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,
The 27th is the day council has set for all popcorn orders to be placed in the system for ordering.
This means we need to give Mrs. Durrenberger at least a week to be able to get the orders in the system.
So, if you have sold popcorn door to door or in person and need to make sure your customers get what they paid for, please bring in your paperwork to next Tuesday’s meeting (20 Oct). I will push out another reminder email so you know to put all your stuff together.
Talk to you soon,
Dan
Troop,
Here is a sign up for Josh Johnson’s Eagle Court of Honor. Josh has been with our troop for his entire Scouting Career. He earned the rank of eagle Scout last year and, due to several reasons, we are just now getting to celebrate this momentous accomplishment by this outstanding young adult.
Please take a moment and sign up to attend the COH. There will be cake (in some form).
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090549aeab28a64-josh
Dan
Troop,
While it isn’t exactly lazy camp, it will be pretty laid back. Farish rec Area has a lot to offer us. They have canoes, paddle boats, fishing, hiking, bike riding, and trees to hang hammocks from so we can nap.
Due to Covid restrictions still, we will plan to meet up at the Farish Rec Area. Here are the directions: Go to Woodland Park, turn right at the McDonalds and go until the road splits at the Water Treatment plant, stay to the right. Go up that hill and when you come to the STOP sign, turn left. Go down a few hundred meters and stay to the right. That road will take you into the Rec area. There are brown signs which provide directions to Farish Rec Area.
Right now, we are the only ones in the entire property with a camping reservation. That may change, but what I see is that we will have most of the place to ourselves.
Below is the link to sign up. Don’t worry, I will post reminders!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C4AADA829A7FE3-easy
Anyway, it will be cooler than the last trip, and we will focus our efforts on the weather for that campout prep meeting prior.
Lastly, since this will be “car camping”, we will have our patrol boxes available, which means, the patrols need to come up with some great ideas for dinners and stuff. Just be aware for planning purposes that we may still be in a burn ban situation.
Talk to you soon,
Dan
Troop, I know a couple of you have already asked for this, so here it is! Just want to throw a couple names on the schedule so I can plan out the evening and move it along as appropriate. Even if you’ve asked for and I’ve told you that I will take care of your SMC, please sign up via the link below.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C4AADA829A7FE3-scoutmaster
See you guys on Tuesday. Also, if you need a Board of Review (you will if you are signing up for a SMC for anything higher than Scout Rank), then go to this link and sign up for one:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C4AADA829A7FE3-board1
Dan
Troop,
When we did our planning a few weeks ago, we did not include your desires for Merit Badges for the coming year. So, that is what we will focus on for this week’s meeting picking out 12 merit badges you guys want to work on as a troop. I suggest planning for at least six Eagle badges. This number of badges will give us as adult leaders the opportunity to get an instructor, or otherwise prepare for instructing the badge.
For the Lock-in Merit Badge, this MB will be chosen based on how quickly the badge can be finished, and if it can be completed during the lock-in, or have very minimal “homework” for you to complete. We did Chess two years ago and Fingerprinting last year. I will throw a couple of ideas out there for you on Tuesday.
I will be occupied with a couple of SM conferences, so for the first 30-45 minutes or so, you will be under the watchful hands of your courageous SPL and ASPL.
We will then roll into some other Scout related activity/IPA.
See you all on Tuesday!
Dan
Troop,
Last night was pretty successful, even if it was a bit chaotic! Several Scouts got through Scoutmaster Conferences and several others are ready to go for their SMCs! Super proud of the way you guys came together and got bunch of rank advancement requirements completed! I really enjoyed how the older Scouts took charge and used the EDGE method to teach the younger Scouts some skills.
Now I just need to get uploaded into Scoutbook what you guys completed last night (signed off by an adult)!
Here is a link to sign up for your Board of Review: Please sign up for the BOR for the rank you are seeking.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C4AADA829A7FE3-board1
Boards of Review are a relaxed, but formal advancement process, ran by the Troop Committee. You will need to put your best foot forward and be ready for any questions they may have for you (mostly about Scouting and your thoughts on how you are progressing in the program). This being said, you will need to be in your Class A uniform and have your FILLED OUT SCOUT HANDBOOK with you! This way they can review all the stuff in it and award you credit where you have earned it!
Anyway, sign up, and get it done!
