Troop 24 has made reservations for 30 at the Illini Jamboree, in Rantoul, IL from 9/12 through 9/14. The highlight of this outing is seeing an Illini game! For this reason, the cost is $60.00. The permission slip is due no later than Thursday, 9/4, our first meeting. Once the 30 slots are filled, no more will be accepted, so get your permission slip to Pat Rohm ASAP! See http://www.prairielandsbsa.org/ for information.

Save the date: Voyageur Trace Camporee is 10/10 – 10/12. The theme is Olympics!

A message from one of our fearless Camp Mach leaders . . .  “Everyone made it safe and sound to camp.  The mosquitos aren’t as bad as we thought.  Aside from a few bouts of mild homesickness, all the boys are having a great time, keeping busy and learning alot.”

Don’t forget that scouts travel in full Class A uniforms (including neckerchiefs and hat, but no sash). They will be wearing their uniforms for breakfast and dinner every day at camp.

If your scout forgets anything, or if you need to send something to him at camp, John Plunkett will be leaving for camp early Wednesday morning. He is willing to take items up if he gets them by Tuesday evening. Please contact John if you need to send anything up to Camp Mach.

Please plan to be at the Riverside Presbyterian Church between 7:00 and 7:15 a.m. on Sunday.  The bus will begin loading at 7:00, and will depart promptly at 7:30.  Please be on time!

For the return to Riverside on August 2, the bus is scheduled to leave Camp Mach at 9:00 a.m.  The leaders on the bus will let us know the approximate arrival time when they’re close to home, but the trip takes approximately 6 hours by car, so expect a late afternoon return.

Last year was the only year in recent memory with no rain at Camp Mach. Although it’s too early to tell, the forecast for next week’s weather at Camp Mach looks great – a high of 74-79 degrees each day, with a chance of rain on Wednesday night. Check Accuweather.

This is just a reminder of some items of importance for Camp Mach.

• Please pack your swimsuit near the top or outside of your bag. Swimming tests will be given on Sunday afternoon, probably before camp is completely set up. Everyone is required to take the swim test to determine swimming level.
• Pack rain gear in an accessible location in case it’s necessary to set up camp in the rain.
• Bring mosquito repellent and sunscreen!
• Either bring a lunch on the bus, or money for lunch at a fast food restaurant on the way to camp. A snack might be good as well.
• No aerosol cans of any type are allowed at camp (includes sunscreen, deodorant, and insect repellent). This is a safety issue, so please make sure your scout complies.
• No mess kits are required, but each scout should bring a cup or other type of drinking utensil, which will be used at all meals.
• Scouts going rafting need money for the raft trip
• Scouts in basketry, leathercraft, and woodcarving need money to buy the kits
• All scouts might want some cash for the Trading Post (t-shirts, etc.)
• Bring OLD clothes for the bog hike (preferably clothes that can be discarded)
• Don’t forget mosquito netting
• For the sake of the group, please encourage your scout to use deodorant if they don’t shower daily (which is very unlikely!)
• Troop 24 will be in the Black Oak campground

Any questions? Contact Nancy Hopkins

One of the highlights of Camp Mach for most scouts is the bog hike.  This is an optional event, about 45 minutes long, and is a hike led by camp staff through the bog.  Scouts return from the bog hike covered in mud, which they wash off, Huckleberry Finn-style, by “doing their body washing in the river (lake).”  (They later take a shower.)  Please send OLD clothes & shoes for the bog hike, preferably ones that can be discarded after the hike.  Your scout can bring them home, of course, but you may not want them after they’ve been through the bog, the lake, and stayed wet for several days afterward…

The mosquitos are reported to be ferocious at Camp Mach this year. In addition to insect repellant (NON-AEROSOL), campers should have mosquito netting. It’s usually available at REI (http://www.rei.com/product/729006) but they may be sold out. It’s also available at Sports Authority and probably other outdoor stores. Instructions for making a mosquito frame can be found on our website here. If you have any questions about the instructions for building the frame, please contact Ray.

All of our leaders should have completed Youth Protection Training before attending Camp Mach. It’s likely you have already done so, but new BSA guidelines require the training to be repeated every 2 years. To take the course or to see the status of your training certificates, visit http://olc.scouting.org/ The online class takes only about 20-30 minutes to complete. If you do not complete the class online (recommended), you will have an opportunity to take the class at camp.

Parents: you may have wished you had the time available to go to Camp Mach. Since one of our adult leaders is going for a half-week, we have the other half-week available to you! If you are interested in attending Camp from July 27-July 30, please contact Nancy Hopkins ASAP.