Skip to content. Skip to main navigation.
Troop 640
Hello Troop! At tomorrow’s meeting we will be finishing the Tenderfoot fitness requirements at the church. We will also be making plans to help recruit Webelos to join our Troop. If there’s extra time, we will do more game show questions.
Cooper P – SPL
A note from the Treasurer for those going to Philmont in 2026
If you are one of the 12 individuals signed up for the Philmont trip in 2026, please ensure that by Monday Sept. 29th, 2025 there is at least $787.50 in your Scout Account. The 2nd Payment for the Philmont trip is due on Oct. 1st, 2025. If there is insufficient funds in the Troop Account, I will not be able to make this payment.
As always, you can see your Scout Account balance by logging onto the Troop’s Website.
Money can be deposited into your account by cash, check or Zelle.
Thank You for your attention to this matter.
Tom F.
Hello Troop! At tomorrow’s meeting we will be doing a “makeup” meeting for Project Tenderfoot. I know that might sound boring, but we’re going to do it like a game show and have prizes for the winning teams.
Finally, since it is summer, we will be meeting outside in Class B.
Cooper P – SPL
By: Tom Finley
Scout Attendees:
Cooper P. (SPL)
Bjorn B. (ASPL)
Patrick H.
Nik F.
Colin F.
Carter T.
Liam G.
Lex S.
Carter G.
Zoehn B.
Zoe R.
Corri P.
Adult Attendees:
Tom Finley
Cynde Rothenberger
Daniel Burkard
Day 1 6/22/2024
We started our trip meeting at the church at 11:00 am. After loading the trailer and saying our goodbyes, we were on the road by 11:40am. After encountering some heavy traffic on I-25, we finally arrived at camp around 2:20 pm. We were greeted by our Troop Guide for the week Rockafeller. Daniel pulled the trailer up to our assigned campsite while the rest of the troop hiked up to our campsite, about ¾ of a mile. Along the way, Rockefeller took us to all the program areas, and we got to meet all the program directors.
After dinner, we got settled into our campsite and tents before heading to the amphitheater for the opening campfire where the camp staff put on a great show to welcome everyone to camp.
Day 2 6/23/2024
The first full day of camp started with Cooper playing “Reveille” on his trumpet to wake up the entire camp. After breakfast, the Scouts headed off for their first day of Merit Badges. After Merit Badges were completed, the Scouts enjoyed open program time. A few of the Scouts took advantage of special opportunities provided by the camp. Patrick participated in “Cowboy Action Shooting”. Nik and Bjorn did the Pulp and Paper Merit Badge in the handicraft lodge. Corri and Zoe worked on the Chess Merit Badge. Carter G. went to the Trapper’s Rendezvous area to earn his Totin’ Chip and Firem’n Chit.
At lights out, Cooper played “Taps” on his trumpet to put the camp to bed.
Day 3 6/24/2025
Tuesday started early for Cooper, Bjorn, Patrick and Cynde; they decided to take a sunrise hike to the top of Monster Mountain, so Cooper could play “Reveille” from the top of the mountain. The Troop handling opening flags, asked Cooper to assist with the flag ceremony by playing his trumpet. Throughout the day, the Scouts finished their first round of Merit Badges.
The evening activity for the camp was their famous Chuckwagon dinner and Hoedown. We were served a chili dinner out of the back of a historical chuckwagon. After dinner, there was line dancing, branding, lassoing, horseshoes, Old West Gear available for photos, and tug-o-war. The Scouts had a great time line dancing, and most of the Troop stayed until they turned off the music.
Once back at camp, Cooper again put the camp to bed by playing “Taps” on his trumpet.
Day 4 6/25/2025
Wednesday was the day of the Polar Plunge. Cooper, Bjorn, Patrick, and Cynde all got up early to jump in the lake. Zoe, Corri and Tom also went down to the lake, to watch and take pictures. After breakfast most Scouts started on their second round of Merit Badges. Instead of working on a Merit Badge during the morning session, Nik participated in ATV riding.
At lunch our Troop volunteered to lead the song, and the Scouts sang the “Bazooka Bubble Gum” song for the whole camp.
After dinner was the Troop campfire where all the Troops performed songs and skits for the entire camp. Our Troop performed the “Bear” song and the “New York Mugging” skit.
After the campfire, the entire Troop went on the Honor Trail hike where we all learned a deeper understanding of the Scout Law. For completing the Honor Trail hike, every member of the Troop received an upside down horseshoe pin that can be worn on the uniform. When we got back to camp, the hike led to a discussion amongst the Scout and Adults about what the Scout Law means to us and how we apply it in our lives. For me this was the highlight of the camp.
Day 5 6/26/2025
Just like on Tuesday, Cooper, Bjorn, Patrick and Cynde took a sunrise hike to the top of Monster Mountain, so Cooper could play “Reveille” from the top of the mountain.
