Congratulations to Franklin, who just made Tenderfoot!
Annual Order of the Arrow Dues helps fund the programs of the Lodge. The local lodge sends $3/Member to the National Office and we give some to support the council. The balance is spent on our General Membership Meetings, scholarships for summer camp and OA High Adventure. We also fund half the fees for OA members to attend the National Leadership Seminar, held every 2 years in our area. Due to the pending increase in the fees the lodge pays to National, the LEC voted to increase the annual dues from $12.00 to $15.00 starting in 2013. The lodge has not raised dues in 8 years and we believe that we should be stable for another 8 to 10 years with this increase.
If you pay your 2013 dues before Dec 31, 2012, you will only have to pay the current rate of $12.00. After Jan 1, 2013, the dues will increase to $15.00 for everyone. We offer several ways to pay your dues. You can pay online on the new Council/OA website. This link will take you to the OA Dues page: http://www.pikespeakbsa.org/oa/dues From there just click on the link at the top of the page to take you to the online store where you can pay them. There is also a paper form that you can download and mail into the Scout Office. Of course you can always drop by the office at 985 W. Fillmore St, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 and pay in person. Pay early and SAVE $3.00.
WARNING NEW ORDEAL MEMBERS: If you came into the OA this year at the Spring or Fall Fellowship, your 2013 OA dues was included in the fee and you DO NOT need to pay again.
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OK … the latest feature added and tested is our new events calendar. You can find the events calendar two ways:
1. At the very top of the website in the navigation bar is ‘Events.’ Click on that and it will take you to a calendar view of our upcoming events. You can browse by month and click on each event to view event details. In some cases, if enough information is added, it will include a nifty Google map of the event location.
2. Over on the right sidebar, if you scroll down a bit, is a list view of upcoming events. Again, you can click on each event to view the details.
If you have author privileges on the website, you can edit events that either you create or have been assigned to you as the event coordinator. This allows you to update the event details over time.
Overall, this allows you to see all the upcoming events for the troop and gives us a nice place to put all the pertinent information about each event.
If you ever need an event added to calendar and you don’t have website author privileges, just shoot me an email and I’ll get it up for you.
Cheers.
– swanie, scoutmaster
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We’ve started the Communications merit badge for all of Troop 287. Unfortunately, due to copyright laws, I can’t email everyone a file copy of the book.
You can download the Communications MB worksheets, though:
We’ll have to get all the scouts access to a Communications Merit Badge book as soon as possible, but in the meantime, we’ll continue working on the merit badge, starting this weekend at the Dino Death March campout.
If the boys signed up to do a program or give a speech this weekend, they need to submit an outline by noon on Friday. For should also type and print programs (for the programs, not speeches) and make enough copies for 15 people. Bring those to the campout!
For those who are giving a speech or running a program, I will highlight the requirements:
SPEECH (for requirement 3):
Write and prepare an outline for your speech which includes an introduction, three main ideas, and a conclusion. I want to look something like this (remember, you can give a speech on a topic of your choosing):
INTRO — I am going to share with you why I like the Minnesota Vikings football team.
I. Because they play in the “black and blue” division with the Packers, Bears, and Lions.
II. Because I was born and raised in Minnesota
III. Because my family members are still a big Minnesota Vikings fans
CONCLUSION—Now you know why I like the Minnesota Vikings. Skol Vikings!
When you have your outline (just the outline) ready, email it to me at swanie@swanie.net by noon on Friday, Oct 19.
Your speech must be at least 5 minutes long. Let’s keep it to fewer than 10 minutes. You can use props, if you like.
You can use to notes, but you cannot simply read your speech. I want you to look at your audience, speak with confidence, and use hand gestures. You should practice your speech at least five times before giving it.
