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Category: Camping

Ice Climbing Final Reminders

This weekend we head down to our annual Ice Climbing adventure! We plan to meet at the church at 5:00pm on Friday for a 5:30-ish departure. As always please come with a sack dinner that you can eat in the car on the way down. As a reminder, we passed on some tips from the camp on what to pack in the Event listing on the website. In addition, remember that even though we are sleeping in cabins that may have a portable heater, it will still get chilly/cold! So please pack accordingly. As always, layers are important! When we aren’t climbing, we will be hanging out on the lake, sledding (we have some but if you have one you want to bring, go for it!), and other general OUTDOOR activities, so BE PREPARED for any weather conditions. The current weather forecast for the area near camp is for sub-freezing temperatures the whole weekend with lows likely into the single digits and potentially some snow Saturday afternoon. Don’t forget that our website contains a lot of good resources on how to pack and prepare for cold weather adventures. Check out our basic packing list, this cold weather guide, and this list for your 10 Essentials.

Last year, we returned to the church around 11:15am – I would expect it to be similar this year but as always, Scouts will contact parents as we get close. Also, please double check with Mrs. Mackey before you leave from dropping off your Scout to ensure we have an up-to-date medical form filled out for your Scout. These forms expire every year and for this trip we need an active form A, B1, and B2 (i.e. we do NOT need form C with the doc signatures).

Bundle up and get ready for an excellent adventure! We will see you all Friday evening!

-Mr. Bielkiewicz
SMiC

Troop 640 Philmont Trek 2026

Yes, you read the title correctly, 2026.  Due to the popularity of Philmont Treks, we had to reserve out slot now for 2026.  This also gives us plenty of time to prepare for the adventure of lifetime.

An information session will be conducted at the Troop Meeting on Monday, 11 November. This is open for all interested Scouts and their parents. 

Philmont’s core and renowned backpacking treks provide an unforgettable adventure in backpacking across miles of rugged, rocky trails. Programs feature the best of the old west—horseback riding, burro packing, gold panning, chuckwagon dinners, and interpretive history—with exciting challenges for today such as rock climbing, mountain biking, and sport shooting. It’s an unbeatable recipe for fast-paced fun in the outdoors. 

As the traditional backpacking trek at Philmont, 12-day treks give crews the opportunity to hike for 10 days in the backcountry, with an arrival/departure day in Base Camp on each end of the journey. Crews will be welcomed and accompanied by a Philmont Ranger for their first 3 days and will participate in program activities throughout their trek. 12-day crews cover 50-120 miles over the course of their trek, and also complete the 3 hours of conservation work necessary to earn the Philmont Arrowhead Patch.

Our 12-Day expedition will arrive at Philmont on: 2026-06-21 and will depart Philmont on 2026-07-03.  The plan would be to leave Littleton very early on Sunday, June 21 and return before dinner on Friday, July 3.

The 12-Day Reservation fee is $1,725.00/person.  A crew requires a minimum of 3 adults, 21 years of age or older, with a maximum of 4 with the crew having a majority being youths.  Youth need to be 14 years old OR 13 years old and completed 8th grade by 2026-06-21.

The deposit for the trip is due on December 1st.  To ensure you get a spot, please reserve your spot by November 29th.

Last Chance to Sign Up for Ice Climbing!

As a reminder, we have to solidify numbers VERY soon for our Ice Climbing adventure at Camp Alexander in January. Please sign up today so we can book the appropriate cabins and space to actually climb! And, if we have a choice, let Mr. Bielkiewicz know if you prefer a day session (same as last year) or a night session! We only have a few signed up so far…don’t miss out on this awesome adventure!

P.S. Remember that Ice Climbing is only one aspect of this trip. Last year we had great cooking, ice fishing on the lake, broom ball/hockey, and sledding! So even if you don’t intend to Ice Climb (please note that in your signup), join us anyway!