Dan
Troop,
I know many of you want to do some awesome rank advancement stuff this week, right?!?!? So, this is what we will do: Rank Advancement.
Here is an agenda:
7:00: Opening/Admin stuff/Uniform inspection (Class A’s and Handbooks-please)
until 7:30: Scout led rank ADV – verification of skills/knowledge by Scout leaders
7:30-8:00: SM Conferences for those who need it and have passed through Scout leadership to verify skills (Patrol Leader, ASPL/SPL or another senior scout-Star or higher) Your handbook should have two sets of Scout initials in the left margin PRIOR to seeking verification from an adult leader. Scoutmasters can sign off on the right hand column, once satisfied with your skill/knowledge set. The emphasis here is on skills and knowledge, not necessarily the “list plants in your area” type requirements.
7:30-8:00: Patrol breakout and guidon (flag) development. No final plans, this will be a brainstorming session for ideas for the flag design.
8:00-8:25: IPA (Scout IPA, not an adult IPA)
8:25-8:30: Close
I know a few of you younger Scouts have expressed interest in having a SM conference rather quickly. If you are ready, it should take only a couple of minutes to get through these requirements with a fellow Scout Leader. Once done with that, report to a Scoutmaster and get that SMC knocked out.
We will have Scout Leaders in designated areas to “test” for specific rank requirements. This will be set up in a round robin type of set up. If you need Scout Rank requirements signed off, you will see the assigned Scout Leader for that (your PL). If you want to get TF, SC, or FC rank requirements signed off, there will be Scout Leaders assigned to those ranks as well (high three ranks). I will have the SPL designate Scouts for the TF, SC, and FC requirements. PLs will do the Scout Rank requirements (PLs, please be ready). If you test with your PL for Scout and get the first set of initials, go to the other PL and get a second set of initials, then to an adult. For TF, SC, or FC, see the assigned Scout for the first set of initials, then either the SPL or ASPL for the second set of initials. Then get to an adult for the final check off.
So, if you want to advance, please take this weekend and study up your knowledge and practice your skills. Every requirement in your Scout Handbook has all the answers somewhere in the front section of the book, in the color coded section for each requirement.
Get after it!
If you are a Scoutmaster, please show up to this meeting, we need your help (w/uniform). I know of at least three SM conferences (one being Geren-I will not do his SMC).
Thanks!
Dan
Troop,
I ran across this site that lists out service opportunities in local communities.
It is called justserve.org. Here is a link:
They also have an app for iOS and Android platforms, which means you can download and use it for free. You can either join and set up an account, or you can use it as a guest, which does not require signing up.
I’ve explored it a tad bit and they have all kinds of stuff listed on their site/in their app.
Here is the deal with this kind of Service: I just need whomever the person in charge is to validate your service with them via an email or letter and their contact information, and I will award credit where it is due.
Tenderfoot requires one hour of service
Second Class requires two hours of service
First Class required three hours of service
Star Requires six hours of service
Life requires six hours of service (three must be conservation related)
Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge requires eight hours of service to a single organization.
Alright, offer completed!
Talk to you guys soon,
Dan
Troop,
I plan on making the order for more troop shirts this afternoon, or tomorrow (since a few told me last night they were going to order today).
I just want to throw it out there that we need to have an order of 12 garments to place an order to get the pricing on the shirt order form (which we have right now).
If you miss this order, you will likely have to wait until there are enough orders to fill the next batch of 12.
Anyway, here is the order form again. If you want one, let me know quick so I can get this order placed and we can look good together, separate. Fill it out and text or email it to me. Please indicate if you are going to use Scout account funds or another means of paying. If you need your Scout account balance, please let me know, I will ask the Treasurer to send that info to you.
A quick note about last night: Thanks to you all for showing up and hving so much fun: I counted 15 Scouts and a few siblings. Super cool. Even a group of parents played a couple rounds. Next time, NINJA course!!
Talk to you soon,
Dan
Troop, as voted on at our last meeting, we are going to the Mini-Golf place on N. Academy. Here is the link for the signup:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0c4aada829a7fe3-game3
See you tomorrow night!
Dan
Troop, Here is the order form for Troop T-shirts. Several of you have ordered and paid. We are just about to place an order (minimum 12 units to place the order) so I wanted to push this out one more time to give you all one last opportunity to get your order in before we place it.
