CU- Boulder has a merit badge university event coming up on November 3rd. Right now we have a campout planned for that weekend but this could be an alternative to the Campout should the troop decide so. The campout planned for 3 November is Horsemanship.

Merit Badge University at CU-Boulder is an event where Section 30 of Alpha Phi Omega holds classes for Front Range area Boy Scouts in various merit badges. We typically offer over 30 different merit badges every semester.  This event has been held at the University of Colorado Boulder campus for 25 plus years. The event attracts over 400 Boy Scouts and 40-55 college student volunteers from APO Chapters throughout Colorado.

Click this link for a complete list of the Merit Badged offered http://www.mbuonline.org/?page_id=78

The will take place on the CU Boulder campus from 830am – 515pm.

Information about Merit Badge University can be found here: http://www.mbuonline.org/?page_id=250

If you are interested in signing up for this then please sign up at the troop signup genius here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054BACA929A4FC1-merit

Thanks!

Sean

Folks,

This is a pretty big prep meeting tomorrow!  We are going to get everything ready for our trip to Farish (45 Min from the church).  This is a family camp out so all of you are invited to attend!  We plan on doing the Cooking Merit Badge and the Fishing Merit Badge. Scout need to plan to have all the food to accomplish the Cooking Merit Badge.  Be prepared for a few scout to go shopping to purchase the items.  Also remember to bring your fishing poles and gear. If you are over 16 and want to fish then you can buy your license at Farish. This is federal property so I feel that is the best place to buy the license as it might be different then the Colorado License.

Some other activities to plan for….

• Tomahawk Throwing
• Adl Adl Throwing
• Flag Retirements ceremonies
• Having an awesome time!!!

Lets have a great time!!!

Honestly I cannot wait for this trip! Its going to be relaxing and fun!!!!! Please sign up

Sean

Folks,

We are in for a fun car camping family weekend of cooking, fishing and scout activities.  The next Camp out will be at Farish Recreational Area located in Woodland Park. This is a campground that owned by the Air Force Academy so it has all the amenities.  It has a store, heated building (if some parents want to sleep inside), electricity, fishing ponds, etc.  It doesn’t have pull up bars though because the Army doesn’t own it 🙂

Attached above is the map. We are staying at a location called the “Barn.” This is not actually a barn but instead a heated building with power. Last time I was there it had a couple refrigerators, carpeted floors and other indoor amenities.

We are offering to host some Cub Scouts for a few hours too but so far we do not have any takers…but we need to be prepared for that just in case. We can bring some tomahawks to throw and some Adl Adle spears (I think we have some in the barn).

We will be working on two merit badges….Cooking (Eagle Required) and Fishing. Please sign your scout up for which one they would like to accomplish.  We may be able to have all of them do both but it will be tight!

Remember this is a family camp out too so parents and siblings are free to attend and spend the weekend with your scouts!! There are plenty of things to do with families…hike, mountian bike, fish, etc. Those 15 and under can fish for free. 16 years old and older must buy a fishing license and they can be bought from the shop at Farish.  Scouts need to supply their own fishing poles, bait and hooks because the troop doesn’t own any.

We will meet at the church on Friday the 12th at 5pm and depart as soon as we can. We will return on Sunday around noon-2pm (to finish up Merit Badges if needed).

Please sign up here!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054BACA929A4FC1-farish

Thanks Sean

Scouts,

Tonight we are making a small adjustment to the calendar.  We are going to work on Requirement #4 of the Citizenship in the World MB. The remainder of the MB will be completed by the scouts and turned into Mr. Reeves.   The goal is that we are able to start and finish Merit Badges in a timely manner! Parents, please follow up with your scouts to finish this Eagle Required MB. This will take about 30-45 Min of the Meeting time.

We will start and complete the Cooking Merit Badge at the Farish Campout from 12-14 Oct.

Scout Leadership:  Please use your remaining time to plan for the Farish Campout or possible conduct a SLC meeting.

Things to consider fro the Farish Campout….This is a family campout, we will be working on the fishing and cooking MB’s.  All meals will focus on those two MB’s….if we catch fish then we can cook them up. We might have some webelos there so plan two hours to be a Webelo event….such as Tomahawk Throwing, Firem’n’s Chit, Toten Chit, and Atl-Atl throwing. Also, plan to retire some American Flag’s at the night time ceremony on Saturday night!

Here is the Map and Brochure for Farish. I will generate the sign up genius today.

USAFA Support – Farish Brochure

See you tonight!

Sean

Scouts,

Tonight’s focus will be continuing the Citizenship in the World Merit Badge.  There will likely be time left over during the meeting so Scout Leadership and can conduct an Interpatrol activity for the remaining time!

Thanks

Sean

Scouts,

This Tuesday’s meeting is going to be Citizenship in the World. It is an Eagle required Merit Badge. We will start at 7pm….normal time.

Also, as a follow up to the campout, please bring in all of your Hennessy Hammocks, Water Filtration Pumps and Stoves. Please make sure they are clean and dry.

Thanks!