2025 Cozumel Scuba Adventure Interest, Part 2

2024 Update: I would like to re-send this survey out as I get more serious about planning this trip. I’m thinking early to mid June makes the most sense so we really need to get cracking on Scuba Certification for those that will need it. I will check for group rates on that shortly. I will be in Cozumel soon and intend to coordinate a group deal (if possible) in person at that time. No commitment, but hopefully a firm price. But I would like to give a more accurate count of how many we might be bringing. Please fill out this form and reach out to Mr. Bielkiewicz directly if you have any questions beyond the scope of the form. And we will require Scouts participating in the Scuba to be 14 years old or completed the 8th Grade by the date of the trip. Thanks!


I would like to run a High Adventure Scout trip to Cozumel in Summer 2025 (Dates TBD) primarily to go scuba diving. I’ve found a resort that has all-inclusive packages which include diving for 7 nights at approximately $1200 per person, however we would have to work out some details such as if people aren’t Scuba Diving but want to go to the resort anyway and possibilities on group discounts if we bring enough folks. For now, just assume the price is around $1200 plus flights and other incidentals. Also, for those who are not certified to Scuba Dive yet, you would need to be fully certified prior to our departure and that component isn’t cheap or quick. However, this can be coordinated as a group to get certified which can be a lot of fun, including the required open water dives (can be done locally, in Blue Hole, NM, or at Homestead Crater, UT). Total cost can be around $700 for the classes and open water dives plus lodging if we do it out of town.

We realize this is an expensive trip, overall, and want to plan early so there’s plenty of fundraising opportunities. Since this would be classified as a High Adventure, Scouts participating would have to be 14 years old (or completed 8th Grade) but that includes most of our current Scouts since we’re almost 2 years out.

We want to get an idea of how many might be interested in such a trip/experience.

Treehouse Adventure Update – Later Time!

Due to our large group size, we couldn’t get a reservation at 9am and instead will be starting at 10am. We will therefore push our schedule by 1 hour, which means meeting at the church at 8:45am and departing NO LATER than 9am. If we are late, we lose that time climbing so please don’t be late! We plan to return around 1pm but do not intend to make a lunch stop so if you need a snack, please bring something along!

You MUST have a waiver completed before we arrive, please do that here: https://go.theflybook.com/manage/MKRETX#/lite

Also, gloves are not provided for climbing, if you feel you need them, please bring your own pair! Note that these should be leather-style work gloves, NOT ski gloves which will get torn to shreds 🙂

Treehouse Adventure – Sign Up Now!

This is your last chance to sign up for the Treehouse Adventure day (morning) trip on August 10th! Please sign up by Tuesday as ONLY those that are signed up will be able to attend as we have to pre-book our reservation. See the signup in the newsletter or on the Events tab on the website!

Fishing Trip Info!

The fishing trip is next weekend!  Here’s a few details for everyone that is signed up or thinking about signing up.  There’s still time to join us, but time is running out very fast! 

Waivers:  Wellington Lake requires everyone to sign a waiver.  No Exceptions!  Please complete the digital waiver at the link below.  When completing the form, we will be in campsite 60G, our departure date is 5/19/2024, and use your own vehicle information even if you aren’t camping with us as it’s a required field.

https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/e/SsJk99paiQ9eQrVPWaAtxS

Destination:  Wellington Lake, 21843 Stoney Pass Rd.,

Bailey, CO 80421

Meeting Location: Abiding Hope Nature School Parking Lot

Meet for Departure: 5/17/2024 at 5:00pm

Return:  5/19/2024 before 12pm

Weather:  Wellington Lake is at approximately 8,000ft elevation.  It will be a little chilly, so please plan accordingly.  Weather information for Wellington Lake can be found at the link below.

https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-105.36386489868163&lat=39.31434206489379

Fishing Regulations:  Wellington Lake is a private lake and fishing licenses are not required.  The lake is catch and release only.  The fine for killing a fish or not returning it to the water fast enough to survive is $50.  Only unscented artificial flies and lures may be used.  Live bait is prohibited.  Barbs on hooks must be crimped down.  Single hook lures are preferred.  Treble hooks will suffice as long as the barbs are crimped.

