Troop 873 is an established Boy Scout Troop founded in 2002 in Highlands Ranch. We are an active member of the Black Feather District of the Greater Colorado Council. Troop 873 is proud to be chartered by Grace Presbyterian Church in Highlands Ranch, but the faith backgrounds of our scouts and families are varied, and it is not necessary for you or your Scout to be affiliated with any particular religion. Many of our families will tell you that this is one of the best things about Troop 873!
Contact Us
For General Information: boyscouttroop873@gmail.com
For New Scout / Membership Information: recruit873@gmail.com
Adult Leaders
Troop 873 is considered youth-led as youth leaders make the major decisions about activities, advancement opportunities and programs. However, the Troop does have adult leaders who help guide the youth leaders and set an example of leadership through coaching, financial soundness, and a safe environment for the scouts to gain experience. Troop 873’s Key-3 adult leaders are:
- Scoutmaster – Ryan Page
- Committee Chair – Christopher Braga
- Chartered Org Representative – Sandy Hunt
Meetings
Troop 873 holds meetings weekly. Troop meetings are held the first three Mondays of the month at 7:00 PM. Typically, Troop meetings are held at either Ranch View Middle School, Grace Presbyterian Church, or a local park. The fourth Monday of each month is reserved for the Patrol Leader’s Council (“PLC”) and Parent Meetings. The Parent Meetings are where the troop parent committee meets to address non-program issues surrounding the troop, like managing troop funds, fund-raising activities, membership drives and cub scout pack coordination, activity permits and event coordination, advancement records, procurement, and maintenance of troop equipment.
Camping
Camping and outdoors are a major part of scouting. Troop 873 typically offers 10-12 camping opportunities each year for a total of 18-20 nights of camping between January and October. Most camping trips are short-term (2-3 nights) weekend trips, but we always strive to have at least one long-term (6 nights) trip every year. This is either as a traditional Boy Scout summer camp and/or a high adventure trip. To see videos from some of our summer camps click here for 2018 and here for 2019.
Typical short-term destinations for Troop 873 include:
- Camp Tahosa
- McNeil Scout Ranch at Peaceful Valley
- Leadville Ski Trip (ski/snowboard + stay in hostel)
- Camp Alexander
- Chatfield, Golden Gate Canyon, or other state park
- White Water Rafting at Royal Gorge or Buena Vista
- Mystery/Adventure campouts (ziplining, mountain biking, kayaking/SUP, hot springs)
- Fourteener hikes
- District and Council Camporees @ Peaceful Valley
- Great Sand Dunes National Park
- Rifle shooting/camping @ Peaceful Valley
For our long-term camping trips, we typically try to alternate our traditional summer camps between Colorado camps and out of state camps every other year. We also try to schedule a high adventure trip every other year. Past long-term trips for Troop 873 have included:
- 2023 – Camp Alexander, Lake George, CO
- Florida Sea Base National High Adventure Base, Islamorada, FL
- 2022 – Melita Island Scout Camp, Flathead Lake, MT
- San Isabel Scout Ranch, Beulah, CO
- 2021 – Camp Chris Dobbins at PVSR, Elbert, CO
- 2020 – Florida Sea Base National High Adventure Base, Islamorada, FL
- 2019 – Medicine Mountain Scout Ranch, Custer, SD
- 2018 – Ben Delatour Scout Ranch, Red Feather Lakes, CO
- Tahosa Trek at Tahosa High Adventure Base, Ward, CO
- 2017 – Camp Buffalo Bill, Cody, WY
- 2016 – San Isabel Scout Ranch, Beulah, CO
- 2015 – Camp Dietler at Peaceful Valley Scout Ranch, Elbert, CO
- Florida Sea Base National High Adventure Base, Islamorada, FL
- 2014 – Medicine Mountain Scout Ranch, Custer, SD
- 2013 – Camp Dietler at Peaceful Valley Scout Ranch, Elbert, CO
- 2012 – Medicine Man Scout Ranch, Custer, SD
- 2011 – Camp Jeffrey at Ben Delatour Scout Ranch, Red Feather Lakes, CO
- Florida Sea Base National High Adventure Base, Islamorada, FL
- 2010 – Camp Buffalo Bill, Cody, WY
- 2009 – Camp Dobbins at Peaceful Valley Scout Ranch, Elbert, CO
- 2008 – Camp Dietler at Peaceful Valley Scout Ranch, Elbert, CO
- Northern Tier National High Adventure Base, Ely, MN