Sean

Troop,

Our next community service opportunity will be serving food to those in need at a Soup Kitchen. It will be Sunday the 23rd at 545pm.  We could use about 10 scout’s and a few adults to help this night.

Its located at the Sacred Heart Church located at 2030 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80904

Please sign up here!!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054BACA929A4FC1-soup2

Folks,

Thanks for a great hiking trip!  We have a good time that included some night hiking, setting up hammocks in the dark, water purification, land navigation, dessert cook off and tough mountain hiking!  Everyone did really well!

Here is the link to the pics that are posted on the website thus far https://photos.app.goo.gl/FzEsvcv8uUbGAPfi6 . You should be able to download the pics from there easier than the website.  There will be more pics coming as we all consolidate the photos into the folder!

‘Break’

Our next meeting is game night at Springs Trampoline located at 2512 Airport Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80910. We will meet there on Wednesday the 12th because its closed on Tuesday’s. I hope that doesn’t upset anyone’s schedule too much.  We will also meet there at 6pm because they close at 8pm. From the website, it looks like the cost is $11 for an hour of jumping and there is a special on Wednesday for a 2nd hour for half price.  Here is a link to their site!

https://springstp.com

Thanks

Sean

*NOTE: Scout’s Must Provide their own Mountain House meal (or equivalent) for Saturday Night’s dinner!!  That meal will not be included in what the scouts buy.

Weather: The weather looks great for Saturday but be prepared to set up in the rain.  Also, please have your headlamps and rain coat accessible at the top of your backpack to aid in hiking and setting up camp in the dark.

Route:  The tentative route is depicted in the picture of the map above. Here is a full resolution PDF of the map so you can download it and print a copy: alltrails-bishop-castle. We will park cars near Davenport Campground right by the trailhead then hike in a counter clockwise direction around squirrel creek trail.

Meal Plan:

Friday Dinner: Bring your own (Subway or something similar)

Saturday Breakfast: Mini muffins and oatmeal

Saturday Lunch: Bread, jelly, peanut butter, and granola bars

Saturday Dinner: Mountain House Meals (Scouts responsible for bringing this one meal!!) and dessert cook off (Make sure dessert is purchased in accordance with scout decisions in the planning meeting)

Sunday Breakfast: Bagels and oatmeal

Snacks: Granola bars and trail mix

*Zip lock bags must be purchased to divide meals before hiking.

Note:

• Evan R is buying the food for this trip. 8 Scouts are signed up. By food for 7 because one scout is on a special diet and will bring his own food. Budget is $12 per scout. There was an additional dessert cook off between patrols. Make the dessert cook off items are purchased in accordance with whatever the planning meeting decided.
• Adults will bring their own food.
• Scout’s can bring some of their own additional snacks if they choose
• Scouts are responsible for bringing their Saturday night Mountain House Meal or something equivalent for Saturday night.

Packing List:

• Backpack
• Sleeping bag (Rated to at least 35 degrees)
• Sleeping pad (Optional)
• Class A shirt
• Clothes to match the weather (layers)…not too much clothes.
• Raincoat (Can also be used for warmth)
• First aid kit
• Fire making stuff (Fire Ban might be in effect)
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• Brimmed Hat
• Sunglasses
• Knife
• At least 2 liters of water
• BSA handbook and any other merit badges you want to work on (You don’t have to carry the book…but write down what skills you want to accomplish)
• Mess kit
• Hygiene kit (toilet paper, trowel, toothbrush, toothpaste, wetwipes etc.)
• Broken in hiking shoes (proper footwear)
• Extra socks
• Healthy snacks
• Compass
• Hammock (One of the Troop’s or your own)
• Garbage Bag (Scouts will hike out their own garbage)
• Food Bag

Optional

• Camera
• Back Packing Camp chair

Troop Gear:

• Jet Boil Stove (1 per buddy team) with Fuel
• Water Purification pump (2 per troop)
• Map (1 per buddy team)
• Bear Bag and String
• Cat Hole Shovel

Timeline:

3 Aug:

5pm: Meet at Wilson United Methodist Church

530pm: Depart to San Isabel National Forest

730pm: Arrive at Trail Head (By Davenport Campground)

4 Aug:

all day and night: Backpacking/Camping/Scout Activities

5 Aug:

9am:  Arrive at Bishops Castle

2-3pm: Arrive Back at the church

Scouts & Families,

Labor Day is almost here and we need just one more Scout for September 3^rd !  Please sign up using Sign-Up Genius.

All  Drivers & Navigators already signed up should have received an email from Sandy J. with route assignments, list of addresses and a link to the google map.  If you have any questions, please email or text Lisa D.

We will meet at 6:30am at the barn to load the vehicles and then head out to start the routes. We’ll meet at the barn at 4:30pm for afternoon pickup.

Scouts should wear their Class A uniforms.

Thanks!

Lisa

* Route May Change Based off Troop Planning.

