Use this category to add news to the Troop blog. News can be a collection of announcements, live updates (photos, videos, etc.) on outings, or any information that pertains to the entire Troop.
Troop, times for Eagle Claw have been determined: Saturday 9:00 am – 3:00 pm and Sunday 11:00 am – 4:00 pm. Uniform will be Class B’s (come prepared for the weather). Meet at the barn and remember to bring your scoutbook, the ten essentials, and a water bottle.
**Eagle Claw is a class led by a Camp Buffalo Bill counselor (Callin) – you will complete lots of rank requirements for the ranks of Scout all the way up to 1st Class (some requirements may need to be completed at home). Things like first aid, cooking, knots, hiking, orienteering, etc. This is an awesome opportunity that doesn’t come around very often. If your scout is not a 1st Class rank, it is highly encouraged that they attend these classes.
Troop, we will be conducting a moonlit hike to the top of Pulpit Rock. Meet at the Pulpit Rock trailhead at 7:00 pm. Bring some water and dress for some really cool weather. Parents can pick up their scouts at the trailhead around 8:30 pm. For any scout wishing to complete a scoutmaster conference, I will be at Discovery Park on Buckeye Dr on Tuesday from 5:00 – 6:30 pm (make sure you wear your class A’s) – first come, first served.
**Attention Camp Buffalo Bill attendees – Summer camp patches have finally arrived! I will bring an example to the hike so everyone can see, but we will present these at the November Court of Honor.
Upcoming schedule:
11-12 Oct: Eagle Claw at the barn (times TBD) – these classes will help you get most of the way to First Class rank
14 Oct: Scout planning for 2026 (this is where you will brainstorm ideas on what you want to do for monthly campouts next year, along with summer camp)
21 Oct: meal prep and Traffic Safety MB
24-26 Oct: Dino Death March – 10 mile round trip hike to see the dinosaur tracks along the Purgatory River near La Junta
28 Oct: Pumpkin Carving / Costume contest (prizes will be awarded for both) – each scout should bring a gutted pumpkin ready to carve
Eagle Claw is for newer scouts working towards Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class. It is a condensed two day session to focus on requirements and hands on skills.
Eagle Claw Weekend: Who: The intended audience is primarily for New Scouts (advancing) + older scouts (teaching). The class will be led by Callin Dawson who was an instructor at Camp Buffalo Bill. He will be supported by our troop leadership and senior scouts.
What: Condensed two day session to focus on requirements and hands on skills with the goal to get through the majority of the rank requirements to get to first class. *please note* there will still be items a scout will need to complete outside of the session to make rank.
When: Weekend of October 11th and 12th.
Where: Wilson Ranch Church – 6460 Flying W Ranch Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80919
Why: Build scout skills, rank up and grow towards Eagle.
Troop, we will be conducting a Skills Round Robin event on Tuesday. Senior scouts will be teaching essential classes – knots, first aid, and backpacking/Fireman’s chit. If you are teaching a class, make sure to bring any necessary training aids.
Upcoming schdule:
7 Oct: Full moon hike (Pulpit Rock)
11-12 Oct: Eagle Claw (this is a awesome opportunity for newer scouts to rank up – we have a summer camp counselor coming to teach the classes, so don’t miss out!) Signup coming soon.
14 Oct: Scout planning for 2026 outings
21 Oct: Meal prep and Traffic Safety MB
24-26 Oct: Dino Death March – join us for some awesome hiking to dinosaur tracks on the Purgatory River near La Junta (car camping at the trailhead)
Troop, we are canceling the WWII Aviation Museum visit on Sep 27 due a lack of interest. We may try to reschedule it for a future date. See everyone on Tuesday.
Troop, this is the last call to sign-up for the WWII Aviation Museum visit this Saturday, 27 September at 10:00 am. We would ideally like to get 8-10 scouts to make it worthwhile. Please sign-up by Thursday. If we do not get enough scouts to sign up, we will cancel the visit. We will be doing the special tour that will show us behind the scenes on how they restore these historic planes.