Print, fill out, and bring it to the game night on Tuesday, or email it to me (geren.mcguire@hotmail.com) to get your order in. I will place the order next Wednesday.
You can get any color shirt you want (standard is Forest Green). Geren said he is getting red; I am getting black because we both already have green ones. Just make sure you annotate the color you desire on the sheet so we know what to order. just so you know: the ink will be white, so if you pick a different color, make sure it is complimented with the white ink. There is a upcharge for different colored inks.
Anyway, enough from me for this post.
Deadline Tuesday night, 29 Sep at the game night for hand in, or via email.
Dan
Troop,
Last night several decisions were made and we now have a plan to work out for the next calendar year of activities. Now the Adults will get together and see how we can best support your desires.
A few highlights:
-the Scouts decided on Camp Cris Dobbins for summer camp in Jun.
-2 14ers are included in the desired trips
-instead of one car/family trip, it was upped to two.
-1 Wilderness Survival Camp (three or four nights)
-2 hiking trips
-1 Lazy camp at the barn
Day trips:
-Ski trip to Monarch/Copper/etc. (Jan)
-20 mile bike ride
So, all that being said, we need to adjust our Game night to our secondary/backup option. Due to Overdrive being closed on Tuesdays, we have to move to our second choice, mini-golf. We can look at adjusting the date of our activity in the future, but I would rather keep our meeting times consistent for Family planning events and such.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C4AADA829A7FE3-game3
Talk to you guys soon!
Dan
Troop,
Traditionally, we have a game night the week after a campout, but this time we are going to switch it up. Mostly because we forgot to decide on what to do last week, but also, because a couple of new Scouts may be coming tomorrow. We will hold game night next week, since we have five meetings this month.
So this is what I think should happen: Admin stuff at the beginning, then roll into annual planning brainstorm session. Then an IPA. Mr Petree and myself will be available for signing your books for what rank completions you did this last weekend, or whenever. I think Scoutbook is updated for the Scouts who attended the campout, but I want to make sure. Also, if you need a SM Conference, I will be available for that as well, as will other ASMs (Mr Petree, Mr Gilkes, etc.).
In addition, you will have to make a decision on what we are going to do for game night, on the 29th. Basically, we are just flip-flopping this week and next week.
Here is what we are looking at for annual planning:
-We need three options for day trips (Nov, Jan [usually Monarch ski day], and an extra one just in case
-We need 8 options for camping (at least two cold weather themed options) and one family camp location; these camp ideas should include the type of camping (car, base camp, through hikes, loops, etc.)
-Need to make a decision on Summer Camp for next year (we usually stay in-state, but can venture out of state if you like, Utah, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, etc.).
-We need 10 options for Game nights.
We are not doing high adventure next year (all booked out until second week of August), so we should put our fund raising efforts into a cool summer camp experience.
Please brain storm and bring a few ideas. Nothing is really off the table at this point. We (the adults) want your ideas so we can tag adult support for each of them.
Over the past couple of years, we have had a calendar that looks something like this:
JAN: ski day
FEB: Freez-O-Ree or Snow Sports campout (cabin/snow hut, etc.)
MAR: Sand Dunes/Family Campout (car camp)
APR: Hike: through or loop
MAY: Hike: through or loop
JUN: Summer camp
JUL: Hike: through or loop
AUG: base camp/fishing, etc.
SEP: 14er campout
OCT: Fall campout/hike
NOV: No campout-Day trip
DEC: Lock-in
Troop,
A good time (overall) had by all this weekend on our latest adventure!
Yes, there were some tears, some whining, some thoughts of turning around, but then I remembered there were a lot of Scouts counting on me, so I had to go on the camping trip!
As in our troop’s tradition, we got out and set out on our hike Friday afternoon. Hiked for a bit, then set up camp in the dark (like always on Friday night).
On Saturday morning, we set out after breakfast to the peak of a little known mountain west of Pikes Peak. After deciding that it should only take us a couple of hours to get there, we got to the peak of the trail at 12,523 feet around 5:30pm. (yup, a really long, rough route up some really, really rough and steep terrain). Behind the planned schedule, we had to traverse a wide open range well above 12,000 feet and a scree field with boulders and some real ankle-breaking scrub grass before getting back down below tree-line to find a spot to camp. Well, after a Marine .5 miles (about a mile or so to everyone else), we finally found the perfect spot to refill out water and get some rest, of course, this was done under the cover of darkness (it was really, really dark). Camp was established, and the Scouts made and ate dinner. The rest of the night, the Scouts were quiet because they were miserably tired.