Weather: 

Timeline:

3 Aug:

5pm: Meet at Wilson United Methodist Church

530pm: Depart to San Isabel National Forest

730pm: Arrive at Trail Head

4 Aug:
Backpacking

5 Aug:

10am:  Arrive at Bishops Castle

2-3pm: Arrive Back at the church

Packing List for Bishop’s Castle (To be refined by Troop Leadership)

• Backpack
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping pad
• Class A shirt
• Clothes to match the weather (layers)
• Raincoat
• First aid kit
• Fire making stuff (Fire Ban might be in effect)
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• Brimmed Hat
• Sunglasses
• Knife
• At least 2 liters of water
• BSA handbook and any other merit badges you want to work on
• Mess kit
• Hygiene kit (toilet paper, trowel, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)
• Broken in hiking shoes (proper footwear)
• Extra socks
• Healthy snacks
• Compass
• Hammock (One of the Troop’s or your own)

Optional

• Camera
• Back Packing Camp chair

Troop Gear:

• Jet Boil Stove (1 per buddy team) with Fuel
• Water Purification pump (2 per troop:
• Map (1 per buddy team)

Menu: (to be determined by Troop)

Troop,

The last I looked we still need 1 driver, 1 navigator and 2 scouts to do a route on Labor Day.  Please sign up here if you can do it!! I will be out of the state this holiday or I would do it!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f054baca929a4fc1-flag1

Thanks

Sean

Campers,

Our next campout will be around the Bishop’s Castle are in San Isabel National forest.  This will be a an easy to moderate backpacking trip that is good for all abilities of scouts!  On Sunday when we will go to Bishop’s Castle and hang there as long as the scouts want to. I would like to invite all families to come check it out on Sunday too with their scouts. Its truly an amazing thing!  Here is a link to its website: http://www.bishopcastle.org.

Also, I have 10 brand new Hennessy Hammocks that are for scout sized dudes that the scouts can use for this trip.   These are super cool and probably the best hammocks  you will ever use!  So this camp out can be a hammock camping trip too!  Sounds good huh!! Here is a link to the Hennessy Hammocks so you can check them out too.  https://hennessyhammock.com. The first 10 Scouts that sign up for one will get them then the remaining scouts will either have to use the tent or bring their own hammocks.

We will likely meet at the church on Friday Sept 7th at 5pm and Return on Sunday afternoon after seeing Bishop’s Castle.  Parents are more than welcome to take their scouts directly home from Bishop’s castle too if they choose.

Let have some fun!!

Pleas Sign up for the campout and hammocks here!

www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F054BACA929A4FC1-bishops1

Sean

Troop!

Our next COH is upon us! This is a HUGE one with lots of Rank advancements, Merit Badges and a change of leadership! I am so proud of all our scouts and parents for making this possible!

The theme of this COH is ICE CREAM! Its the Ice Cream Social.

The troop will provide the ice cream but scouts will need to bring toppings to share! Please sign up for whatever toppings you would like to bring to share with the Troop.

Sign Up for Toppings here: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F054BACA929A4FC1-court2

Set up begins at 530pm.  We will start serving the Ice Cream around 6pm.  The formal portion of the ceremony will begin around 645ish….could be a little earlier or later.

See you there!

Troop,

Here is a great opportunity to earn the Engineering MB in one day for $15.  There are only 60 slots so please sign up quick if you would like to participate. You sign up with the American Society of Engineers at the the following link: https://www.same.org/calendar/ModuleID/6303/ItemID/2829/mctl/EventDetails

It’s only $15!!

Have fun!

Sean

Folks,

Tuesday’s meeting is going to focus on two things: Rank Advancements and Elections.

We have a lot to get done Tuesday.  There are at least 2-4 scouts that I think may be ready for a scoutmaster conference so we could use as many ASM’s as possible to facilitate the process.

There will be at least two or more Board of Reviews to do tomorrow as well. Committee members please attend so we can divide into groups of three to speed things along.

Finally, the current 6 month leadership reign is up and its time to hold elections for leadership positions. I encourage all scouts to seek leadership roles within their abilities. 1st Class and above get priority for SPL, then 2nd Class after that….

The troop scribe is making a presentation for the COH so if you have any pics from the campouts, please share them with me on Google Pics or Drop Box so I can upload them onto the website so the scribe can access them for the presentation.

Thanks

Sean

Folks,

Just a reminder that Nate Stafford’s Eagle Scout Court of Honor is on Sunday the 12th at 2pm.  I would encourage you all to attend. We also need at least 4 scouts to be in the Color Guard for the ceremony.  Please sign up here if you can be a part of the color guard for this important ceremony. Eagle Scouts can also participate in the color guard!

Please sign up here!

www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F054BACA929A4FC1-nate

Thanks
Sean

Troop,

We are approaching a Court of Honor.  Tomorrow’s meeting will focus on tying up loose ends. We will focus on Rank Advancements by signing off on requirements, completing MB’s, and conducting Scout Master Conferences for anyone that needs them!

See you Tuesday!

Sean

Scouts,

Unfortunately, I am postponing our Mt Harvard campout. We only had 3 scouts signed and the cost of the campground and food outweighed the benefit of the trip. We will plan for it in the future when we can achieve more participation!

Thanks

Sean