Troop, this week is a game week! Congrats to all the scouts and adults that made the Blodgett Peak sunrise hike. We will meet at the barn at 6:00 pm and then walk over to the park and play some dodgeball! Uniform will be class B’s. Temperature’s are going to get a little chilly so be prepared with a hoodie if you need it and bring some water. We will play till dark or around 7:30. If you have agreements or initial payments for Sea Base, you can give them to me and I will pass them on to the treasurer later that evening. I look forward to seeing everyone there for some exciting games! Remember, if you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball! We will also be having a new scout visit, so let’s welcome him to the troop and have some fun.
As most of you know, we have 2 crews headed to Sea Base next Spring Break. This high adventure will be a Coral Reef Sailing excursion (see program info below). We currently have 3 slots to fill. We can take 2 scouts and 1 adult or 2 adults and 1 scout. NOTE: Two adults from our Troop have contacted me and are in a “wait and see” status, leaving slots available for scouts before committing. Please contact Janelle Anderson by text (801)518-9659 or nolongerjak@gmail.com if you have questions or are interested in signing up. We would love to have you for this exciting opportunity and unique scouting program.
Total Trip Dates: March 22 – 29, 2026
Sea Base Session: March 23 -28, 2026
CORAL REEF SAILING Overview: Sea Base Coral Reef Adventure participants will set sail into the most diverse ecosystem in North America. The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is home to thousands of underwater species, including dolphins, sea turtles, fish, and Florida’s Coral Reef. Participants will snorkel, fish, and sail turquoise waters. Setting sail from beautiful Islamorada, Florida, crews will embark on the adventure of a lifetime. Below you will find an overview of your week at Sea Base. Please note that the program is dictated by weather, tides, and the ability of the crew. Your float plan can vary, sometimes widely, due to these factors. We make every attempt to have sailing, snorkeling, and fishing as a part of every day.
Coral Reef Sailing Crew Size: 6- 8 individuals. This number includes both youth and adult participants. Due to US Coast Guard regulations, crews may not exceed the maximum number allowed.
Length of Adventure: 5 nights, 6 days, including arrival and departure dates. For example, crews arriving at Sea Base on Sunday will depart Sea Base on the following Friday.
Arrival: Crews must check in between 1:00pm and 3:00pm on their arrival day. We ask Winter and Early Spring (before DST changes) crews to arrive between 12:30pm and 1:00pm.
Troop, due to low interest in the September backpacking outing for this weekend, we have decided to cancel it. Instead, we will be doing a sunrise hike Saturday morning to the top of Blodgett Peak. We will meet at the Blodgett Peak Open Space off of W Woodmen Rd at 4:00 am sharp. Austin Petree will be joining us to lead the way. Sunrise is around 6:45 am. As the temperatures continues to get cooler, make sure you dress in layers. Remember to bring a headlamp and water and possibly a snack. We should be back to the trailhead no later than 8:00 am. The trail is about 6 miles round trip with about 2,300 feet of elevation gain. Also, if anyone is interested I will be heading to Rudy’s afterwards for some breakfast burritos.
Troop, I wanted to get this post out as soon as possible. I have secured a service project with Upadowna for next week. The only catch is that instead of meeting on Tuesday, we will meet on Monday at Wildflower Park at 6:00 pm and help clean up the park for an hour. Afterwards we can do a quick meal planning for the monthly outing (Backpacking at Lost Creek Wilderness 20-21 Sep). I will also be conducting a Scoutmaster Conference. So come out and help clean up one of our local parks and help establish a good relationship with Upadowna. Uniform will be class B’s.
