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#/

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. 

Troop, we will meet at the church at 7:00 and meal prep for the USAFA Scout Hut trip and then work on the Traffic Safety Merit Badge (remember to bring your worksheet). Wear Class A’s. The scout huts have a kitchen and a gas BBQ grill. We will play lots of board/card games, do some hiking, play some sports, and relax. There will also be plenty of time for rank advancement and working on merit badges. Remember to sign up! Also, if you are an adult and plan to go on the outing, be sure to go to the USAFA link on the sign up and register. This will allow you to get on the base.

**IMPORTANT – if you are going to Sea Base High Adventure Camp in March, we will be having a meeting at the church at 6:00. Also, if you are interested in Boy Scout High Adventure trips in the future, you are welcome to come and listen.

Thanks to everyone who made the last Flags event a success!

Upcoming schedule:

14-16 Nov: USAFA Scout Huts campout

18 Nov: TBD (possibly a merit badge); the court of honor was moved to 2 Dec.

25 Nov: Turkeybowl, scouts vs. adults

2 Dec: Court of Honor (Chilli cookoff)

9 Dec: Veteran’s home visit

12-13 Dec: Lock-in

16 Dec: Christmas baking fun

23 Dec: No meeting

30 Dec: No meeting

Mr. Turner

It’s time for our annual Chili Cook-Off Court of Honor! Please sign up below!

Date and Time: Tuesday, 12/2 @ 6:00pm.

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

Troop 287 will be staying at the Air Force Academy’s Scout Huts from 14-16 November. We’ll meet at the Barn at 5pm on Friday, 14 November and be back at the barn around 11am on Sunday 16 November. Activities will include hiking, wildlife viewing, flag retirement ceremony, sports, games, and rank advancement.

To join this trip, two things are required:

First, sign up with the Troop here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FACAD2DA1FCCF8-60340382-usafa#/

Then, *update!* adults driving onto the base should register for base access here: https://visit.gvt.us/?b=usaf&i=united_states_air_force_academy&e=2XH67KBS. Those with Department of Defense Common Access Cards should not need to register.

Looking forward to seeing those of you who signed up tomorrow morning.

Start time: everyone meet at 6:30 AM at the barn. After a brief training session, you are good to go for posting flags.

Pick up time: start picking up flags on your route no earlier than 4:30 PM.

The sign-up genius does show that we have three drivers, four navigators, and eight scouts. That is misleading. We are short two morning and afternoon drivers, one afternoon navigator, and one afternoon Scout. You don’t need a large pick up truck to do flags. Any minivan or small SUV like my Chevy equinox does just fine.

Text me at 719–323–0224 with questions or to sign up at this late notice.

The sign-up genius is below if you want to verify your sign up. Scroll all the way to the bottom for Veterans Day.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FACAD2DA1FCCF8-55352959-flag#

YIS,

JC Kundert

Troop, it’s game night and we will be playing whirlyball! Meet at 3971 Palmer Park Blvd, Colorado Springs at 7:00 pm. Cost will be $15 per person. Wear class B’s.

Mr. Turner

Troop, we will meet at the church at 7:00 pm and carve up some pumpkins! Remember to bring your gutted pumpkin and a design to carve. I will bring tape and carving tools. If you have carving tools, please bring them. Also, if you are able, please arrive a little early to help set up tables in the foyer. Wear clothes that you don’t mind getting a little messy or wear a costume. I can also conduct any scoutmaster conferences or rank advancements. Prizes will be given out for the best pumpkin carving and best costume!

Upcoming events:

4 Nov: Game Night (laser tag)

8 Nov: Veteran’s Day Flags (meet at barn at 6:30 am)

11 Nov: Meal prep and Traffic Safety Merit Badge

14-16 Nov: USAFA Scout Huts Campout

18 Nov: Court of Honor

25 Nov: Turkey Bowl (adults vs. scouts)

Mr. Turner

Troop, In lieu of the canceled Dino March this weekend, we have arranged to go rock climbing. We will meet at the church at 7:00 am on Sunday and head out. We currently have 2 drivers, which can take up to 11 scouts. Other adult leaders and ASMs are encouraged to come as it will be a great time. We will stay local (within an hour drive). You don’t need any special equipment, unless you want to bring your own. Please dress for the weather, in layers, and bring water and a packed lunch. I should also be able to do some Scoutmaster conferences or rank advancement during the downtime.

Mr. Turner