TROOP 287 COOKOUT COURT OF HONOR

WHEN: Tuesday, May 19, 2015

WHERE: Wilson United Methodist Church

TIME: 5:30 pm set up

6:00 – 8:00 pm Dinner and Court of Honor

Remember your canned goods donation!!

The Troop Committee will supply the hamburgers and hot dogs, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and condiments.

We ask the Troop Families to please provide a side dish to share.

!!! MUFFINS AND COMEDY NIGHT !!!

PLEASE BRING ONE CANNED GOOD ITEM PER PERSON DONATION FOR THE CHURCH FOOD PANTRY.

Download: MAY 19 2015 COH FLYER

Parents, 

Just finished the Alpine Tower and Climbing Wall. The scouts had a blast while building confidence and accomplish goals.  Here’s a couple pics. I’ll post the rest after we return. 

Sean

Scouts,

Just a couple quick reminders for this weekend’s campout:

– Please arrive at the church at 5pm on Friday.  We will attempt to depart to Fort Carson by 530pm. I plan on having them back by 10am on Sunday. We already have drivers (with military ID) taking the boys to Fort Carson so parents please do not attempt to take the boys to Fort Carson on your own. Your drop off and pick up location is Wilson Methodist Church…where we meet every Tuesday.

– Scouts will bring their own dinner for Friday night…like a Subway sandwich….

– We have to gear to transfer from the big troop trailer to my little trailer so efficiency and motivation will be necessary to keep us on schedule.

– Bring your Troop 287 permission slip and your Fort Carson Waiver filled out. These are available on the website but were also handed out at the last meeting.

– Please refer to the original post about this camp out for packing list and timeline details.

– For the climbing portion on Saturday morning, please be prepared with long pants, a water bottle, a hat, and sunscreen.  You may bing climbing shoes if you have them but regular sneakers work.  The stiffer the sole the better.

– It might rain this weekend so raincoats are a must!

– Again the total cost for the camp out is $30. $5 for the camp site for the weekend, $10 for food (Noah is buying), and $15 for the climbing.

I am the person running this activity so please call me at 719.648.6798 if you have any questions.

Thanks,

Sean

Hello All,

Just a reminder our monthly Committee meeting is tomorrow at 7:30pm.

Some of items on the agenda:

Court of Honor planning

Troopmaster

Flags

Change of Leadership

Troop Directory

All are welcomed and encouraged to attend!

It is going to be a busy night for the Troop so please read all the updates posted within the last week so you can plan accordingly to meet any deadlines or attend any required meetings.

Thank you & see you all tomorrow,

Sandy Johnston

If you need a Scoutmaster conference (we have Kevin, Jaxon, and Noah signed up) please arrive at WUMC at 6:30 pm Tuesday (30 mins prior to scout meeting) so we can get the conferences knocked out.  We’ll need this time to get the SMCs and BORs accomplished in preparation for the Court of Honor.  If there are additional scouts that need SMCs/BORs please let me know, jonu_1999@yahoo.com, 719-434-8450.

For all those going on the Labyrinth Canyon (Green River) canoe trip from 26-31 July, you can find information on the trip on the Troop Website…select the “Canoe Trip” link at the top of the page.  Information includes dates, costs, individuals who have signed up, and a slideshow about the trip.

A $125 payment (check made out to “Troop 287”) is due at Tuesday’s (12 May) meeting.  We will also have a mandatory parent meeting at 8:10 pm on Tuesday to provide additional information and answer questions.

Check out the information on the website as it will help to answer most of your questions.

Please contact me if you need further information, jonu_1999@yahoo.com, 719-434-8450.

Folks,

Summer camp is rapidly approaching.  The next big step to accomplish is getting this physicals knocked out. Please do you best to complete them and turn them into me by the Troop meeting on June 2nd.  That gives me almost two weeks to make sure every thing is in order.  Plus, there is now an addition to the form that now needs to be included with the physical and it requires a physician signature so make sure you bring it with the physical. Its a new immunization form that the doctor needs to fill out.  Here is what our summer camp sent us today:

The State of Colorado has just informed us that the immunization form on Part C of the official BSA medical form is not in compliance with CDPHE requirements. Therefore, we need all camp participants (youth and adults), in state AND out of state, to take a copy of the attached form to their physician and ask to have it filled out. A professional medical provider must fill it out.  Mom and Dad cannot  copy the shot record off of the form currently being used by your healthcare provider.