Upcoming schedule:
13 Sep: Merit badge opportunity (Mining in Society & Water/Soil Conservation) with Council (sign up on the Council’s website)
20-21 Sep: Monthly campout – Backpacking in Lost Creek Wilderness (sign up is out)
23 Sep: Game night (Dodgeball)
30 Sep: Scout led skills Round Robin (First Aid, Fireman chit, Knots)
The September campout will be a backpacking trip along the Goose Creek Trail (#612) near Tarryall, CO—about 90 minutes from Colorado Springs. Scouts will hike in with their gear, set up camp along the trail, and spend the weekend building backpacking skills, and enjoying the outdoors. They can also work towards requirements for the Camping and Backpacking merit badges.
Troop 287 will meet at the Barn at 7:00 AM on Saturday, 20 September, and return on Sunday, 21 September. Scouts must bring appropriate backpacking gear, food, and clothing for two days on the trail.
The September day trip will be to the National Museum of World War II Aviation in Colorado Springs. Scouts will tour the museum and learn about the history of aviation during World War II, seeing aircraft, artifacts, and exhibits that bring the era to life.
Troop 287 will meet at the museum (775 Aviation Way, Colorado Springs, CO 80916) on Saturday, 27 September, at 10:00 AM. The cost is $13 for Scouts 11 and under and $17 for Scouts 12 and older. Please bring cash or check to cover admission.
Scouts should wear their Class A uniforms for the tour.
We want to ensure everyone has a chance to go to Sea Base next Spring Break. We are opening slots to those 12 years old and older. Due to logistical considerations for out-of-state travel and guidance from Sea Base, 12-year-olds must be accompanied by a parent. Scouts aged 13-17 may go without a parent.
Sea Base still has an 8-person crew available for the Coral Reef Sailing option from March 23 to 28 (traveling on March 22 and 28). Please see the sign-up for details and pricing.
Troop, it’s game night!! We will meet at the church at 6:30 and then carpool over to Manitou Springs for a fun night of arcade games and ice cream. Remember to bring money for quarters and ice cream. Uniform will be class Bs. We will play from 7:00-8:30 and then be back at the church at 9:00.
Upcoming schedule:
2 Sep: Presentation by Liam; Citizenship in the Nation MB (Mr. Hatch)
We are looking forward to a great weekend hiking Mt Yale. Here is some information to help you prepare for a high altitude adventure. We will be car camping, so remember to bring your sleeping bag, pillow, and sleeping pad. You’ll want a warm coat for camp, and we will grab some troop tents on Friday.
Meet at the barn at 5:00 pm so we can pack up and leave by 5:30 pm.
Here are a few tips to help you out…
A great app to use is 14ers.com and Hiking Project.
Altitude sickness is a real thing, even if you live in Colorado. Please be aware of the symptoms and communicate any you may experience along the way. Taking some Tylenol or Advil as you approach 10,000ft can prevent the not-so-fun altitude headache that can ruin your day. SEE BELOW FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON SYMPTOMS TO WATCH OUT FOR.
Drink extra WATER and hydrate this week, especially the day before the hike. This will help you on Saturday. Some people like hydration powders, but bring a separate bottle (i.e.12oz plastic water bottle) for this. The sweetness can make some people nauseated at high altitude, so it’s good to have plain water too.
Bring snacks that are both salty and sweet. A variety of lightweight, high-calorie options are great. Pepperoni or jerky, or sausage sticks taste great at the summit! So do cookies!
Pacing yourselves and taking short rests will help. Stopping for long periods of time is not recommended and can really slow your progress. Short, Frequent Breaks: Take 5-10 minute breaks every couple of hours to drink water, eat snacks, and check for any issues like hot spots on your feet. Use the Rest Step: On inclines, practice the rest step by momentarily supporting all your weight on one leg before bringing the other forward, allowing your muscles to relax with each step.
Here is a packing list to help guide you. We recommend going light but still being prepared.
RECOMMENDED PACKING LIST:
– Day pack
– Water (Nalgenes or Hydration Bladder) 2+ liters
– Light gloves
– Beanie/hat/buff
– Sunglasses
– Sunscreen (small bottle or squeeze some into a ziplock so you’re not carrying extra weight)
– Headlamp (Pro Tip – wear your headlamp around your waist. You won’t blast your friends in the face with a bright light when you are talking to them. It also makes it easier to see obstacles on the trail, like rocks and logs.
