Scouts,

Tonight (Tuesday night) is game night and we are going to go Ice Skating at the Air Force Academy. Cost is $5 per scout ($3 to skate and $2 for rentals).  We will depart Wilson United Methodist at 630pm to please arrive a little early and please make sure your scout has $5 cash.  Show a little early because I would like to depart at 630 sharp.

Because we are going on the Air Force Academy, I would appreciate it if anyone that has a DOD/Military ID card volunteer to drive the scout to and from.  We should finish and be back at the church between 830-9pm.
See you there!

Sean

Boy Scout Troop 287

Meeting:                                    Troop 287 Committee Meeting

Date & Time:                              March 14, 2017, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Location:                                   Wilson United Methodist Church

In attendance:                           Sandy Johnston, Danny Reeves, Pam Reeves , Sean Warner,  Tom Sharp, Jonathan Weston, Sandy Diggs,                                                  Mary Cuccaro, Roxann and Michael Pharris

Sean Warner – Scout Master

• Opened the meeting
• March 21, 2017 – Game Night, proposed ice skating at Sertich Ice Center. Possible alternative location will be announced. Please watch for updates.
• April 21- 23, 2017 – Bishop’s Castle Campout, 12705 State Hwy 165, Rye Colorado. (www.bishopcastle.org)
• May19 -20, 2017 – Farish Campout with Pack 6
• Reminder Flags are coming up soon
• Reminder Summer Camp is June.
• Planning for High Adventure Campout is being discussed.
• Scoutmaster conferences – evaluation of the current process was discussed.

Motion:

                To approve update conferences and addressing skills in scout meetings

Sandy Johnston – Committee Chair

• Troop Scout elections- discussed standardization to process and to have leaderships positions filled by certain rank
• May 16, 2017, a Council representative from Investment In Character (IIC) formerly Friends of Scouting will be presenting at the Court of Honor
• Scholarship Fund review and request presented
• ****There is an URGENT need for a fundraising committee member for flags and popcorn sales****.Flags are in May! Please consider the position and contact Sean or Sandy as soon as possible.

Motions: 

To approve standardization of Troop elections

To approve designated scholarship fund request

Danny Reeves – Committee Treasurer:

• Gave the current status of the Troop’s total operating account

Thank you to Mr. Chermack and Mr. Bolenbaugh for registering as adult leaders for this trip to make it happen!!! You are great leaders and I, our parents and scouts appreciate your dedication.

Right now I am tracking 11 Scouts and 2 Adults

So, The boys that were selected to buy food should buy the food based on the plan at the last meeting. Meal plans were made at Tuesdays meeting. Plan on Budgeting $10 per scout in your individual patrols.  It should be 4 meals…Saturday Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner and Sunday Breakfast. I recommend a cold breakfast on Sunday because it will be a quick shutdown.

Here is the new timeline.

Friday:

530pm – Please arrive at the Church at 530 PM on Friday with the following items. Class A Scout Shirt, a meal for Friday night (Subway Sandwich or something like that), your permission slip (https://www.bsatroop287.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/BSA_ParentPermissionForm.pdf), the “covenant not to sue” (found at the end of this document : https://www.pikespeakbsa.org/files/12694/Freexoree-2017) and packing list (Below)

630-7pm depart to AFA

Saturday: – Freez-o-ree

Sunday:Depart AFA no later than 10am be at Church no later and 11am. Scouts will call if they get home early.

Here is the packing list. Take into account it will be 70 degrees during the day and 44 so you may tailor the list accordingly:

Sean

Folks,

First there is a committee meeting tonight.  We have some important issues to discuss such as how Scoutmaster Conferences are run, how elections are run, and our High Adventure Camp for this summer.

The unfortunate part of this posting is that we did not have enough adult leaders to sign up for the freez-o-ree.  As you all know we have to have 2 adult leaders participate in every outing IAW Youth Protection Guidelines.  Unfortunately I could NOT personally make it to this event, I made the last five of them and definitely the next two but I could not make this one.  As such I could not register the troop for the Freez-o-ree without two adults.  This is a bummer as this is the first campout it looks like we will miss in a while and we have 11 boys sign up for the campout.  There is still one way to participate…we can sign up but it will cost the troop an extra $55 late fee ($5 per scout).  If you were planning on going on the campout, still plan on bringing your gear because a shakeout is still a good learning tool…and if we can get one more adult then we will might be able to make this happen.