Fishing Gear:  Please bring your own fishing pole if you have one.  If you don’t have a pole, please contact Mr. Naber right away!  Scouts are welcomed and encouraged to bring their own fishing tackle as well, but it is not required.  The troop has purchased some dry and wet flies to fish with as well as some lures. Mr. Naber will teach scouts how to fish with artificial flies without using a fly fishing rod.  A pair of needle nose pliers can also be very helpful.

Canoeing Gear:  Everyone using a canoe must wear a personal floatation device (PFD).  No Exceptions.  We have several PFDs of varying sizes.  If you have your own PFD that you know fits you, please feel free to bring it with you if you want to do any canoeing.  Please keep in mind that canoeing weather dependant and is not guaranteed to take place.  

Questions?  Please feel free to contact Mr. Naber at  or at 720-840-5326.

Snow Sports Trip This Weekend!

UPDATED 12/5/2023

December 2023 Tubing Hill Night and Ski Day at Granby Ranch  

Friday December 15 530pm to late Saturday night

The plan is to gather at the church Friday at 530pm and leave soon after to go to the Fraser Tubing hill for 90 minutes of tubing action.  We will be spending the night indoors at a local church in Fraser (bring a sleeping pad and your lighter weight sleeping bag).  

 Saturday will be a full day of skiing at Granby Ranch.  We will depart after skiing Saturday for hom arrive between 6-7pm depending on traffic.

MUST DO PRIOR TO LEAVING FRIDAY 

  1. Rent Skis locally Friday (the ski rental shop at the mountain is expensive and chaotic, best to rent here around town at Christy Sports, Happy Sports Ski Rental, Epic Mountain or Breeze Ski Rental.) 
  2. Purchase your Scout’s lift ticket online at https://granbyranch.com/tickets-passes/ .  Each skier needs to have a liability waiver signed before purchasing the ticket, this can all be done online and the lift ticket picked up Saturday at the ski hill. 
  3. Sign and print liability form for Fraser Tubing Hill   http://nebula.wsimg.com/7b37f92d1cb1f7d7e35409e41ff22824?AccessKeyId=DCFD5220866A132B718D&disposition=0&alloworigin=1 

2024 Alaska High Adventure

Who is interested in high adventure in Alaska in July 2024?

Come Monday, October 16th to hear information about an Alaska trip in 2024. Will have pictures from previous trips and discuss what possibilities are available for this adventure!  I can answer any questions people may have.

See you Monday the 16th.

Old Gray (Mr Johnson)

Fall/Winter Campout Signups – Update

Update! We have added more campouts to the Events page on the website. Note that only the most recent events will usually have direct links in the newsletter – everything else is on the website. For a refresher on signing up, check out the article in our New Scout Corner.

We’ve added December’s annual ski trip (moved from the usual January spot) and the planned ice climbing adventure at Camp Alexander in January. Signups for the latter are coming very soon so we’d love to have an idea of how many Scouts are interested in the amazing activity. Note that both trips will be spent indoors. The ski trip is dependent on us finding a place to stay – preferably the same church we used last year. Stay tuned!


We are trying to be more proactive with our planning and registration of our campouts so you will see more and more events posted on the website and linked in the newsletter. We currently have campouts open for signups through November and will continue to add our winter campouts in the coming weeks. Please sign up as soon as you know you want to attend – while we don’t like to see people cancel, it can be done (easier if you create an account on the Events page and use that for your signups). Note that for “far out” adventures, the itinerary and times listed are estimates and are subject to change as we get closer to the event. Thanks everyone and Camp On!

-Mr. Bielkiewicz
ASM of Proactive Programming

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