Hi there,  It is time for Camp Card Sales again.  I have 200 cards available for Scouts to sell.  The Cards are $5.00 the scout earns $2.50 on each card sold.  I have scanned a copy of the Camp Cards below.  You do not have to sell all the cards you take out. 

I will also have them available for pickup at Laser Tag next week and all other Scout meetings until the Turn in Date.  Please call me at 633-7611 and let me know how many cards you would like to sign out. 

Scouts are responsible for all cards taken out.  Any missing or damaged cards will have to be paid for.  The deadline for turning in unsold camp cards and monies to the Treasurer is April 8th at the Meeting. 

This is a really easy fundraiser and I hope many of our scouts will take advantage of this opportunity.

Kathy Kaelin, Treasurer Troop 287 — email:  kkaelin5458@gmail.com.  Phone 633-7611.

TROOP 287 CHILI COOK OFF

AND

!!CREATE YOUR OWN MERIT BADGE CONTEST!!

WHEN:          Tuesday, February 18, 2014                                                           

WHERE:       Wilson United Methodist Church               

TIME:            6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

                        Set-up at 5:30 pm

 CHILI COOK OFF: 

Two categories will be judged, Scout and Adult.  Prize given to best Scout Chili!

 CREATE YOUR OWN MERIT BADGE CONTEST:

 Scouts, this is a chance for you to get creative and design your very own merit badge!  Submission must include a merit badge picture!

THE TROOP COMMITTEE WILL PROVIDE THE CHILI TOPPINGS, CORN BREAD, DRINKS, PAPER GOODS AND CAKE!

Don’t forget to bring a package of diapers instead of canned goods.

FINANCES:

Please be prepared to take care of the following items, as always I will have copies of your scout’s account:

Scout Dues — All scouts that have not reached the rank of Eagle owe $72.00 for 2014 Scout Dues.

Camp Jeffrey Second Payment — $100.00 for all scouts that are signed up for Camp Jeffrey in July 2014.

Philmont Final Payment — $350.00 is the final payment for the trip.  If you have paid in full you can ignore this.  If you have not made any payments the cost for the trip is $800.00 plus expenses.  Travel and other expenses will be determined after the trip.

If you have any questions about your scout’s finances please call or email me at 633-7611 email:  kkaelin5458@gmail.com

Another successful Troop 287 Freezoree at the AF Academy!  We set up camp on Friday afternoon, had a chilly and windy Friday night, and a balmy Saturday of AF cadet led events.  The boys did great; be sure to ask Keith so you can view our recognition as one of the top 8 of 24 troops for the cadet challenges.  Saturday afternoon and evening had very brisk winds, but since the title of “Breezoree” is etched in Troop 287 lore for the 2011 event, we’ll have to come up with a new moniker.  On Saturday the boys got a head start on the aviation merit badge by learning the effects of wind on objects, and how a 15 foot tent can become airborne (I believe the tent flew further than the Wright brothers did at Kitty Hawk).  Sunday morning was chilly, foggy, and certainly worthy of the “Freezoree” title.  We packed up quickly and headed for warmth (we were busy and I don’t have pictures of the 17 degree ice fog).  Enjoy the pics of the merry times!

Hi there,

The troop is meeting to discuss the new Mulch Fundraiser.  This could be a very profitable fundraiser for the troop but it will require lots of hands on by the boys as well as parents. Come and get in on the ground floor of planning.

We will also be finalizing plans for the Court of Honor on Feb 18th.

Come and join us — we have a great time.

Thanks,

Jen Jirous

Committee Chair

For Scouts going to the Freezoree we’ll be meeting at the church at 5:30 pm Friday (7 Feb).  The weather should be partly cloudy with highs in the low 30’s and low’s in the teens.  Scouts should bring a warm sleeping bag, sleeping pad, an extra blanket, several pairs of wool socks, stocking hats, gloves etc.  Dress warm and in layers!  If you have a sled you might want to bring it along as we’ll look for a good hill to give it a test!

Tomorrow night, Jan 14, we will meet at Fire Station 18 at 7 pm to complete one of the remaining requirements. The station is within walking distance of the church and we will head there afterwards. Plan on picking up your Scout at the church at the regular time.

Location info: http://www.homefacts.com/firestations/Colorado/El-Paso-County/Colorado-Springs/Colorado-Springs-Fire-Department-Station-18.html

As a result, all community presentations will be given at next week’s meeting. All Scouts should be prepared to deliver their speech on that date. Scouts not participating in the merit badge should plan on just meeting at the church at 7.

