This week we will be hosting an open house, campfire, and game night for future Boy Scouts who wish to join this troop! 

Please remember to bring the things you committed to and try and show up early to help set up. I know Mr. Petree will be there around 6:30pm to open the barn.

 Make sure to wear a Class A uniform and to be on your best behavior for the new scouts!

UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

2/27 Meeting: Open House

3/5 Meeting: Citizenship in the World MB or other MB work

3/12 Meeting:  MTB trip to Fruita preparation and meal planning

3/15 – 3/17: MTB trip to Fruita

3/19 Meeting: Game Night (Climbing Gym)

-Axel

Hello Troop 287 Arrowmen,

As you may know the National Order of the Arrow Conference is coming up. This may leave you asking a couple of questions, here are some details about the event that may answer them.

What is NOAC? It is the National Order of the Arrow Conference and usually hosts around 8000 Arrowmen from around the country. 

When is it? It is July 29th – August 3rd.

Who can attend? Any Arrowman currently registered with any lodge.

Where is it? It is in Boulder Colorado this year, the closest NOAC will ever be!

How much does it cost? Early registration is $675, and at the gate registration is $1100

How do I register? You will need to contact your lodge leadership and talk to the youth and adult NOAC contingent leaders, or follow the instructions in the below link.

Brian Foulks   brian.foulks@gmail.com   719-332-5987 

Betsy Meikle   meikleb@msn.com           719-573-2632.

https://mycouncil.pathwaytotherockies.org/Event/NOAC?_gl=1*1p89jlg*_ga*MTYyOTQwNjA2MS4xNzA4NTMzNTg4*_ga_9RSGWEBP51*MTcwODUzMzU4Ny4xLjEuMTcwODUzMzU5NS4wLjAuMA..&_ga=2.243144961.2076912934.1708533589-1629406061.1708533588

If you have any more questions feel free to talk to Austin Petree your OA Representative, or visit the website https://oa-bsa.org/program/events/noac/faq

I hope to see you there!

WWW,
Austin Petree
Order of the Arrow Representative

Troop,

We have a plan… June 16-22nd Camp Chris Dobbins just Northeast of Black Forrest. Now we just need to make the arrangements… check it out!

Camp Chris Dobbins Video

Camp Chris Dobbins Website

This camp is close and is a great opportunity to earn many merit badges and make even more memories. Cost will be about $450 per person and that will include all food and lodging.

To do that we need to know who would like to attend. Please check your schedules and sign up below.

Mr. Anderson, and Mr. Huntley have lead the charge, along with other adults who will rotate in.
So far, we have Axel SPL, Alex ASPL, Miles, Mason, Ben and Keagan who have shown interest.

SIGN UP HERE

It’s time for the long awaited Pack 166 2024 Pinewood Derby! This is our most popular event of the year.

Event: Pack 166 Pinewood Derby
Where: St Michaels Episcopal Church – 7400 Tudor Rd (This year we will be in the larger upstairs room at St. Michael’s.)
When: Feb 24, 2024, 9:30am – 11am (UTC-07:00) Mountain Time (US & Canada)

Volunteer: Please see link below to volunteer for Friday and Saturday. We need parents and a few scouts to help with set up/tear down and car check in. (Boy Scouts are also good helpers. share with your local Troop)
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409094FA4AF2EA3F49-48030667-pinewood

Pinewood Derby Volunteers 2024Pinewood Derby 2024 is Here!!! We need volunteers to help it run smoothly. No experience required. Set up and Tear down, Car Inspection, Race Day Crew and More! Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Adults. Contact me with questions – Adam Thesing 719-963-6933   Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!www.signupgenius.com

Troop,

This week we will be finalizing our plan for our Open House on the 27th. We need to make sure we know what games, activities and supplies we need to have ready. We should  finish the handout too.

We also need to have patrols figure out meal plans for the Camp A Snowshoe Campout this weekend. We can make a gear list so we have sleds,  snowshoes, warm clothes and all the other stuff we need.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

2/20 Meeting

2/23-2/25 Snowshoe Campout

2/27 Open House & Campfire (game night)

3/5 Meeting – Citizenship in the World MB or other MB work

-Axel 

Philmont won as the choice for high-adventure camp 2025. 

Troop 287 has a tentative reservation for Philmont 7/12-7/24/2025. This will be a 12-day trek in beautiful New Mexico with the first 3 days led by one of the camp rangers. This high-adventure camp is open to scouts who are at least 13 years old and have graduated 8th grade. In addition, they must be able to carry a backpack weighing up to 50 pounds and be able to hike up to 12 miles daily.

Our tentative reservation is for 1 crew of 12, which includes 3 adults and 9 scouts, 7/12-7/24/2025. (We are on the waiting list for spots in June so that we can have cooler weather, but this was the spot we have for now!) 

