On September 18, the Troop is participating in Scoutfest in Chicago. If you are not able to attend Scoutfest, scouts may consider attending the Scoutorama being held at the Brookfield Zoo on the same day. If you are a member of the zoo, admission to the Scoutorama is free. If you are not a zoo member, you may wish to purchase admission tickets through the DesPlaines Valley Council, which will include a Scoutorama patch. (Zoo members who get in free can buy the patch for $5). For more information about the Scoutorama, see the Des Plaines Valley Council’s website.

The Troop Committee will meet on Tuesday, September 14, at 7:00 p.m. in the Westminster Room at RPC (downstairs across from the Social Hall). The Pack will be having its first meeting of the year at the same time, so parking will be tight. You can download a copy of the agenda to print here.

AGENDA Troop Committee Meeting,
Tuesday, September 14, 2010 7:00 p.m.
Riverside Presbyterian Church
Westminster Room

Minutes
Approve minutes from the June meeting

Budget
Review finance reports

Reports

• Scoutmaster – Michael Payne
• Venture Crew – Pat/Nick Rohm
• Eagle Committee – Garey Potamianos
• Advancement – Renee Olszewski
• Popcorn – Renee Ricchio
• Outdoor Activities – Dawn Gmitro
  Kennedy-Nixon Debate – Sept. 26
  EAA – Oct. 2-3
  Shooting outing – Oct. 2
  CROP Walk – Oct. 17
  VT Camporee – Oct. 22-24 – Historical exhibits, Historic Troop flag, Historic tent set-up, Historic merit badges (can we provide any counselors?), Chaplain aide needed for Sunday service
  Advance Planning/Assistance needed for events November onward
• High Adventure (Apostle Islands & future events) – Jim Ringbloom

Old Business
Report on Seabase – Jim Ringbloom

New Business

• Online payment proposal for troop outings
• Wreath-laying at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery – December 11 – Rich Buffo
• Volunteer needs – Hospitality, Adult Training, Quartermaster, Summer Camp Coordinator, Fundraising?

Dates

October Roundtable – October 13 – Ideal School, Countryside
Next Committee Meeting – October 5 – RPC Westminster Room

Upcoming Training Opportunities

• Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) 10/1-3/10
• Merit Badge Counselor Orientation 10/14/10
• Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) 10/16/10
• Cub Scout Leader Specific Training 10/18/10
• Chartered Organization Representative Training 10/23/10
• Okpik Winter Adventure Training – Part 1 10/24/10

Thanks to those parents who were able to attend our parent meeting on September 10. For those of you who had conflicts, we have paperwork that you need to fill out and sign, and we will get those forms to you through your scout’s attendance at a Troop Meeting, or deliver them to your home. It’s very important that we get the information & your signatures on those forms so that we can offer online registration for Troop events. Thanks for your cooperation in returning the forms to us as quickly as possible.

A few parents did not know their spouses’ drivers license numbers. Please e-mail the missing license numbers to Nancy Hopkins.

On Sunday, September 26, Troop 24 scouts will have the opportunity to accompany Mr. Robling to the Union League Club of Chicago for a special program commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Kennedy-Nixon Debate, the first televised presidential debate in our history.

The program, moderated by Bill Kurtis, will feature remarks by Ald. Ed Burke, Newton Minow (former FCC Chairman and original debate negotiator) and Sander Vanocur (original debate journalist). In addition to these speakers, the program includes rare behind the scenes footage of the debate, first person reflections from both Kennedy and Nixon, and a 1960’s-style hors d’oeuvre buffet.

The cost is $50. Checks made payable to Troop 24 should be dropped off at a troop meeting, or to Dawn Gmitro. To register, fill out our online Kennedy-Nixon Debate form. Scouts and parents are both welcome. Scouts should wear their uniforms. The deadline to register is Wednesday, September 22. Questions about the event should be directed to Chris Robling.

Interested scouts may want to view an online exhibit about the history of televised presidential debates prior to the event: http://www.museum.tv/debateweb/html/index.htm

The Chicago Area Council of BSA is sponsoring ScoutFEST 100, a festival to celebrate the centennial year of the Boy Scouts of America. The event will be held on Northerly Island (area where Meigs Field used to be). Scouts from everywhere are welcome to attend this once in a lifetime event.

During the day, ScoutFEST will include a midway of activities and exhibits. Exhibitors from organizations and companies that work with Scouts will be there showcasing the opportunities they have for Scouts. Scouts can take part in activities such as rock climbing, fishing, obstacle courses, exploring Sea Scout ships and more.

There will be a concert in the evening at the Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island featuring the hit recording artist Smash Mouth. Smash Mouth is known for their hits “All Star” and “Walkin’ on the Sun” as well as famous covers of popular songs such as “I’m a Believer.” The stage show will be capped off with a spectacular fireworks show over Lake Michigan.

Troop 24 will be participating in this event (8:00 a.m. to approximately 10:30 p.m.). The cost is $35 per scout. Our leaders for the event are Mrs. Lanken, Mr. Ringbloom, and Mr. Olszewski. To register for this event, please fill out the online Scoutfest Form. Payment can be dropped off at the parent meeting on Friday, September 10 at 7:15 at RPC, or to Dawn Gmitro. More information about the event is available on the Chicago Area Council website.

Ben M’s Eagle Project will take place on Sunday, September 19, at the Scottish Home. The project consists of laying sod in two areas, and replanting two planters. Scouts can volunteer for 2-hours shifts: 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m. to noon, 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Volunteers should bring work gloves. Metal rakes and hand trowels are also needed. Scouts should contact Ben to let him know what shift they can work. The permission slip, which must be signed by a parent, is available here as a pdf.

We will have a brief parent meeting for Troop 24 parents on Friday, September 10, at 7:15 p.m. at Riverside Presbyterian Church. Please drop your scout off at the Scout Cabin at 7:00 for the Troop meeting/Camp-out and come to the church. We’ll review our Troop calendar for the year, and we have some forms that parents need to sign. We hope to see you on Friday!

Congratulations to Christian Flasza, who became Troop 24’s most recent Eagle Scout on September 2!