We woke up Sunday morning with a short trail to our exfil point (parking lot) where the Scouts would finally be free of Ray and Dan screaming at them about burning daylight and wasting time, and all that stuff that never happened. We arrived about 9:45am, and we were able to off-load sweaty Scouts to their parents.
All in all, the Scouts reported having a good time, despite the terrain and some rough spots. They grew some, and they learned some.
I only hope they made some good memories they can share with their families.
Next on the agenda: Game night. The Scouts did not make a choice on what they wanted to do, so I will coordinate with the SPL and PLs to see what they want to propose and will put out a sign up genius for it.
Talk to you guys soon!
Dan
Troop, here is the plan as told to me from last night’s meeting:
-Each Scout is responsible to plan, budget, purchase, and carry their own food and water. (If you need the requirement [1st Class] completed, make sure you write this stuff down and keep a copy of the receipt).
-Make sure to pack at least 2 liters of water (more is better). There are a couple of natural water sources, but the weather has been dry, and if the water sources are not available, you need to make sure you have what you need to drink and cook.
-The start/end point is the Crags Campground parking lot. It is 58 minutes from the church. Directions: Drive west on 24 to Divide, then turn south toward Victor/Cripple Creek/ Mueller State Park. In couple of miles, you will pass the entrance to Mueller State Park on the right. Get ready, because the turn off to the Crags Campground is a couple hundred yards past that on the left. Once you turn off of 67 toward the Crags, it is 3 miles to the campground. Easy, well maintained dirt road. Here is a link to directions:
-Class A uniforms are required to be worn for travel to and from Scouting events (camping, outings, etc.) This is A BSA insurance thing.
By the current Covid rules, we can not transport any one outside our “Family unit” to and from this event. However, if you arrange for other transportation of your child, to arrive at the event, that is done outside official Scouting parameters and should an incident occur, Scouting insurance may not cover it.
-I will have GPS, phone, paper maps, compass, and Ray to keep us straight and on the trail. We also have panic azimuth , just in case we get a bit off track.
-We will plan to meet up at the Crags Campground at 6pm, step off no later than 6:30pm to hike. PLEASE LET ME KNOW BEFORE 4pm on FRIDAY IF YOU WILL BE ARRIVING LATER THAN 6:30pm SO WE DONT LEAVE WITHOUT YOU!!!! We will hike for about an hour and select a campsite with trees that will support the number of Scouts and their hammocks (parents/adult leaders are on their own for pretty much everything). We will camp Friday night. Saturday we will pack up and hike up above tree line and across the ridge on the map up to 12,500 ft elevation (that’s a rank requirement-hike with 1000 foot gain), and back down into tree line to find our second night of camping. Sunday morning we will finish out whatever is left on the trail back to the Crags Campground for pickup by 10am.
-The route is only 7.2 miles, so we will have some time on Saturday to work on whatever the Scouts want to (Rank, SM conference, MB stuff, etc.).
-Teller County is in Stage 2 Fire Restrictions, so no camp fires. We can use propane stoves and such, just no open fires. If you leave a little room in your pack, the Troop will supply a jet boil for the trip.
-Remember the packing list in your Scout handbook should be a starting point for what you will be packing, to include the 10 essentials. Be prepared as always!
See you all Friday night!
Dan
Troop, Last night many of you began the Home Repair MB. We went over Requirement #1. The remaining requirements are all for homework. Download and print off, or otherwise keep track of your progress using the attached worksheet. Your parents can verify what you have done on this badge, and just let me know via text, email, or in person (make sure I write it down). I will then update Scoutbook and make sure you get awarded when the requirements are completed.
Here is the sheet:
Let me know if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.
Dan
Troop,
Tomorrow night’s meeting will be focused on Camp Prep. This one will be slightly different than our camp prep meetings in the past since we wont be crammed into a small room with a whiteboard and having to smell markers while we try to figure out what we are going to eat along the trail. Soup is not a good idea, just sayin’.
After the opening, we will roll into a 15-20 minute session of MB work (Home Repairs MB) for those of you who want to start it. May as well, you are stuck in your homes anyway! Fix something!