CAMPFIRE PROGRAM and INTERFAITH WORSHIP SERVICE:
Checklist:
[ ] Make a campfire program:
– Opening
– Greeting, introduction of guests
– List of speeches, songs, skits with titles and names
– Closing
[ ] Get information about each presentation and presenter ahead of time
[ ] Write and print a program with the presentation information (title, name, short description, if available)
[ ] Run the campfire program:
– Make sure the stage is set and ready ahead of time
– Introduce each presenter, tell us a little bit about them
– Lead the applause at the end of each presentation
– Thank each presenter
– In between, maybe add some jokes or stories
– Be sure to be loud enough that everyone can hear you
– Keep the program moving, avoid delays, keep it fun and positive
Submit the program outline to me by email (swanie@swanie.net) by Friday noon, Oct 19.
If you’re teaming up, both scouts need to have an equal role in running the program. You can work that out between the two of you. Be sure to coordinate BEFORE the campout.
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Troop 287 Committee Meeting Minutes
October 9 , 2012
6:30-8PM Taken by Andrea Warner
Discussion Items
Welcome
Attendance: Sean warner, Andrea warner, Gina Swanson, Kathy Kealin, Joyce Moore, Dan Rodriguez, Tom sharp, Chris Swanson, and Keith Moore
Approval of Minutes
Kathy motion approve minutes, Gina seconds all in favor
COH planning – November ?? 6PM – Thanksgiving Dinner??
Nov 20th was agreed upon
3 (to start with) turkeys done by volunteers cost of turkeys will be reimburse by the Troop with receipt so far it will be Kathy,Dan and Tom will do turkeys
Mash potatoes,stuffing,gravy, and rolls
Families to bring sides and dessert
Joyce suggest have volunteers this year ahead of time to help with set up and be here by 515pm
Kathy will do all the stuffing
Gina potatoes
Jen will do gravy
Joyce will do the program and she will send a reminder to Chris Swanson for the website
Gina will keep track of the RSVP
Gina suggests have the boys to public speaking at the COH for the communication merit badge.
Gina suggests doing a family related project for the COH, which will coincide with the family merit badge.
Gina will follow up on both of these
Chris Swanson came into meeting to advise that with the communication MB Andrew F will need to plan the program and will be master of ceremonies Joyce will work with him on the program.
Scoutmaster Report
Scout Master Conference are always on the 1sy & 3rd Tuesday
Dates: Oct 9th meeting: Check up on Family Life & personal Management MB
Tues Oct 16th Reg weekly meeting Swimming MB with Sean Warner worksheets
Oct19-21: Dino Death march Campout sign up sheet with Predator Patrol & start communication MB(Eagle Reequired)
Oct 23: Reg Weekly meeting working on swimming merit badge with Sean Warner
Oct 16th Popcorn orders due(money can be turned in also)
Oct 27th Swimming MB @ YMCA (3-5pm) $4 fee unless a YMCA member than free
Oct 27th Archery MB @ Council Office (preSign up with Council required)
Oct 30th Weekly meeting and PLC meeting
Nov 10 Popcorn pick up at Church
Nov 6 Game Night TBD
Nov 17: 20mile Hike sign up MMA Patrol
Nov 11th Veteran Day Flags (sign up now)
Nov 16-18 Camp Out @ TBD Sign up sheet MMA Patrol
Nov 20th : Court of Honor
Advancements Report
Ryan Wyndom board of eagle review went very well, Kathy advised
Joyce said there is one boy that has 2 advancements and there will only be 1 board of review this evening
Joyce feels that record keeping is improving and all is going very well.
Board of reviews will always be 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month.
Treasurer’s Report
Andrea motion Joyce second all in favor to accept report
See attach
Recharger fee increased from $20 to $40 for the troop
Gina request to purchase hot chocolate and donuts for boys who do the flags for Veterans Day, it was not voted on but everyone seemed ok with it
Kathy advise a deposit will be due this week for Camp A which is about $350 the cost per boy $285
Popcorn Update
Orders due on Oct 16th
Flags Discussion
Table till next meeting due to time
Fundraising (ChickFilA, wreaths, etc)
Table till next meeting due to time
Journey to Excellence
Table till next meeting due to time
Other items
Eagle project discussion about Glen Erie has several projects that fits very well with scout eagle project
Next Meeting – Tuesday December 11 – 6:30PM
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This is the last weekend for you to get out and sell popcorn door to door. We must have a copy of your completed order form turned in at the Scout Meeting on October 16th. If you are not able to make the meeting please call Phil or Kathy right away so we can make arrangements to get a copy of your form.