The cost for the trek is $1,675 per person, plus incidentals (i.e., food, tshirt, travel to Philmont). A payment plan will be provided in the coming weeks, which will include the incidental fees. Once we have a crew put together, invites will be sent out for planning meetings to work through the other details. For now, we need to secure individual commitments and the reservation.

If you and/or your scout wish to attend this high-adventure, please sign up by 3/14/2024 using the following Signup Genius link. A deposit of $150 will be due by 3/15/2024 along with a commitment form (coming soon) to reserve your spot.

Please use this SignUp Genius to register your scout for Philmont 2025:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FACAD2DA1FCCF8-47987066-philmont

Jean Kunkle is the primary contact for this adventure. She may be reached at 303-887-9881 or by email at shekunkle@gmail.com.

Troop,

Hello! Don’t forget that we are meeting at 7pm at the Fire Department Station #18 (right behind the Walgreens off Flying W & Centennial) to work on our Emergency Preparedness MB requirements. Be sure to wear your uniform and remember that we want to make a great impression on how awesome Troop 287 scouts are.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

– 2/13 Fire Department

– 2/20 Planning (Food Prep) for Snowshoe Campout and finalizing plan for Open House

– 2/23-2/25 Snowshoe Campout at Camp A

– 2/27 Open House and Camp Fire for Webelos (Game Night)

-Axel

Troop,

We are planning to do some rank advancement lessons. We also need to create a pamphlet about Troop 287 that we can send to all the local packs to help us recruit and get Weblos to our Open House on 2/27. If you know anyone who might be interested in joining our troop please tell them to come to the Open House. Please bring a laptop so we can make a pamphlet.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

— 2/13 we will meet at the Fire Department Station #18 (right behind the Walgreens off Flying W and Centennial) to work on our Emergency Preparedness Merit Badge requirements 

— 2/23 – 2/25 Snowshoe Campout

— 2/27 Recruiting Open House & Campfire

– Axel

Troop!

Check your emails for info on ICE CLIMBING this Saturday morning. We only have 8 slots available so grab one quick! This is highly recommended for those planning to go on this summer’s High Adventure Trip.

At the meeting this week, we will be sorting patrol boxes. We will identify missing items and each patrol will learn about what it is their patrol box and where everything goes. This will, in turn, help us be more organized and prepared for our next campout. 

Speaking of our next campout, be sure to sign up for the Snowshoe Campout at Camp A! Last year was a blast and may or may not have included some nighttime sled jumping! Maybe bring a helmet this year!!!!

Oh, and if you want to go to summer camp we need to talk our parents into helping out if even for a few days. Getting some adult support will make this happen. Summer camp is a super fun week so let’s see if we can make it happen?!

Hope to see you there!

-Axel

Troop,

No football this weekend? No Problem…We are going to offer a half-day Ice Climbing outing this weekend on Saturday morning, Feb 3rd. We will meet at the church at 6:30AM and return by 12:00 noon. (Ice climbing requires cold temperatures, so early morning is best.) We will be climbing on Helen Hunt Falls in Cheyenne Canyon.

This activity will be limited to 8 scouts, so sign up immediately if you would like to participate. No gear or prior experience is required.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FACAD2DA1FCCF8-47545925-iceclimbing

IMPORTANT: Participants need to have Ice Climbing or Mountaineering boots. These can be rented from Mountain Chalet in Colorado Springs for $25. You will need to pick these up Friday night. We have a a few extra pairs of boots in the following sizes that you can borrow (we can swap out, as needed): Men’s Size: 6.5, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 10.  You can rent a complete ice climbing kit, but this isn’t necessary. We have crampons and ice axes to share. 

15 N Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903They close at 6pm on Friday night!

Dress as you would for skiing or sledding (water-resistant outer shell, layers underneath.), along with a “puffy coat,” if you have one, to go over the top when you are not climbing.  A very thin hat is best because you’ll be wearing a helmet. Some ice climbers like to wear goggles or clear glasses (not me personally), but this is not required. If you have them, please bring shoe spikes (Yak Trax, etc) for the short hike to the climb, which is slippery. Kids need solid gloves or mittens. We can share, if needed. We will only have 2 climbers climbing at a time. If you have a climbing harness and/or helmet, please bring it, but we have enough to provide for everyone. Adults are welcome if the youth slots are not used up. Parents can come to observe, but will need a helmet (which we can provide). Bring your 10 essentials with a medium-sized pack to help carry gear. Hot chocolate in a thermos is a great idea too.

They are forecasting snow for Saturday morning. If it’s a heavy storm, we will postpone this. Watch the weather and standby for updates. —

Take care,

-Mike

Troop,

We are collecting preferences for the high adventure trip in the summer of 2025 (not the current year’s trip to Wyoming, the NEXT summer). The registration period for BSA-sponsored camps is now open, and if the Troop elects to visit one of those camps, it will need to be booked soon. Please follow the link below to complete the survey. We would like to get responses by the end of this month (Jan 31st). 