At breakfast our Troop won the Spirit Stick by performing a version of “The Macarena” dance. Throughout the day, Scouts finished up the second round of Merit Badges. Cynde jumped in to teach Fish and Wildlife Management when the instructor for that class had to go to the emergency room. Zoehn caught a fish and cooked it and had it for dinner as part of Fly Fishing merit badge.
The Adults got a special steak dinner after regular dinner. The steak dinner is a way to recognize the Adults that take a week out of their lives to bring Scouts to camp.
Thursday is also the Night Hike, where all Adults and Scouts are welcomed to hike up Monster Mountain…with the option to sleep at the top. Cooper, Bjorn, Patrick, Lex, Liam, Zoe, and Carter G. all went on the hike. Zoe, Lex, Liam and Carter G. all chose to sleep at the top.
After the Night Hike, Patrick, Corri, Bjorn, Cooper, Carter T., and Cynde went to the Stargazing party.
Day 6 6/27/2025
On Friday, it was our Troop’s turn to lead the morning flag ceremony. Cooper played the trumpet, while Nik called the flag color guard. Patrick, Bjorn, Carter G., Lex, Liam and Carter T. all helped raise the flags. After the flag ceremony, our Troop won the Spirit Stick for a second day in a row with an Old West themed skit. Then without any prompting from the Adults, the Scouts decided to give the Spirit Stick to a smaller Troop that our Scouts befriended during the week. Those Scouts were ecstatic to have the Spirit Stick.
After breakfast all the Scouts scattered all around camp for open program time.
Corri, Carter G and Bjorns finished up their Space Exploration Merit Badge by firing rockets!
The afternoon activity in camp was the BDSR Rodeo Olympics. The Olympics consisted of Troops competing against each other in Tug-o-War, lassoing, and hobby horse barrel racing. Amazingly our Troop won the BDSR Rodeo Olympics.
The last activity in camp was the closing campfire / award ceremony. Several members of the Troop were recognized during the ceremony.
Day 7 6/28/2025
Cooper woke up the entire camp with “Reveille” at 6:00 am. Once we were awake, we all packed up our tents, and cleaned up the campsite. Rockefeller arrived at 7:00 am to check us out. After a quick stop in the dining hall to pick up our breakfast sacks, we hiked down to the parking lot and said goodbye to BDSR.
On our way home we stopped at Buccee’s for some snacks and a group photo with the Bucees truck.
We arrived back at the church by 11:00 am.
What a fantastic week of camp!
Photos are posted at the usual location on the website: https://www.bsatroop640.com/photos/
We leave for Summer Camp this coming Sunday 6/22. If you or your Scout(s) are attending Summer Camp, please come to the meeting this week on 6/16. We will be discussing all things Summer Camp, and I will be collecting forms.
I will need Medical Forms (signed by a doctor), Sunscreen Forms, Waivers, and Adult Reference Forms.
See you all there.
Monday, June 16th, we will be meeting back at the church/AHNS. I neglected to get the update from the SPL, so unfortunately I don’t have any other details. Since it is summer time now, we meet in Class B’s, outside. Please come if you can at our normal time!
Monday, June 9th, we will be meeting at Summit Ridge track at 6:30pm to work on fitness requirements for newer Scouts. Please bring appropriate outdoor games to play for those not working on fitness requirements or helping the younger Scouts. Wear your Class B’s if you have them now that we are into the summer!
Since taking over the role of Treasurer about 6 weeks ago, I have worked diligently to reconcile the Scout Accounts to accurately reflect all of the trips, activities and fund-raising that Scouts and Adults have participated in. I believe that I am finally up-to-date on all credits and charges.
On Monday (6/9) at about noon, I will send out Account Statements to all active members, and inactive members that show a balance; both positive and negative. (Note: If your balance is positive then you there is money to spend in the account, if your account is negative then you owe the Troop money)
If your Scout Account is negative, please consider participating in the upcoming Popcorn fundraiser.
As always, you can log into the Troop’s website at any time for a detailed breakdown of charges and credits to your account(s).
If there are any questions or concerns please let me know.
Tom
We are one month away from Summer Camp!
I hope everyone is working on Medical Forms.
I am hoping that ALL Scouts and Parents of Scouts attending camp this year can attend the meeting on June 16th so we can discuss all the logistics of camp and I can collect everyone’s medical forms and waivers. Please plan on making that meeting.
Thanks
Tom
Hello Troop! Tomorrow’s meeting will be an activity night at the Ridge Rec Center at 6:30pm. Anybody who needs a swim test for summer camp will be able to get it done then.
While this doesn’t apply to this meeting, since it is after Memorial Day, the rest of the meetings for the summer will be outside in Class B’s.
Cooper P – SPL