Kathy Kaelin and Phil Stafford will be there to collect and check your order forms. Make sure you indicate what you want your prize to be. If you want a gift card — tell us if it is Walmart or Amazon.
Popcorn Pickup will be on Saturday November 10th at the Wilson Methodist Church. Time will be announced.
Popcorn money can be turned in at any time to Kathy Kaelin – Treasurer. All monies must be turned in by the November 27th Scout Meeting.
Scout commission (at least 33% of your sales) will be put in your scout account around December 15th.
If you have any questions please call Phil Stafford or Kathy Kaelin
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Our last flag day this year will be for Veterans Day, on Sunday, November 11. Sign-up sheets will be available at Tuesday’s meeting. We will meet at the church at 7 AM to put them out and come back at 3 PM to pick them up.
Navigators really help, especially in the morning (no special experience necessary). Drivers need to be able to carry approximately 60, 10 foot flag poles in their vehicle and still operate it safely with kids in the back.
If you have never signed up to help with flags before, please consider doing so. We will be serving breakfast goodies in the morning as well.
If you have any questions, contact Chris or Gina Swanson.
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Scouts, the performance portion of the Swimming Merit Badge will take place at the Downtown YMCA on 27 October 12 from 3pm-5pm. The cost is $4 per scout unless you are a YMCA member then its free. Items required for the pool: swimsuit, shoes, socks, pants, belt and long sleeve shirt. If you have it: Dive Mask, Snorkel and Fins. The aforementioned items are all for IN POOL activities so bring an additional set of dry clothes to change into for when we are done.
Please start working on the Swimming Merit Badge Worksheet (http://meritbadge.org/wiki/images/d/db/Swimming.pdf). Print up and bring to the training with you. Fill in the form and we will go over it when the PL and APL schedule a time to do so. Feel free to contact me with any questions.
Mr. Warner
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Troop 287 Parents–
The boys should be working on their workbooks, chore sheets and projects for Family Life. At last week’s meeting, we covered everything we needed to as a group in order for them to move forward and complete this Eagle-required merit badge. As a reminder, they need to do the following:
1) complete and track several chores for 90 days and submit evidence of this to me (there is a chart provided in their workbook)
2) complete an individual project at home with my approval (such as cooking a meal, washing the car, etc.)
3) complete a family project at home with my approval (a more significant project, like cleaning out the garage, painting a fence, etc., and involving the entire family)
4) facilitate a family meeting to discuss several required items listed in their workbook (including using drugs, technology, puberty, manners, etc.)
5) complete the entire workbook using the copy of the merit badge book I gave them and hand it in to me for approval.
They can and should wrap up items 2-5 as soon as possible. I would encourage all of them to do that in October. We will not have a separate meeting time dedicated to that. They should just find me whenever they can at a meeting and turn in their workbook. I will get it back to them as soon as I have had a chance to review it.
That way we are only waiting on the chore list to be completed and handed in to finish the merit badge. The earliest we can do that will be November 13 (if they started their chores on August 14 when we began the merit badge).
I appreciate your support with this merit badge. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Gina Swanson
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The council offers the Archery Merit Badge at the Council Service center twice a year. The next class is scheduled for Saturday, October 27th from 9 am till 5 pm. Several scouts were disappointed when our shooting camp out was cancelled for this weekend. This is a great opportunity to earn the badge. I will be signing up as a counselor so they will have an adult there that they know. Connor is already registered. You can register your scout and pay for the $10 fee through the Council website at the following link.
http://pikespeakbsa.org/index.php?option=com_jevents&task=icalrepeat.detail&evid=3225&Itemid=9&year=2012&month=10&day=27&title=archery-merit-badge-fall-2012&uid=uvih8n79q5dgr61etminsdqnas%40google.com
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Troop 287 Committee Meeting minutes
September 11, 2012
6:30-7:30PM
Welcome
Approval of Minutes
Kathy made motion Andrea 2nd
Scoutmaster Report
Waiting to get confirmation for shooting weekend: sign up will still go out tonight but we don’t have a cost yet
Need a point of contact for Dino walk in Oct 19-21
Boys want an over night ski trip this winter. Keith will look into Leadville and there may be a church that they can stay at for Jan. ski cooper
Boys want to do rafting in June instead of August.
