We need a medical form for every scout. So even if your scout is not going to Camp Mach, please follow the instructions on the website for Camp Mach medical forms, and send your scout’s medical form to Stephanie Lanken by 7/10.

The deadline for the Forestry outing is this Thursday, 5/8.  If your scout is not coming to the meeting (please see the scoutmaster’s e-mail) he can bring the permission slip with him to the outing.  It is from 9 to 12 at Scottswood Commons in Riverside.  Scottswood Commons is the green space that runs down the middle of Scottswood.  Please notify a leader when you drop your scout and when you pick him up, and give them the permission slip.  If your scout has other commitments he can work at any time in the 9 to 12 timeframe.  He should wear his uniform or the troop 24 t-shirt, wear work gloves and bring a water bottle. 

First-year scouts should attend the Troop Meeting on Thursday, May 8 at the regular time:  7:00 to 8:15 p.m., and regular place (the gym).

Scouts whose names were listed in Mrs. Gustafson’s e-mail should arrive for Troop Leadership Training at 6:30 p.m..  Pizza will be served and the training should be done by 8:30-9:00 p.m.   This meeting will take place in the upstairs “Parlor” of the church.

Scouts who are not in one of these two categories do not need to attend unless they are working to “catch up” with their patrol due to joining at a later date.

All scouts who will be attending Camp Mach should review the list of Merit Badge classes offered, which can be found on pages 21-24 of the Camp Mach Handbook. The schedule for the Merit Badges is on pages 27-28. It’s Troop 24 policy that First Aid not be completed at camp. The shooting sport merit badges are only available for older scouts. All first year scouts should sign up for “Brownsea” also known as “First Year Camper.” If you have any questions about the merit badge classes, please discuss them with Mr. Ringbloom or Mrs. Gustafson.

Troop 24’s Spring Court of Honor will be held on Thursday, May 29 at 7:00.   Completed “Blue Cards” for merit badge work should be turned in to Mr. Jantze as soon as possible.

We will have a meeting about Camp Mach on June 3 at 7:00 in the Social Hall at Riverside Presbyterian Church.  All scouts going to Camp Mach, and parents of 1st year campers, are required to attend.

Every scout attending Camp Mach needs to have a current medical form. Forms can be downloaded. The part labeled “Class 1″ is to be filled out by a parent annually. The part labeled “Class 2″ is to be filled out by a doctor and must be done every three years. In other words, if your son has had an exam within the past 3 years, depending on your physician’s policy, you may be able to have the form filled out by asking the doctor’s office to do so without making an appointment for an exam. However, if you need to make an appointment, this is just a reminder to do so to be sure you have the form completed in time for camp. Forms should be turned in at a Troop meeting or dropped off at Nancy Hopkins’ house no later than July 10.

Just a reminder, if your son normally takes medication during the school year, it is BSA policy that he take that medication while attending summer camp. The medications will have to be disclosed on the medical form and given to a leader to bring up to camp. There is a medical officer on staff who will administer the medications. If you have any questions regarding meds at camp, we will try to answer them at the Camp Mach meeting.

The May 10 outing is open to all scouts, whether or not they are working on the forestry badge.  As with all outings, we will need parents to help.  Please let Pat know if you can help at darohms@att.net.  

The deadline for the discounted Camp Mach rate for our new scouts is April 30, so permission slips and a check for $200 must be turned to Nancy Hopkins by April 29. (The regular rate is $225.) If you need the address or directions to drop off the form, please e-mail. The permission slip can be downloaded here. Last year all of our new scouts attended Camp Mach, and we hope to have as good a turnout this year. It looks like a bus will be available, but we will not know the price until we know how many boys are going. Please don’t delay in registering! Also, medical forms are available here. A form is required for every scout.