Thank You,
Sean

Attention Leaders & Parents

We still have a chance to attend the Freez-O-Ree at the AFA this wknd! We have one adult leader signed up but we need one more adult to make it happen. Since JC is a Asst Scoutmaster, the second adult can be a parent or leader. This is a great campout experience for the Scouts to work on their achievements and skills. Sean has extended the deadline until 10:00pm tonight to try to get a volunteer so he doesn’t have to cancel the outing! If you are available to attend please sign up asap!

PS: The weather is going to awesome! Guaranteed sunny & warm!!! Can’t ask for a better camping opportunity!

Thank you,

Sandy

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f054baca929a4fc1-freezoree

Folks,

The Freez-O-Ree on the Air Force Academy is next weekend. The final day for me to sign up the troop is tomorrow.  So far, no adult leaders have signed up for the event.  I cannot make this campout unfortunately. Without adults we cannot do the trip and I will have to cancel the outing.

Here is the link to sign up: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f054baca929a4fc1-freezoree/

If we get at least two adult leaders then on Tuesday we will prep for the campout. We will go through the packing list, determine who will cook meals, and determine a meal plan. Mrs. Cucarro will also bring camp cards which is a great way to earn money to support your scouting activities!

Here is the packing list:

Troop 287,

The Air Force Academy decided to run the Freez-O-Ree in March this year and I think it would be a great opportunity for our Troop! The campout will take place from 17 March @ 4pm to 19 March @ 10am. The Air Force Cadets run this camp out and its a lot of fun!!

In addition to Campfire Ceremonies and other fun stuff. Here are the activies they will have available for the boys!

1. Scouts vs. Blades – accuracy and safety with axes, saws and knives (equip: N/A)
2. Scouts vs. Leadership Challenge – reaction course (equip: N/A)
3. Scouts vs. Terrain – sled race (equip: troop sled)
4. Scouts vs. Fire – fire safety and fire building (equip: matches and fire building materials)
5. Scouts vs. Wild – wilderness survival skills (equip: shelter building supplies)
6. Scouts vs. Rope – lashing skills (equip: 50 feet of 550 cord)
7. Scouts vs. Injury – first aid skills (equip: first aid kit and splinting materials)
8. Scouts vs. Compass – orienteering skills (equip: compass)
9. Scouts vs. BSA Handbook – knowledge of Scout skills (equip: Boy Scout Handbook)

While they will not likely sign off on the achievements, the scoutmasters can and this is a great opportunity to have fun, camp and knock out some rank advancements.  Scouts can also finish their cooking merit badge and well as other merit badge or rank advancements.

The scoutmaster program guide with all the events and packing list is attached below: https://www.pikespeakbsa.org/files/12694/Freexoree-2017

scoutmaster packet 2017 freezoree final

The cost for this trip will be $30 per scout. The Camp charges $20 and the other $10 will be for food.

I need two Adults to sign up for this campout. This is a car camping activity. Please sign up by March 13th.

Please sign up at Sign Up Genius: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F054BACA929A4FC1-freezoree

Sean

Hi Folks,

I forgot to add this link to the previous post about Dart Warz.  They require a waiver.  Please click on the below link and fill it out before you arrive..otherwise you will have to fill it out when you arrive.

Here is the link: https://www.smartwaiver.com/w/526ef3863a8a2/web/

Dart Warz is tomorrow night from 6-730pm. Cost is $10 per scout. Adults can play too!!! I will be briefing the new families about Troop 287 otherwise I would wipe you guys out like the plague in the arena 🙂

Remember to sign-up on Sign Up Genius: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f054baca929a4fc1-dart
Sean

Hey Folks,

It’s game night!!! Our next meeting is is at Dart Warz on Thursday at 6pm.  We have a special room reserved for us and if we get 20 people (parents can play and Pack 6 is coming) then it will only cost $10 per player for an hour.  They will get about 18 games and it will be fun!!!! If we just showed up, then there would be a 45 in wait so we get to play right away.

Dart Warz is the largest nerf battle field in the world…actually the universe! yes, that is a true fact I just made up for this post.  The boys voted to go there so please come and get it on!

Dart Warz is located at 5850 Championship View #110, Colorado Springs, CO 80922

I will also be providing a presentation to new parents from Pack 6 and anyone else!!

Please sign up on Sign Up Genius so we can get a count: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F054BACA929A4FC1-dart

See you there!

Sean

Scouts,

Its time for our quarterly Court of Honor. it will be at Wilson Methodist Church on Tuesday the 21st at 6pm. Please arrive at 530pm for set up.  The theme for this COH will be a chili cookoff! Have the scouts make the best chili they can and then we will vote for the winner!!! All forms of chili are welcome.