Colorado units: You may find your healthcare provider already uses the form provided. If so, make a copy of it and bring it to camp.  If your healthcare provider does not use the attached form you will have to have your shot record transferred to this form.

We sincerely apologize for this inconvenience and ask for your cooperation in this matter

So you can download the Physical Part A,B, and C here: Physical

And you can download the new Colorado Immunization form Here: Immunization Form

If the links on the email do not work then please find them from the summer camp link on the troop website. www.bsatroop287.org

Remember, I need these forms completed and turned into me by June 2nd.

Please contact me if there are any issues.

Sean

seanmwarner@gmail.com

For Tuesday’s meeting (May 5th) we will be conducting the Boy Scout swim test at the USAFA pool (prep school gym).  All Scouts attending summer camp or the canoe expedition should attend.  We will meet at the church (WUMC) to carpool at 5:45 pm, and return to WUMC at approximately 8:30-8:45 pm.  Scouts need swimwear, towel, clothes, and $3.50/scout for the pool.  See you Tuesday!

Troop 287,

Our next camp out is but a few weeks away. We will be spending two nights at Camp Falcon on Fort Carson.  It will be a great camp out for our first year and older scouts alike.  Its good for the first year scouts because they will be able to work on some skills prior to Summer Camp and also ween themselves from their parents a little 🙂  On Saturday morning, we will tackle the Apline/Climbing/Repel Tower for three hours. This is great prep for the older boys doing the climbing merit badge at summer camp….however, all scout can climb if they choose. This weekend is also an excellent opportunity for scouts to complete rank advancements prior to the next COH.

On Saturday, Pack 6 Cubscouts will join us and we will have a Camp Fire Ceremony with Skits and retire some US flags.  Please make your final decision whether your scout would like to attend the camp out prior to the next meeting on May 5th.

I’m going, but I still need one more adult to make this trip happen. Please let me know as soon as you can.

Costs per scout: $5 Fort Carson Fee,  $10 For Food, and $15 Alpine Tower Fee = $30 per scout or $15 if they do not want to climb.

Time line:

15 May:

– 5pm: Meet at Wilson Methodist Church ( Scouts should bring their dinner and Make sure you have the T287 permission slip, and the Outdoor Rec Liability Form Filled out)

– 530pm: Depart Church and head to Fort Carson.

– 630pm: Set up Camp

16 May:

– 630am: Wake Up/Breakfast

– 9am-12pm: Alpine/Climbing/Repel Tower

– 12-130pm: Lunch

– 3pm: Pack 6 Arrives

– 5pm: Dinner

– 7pm: Camp Fire Ceremony with Pack 6 – Skits

17 May:

– 7am: Breakfast

– 930am: Depart Fort Carson

– 1030am: Parents Pick up Scouts (Campout Complete)

Packing List:

• sleeping bag, rated 20 degrees or better/lower
• sleeping pad
• pillow
• pajamas
• Scout Handbook
• Pen
• Small notebook that fits in pocket
• pocket knife
• metal or sturdy plastic plate
• metal or sturdy plastic spoon and fork
• metal or study plastic drinking cup
• Rain poncho
• Warm jacket
• Hiking boots or closed-toe hiking shoes (no flip flops, sandals, or
• Durable shorts
• Durable pants
• Durable, warm socks (and maybe an extra pair)
• Scout Class A shirt (for evening ceremony)
• Scout Class B shirt (and maybe an extra shirt)
• Hoodie
• Personal hygiene (toothbrush, toothpaste, sanitation wipes, deodorant)
• Broad-brimmed hat
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Hand kerchief
• small, personal flashlight or headlamp (with extra batteries)
• Small Roll of duct tape (for repairs)
• Dryer lint (to practice fire starting)
• Nalgene/Water Bottle

Use a permanent marker or tape to identify their belongings.
Pack in a backpack or large bag or plastic container bin.
Scout can consult his Scout Handbook for anything we might have committed on this list.

Please Call or Email if you have any questions:

Sean

719-648-6798

seanmwarner@gmail.com

Parents & Scouts:

Just a friendly reminder that final payment for Summer Camp 2015 at Camp Jeffrey is due tomorrow Tuesday, April 28. We need to have everyone’s payment tomorrow so we can the deposit and make final payment to secure our spot and all the boy’s badge choice. Please call or email me if you need to discuss this.

