Just a reminder: April Committee meeting is tomorrow Tuesday, April 14th at 7:30pm. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. We look forward to seeing you all!

Sandy Johnston

Hi All

Correction for April Committee Meeting. I incorrectly gave the wrong date for the April committee meeting

on my last post regarding troop dues, etc. Committee meetings are generally held the 2nd Tuesday of the month

and I was off on my calendar. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. The April Committee Meeting will

be on Tuesday April 14th (not tonight).

Andrea & I will still be at the Scout meeting tonight and are available to discuss your Scout’s account.

Sandy Johnston

Folks,

You can now find the 2015 Merit Badge Schedule within the Leader’s Guide on Page 48-50.  Its a little confusing but if you study it for a few minutes you can figure it out.  Each day is broken down into three blocks, a morning, afternoon and evening block.  For example, Monday is M1 (Morning), M2 (Afternoon) and M3 (Evening). Tuesday is T1, T2, T3…etc.  It looks like Merit Badges encompass two blocks. For example, Wilderness Survival is offered on M2 (Monday Afternoon) and T2 (Tuesday Afternoon).  That means that if you chose Wilderness Survival your Monday afternoon and Tuesday afternoon is taken up with that leaving you the option to pick another merit badge in the mornings or evenings of Monday and Tuesday or any of the blocks on the Wednesday and Thursday. Does that make sense?…it will when you open the document.

Trail to First Class is offered either in the Mornings (9am-1130am) or in the afternoons (130pm-4pm) Monday through Thursday.  The way I read it is if you select the morning Trail to First Class, then you can have the option to take a merit badge in the afternoons. This would mean you could knock out two merit badges in addition to Trail to First Class.

So here is the nitty gritty.  The option to register merit badges will open in a couple of weeks. I need all the scouts to look at the options and decide this week which merit badges or activities you would like to do. Make sure you look at the requirements, for example, some might require an additional fee or an age requirement.

I need to know what merit badges you would like to take by the meeting on April 14th.  I need them turned into me by hand or emailed to me.  This will allow me to register your scout’s preferences the second the link becomes available. There are only so many slots to each merit badge and I guarantee the Texans that are going to summer camp will be quick on the trigger!

You can download a PDF version of the leader’s guide here or from the 2015 Summer Camp link at the top of the Page.

2015 Leader’s Guide

Sean Warner, ASM

Summer Campers,

Summer Camp at Ben Delatour will be upon us before we know it.  I think I am just as excited to go as my son! To make sure we are all prepared I am going to post periodic updates/reminders in addition to the Summer Camp link Swanie made on Troop 287 homepage.  The purpose is to ensure your scout is prepared and all benchmarks are made along the way.  Here are the top three things parents and scouts should focus on now:

1. Merit Badge Selection – The 2015 Merit Badge submission link will be made available within the next couple of weeks (estimated the 21st).  The goal is to have our scouts decide on their merit badge choices before the link become available that so they can get their first choices.  If we delay the submission, Troops from Texas will take all the good merit badge choices…it happens every year.  The 2015 List is not available yet but should be soon. Once it is made available, I will likely give you 48-72 hours to have you choices sent to me so I can submit them as soon as the camp allows it.  Here is some guidance in making your selection:

– New scouts should choose the “Trail to First Class” option over Merit Badges.  This allows scouts to complete most of the rank requirements up to First Class Rank.  Trail to First Class is all day everyday so the new scouts will not have time to select additional merit badges.  This makes is easy for our new scouts 🙂 If the option to get in an additional merit badge becomes available, then I will let you know.

– More senior scouts that do not need to do Trail to First Class will select Merit Badges.  I recommend you select merit badges that are Eagle Required (if that is your goal) or ones that are tough to get outside of summer camp first.  Next, pick the one that just seem like a lot of fun. Please reference your scout handbook for a list of eagle required merit badges.  Here is a link you can use to look at last years merit badges to get an idea of what’s offered. I will send an update as soon as the 2015 options are released.  2014 Merit Badge Options. I will also attach this list as a PDF.