Also, Please sign up to bring one of the following items:

8 slots for Chili

2 slots for a dozen rolls

2 slits for crackers

4 slots for salad

4 slots for shredded cheese

4 slots for a dessert

Please sign up at Sign Up Genius at this link: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F054BACA929A4FC1-court 

The uniform will be Class A’s. We have rank advancements and merit badges to award.

Thank you,

Sean

Boy Scout Troop 287

Meeting:                   Troop 287 Committee Meeting

Date & Time:            February 13 2017, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Location:                 Wilson United Methodist Church

In attendance:          Sandy Johnston, Sara Chermack, Sandy Diggs, Pam Reeves, Sean Warner, Jonathan Weston

Sandy Johnston – Committee Chair

• Opened the meeting
• February 21, 2017 : Court of Honor, Chili Cook-Off, 5:30 p.m. set up, 6 p.m. dinner,  7 p.m. to  8 p.m. Court of Honor. Sign up genius will come out with list of items needed.
• At the Court of Honor Scout account balances are due. Please come prepared to pay remaining Scout dues and monthly camp payments.
• There is a need for a volunteer willing to sew neckerchiefs. Please contact Sean or Sandy as soon as possible.
• There is an urgent need for a fundraising committee member. (flags and popcorn sales) Please consider the position and contact Sean or Sandy as soon as possible.

Pam Reeves – Committee Treasurer

• Gave the current status of the Troop’s total operating account
• Discussed the current status of equipment, scholarship and education funds.

Sean Warner – Scout Master

• February 21, 2017: a Council representative from Investment In Character (IIC) formerly Friends of Scouting will be presenting
• March 2, 2017:  Dart Warz, 5850 Championship View #110, Colorado Springs 80922. (www.dartwarz.com)Game Night and Crossover information night. Please visit the website. A waiver might be required to be completed.
• TBD : March Backpack Trip and Campout, venue is TBD and proposed 5 to 6 miles
• TBD: April Backpack Trip Bishop’s Castle, 12705 State Hwy 165, Rye Colorado. (www.bishopcastle.org)
• Sign Up Genius will be sent for planned events

Folks,

Just a reminder that this weeks meeting is tomorrow, Monday at 7pm at the church.  The focus of this meeting is Troop elections, Order of the Arrow Selection and any Rank Advancements/Merit Badge Completion stuff.  Next week is our Court of Honor.

Troop Elections: Its been 6 months since our last elections. This is an opportunity for someone to run for SPL, APL, Scribe, Chaplain, Quartermaster, Patrol Leaders, Etc. Must be at least First Class to run of SPL or APL but anyone can run for the rest . We are also going to create Patrols so we can have more leadership opportunities, increased organization, Patrol Flags, Calls, Etc.

Order of the Arrow Selections: The Order of the Arrow is the Honor Society of BSA.  The scouts get to vote in who gets to go.  We will have an OA  representative there to help out. Here are the requirements:

• Be a registered member of the Boy Scouts of America.
• Hold the First Class rank of the Boy Scouts of America, as a minimum.
• After registration with a troop or team, have experienced 15 days and nights of Boy Scout camping during the two-year period prior to the election. The 15 days and nights must include one, but no more than one, long-term camp consisting of six consecutive days and five nights of resident camping, approved and under the auspices and standards of the Boy Scouts of America. The balance of the camping must be overnight, weekend, or other short-term camps.

Rank Advancement and Merit Badge Stuff: This is our last chance to complete any Scout Master Conferences, Sign off on achievements and any Merit Badge Requirements before the COH on the 21st. Please bring in all your Handbooks, Merit Badge Worksheets and White Binders.

Thanks

Sean

Reminder for Scout Sunday
Services 9am 10:30
Be there 30 minutes early
We need good attendance
Tom Sharp

Folks,

We are working hard on getting all the boys updated on their merit badges and rank advancement before the next Court of Honor. Parents, please make sure your scouts bring their white binders, handbooks and all merit badges that they are working on.

See you tonight!

Thanks
Sean

Folks,

Our annual Scout Sunday is scheduled for Feb, 12th.  We will support two services (9am and 1030am) and will need at least 6 scouts for each service. We need one older scout to read scripture and 2 adults to help serve cake.

The Scouts will provide:

• Greeters
• Ushers
• Scripture Readers (older scout)

Our church lets us use its building and all it facilities for free. This is how we give back! This will count as volunteer hours towards rank advancement!!!