Hi Troop 287

Hope you can make it to this month’s Troop Committee Meeting.  We will meet at the Church at 6:30pm on Tuesday Dec 10th.  All parents are invited to attend and find out what happens behind the scenes at Troop 287.  This month we will be passing the budget for 2014 and looking at the Policy and Procedure Manual for any updates that are necessary.

You do not need to be a leader to attend these meetings.  Any and all participation and new ideas are welcomed. 

Thanks,

Jen Jirous, Committee Chairman

Upcoming events for Communications and Citizenship in the Community merit badge participants…

First, a reminder that those working on either Citizenship in the Community and/or the Communications Merit Badges will attend the D-11 School Board meeting which will be held THIS Wednesday, December 11 at 6:30 PM at the D-11 Administration building located at 1115 N. El Paso Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903. We will stay only an hour so please plan on picking your Scout up no later than 7:30 that night. If your Scout cannot attend that meeting, they may watch it on the D-11 channel but will have to take a quiz to reflect their understanding of what was discussed. Other options would need to be discussed with me.

Second, the boys have decided on the volunteer work they will be doing as a group for the Citizenship merit badge. As a reminder, this merit badge requires significant volunteer work with and research on a non-profit organization (8 hours of service work). They will be doing set-up/hosting for the Bob Telmosse (Santa Bob) toy giveaway. Dates will be Sunday, December 15 from 9-2 AND Saturday, December 21 from 1-4. The event is being held at the Freedom Financial Services Expo Center at 3950 North Nevada (80907). Even if you are not working on the merit badge, you are welcome to attend one or both service days. All volunteers should bring a sack lunch on Sunday. We will have two adult volunteers present both days.

The merit badge requires 8 hours of volunteer work with one organization. If your Scout cannot attend both dates for the Santa Bob toy give away, they should choose another option. Some suggested options include food sorting with Care and Share, bell ringing with the Salvation Army or food service/clean up with one of the soup kitchens in town. The other options would be organized on an individual or pair basis and need to be set up and determined by each Scout in cooperation with their parents. Parents would need also to attend such events with their Scout in those instances. If you or your Scouts have other ideas for completing this volunteer work requirement, please let me know.

Finally, within the next few weeks we will be watching portions of “A Class Divided” to discuss the topic of racism and see how one teacher chose to positively impact her community (to meet requirement 5 on watching a video on how a person or group of persons positively impacted their community). While the original experiment occurred some time ago, the lesson is timeless. I am hopeful the Scouts can relate to this on many levels (including even anti-bullying issues). Please review it in on your own in advance. Contact me with any questions or concerns. The link follows and we will be watching Chapters 1 and 2:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/divided/etc/view.html

See everyone at the troop meeting on Tuesday.

Calling all Scouts!

For those who need it, we will begin the Eagle-required Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge on Tuesday, 11/26.  If your Scout is interested in starting this merit badge but will not be there, please have them connect with me at a meeting as soon as possible.

I also wanted to pass on a few key requirements/dates that will necessitate parent help for that merit badge.  While I will also discuss these with the boys, if you have concerns that the information may not make it home to you, please read carefully.

First, we will be piggy-backing with the Communications Merit Badge work and attend the D-11 School Board meeting which will be held on Wednesday, December 11 at 6:30 PM at the D-11 Administration building located at1115 N. El Paso Street Colorado Springs, Colorado  80903.  We will stay only an hour so please plan on picking them up no later than 7:30 that night.  If your Scout cannot attend that meeting, they may watch it on the D-11 channel but will have to take a quiz to reflect their understanding of what was discussed.

Second, this merit badge requires significant volunteer work with and research on a non-profit organization (8 hours of service work).  I am going to encourage the Scouts to consider either bell-ringing with the Salvation Army (dates/location flexible/tbd by each individual Scout), food sorting with Care and Share (dates flexible/tbd by each individual Scout) or set-up/hosting during the Bob Telmosse (Santa Bob) toy giveaway (dates will be Sunday, December 15  from 9-2 AND Saturday, December 21 from 1-4 or 3-6) .  Please discuss these options with your Scouts.

I am willing to support attendance at the Santa Bob toy giveaway but would need one additional parent volunteer.  The other options would be organized on an individual or pair basis and need to be set up and determined by each Scout in cooperation with their parents.  Parents would need also to attend all such events with their Scout in those instances.  If you or your Scouts have other ideas for volunteer work, please let me know.

Finally, please let me know what other questions you might have as well as if you might be available to help with the Santa Bob toy giveaway service option (one or both dates).  We will make final decisions on key dates tomorrow night.

Thanks,

Gina Swanson

Troop 287 Merit Badge Counselor