greatly appreciated to help support Troop 78 scouts. Best wishes for a very Happy New Year

Troop, we will not have a meeting. The church kitchen is still under construction and we will not be able to have our Christmas cookie baking. Enjoy the time off and everyone have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! See you next year!

Mr. Turner

Troop, we will be visiting the McCandless Veteran’s Home in Florence to bring some Christmas cheer to the veterans. Make sure you are wearing your best Class A uniform and meet at the church at 4:45 pm. We will leave promptly at 5:00 pm to ensure we get to the Home at 6:00 pm. If you are able, please make some Christmas cards for the veterans and we will pass them out. If each scout could make around 10 cards, we can ensure that everyone will get a Christmas card (they have 64 residents). We should be able to play games, read, and talk to veterans and enjoy their company. We will depart at 8:00 pm and be back to the church around 9:00 pm. This will also count toward service hours. So far we have 11 scouts signed up – let’s get everyone available to go and really show Troop 287 support for our veterans!

Mr. Turner

Troop 287 will visit the Bruce McCandless Veteran’s Home on Tuesday, 9 Dec to provide them some holiday cheer. This will count also for service hours.

Who: Troop 287
What: Visits veterans at the Bruce McCandless Veteran’s Home
When: Meet at barn at 4:45, depart at 5:00, return at 9:00
Where: 903 Moore Dr, Florence, CO 81226
Why: To provide holiday cheer for our veterans!

Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FACAD2DA1FCCF8-60979423-2decvets

It’s time for our annual Chili Cook-Off Court of Honor! Please sign up below as soon as possible so we know how many people to expect!

Date and Time: Tuesday, 12/2 @ 6:00pm – dinner first and then a quick ceremony

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FACAD2DA1FCCF8-60374577-chili

Troop, we will meet at the Wilson Ranch Park at 6:00 pm for some nighttime football. Wear Class B’s and plenty of layers for cooler weather. If you need a board of review, remember to bring your Class A’s and your scoutbook.

Mr. Turner

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.