Troop, we will meet at the church at 7:00 pm and execute a fun scout skills relay race. Uniform is class A’s. Make sure you bring a headlamp and maybe review some basic scout skills! We will also prepare a meal plan for the outing this weekend – Camp A cabins! Camp A reports their ice pond has been cleared and is ready for some great ice hockey games. They are even predicting some snow on Sunday.

* Remember to sign up for the Camp A cabins outing so we know who is going and how much food to buy. Also, sign up for the ice climbing on Sunday (sign-up genius is out as well), there is no age limit and we have all the gear.

* The sign-up for Scout Sunday is out as well – please sign up and let’s show Wilson Community Church we are thankful for there support. We are planning on Mar 8 at the 10:00 service. Scouts will hand out programs before the service and then be recognized during the service. It will be very simple, but really show our support for the church.

* Sea Base Crew – our next meetings will be 8 and 15 March where we will hit the USAFA pool for some practice, then head back to the church for gear layout/packing/departure & return details/etc. Hopefully everyone has reviewed the two slideshows to help you better understand sailing and fishing in FL. Make sure to keep practicing your snorkeling, even if you are an old pro. Reminder for everyone to purchase their own reef safe sunscreen and lip balm – each crew’s first aid kit will have some, but only as a backup.

Upcoming Schedule:

3 Mar: Rock climbing class

8 Mar: Scout Sunday at Wilson Community Church

10 Mar: Game night – Pickleball

Week of 17 Mar: Service project

22-29 Mar: Sea Base High Adventure

24 Mar: No meeting – Spring Break

31 Mar: Guest Speaker – US Olympian

** Remember the next court of honor is 28 April, so plan out your scoutmaster conferences and boards of honor.

Mr. Turner

Troop, Scout Sunday celebrates the founding of Boy Scouts of America and honors the 12th point of the Scout Law – “A scout is reverent”. Units typically attend religious services in uniform, conduct flag ceremonies, and thank their chartered organizations.

Troop 287 would like to partner with Wilson Community Church and execute Scout Sunday on 8 March at their 10:00 am Sunday Service. They would like us to hand out programs prior to the service and then during service they would like to recognize Troop 287 scouts and scout leaders. Our troop has a great partnership with Wilson Community Church in which they support our use of the church and barn for all our meetings, Courts of Honor, and lock ins! Let’s show our gratitude by serving during this upcoming Sunday Service.

Please sign up to help on 8 March: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FACAD2DA1FCCF8-62174495-scout#/

Troop, hopefully everyone had a great Valentine’s Day weekend! We will meet at the church at 7:00 pm and conduct patrol presentations. We should also have time for any Scoutmaster conferences and rank requirements. Uniform is Class A’s.

Upcoming schedule:

24 Feb: Winter gear games/meal prep

27 Feb – 1 Mar: Feb Campout at Camp A cabins

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

3 Mar: Rock climbing class

10 Mar: Game night – Pickleball

Mr. Turner

The Troop will stay in cabins at Camp Alexander (1 hour drive, https://maps.app.goo.gl/LDE6igrKLkBHoHYR9) from 27 Feb – 1 Mar, and then the troop will ice climb at St. Marys Falls (33 mintutes, https://maps.app.goo.gl/ahJ24ZXAnDaoqmBh6) on our way back.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FACAD2DA1FCCF8-62361431-27feb

Troop, we will meet at the church at 7:00 to plan and rehearse your patrol presentations. Do your best to make the meeting so you can contribute to the plan and prepare to become a good public speaker. Uniform will be class A’s.

*For everyone that attended the Cyber Merit Badge, make sure you complete the homework by watching the following 3 videos:

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iPKt6F64rc
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MK0SrxBC1xs
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yFZGF8FHSg

Then answer these 4 questions in the cyber quiz.

Quiz: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSebja7AQcEAfDjDGKqrkkosKi2V34nJvmEe1vsz5PdLxBjsCg/viewform

Finally, as an option – see if you can crack this code (it’s in the quiz as well)

CODE:  T D P V U T M F B E    U I F X B Z HINT: “To take a step forward, sometimes you need to take one step back”

Write your quiz answers down and bring them to myself or Mr. Oroszi.

*Anyone interested in a 3×3 basketball tournament? March 14 with the 2026 Courts and Community Rotary Basketball Classic. Click here to register: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/courts-and-communitybasketball-tournament

Upcoming Schedule:

17 Feb: Patrol Presentations

24 Feb: Winter gear relay/meal prep

27 Feb – 1 Mar: Campout (Camp A cabins)

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

3 Mar: Rock climbing class

10 Mar: Game night (Pickleball – location TBD)

Week of 17 March: Troop service project

22-29 Mar: Sea Base

24 Mar: No meeting (Spring Break)

31 Mar: Guest Speaker (US Olympian)

Mr. Turner

Troop, Scout Sunday celebrates the founding of Boy Scouts of America and honors the 12th point of the Scout Law – “A scout is reverent”. Units typically attend religious services in uniform, conduct flag ceremonies, and thank their chartered organizations. Troop 287 would like to partner with Wilson Community Church and execute Scout Sunday during one of their 10:00 am Sunday Services. They would like us to hand out programs prior to the service and then during service they would like to recognize Troop 287 scouts and scout leaders. Our troop has a great partnership with Wilson Community Church in which they support our use of the church and barn for all our meetings, Courts of Honor, and lock ins! Let’s show our gratitude by serving during an upcoming Sunday Service. We will be putting out a sign up genius and are looking at Feb 15 or Feb 22.

Mr. Turner

Below are the two slide shows to review. The high adventure sailing guide has some good information and will help you understand sailing better. The FL fishing guide is a little childish, but has some good information on knots, bait, and types of fish you’ll see in Florida. Once finished, this will complete the training portion in preparation for Sea Base.

Mr. Turner

Troop, just a reminder to bring $6.00 to cover the mask for CPR training tonight. If anyone forgets, we can cover it and take it out of your scout account.

Mr. Turner

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