Summer camp option in Montana in July will keep looking into summer camp options boys did like Camp A
Boys want sledding at Camp A this will be a webelos invite camping trip Feb 8-10
There will be a whole week of in Nov during thanksgiving might be a good week to look at. Possible camp out the weekend before Thanksgiving the weekend of 16-18 Nov
Yearly planning meeting with the scouts, date not set yet
Merit badges coming up:
Family life still in progress with Gina
personal management Dave K starting soon
Citizenship of the world not starting till the first of the year
Swimming possible Tuesday the 25 th Sept
3 patrols
Duck tape
MMA
predator
Need to have numbers for summer camp by Nov court of honor.
Equipment Update
Keith
Stove is the main thing left
Dining flies for the boys to set up for shelter
Flags Update
Gina- went very well- 250 flags 30 destroy homes
$440 we gave back to rotary for refunds of burned homes.
Sunday at 3pm meet at Jen Jirous house to go back out to PV to hit the remaining streets will open up to all scouts Jen will let Keith know so he can get a sign up tonight for scouts
The Swansons will do Veterans day flags organization
We will figure out PV flags routes when we see about the Subscriptions
Sean suggested
That we split the flags money to boys equally among the boys who showed in the morning and the ones who showed in the evening. Swansons will talk with Dave about past history but it was also agreed that the change if happens will start at the new year along with assigning the boys flags for the whole year. Will discuss at next meeting
Advancements Report
joyce not here to report
Treasurer’s Report
Jen made motion to accept budget and Kathy second it
Other items
Table till next meeting for a time to recharter
oct 2 chic file fundraiser
Andrea will check into posters and times for boys it was agreed that all funds raised will go equally to all boys who work the fundraiser and then we will look at a percentage for next time going back to the Troop
Next Meeting – Tuesday October 9 – 630p
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One of the troop’s primary fundraisers for the scouts is a Flag subscription service in conjunction with the North Colorado Springs Rotary International Club. Subscribers pay to have an American Flag placed on 5 US Holidays and the boys earn money every time they place or remove a Flag. We had 30 homes that were subscribers that were destroyed by the Waldo Canyon Fire. The Rotary Club called all of those affected and offered a refund. All subscribers declined the refund and requested to continue service. This morning our scouts placed Flags at those sites and one homeowner even showed up to take a photo. Thank you to all of those homeowners that have chosen to continue supporting scouting.
Happy Labor Day everyone.
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Today, I made a few updates to the website, mostly technical so that the site runs smoothly and reliably. You’ll notice a slight change to the social media sharing buttons, which by the way, you’re encouraged to use to share blog posts to your social media pages like Facebook.
I also cleaned up the right side bar. It’s quite a bit cleaner now and should be easier to use.
There is also now a contact page with our contact information and an email contact form should anyone want to send us an email.
Right now, the site continues to cost the troop nothing thanks to free web hosting from DreamHost. I’ve donated the WordPress theme, so that costs the troop nothing, either.
You’ll notice in the ‘downloads’ section of the right sidebar that you can now download the troop directory. You have to have the Acrobat Reader program to open and view it. Most people’s computer should already have the reader. You will also need a password to open the directory, which of course, we’re not going to publish on this website. You’ll have to contact either me or a troop leader to get the password.
I’ll soon be updating the events section of the website once I have a firm list of upcoming events, so look for that feature to be up and working soon.
Cheers.
– swanie
P.S. BY THE WAY …
This website currently ranks #1 on Google for both “colorado springs boy scout troop” and “colorado springs venture crew” … just a nice little bonus, eh?