After that, we will roll directly into CAMP PREP. The Scouts will discuss camping gear, as well as what to and not to bring and how to pack their rucks (backpack). Maybe a bit of gear differences in materials and such.
The Scouts will decide on what meals and such they will have. Generally, we are on our own on Friday night (we usually do Subway or something similar). The Scouts are responsible for Sat breakfast, lunch dinner and Sun breakfast. Think about what you want to carry for 7 miles to eat on Sunday morning.
Due to covid, each Scout will have to source their own food and carry it themselves. In the past, we would have the Scouts cross load food items for everyone (no longer).
If you are new to the Troop, please make sure you bring your gear with you tomorrow night so we can discuss why we carry what we carry, and how to pack. I understand that some of you have a great deal of experience backpacking and such, but this is a learning environment for all of us, so please just bring your stuff (experienced or not).
After camp prep is done, the Scouts will pick a game night theme for next week, and will close out the meeting with an IPA and a closing deal.
If you have not turned in a COVID acceptance form via email or hard copy, please scroll down on the website and download/fill it out for me. This is required for any activity we do. The Scout cannot participate without the form, and if he does, and gets hurt, insurance is not required to cover it.
Right now we have myself and Mr Petree signed up for the campout, so we are covered for adult leaders, but if any other adult wants to join, please come on! (must have YPT completed), not required to have an adult application, but YPT is required. Adult applications are required for any event lasting 72 or more hours.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to let me know. Sorry for the long post, I will have the Scouts include potatoes in their menus. I’m sure I forgot something.
Dan
Troop, here is the link to sign up for hammock camping. I tried to use the RSVP form on our website, but we are just going to continue with the Signupgenius stuff. It works pretty good and only takes a few minutes to generate. Easier to track too.
If you are planning on attending, here are a few tidbits of info:
On Tuesday, the Scouts will plan the meals and all that normal stuff we do during our campout planning meetings.
However, each Scout will have to SOURCE and carry ALL of their own food, water, and gear (this is a COVID restriction). If you need to get a rank requirement, we can talk budget and will count your shopping experience as completed, even though you are not shopping for the Patrol/group. Just make sure you document what you’ve done.
IF YOU NEED A HAMMOCK, please let me know in the comments of the RSVP. This way I can source the hammocks and make sure you are getting what you need. I can get only SCOUT SIZED HAMMOCKS!!! If you don’t have a hammock, and you do not let me know, you will be sleeping on the ground, which is nice, but sometimes, you just need a hammock!
Anyway, more information to follow on Tuesday night during our next meeting.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C4AADA829A7FE3-hammocks
Talk to you later,
Dan
Troop,
Now that we have returned to our “regularly scheduled program”, we need to re-visit uniform guidance.
We, as a troop, decided to have uniform inspections (Class A) once a month with the remaining meetings being held in Class B (any Scout-related shirt). That being said, we will hold our Uniform inspections during our Rank Advancement meetings, basically, the first meeting of each month.
Our Class A uniforms consist of the Scout shirt with Troop 287 neckerchief, pants with belt loops (so you can wear a belt and a knife-if you have the Totin’ Chip). Jeans, hiking pants, or official Scout unifrom pants will be fine. To go along with this, shorts in the same fashion will also work (with pockets/ belt loops, etc.), for the same reasoning. Hats are optional.
Class B uniform- the t-shirt, should be Scout related (summer camp shirt, or similar, another Troop shirt (really?), or my favorite: our Troop 287 shirt/sweatshirt/long sleeve shirt.
As it comes down to it, if you do not have a Troop T-shirt, you can order one using the conveniently uploaded order form here:
The shirts and sweatshirts vary in price (listed). Just need to bring a filled out order form and your choice of payment (cash, check, Zelle app, or tell the treasurer to use your Scout funds).
Anyway, have a great rest of your week, the weather will be awesome this weekend, in the 70’s. So get out there and enjoy it!
Dan
Troop, Here is an opportunity to give back to our community. There are too many projects and opportunities to list out here, so check out this Facebook page/post to find out how you can support. We all need to get community service credit hours for rank advancement (1hr for Tenderfoot; 2hrs for Second Class; 3hrs for First Class; 6hrs for Star; and 6hrs for Life-half of which must be conservation related).
Anyway, the link is below.
Dan