2. Final Summer Camp Payment is Due April 28th – The amount is $137.50. Summer camp charges a late fee so please have this payment in on time.

3.  Summer Camp Physicals – Summer camp requires a physical that must be signed off by a physician. Here is a link to the form and I will also attach a PDF.  Summer camp is 14 June. Please plan on turning in a COPY of your physical to me no later than 31 May. This is two weeks before summer camp. Annual BSA Health and Medical Record ABC.  This form also include immunization records.

Please focus on these above items now and I will provide notice at meetings or through this web site for additional updates.

Thank You,

Sean Warner

seanmwarner@gmail.com

680-001_ABC 2014 Merit-Badge-Schedule

Scouts & Families,

Just a few accounting details to take care of before our committee meeting next week.

Re-Chartering and Troop Dues

Our troop re-chartered in Dec for 2015. The following re-charter dues were deducted from the Scout’s accounts. All adults who were re-chartered need to check with Andrea to see if you need to reimburse the troop for your fee.

Existing Troop Scouts – $24.00 each
Transfer Scouts – $0.00
Adults – $24.00

Troop 287 dues are due in February for the year. With all the transition in our troop we are now trying to take care of this. Dues for 2015 are $72.00 ($6.00/month) and is paid all at once. (Transfer Scouts get credit for the 1 month because they transferred in Feb). The following dues have been deducted from the Scout’s account (which may bring your Scout’s account in to a negative balance).

Existing Scout dues – $72.00 each
Transfere Scout dues – $66.00 each

If your Scout would like to receive Boy’s Life (Scout magazine) that is an additional $12.00.

Summer Camp

FINAL PAYMENT FOR SUMMER CAMP IS DUE NO LATER THAN TUESDAY 4/28.THE AMOUNT DUE FOR EVERY SCOUT IS $137.50.

Our next Committee Meeting is Tuesday 4/7 @ 7:30pm. All are welcome! We would really appreciate having a parent join us or stopping by and checking on their Scout’s account so we can get them all settled.

We are working to bring you more information on the website in a timely manner. Thanks for bearing with us during the transition. If you have any questions
feel free to email me.

Thanks,
Sandy Johnston, Troop Committee Chair

Hi all, several notes for parents:

Normally, we ask the boys to take responsibility for communication between the troop and parents. However, we realize that sometimes our boys ‘forget.’ :O)

So, we’re going to try to do a better job at posting weekly announcements on the website to assist (but not replace) the communication process. Here’s the latest …

April 11-12 Wilson Campout

The boys will be doing a quick training campout at Wilson Church, up by the barn, Saturday-Sunday, April 11-12, starting at 11 a.m. on that Saturday.

WE NEED TWO ADULT VOLUNTEERS TO ATTEND!

Right now, we don’t have adult coverage for the campout. If you have Youth Protection Training, you can attend the campout. Contact Keith Moore or Swanie if you can attend.

The boys are going to work on their Fire N’ Chit and Tote N’ Chip training to learn how to safely use fires, axes, knives, and saws for summer camp. We’re also going to work on some cooking skills.

2015 Summer Camp

We now have a web page for 2015 Summer Camp: https://www.bsatroop287.org/summer-camp-2015/

This page will be updated by ASM Sean Warner on a regular basis. There is also a link to this page at the top of the website in case you can’t remember the full link address. If you have questions, you can post a comment at the bottom of the page and we’ll try to reply as soon as we can. Everyone will be able to see the comments and replies.

PUT IN YOUR CALENDAR: MAY 5 – SWIM TEST.

Boys will be required to do a swim test before going to summer camp. We’ll be doing a swim test the first Tuesday in May, 5th. Location and cost: TBD.

MEDICAL FORMS!

On the summer camp page, there’s a medical form you can download and print. You need to have it completed by your family physician or nurse practitioner prior to going to summer camp. Your boy will not be allowed at camp without it.