Please sign up on SignUpGenious at  www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F054BACA929A4FC1-scout

Thanks,

Sean

Troop,

Just a reminder that our monthly outing with the Troop is the Snow Sports Merit Badge with the Council on Feb 4th.  The bus will leave at 630am sharp so please arrive around 6 to help make the departure smooth.

Remember when you signed up on the council web site (https://www.pikespeakbsa.org/snowtours2017) there were different options…One was the transporation and lunch ($20), if you wanted to do the snow sports merit badge for skiing or snowboarding then that was an additional ($10), If you wanted your scout to rental equipment on the mountain then it was an additional $30, and lift tickets were:

• Lift ticket ages 16+ – $69
• Lift ticket ages 13-15 –  $47
• Lift ticket ages 12and under- $29

The troop is not collecting money for this….you must sign up and pay at the link provided above.

Finally, I encourage all scouts to attend if you can. Skiing has become a rich person’s sport in Colorado ($190 for a one day lift ticket at Vail) and this is the cheapest opportunity to give it a shot.  However, if you do not know how to ski and this is your first time then just plan on coming up and having a good day…do not sign up for the merit badge. The merit badge is testing your scout on skills and they would not be able to do those on their first time on the mountain. If you want to check out the standards the look at this link: https://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Snow_Sports Cool?

Looking forward to Saturday!

Sean

Scouts,

Its time to start wrapping up some of these merit badges and rank advances. This will be the focus of our next two meetings. In the last 6 months we have started Family Life, Personal Management, Climbing and Hiking, Cooking and will do Snow Sports this weekend. Some are still working on their Coin Collecting as well. I have only received ONE completed Blue Card from the entire troop over this period.  Please finish your worksheets and have your Merit Badge Counselors sign off on your Blue Cards.  If you don’t have a blue card show your worksheet and we will try to fill out blue cards on Tuesday.  PLEASE complete the worksheet and get these done so you can get credit at the next Court of Honor on Feb 21st.

Also, please prepare and complete a Scout Master Conference if you are ready for promotion.  The study cards are on this website. Please know the knowledge and all the skill for your desired rank and all the ranks leading up to it.

ASM, Please come to these next two meetings and be prepared to help with Merit Badges and SMCs. I will need the extra help to get it all done!

Every scout needs to bring their Handbooks, Merit Badge Work Sheets and Binders to the next meeting. BRING ALL YOUR STUFF!!! EVERYTHING YOU HAVE BEEN WORKIN ON! You earned, lets finish it up so it can be awarded to you.

See everyone Tuesday at 7pm

Thanks

Sean

(Lance and I are Crested Butte)

Hey Troop,

Here are some reminder’s for this month:

• Summer Camp – January payment is due by the end of the month.The next payment is $87.50.
• Please remember if you are going on the ski strip to register and pay on the council’s site located here: https://www.pikespeakbsa.org/snowtours2017.  The troop is not collecting the money nor signing scouts up Su.  Also, please ensure that you have taken care of ski/snowboard rentals if needed.

Thanks
Sean

Scouts and Parents,

I was completely smoked after this Merit Badge and Equipment Refit but we got some good stuff accomplished.  We are about 80% done with the merit badge and we completely cleaned up the Barn in addition to using our new car camping equipment.  The only requirements left for the scouts to complete their merit badge is to cook on a hiking or backpacking trip and to COMPLETE their Merit Badge Worksheet! The worksheet can be found at this link http://usscouts.org/mb/worksheets/Cooking.pdf

PLEASE have your scouts complete the worksheet and bring it to one of the ASM’s or myself for signature.  You’re scout did the work and he deserves the credit for completing it.

Here are some photos of the event!

https://goo.gl/photos/xBjAih3FKemcjZodA

Thanks

Sean

Troop 287,

Just a reminder that the second part of our Climbing Merit Badge this this Tuesday at CityRock from 630-830pm.  Your scout must attend both nights to meet the requirements for the Merit Badge. Please remind your scouts to also download and complete the Worksheet to complete the Merit Badge. The Merit Badge Worksheet can be found here http://www.meritbadge.org/wiki/images/e/e3/Climbing.pdf

One note, last week they handed out climbing shoes to the scouts. Normally those shoes cost $5 to rent but I talked him out of charging us because that is not what we agree to. This week, if your scout chooses to rent shoes it will cost $5.

Also, here are some great pics of last week that Floyd, Ryan and I took.

https://goo.gl/photos/WdjANWeF3cYVQ4kr6

Sean