– Dress in layers (non-cotton, moisture-wicking base layers, insulating mid-layers, waterproof and windproof outer layers). Going up will be warm, but it can be cold and windy up high.
— T-shirt
— Long sleeve shirt/sun shirt
— Fleece jacket or light puffy jacket or sweatshirt
— Raincoat/windbreaker
– Good socks with no holes
– Study footwear…trail running shoes, hiking boots, or tennis shoes with good tread
– Hiking pants (NO BLUE JEANS)
– Trekking or ski pole (optional)
– A few Band-Aids
– – Duct Tape works great to prevent blisters, just don’t bring the whole roll. If you’re getting a hot spot, tell an adult so they can help you. Preventing blisters is important.
– Emergency blanket (if you have one)
– TP in a little ziplock or small Kleenex pack
– Cell phone & Ear Buds for music
** inReach Satellite Phone for Emergency Use (Mr. Anderson will have one)
HIGH ALTITUDE SICKNESS
Most people who get altitude sickness get AMS, acute mountain sickness. At higher than 10,000 feet, 75% of people will get mild symptoms. There are three categories of AMS:
Mild AMS: Symptoms, such as mild headache and fatigue, don’t interfere with your normal activity. Symptoms improve after a few days as your body acclimates. You can likely stay at your current elevation as your body adjusts.
Moderate AMS: Symptoms start to interfere with your activities. You may experience severe headache, nausea, and difficulty with coordination. You’ll need to descend to start to feel better.
Severe AMS: You may feel short of breath, even at rest. It can be difficult to walk. You need to descend immediately to a lower altitude and seek medical care.
Two severe forms of altitude illness occur less frequently but are more serious. Both can be life-threatening. You need to descend immediately and receive medical treatment for:
HAPE (High-altitude pulmonary edema): HAPE produces excess fluid on the lungs, causing breathlessness, even when resting. You feel very fatigued and weak and may feel like you’re suffocating.
HACE (High-altitude cerebral edema): HACE involves excess fluid on the brain, causing brain swelling. You may experience confusion, lack of coordination, and possibly violent behavior.
Troop, we will be conducting meal planning and camp prep at the church at 7:00 pm in preparation for this weekends campout (14er and some water fun). We will also be assigning scouts to patrols along with an assistant scoutmaster leader. Nathan is planning to hold a scout knot meeting with myself, all assistant scoutmasters, and scout leaders (SPL, ASPL, Scribe, and Patrol Leaders) to plan out the rest of the year – if you are a leader, make sure you attend. With all the leadership and scout position changes, I know everyone is working on getting their uniforms sewn up so lets meet in class Bs. Depending on how the SPL and ASPL decide to work it, we may expand to a third patrol, so if you are interested in becoming a patrol leader, have a quick speech ready to go.
Upcoming schedule:
22-24 Aug: 14er campout (Mt. Yale) and water fun (either rafting or canoeing/swimming)
26 Aug: Game night (Manitou Arcade)
29 Aug: Council sponsored Vibes baseball game (sign up if you are interested)
1 Sep: Labor Day Flags (sign up)
13 Sep: Council planned merit badges (Mining in Society & Water/Soil Conservation). Sign up on the council webpage. Cost is $5.00 and both merit badges will be completed from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm.
27 Sep: Field trip to WWII Aviation Museum (10:00 am, cost is $17.00)
Welcome to the website of Boy Scout Troop 287 at Wilson United Methodist Church, located on the northwest side of Colorado Springs, CO, in school districts 11 and 20. We are in the BSA Pikes Peak Council, Frontier District.
To the left, you can view our news and events. Below you can browse information about our troop, subscribe to our blog by email, download documents, and access useful links.