Thank you,

Sandy Johnston

sandycjohnston@hotmail.com

719-494-9922 cell

OK!  Everyone got the Merit Badges they wanted for summer camp so we can check that one off the list.  Here are the next things to work on:

– The final payment for summer camp is due at the 28 April meeting.  For most, that amount is $137.50.

– Next work on getting your scout physical squared away. You can find the form link at the top of the page by clicking on Summer Camp 2015 then click on Health Form then Annual BSA Health and Medical Record, Parts A, B, and C.  If we are lucky, the links in this email will work but if not you know how to find the form.  You, as the parent will fill out part A and B, the doctor fills out part C.

– Finally, start getting the gear that you need for summer camp.

– The scout store has some pretty good deals on sleeping bags and backpacks.

Please call if you have any questions.

Sean

Sean Warner

719-648-6798

Our new scouts (and some old scouts) worked on skills and advancement last weekend at Camp Wilson.  Congrats to new scouts that advanced to “Scout” rank, and those that earned the Firem’n Chit and the Totin’ Chip!

Boy Scout Troop 287

Meeting:                     Troop 287 Committee Meeting

Date & Time:            April 14, 2015, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Location:                   Wilson United Methodist Church

In attendance:

Keith Moore, Tom Sharp, Sandy Johnston, Andrea Warner, Cindy Aicher, Mary Cucarro, and Lisa Woodard

1. Sandy Johnston – Committee Chair

• Sandy called the meeting to order
• April Minutes were approved
• Parents: sign up sheet for “Flags” fundraising days will begin next week at the April 21^st meeting; be aware that your boys may be signing up for these activities happening on May 25^th and June 14^th

2. Andrea Warner – Treasurer

• Scouts’ accounts are currently being updated as the Troop bank account gets reconciled
• Scouts should not charge anything to their accounts before confirming with Andrea Warner that they have sufficient funds
• Several of the Scouts have accounts that are in the red; if you receive notice of this, payments will be due at the May Court of Honor

3. Keith Moore – Scout Master

• Assistant Scout Masters, and their CPR & First Aid training was discussed
• Upcoming events…
• April 18, Saturday, 10:00 am – Cub Pack 6 official crossover ceremony with rocket launches will be held at Holmes Middle School
• May 5, Tuesday, 5:45 pm – 8:30 pm; this month’s Game Night will be a Swim Test for all boys in the troop
• May 15-17, Friday – Sunday – Troop Campout, combining with Pack 6 for one of the nights – possibly at Fort Carson, with the rental of their climbing tower
• May 19, Tuesday, 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm, Court of Honor; boys arrive at 5:30 to set-up, 6:00 – 7:00 will be a BBQ dinner, 7:00 – 8:00 pm Court of Honor
• May 25, Monday, Memorial Day “Flags” fund-raiser; there is an early morning route and an early evening route; exact arrival times TBA
• June 2, Tuesday, 5:45 pm – 8:30 pm; this month’s Game Night will be another night at the Air Force Academy pool to work on skills for the July Canoe Trip
• June 14, Sunday, Flag Day “Flags” fundraiser; there is an early morning route and an early evening route; exact arrival times TBA
• The Troop 287 Activity Permission Slip was addressed; a Motion was made to approve the current Activity Permission Slip form; motion was approved. These forms are necessary to give permission for a SM to drive your kid to a Troop activity, such as Swim Test Night at the Air Force Academy

4. Tom Sharp – Charter Org Rep

• April 26, Sunday, 5:45 – 7:30 pm; Soup Kitchen at Sacred Heart Church, Scouts can earn service hours needed for rank advancements
• Troop 287’s list of Merit Badge counselors needs updating

Scouts,

The link to register our scouts for their summer camp activities (Merit Badges and Trail to First Class) will become available to me on April 22nd.  Therefore, I need you to email me your scout’s merit badge choices by SUNDAY, APRIL 19th.  This gives me time to verify and organize them and fix any discrepancies prior to registration. My email is seanmwarner@gmail.com.  My cell is 719.648.6798.

You can find the merit badge selection in the 2015 Leader Book on Page 48-50.  Please long onto the Troop 287 Website (www.bsatroop287.org) and click on the 2015 Summer Camp Link at the top of the page. A link to the leader’s guide is posted there. The leader’s guide also has descriptions of the Merit Badges earlier in the book so you can make sure its the one for you.

