The May overnight to St. James Farm has been cancelled, but in its place the boys will have the chance to attend the Scout-O-Rama as a day outing on May 15. The permission slip for this outing is due Friday, May 7. For additional information, see Three Fires Council Scout-o-Rama.

For first-year scouts who need an overnight to be eligible to attend summer camp, another overnight outing is possible, and details will be forthcoming.

Troop 24’s next overnight outing will be May 14-16.  We will be camping at St. James Farm, now part of the DuPage Forest Preserve, and originally  a retreat of the McCormick family.  This outing,  a “Scout-a-rama and Camporall” is sponsored by the Three Fires Council, celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the BSA.  More information is available here about the events at the Scout-a-rama.

Fifth grade scouts planning to attend summer camp at Owasippe must attend at least one overnight outing.  This will be the last opportunity to do so before Owasippe. (Those who went to Rochelle last weekend have completed this prerequisite.)

The permission slip is available here.  The absolute deadline to sign up is THIS THURSDAY, May 19.  Permission slips, with $35 attached (checks made out to Troop 24), can be turned in at the Troop meeting, or dropped off to Lisa Buffo.  Questions?  Contact Lisa.

The Troop will NOT be participating in the High Adventure Expo scheduled for the weekend of May 1.

Eagle Scout is the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America. Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than 2 million young men. The title of Eagle Scout is held for life, thus giving rise to the phrase “Once an Eagle, always an Eagle.”  Requirements for Eagle include earning at least 21 merit badges and demonstrating Scout Spirit through the Boy Scout Oath and Law, service, and leadership. This includes an extensive service project that the Scout plans, organizes, leads, and manages.

During this school year two of our scouts completed their Eagle Projects (Elliot L and Peter F), and two scouts attained the Eagle rank (Dennis P and Peter F).  This spring three more of our scouts have Eagle projects (Sam C, Fitz R, and Christian F). The projects require a great deal of work on the part of the Eagle candidate, but they also require assistance from adult mentors, parents, and especially the other boys in the Troop. In return, the boys who work on the Eagle projects are credited with service hours, which are needed for advancement in the various boy scout ranks. Help is needed from our scouts on the following dates:

To volunteer for these dates, contact Sam C or Fitz R.

Records of Eagle Scout awards at the Council are incomplete, but we know that at least 63 scouts from Troop 24 have earned the rank of Eagle, with the earliest known in 1927. Nationally, only 2% of scouts attain the rank of Eagle Scout. Troop 24’s percentage is much higher.

Photos from the Rochelle Camporee are available on our photo gallery.

Thanks to everyone who responded to our survey about summer camp plans. The results were:
30 Yes
15 No
6 Undecided
18 NO RESPONSE

If you were one of the 18 “No Response” families, you can still let us know your plans by e-mail to Nancy Hopkins.

Thanks to your responses we have an idea of the number of scouts who will need transportation to Owasippe. You still need to officially register your scout and pay for camp, as the Troop needs to send our payment to the Chicago Area Council before the end of May. Summer camp registration forms and payment ($265 made out to Troop 24) are due by May 20. Bring the form to a troop meeting, or drop it off to Nancy Hopkins.

Contrary to what the permission slip indicated, scouts do not need to bring a mess kit to the Camporee this weekend. Please send a drinking cup with your scout, however.

We have 28 boys going to the Camporee. Accuweather shows a high of 60 and a low Saturday night of 31 degrees. Be sure your scout takes enough to stay warm and extra clothes should he get wet.

Scouts going on Friday: Be at RPC at 4:45; we leave at 5:00 p.m., and make sure you eat before you come.

Scouts going on Saturdy: Be at RPC NO LATER than 6:50 a.m.; we leave at 7:00 a.m. (sharp), and make sure you eat before you come. Saturday drivers to the Camporee are Cindy Andersen, Rob Corrigan, Cathy Gryczan and Joe Ourth/Nancy Hopkins.

The last date to turn in registration forms for summer camp at Owasippe (July 4-10) will be Thursday, May 20. So far, we have 28 boys who have indicated that they will be attending summer camp. Based on those numbers we will be working on getting a bus to transport our scouts. Our earlier Feedblitz did not include a registration form. You can download it here:
Owasippe Registration Form

The form should be accompanied by a check for $265 made out to Troop 24. Additional fees may be required, depending on which activities your scout(s) sign up for. Those payments can be made later, and more information will be forthcoming. Forms with checks attached can be turned in at the Troop meetings, or dropped off to Nancy Hopkins. (Slide it through the mailbox that goes into the house.)

More information about Owasippe can be found here:
Owasippe Welcome Packet

All scouts attending summer camp must submit a medical form, which must be signed by a doctor. Also required is a copy of the parent(s)’ insurance card, both front and back. BSA Medical Forms are good for 12 months, so most of those turned in for camp last year will expire before this year’s camp begins. Please make your appointment for a physical now! The Chicago Council, which sponsors Owasippe, uses a modified version of the national BSA form. Please do NOT print a medical form from the Des Plaines Valley Council or the national BSA websites. You MUST use this form:
Owasippe Medical Form

A separate waiver is required for horseback riding. If you’re not sure whether your scout will participate in horseback riding, please just fill it out and turn it in to be safe.
Horseback Riding Waiver

Still have questions? Contact Nancy Hopkins.

First, thanks to all of you that have agreed to drive! Without you this trip will not be possible for the boys!

SATURDAY DRIVERS – DEPARTING FROM the Church @ 7:00AM – ARRIVE at Church at 6:45AM – 6:50AM. – DO NOT BE LATE or you many NOT HAVE A RIDE!

A. REMEMBER to bring your gear: AT LEAST Sleeping bag, clothes, Flashlight.
B. IF your child has medications to take, please pack the medication on the top of your son’s pack and make sure a leader gets them!

Boys leaving for Camporee on SATURDAY MORNING are 16 total:
Dima A., Scott A., Andy C., Joe Du., William F., Garrett J., Derek J., Michael Geo., Dylan G., Jack Lu., Abraham O., Elijah O., Glen Q., Jimmy S., Spencer W., Sam Z.,

They will be traveling with these adults:

Cindy Andersen Can fit 5 passengers – already assigned to her vehicle – Scott, Derek, Glen and Michael Geo. – Can fit 1 (maybe 2) more.

Rob Corrigan Can fit 3 passengers – already assigned to his vehicle – Andy C. – Can fit 2 more

Nancy Hopkins Can fit 4 passengers – already assigned to her vehicle – Abraham, Elijah, Dima, Jack L. – FULL

Cathy Gryczan Can fit 6 passengers – already assigned to her vehicle – Dylan – Can fit 5 more

Please confirm back if I have missed any boy that is planning to depart on Saturday MORNING for the Camporee. The plan is when the drivers come back Sunday to pick up the boys, they will RETURN back to the church with the SAME boys they had in their car.

FRIDAY NIGHT – Leave Church at 5:00 PM

We have 12 boys leaving for Camporee on FRIDAY:
Daniel D., Casey G., Erik H., Joey J., Brian Le., Jack Le., Charlie M., Josh R., Joe R., Andrew S., Nick S., David S.

Mike Payne – Can fit 3
Jim Ringbloom – Can fit 4 – WILL NOT BE DRIVING BACK ON SUNDAY
Ray Rogers – Can fit 4
Roman Salij – Can fit 5

Questions? Contact Ray Rogers

Congratulations to Troop 24’s newest Eagle Scout, Peter Falk!