2015 Canoe Trip

There is now a web page with information coming soon for the 2015 Canoe Trip to Green River, CO/UT: https://www.bsatroop287.org/canoe-trip-2015/

Right now, it looks like the adult leaders going on the trip will be Jon Ullmann and Chris Swanson (Swanie). In the next several months, we’ll be planning several parent meetings to go over trip details and logistics. By now, you would have needed to commit your first $50 down payment to go on the trip. We’ll be collecting the remainder at a later time.

PUT IN YOUR CALENDAR: MAY 5 – SWIM TEST & CANOE TRAINING.

Boys will be required to do a swim test before going to summer camp. We’ll be doing a swim test and canoe training the first Tuesday in May, 5th. Location: TBD.

MEDICAL FORMS

On the canoe trip page, there’s a medical form you can download and print. You need to have it completed by your family physician or nurse practitioner prior to going to summer camp. Your boy will not be allowed at camp without it.

Assistant Scoutmasters Needed!

As you can imagine, we need adult leader volunteers to make the troop run. If you’re interested in being an assistant scoutmaster, we could really use your help. We have an influx of 12 new scouts over the past year, which is great, but we really need some new ASMs, too!

If you’re interested, we can get you going right away. There’s some good training provided by BSA to help you learn the ropes. Don’t feel like you had to have been in scouts before to be an ASM. You just need to be able to attend scout meetings and outing and provide adult leadership and guidance. The scout knowledge will come along, no problem.

Today I finished my eagle project thanks to the help of Franklin and Kevin. Therefore, there is not going to be a third workday Sunday. Thank you all who helped. 



I have scheduled my last two work days for my eagle project, this weekend. Both Saturday and Sunday, 1:00pm-4:00pm. It’s at my house, 2323 W. Kiowa St. Please let me know if you can make it, either by phone or email; (719)-465-4715 or Smore287@comcast.net. This way I know how many supplies I need to get for everyone. Thank you. 

Sam Moore 

The Green River/Labyrinth Canyon trip is scheduled for 26-31 July.  We need to collect a $50 initial deposit per person by tomorrow’s meeting (3/17) for those going on the trip.  Please bring a check made out to Troop 287, or let us know to pay the deposit out of your scout account.  The deposit goes to the outfitter to guarantee our trip dates and equipment.  Total cost for the trip is estimated at $275 per person.  If you need further information please contact me at jonu_1999@yahoo.com.

Dear Parents,

Troop 287’s Membership Directory needs updating.  If you are new to the Troop, or have new contact information, keep reading!  🙂

Please send me a personal email by April 30th so that I can update, print and hand out the new directories to everyone at the May Court of Honor.

If you are new to the Troop, please e-mail me the following information: your Scout’s name, your home address, an email address (either the parent’s or the child’s) and your preferred contact phone number.

If your information is already in the directory, but needs to be updated, please email me as well!!

My email: lisalwo@gmail.com

Thank you all very much,

Lisa Woodard

Troop Secretary

Boy Scout Troop 287

Meeting:                   Troop 287 Committee Meeting

Date & Time:            March 10, 2015, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Location:                   Wilson United Methodist Church

In attendance:

Sean Warner, Andrea Warner, Dave Krzemien, Lisa Woodard, Jen Jirous, Tom Sharp, Sandy Johnston and Phil Stafford

1. Jen Jirous

• Announcements of new committee positions
• Thank you, Phil, outgoing Treasurer, for your hard work for the Troop
• Welcome, Sandy and Andrea, to the Committee
• Need to discuss payment for the cancelled Freez-O-Ree campout

2. Andrea Warner

• Goals as incoming treasurer

3. Freez-O-Ree

• Refund not possible
• Motion was made that the Troop absorb the cost of the cancelled Freez-O-Ree since the decision was made by Troop leadership
• Motion was approved
• For future reference, if an individual Scout cancels for a pre-paid event within 30 days of the event, then the Scout remains responsible for payment

4. Sandy Johnston – Incoming Committee Chair

• Announcement of half-scholarship application for anonymous Scout for Summer Camp
• Scholarship was approved by Committee
• Parent Surveys
• Troop Directory

5. Dave Krzemien – Pikes Peak Council commissioner for Troop 287

• Assessment of our Troop’s activity

Mark your calendars – here are a few upcoming activities planned by the Scouts at their Yearly Planning Meeting (more info at pikespeakbsa.org):

• March 23-27, Spring Break, NO MEETING
• March 28, Archery Merit Badge clinic being held at Pikes Peak Council from 8 am to 5:00 pm
• April 24-26: High Plains Camp-O-Ree

Please join us at the March Committee Meeting on March 10 at 7:30 PM at Wilson Church. All parents are welcome to attend.