So here’s some guidance for merit badge and Trail to First Class selection:

New Scouts: These are the scouts that recently joined that have never done a summer camp and have very little accomplished towards rank advancement to first class…i.e, the Webelos that just transitioned from Pack 6.  You guys will want to sign up for Trail to First Class (TFC).  This is a four block instruction that will help you accomplish most of your rank advancements to First Class.  TFC is available during the morning blocks or afternoon blocks of Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. I recommend scouts sign up for the afternoon TFC, allowing the scouts to sign up for two additional merit badges in the morning block. Thunderstorms tend to come in the afternoons and might cancel a afternoon merit badge but they will not cancel TFC due to thunderstorm so better to take your favorite merit badges in the mornings.  Most merit badges take two blocks (this will make sense once you see the merit badge spread sheet on page 48-50).

Other Scouts: If you have already taken Trail to First Class at a Summer Camp, or if you have been in scouts a while and are comfortable with your rank advancement progress then you do not need to take Trail to First Class at Summer Camp.  You scouts are free to sign up for whatever Merit badges that will make summer camp fun for you.  Some scouts like to knock out the Eagle Required ones, some like to do ones that are fun and some like to do a mix…your choice!

Some Merit Badges or activities will have an age requirement and or cost additional money.  For example, Rifle Shooting requires a $5.00 additional charge for ammunition.  Shotgun Shooting has an additional fee of $20.00 and its only recommend for boys 13 and older.  Leather work merit badge requires you buy a kit for $10. Fishing requires a $2.00 fishing permit.  This is all laid out in the Leader’s Book so please look at the descriptions of the merit badges so avoid any surprises.

Some merit badges fill up pretty fast…like the shooting sports, C.O.P.E., climbing, etc.  Many of us scout masters will be attempting to register our scouts at the same time. There is a chance that scouts may have to re-arrange their desired schedule to get the merit badge of their choice.  The earlier I am prepared to register merit badges, the better the chances of scouts getting their first choice. I plan on registering the second the site becomes active.

Again, Please take a look at the Leader’s Guide and email me you scout’s selection by 5pm on the 19th.  I will start calling people if I haven’t received them.  Feel free to call if you have any questions.

Thanks

Sean

Sean Warner

Just a reminder: April Committee meeting is tomorrow Tuesday, April 14th at 7:30pm. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. We look forward to seeing you all!

Sandy Johnston

Hi All

Correction for April Committee Meeting. I incorrectly gave the wrong date for the April committee meeting

on my last post regarding troop dues, etc. Committee meetings are generally held the 2nd Tuesday of the month

and I was off on my calendar. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. The April Committee Meeting will

be on Tuesday April 14th (not tonight).

Andrea & I will still be at the Scout meeting tonight and are available to discuss your Scout’s account.

Sandy Johnston

Folks,

You can now find the 2015 Merit Badge Schedule within the Leader’s Guide on Page 48-50.  Its a little confusing but if you study it for a few minutes you can figure it out.  Each day is broken down into three blocks, a morning, afternoon and evening block.  For example, Monday is M1 (Morning), M2 (Afternoon) and M3 (Evening). Tuesday is T1, T2, T3…etc.  It looks like Merit Badges encompass two blocks. For example, Wilderness Survival is offered on M2 (Monday Afternoon) and T2 (Tuesday Afternoon).  That means that if you chose Wilderness Survival your Monday afternoon and Tuesday afternoon is taken up with that leaving you the option to pick another merit badge in the mornings or evenings of Monday and Tuesday or any of the blocks on the Wednesday and Thursday. Does that make sense?…it will when you open the document.

Trail to First Class is offered either in the Mornings (9am-1130am) or in the afternoons (130pm-4pm) Monday through Thursday.  The way I read it is if you select the morning Trail to First Class, then you can have the option to take a merit badge in the afternoons. This would mean you could knock out two merit badges in addition to Trail to First Class.

So here is the nitty gritty.  The option to register merit badges will open in a couple of weeks. I need all the scouts to look at the options and decide this week which merit badges or activities you would like to do. Make sure you look at the requirements, for example, some might require an additional fee or an age requirement.

I need to know what merit badges you would like to take by the meeting on April 14th.  I need them turned into me by hand or emailed to me.  This will allow me to register your scout’s preferences the second the link becomes available. There are only so many slots to each merit badge and I guarantee the Texans that are going to summer camp will be quick on the trigger!

You can download a PDF version of the leader’s guide here or from the 2015 Summer Camp link at the top of the Page.

2015 Leader’s Guide

Sean Warner, ASM