SURVEY

Mike Anderson
Committee Chairman

Troop,

We need to know who is interested in attending a BSA Summer Camp as soon as possible as camps are filling up quickly. This is the best place for newer or younger scouts to get their feet wet with a longer camping trip that is tailored to provide opportunities to work on and complete a number of scouting skills and requirements. This is the perfect place to advance in rank and earn a number of merit badges.

We need some information to help understand who is interested so we can facilitate the appropriate program at the right camp on the best dates.

Please signup below to show your interests in attending a BSA Summer Camp this year. This is not a commitment.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C4BA8A828A4FD0-47442577-summer

Furthermore if you are an adult and can spare the time off work to chaperone and mentor these kids, please let us know at the link below. The troop will cover all registration costs and camp fees for the required positions.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C4BA8A828A4FD0-45158227-summer

Mr. Petree
Scoutmaster

Troop,

Ski day was amazing and thank you to everyone who went, so now, it’s GAME NIGHT!

We will be heading to Altitude Movement (Ninja Gym), 750 Garden of the Gods Rd #125, Colorado Springs, CO 80907

Fill out the waiver:  https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/5d7ba4f1e9ad5/web/

Date: WEDNESDAY, January, 24, 2024 (they are not open Tuesdays)

Time: Meet at 6:15pm to get checked in. Play for one hour from 6:30-7:30pm.

Cost: $15

We hope to see you there!

-Axel

Troop,

We have an awesome guest speaker, Dave Pettigrew, coming this week to share his story, you don’t want to miss this! This will take up most of the meeting but I’ll have an IPA planned if there is time at the end of the meeting.

IMPORTANT!!! Bring your completed Citizenship in the Society workbook so we can finish this eagle-required merit badge.

Our Monarch Ski Day is next Saturday, so please sign up as soon as you can if you haven’t already. 

The Snow Shoe campout is next month, February 23rd and we need sign-ups as soon as possible for a potential ice climbing opportunity. 

-Axel 

You know what would be a great thing to do over this freezing cold weekend? Sit by the fire and finish up your Citizenship in Society merit badge workbook that I passed out to you a few weeks ago. Requirement #6 will be wrapped up at the meeting on Tuesday (1/16) when we have a presentation from Dave Pettigrew. He was in the infantry 2000-2004 and sustained an injury in Iraq (armor penetrating RPG in 2003). He is missing one leg but still skis and rock climbs. Should be an interesting and inspiring presentation!

See you Tuesday!

Troop,

We are doing our best to make sure we are successful in putting together some awesome adventures for you all. In keeping with the Scout Motto, “Be Prepared”, we can only do this if we know who is going. Please take a moment to let us know if you plan on any of the following trips, so we can be prepared and have reservations in place.

January 20th- Monarch Ski Day
Scouts should have their own lift tickets and gear or rent gear for this trip.

Info

Signup

February 23rd-25th- Snowshoe Campout @ Camp A
We are also planning on Ice Climbing during this campout. It will be an additional $65 per person to climb and that covers all the gear and instruction, but we need to make reservations really really soon. Sign up now.

Info

Signup

March 15th-17th- Mountain Biking Campout in Fruita, CO
Scouts should have their own bikes and helmets for this trip. Because of the distance and gear, we really need to know who plans on attending in advance. Signup coming soon!

Info

Signup Coming Soon!

Troop,

It’s time to pull backcountry permits and make reservations for our Explore Wyoming Extreme Adventure Camp this summer. The trip committee will be starting to make the arrangements as they become available starting tomorrow. Those who we do not secure permits for will not be able to attend this adventure.

It is extremely important we know who is planning on attending. I will be making an announcement with the scouts tonight, but need you to signup below if you would like to be included.

Updated Link

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C4BA8A828A4FD0-46994887-explore

I will be available for questions at the meeting tonight

Troop,

Happy New Year! Tonight is the first meeting of the year and I am excited to see you all.

Tonight we will have a special guest speaker and finish up the requirements for the Citizenship in Society Merit Badge.

We will also start the Emergency Preparedness Merit Badge.

Uniform of the day is Class A.

See you tonight!

Mr. Petree

Troop,

I have been asked by the PLC to host the Emergency Preparedness Merit Badge. This is one of those Eagle Required ones. We will start the badge at this upcoming meeting on January 9th.

This merit badge does require that you earn the First Aid Merit Badge. If you have it you are set. If not please reach out and we can see about getting you set up with a counselor.

This Merit Badge will take a couple of meetings to accomplish and there will be homework in between. Please read a little on it. The requirements can be found here.

Although not a requirement, I figured we could take a trip to one of the local fire stations on February 13th to meet some first responders and maybe talk to them a little about what we have learned.

See You Tuesday!
Mr. Petree