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Sunday, August 26, Boy Scout Troop 287 donated their time serving the needy at Sacred Heart pavilion.
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We had a great turn out for the BSA Troop 287 Court of Honor in August. The venture crew shared their photos of their Canada canoeing trip. The troop shared their photos from summer camp along with other outings this past year. MANY awards were given out, too many to mention here, but the troop is doing well to advance. Below are a few pics from the COH:
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Committee Meeting Minutes-August 14, 2012
Recorded by: Andrea Warner, Secretary
Present: Andrea Warner, Dan Rodriguez, Gina Swanson, Chris Swanson, Kathy Kaelin, Jen Jirous, Joyce Moore, Keith Moore, Tom Sharp
July meeting minutes approved unanimously
COH Planning: August 21st time change to 630pm Ice cream Social
Will start with the ice cream social then move into the court of honor. Slide show for Boundary waters and camp A. Gina suggested that Keith mention to the scouts to bring a friend like last year to help promote the troop. Jen will pick up all items needed for the social. Joyce will do the program: Program items include time frame of Ice cream social 630-7pm, Posting of colors 7pm, Kathy will talk about scout accounts, Jen will go over admin items, slide show, then the court of honor will begin.. Please arrive early for set up.
Scout master Report: Climbing camp out is cancel because of lack of scout sign up. Possible alternative will be a wilderness campout. Keith will report back to committee after talk with scouts. Kathy did camp research for next year, she gave print outs to Keith to look over and discuss with scouts, further discussion will be at future meetings. Keith mention additional fundraiser of Christmas tree sales, gave info to Jen to look into it further and then she will report back to committee.
Advancements Report: Joyce advise there were 7 board of reviews in the last 2 weeks and possible 4more after tonight’s meeting. Joyce suggested that it should only take 15 minutes for a board of review. She asked about having a meeting with the Knot Patrol to go over the procedures of the board of review to take back to the scouts so they are more prepared and know how it works. Joyce advised that she still needs blue cards and the rank advancements updated in Troop Master. Which then lead into a great discussion of the use of Troop Master. It was asked for the ASM to update troop master regularly but it was brought to the committee that it is just too much to stay on top of it along with their other duties. Chris Swanson suggested that the troop no longer use Troop master. There was a lot of back and fourth about it. Keith would like to see that it stays with the troop. Dan Suggested that it stays with the troop also and that it is a great resource if it use correctly and to keeps to scout standards. The final outcome is to keep it and have committee members take turns coming in once a month make copies of the boys books and update info into Troop master.
Treasure Report and Budget Planning: Kathy passed out the treasure report and went over it with the committee. The budget is still not finalized and has not been voted on yet. Further discussion at next committee meeting.
Flags Update: Light discussion but it was table till next meeting when more financial information will be available.
Equipment Update: Table to next meeting
Other items: Joyce advise that she found out that she found out that the Troop did pay for adult application and the balance of the recharter account is $18 which is where this comes out of. Committee agrees that the Troop no longer pays for any new adult application.
Dan Rodriguez will take on the duty of membership chair and the training chair. Youth protection training certificates are needed on all adult application when submitted. They cannot be submitted to council with out them.
Jen will make fliers for duty description that the troop is in need of and have them for the COH. Keith suggested that they also go on the website. There was talk about Dave having information about a welcome packet. Jen will contact Dave to get the information so it can be posted also on website and to give to parents.
Andrea will contact Chic fila about another spirit night for the Troop.
Next meeting: Tuesday Sept 11th 6pm
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Keith has scheduled a meeting for the “Knot Patrol” for this Thursday, 16 Aug, at 7pm at his house. The “Knot Patrol” is of course the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters but all adults are welcome to attend.
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The August campout for Climbing that was scheduled for 17 Aug-19 Aug or 24 Aug-26 Aug has been cancelled. We needed a minimum of 10 and only had 8.
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I am collecting photos for the upcoming court if honor. If you have any photos of scouting related events since the last COH please email them to northcscs@msn.com
The higher resolution the better! Please send no later than Friday, 17 August.
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