Hello all.
Due to weather and logistics.
The Freezoree outing is cancelled.
See ya’ll on Tuesday.

Departure time: Meet at the church at 5:30 pm. Don’t forget your dinner.
Make sure that you have covered the packing list from top to bottom. For the safety of all participants we will conduct a final shakedown of the personal gear before we depart for the AFA. Those participants that are not fully prepared will not be allowed to attend.
BE PREPARED to have fun!

We need to get a good count for the canoe trip at this Tuesday’s (2/24) meeting.  This flat-water canoe trip is from 26-31 July, on the Green River, and traverses some spectacular, remote country.  The cost will be $275 and we’ll need to collect a $50 deposit at the meeting on March 3rd.  Sign up this week, pay your deposit next week!  This will be a trip to remember!

Sam Moore is canceling the Eagle Project work days scheduled for this Saturday, February 21 and Sunday, February 22 , due to expected extreme cold and snowy weather. These work days will be rescheduled. Keep an eye out for upcoming work dates.

Please join us for the annual Troop 287 Chili Cook-off Court of Honor. Bring your favorite chili and participate in the taste testing to determine the “Troop Winner”.  Setup will begin at 5:30 with festivities beginning at 6PM and the court of honor at 7PM. The troop will provide fixins’. All family members are welcome and encouraged to attend! See you all tomorrow!

Once again, Troop 287 warmly welcomes the new scouts and their families. This is an exciting time in a Scout’s career, but also a very busy, and maybe confusing time. If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed right now, no worries. We’re all here to help and guide you through the process. We’re really glad your with us in the troop and the boys have a bright and fun Scouting future in store for them.

To that effect, there are several first MUST DOs for your Scout:

1. Get the BSA Scout Handbook

This is your Scout’s official rank advancement document. They’ll need this as soon as possible to start advancements in Scouts. Also note that there’s a section on Scouting Safety at the front of the handbook for parents to read. Please take the time to read it and go over it with your Scout. You can purchase the Scout Handbook at the Scout Store.

Your Scout will have this book throughout their Scouting career all the way to Eagle Scout. It’s worth purchasing the nicer book and a cover for it. They should bring their books to and from EVERY scout meeting.

2. Download, Print, and Make the Flash Cards

We’ve created our own version of study flash cards to help Scouts prepare and study for rank advancement. These cards aren’t official BSA materials, but we’ve found them to be quite handy. We work really hard to make sure your Scout knows and internalizes their stuff.

At last week’s meeting on February 10th, the Scouts got a start on their cards. Make sure they finish them at home. You can download the cards and get the instructions on how to make them here:

Download Flash Cards

3. Get BSA Uniforms and Patches

New scouts are provided a troop kerchief, slide, epaulettes (loops), and troop number. If you don’t have yours yet, please talk to one of the Scoutmasters. If they already had a tan scout shirt from Webelos, they can continue to use that shirt, but need to change out the patches. Instead of the Arrow of Light patch, there is an Arrow of Light patch they can wear below their scout rank. You can ask about that patch and get Boy Scout uniforms at the Scout Store (located on Fillmore, by the Waffle House, on the big hill between I-25 and Mesa Road.)

A Scout belt, hat, and other stuff is NOT required. Nice to have, but not required.

So, if you already had the tan shirt from Webelos with the Pikes Peak Council patch on it, then all you’ll need to purchase is the Arrow of Light patch (rectangular in shape). The troop will provide you the green loops (to replace the blue loops), troop numbers, kerchief, and slide. There is information in the Scout Handbook on where the patches are to be sewn on.