Everyone likely has other things on their minds, but please take a few minutes to discuss with your scout(s) the Muskegon Luge (January 8-9) and Eagle Cave (January 14-16). We have reserved (and paid for) 25 spots for the Luge and 20 for Eagle Cave. If we are not going to fill those, we need to know soon to try to negotiate a partial refund. Please don’t wait until the last minute to sign up.

Sign up for the Luge.
Sign up for Eagle Cave.

Congratulations to 22 of our scouts, who sold over $9,000 worth of popcorn this year. Top sellers were (1) Jimmy S, (2) Elijah O, and (3) Glen Q. Thanks to our popcorn kernel, Mrs. Ricchio, for chairing this fundraiser. Scouts who sold popcorn have had their “popcorn accounts” credited. Parents can view the popcorn accounts on the Members Only section of our website. If you don’t know (or have forgotten) the user name & password, please contact Nancy Hopkins at nmhopkins1@comcast.net.

You may want to read an article in National Geographic about the influence Boy Scouting had on one former scout:

http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/traveler-magazine/unbound/boy-scouts/

Troop 24 is planning to prepare peanut butter & jelly sandwiches and vegetable beef soup to support RPC’s Night Ministry Program. During our regularly scheduled Troop meeting on Thursday January 13, scouts will be making sandwiches and soup for 200 people for the Night Ministry delivery the next day. We need food donations and parents to help during this meeting. Please sign up to donate and help. Scouts should bring the food to the meeting or drop it off in the RPC kitchen before the meeting. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Thursday, December 16, 7:00 p.m. – All parents and scouts who are interested in Philmont should attend the meeting TONIGHT at RPC.

Friday, December 17, 7:00 p.m. – Holiday party at the Scout Cabin – bring a snack to share if possible.

Sign-up is now open for the Muskegon Luge (January 8-9) and Eagle Cave (January 14-16) trips.

Troop 24 is planning an overnight outing to Eagle Cave in Blue River, Wisconsin, leaving on Friday, January 14. Scouts will leave from RPC between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. (The time will be determined once drivers are established.) Scouts will return to RPC on Sunday, January 16, around 1:00 p.m.

The cost for this outing is $60.

The adult leaders in charge will be Roman Salij and Jerry Jones. We need at least two additional adults to drive to & from the cave. Due to the distance, we assume those adults will also be staying.

The deadline for signing up for the outing is 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 11. There are a limited number of tickets.

Scouts will be exploring and sleeping in a cave. In addition to their regular gear (sleeping bag, sleep pad, clothes) scouts should bring two ground cloths or tarps to keep them dry while sleeping. Additionally, scouts may choose to bring a small sled and clothing needed to go sledding. Contact Dawn Gmitro at dmgmitro@aol.com with questions.

Please register by filling out our online form for each scout AND each adult attending.

Troop 24 is planning an overnight outing to the Muskegon Luge (www.msports.org/luge) at Muskegon State Park in Muskegon, Michigan, on Saturday, January 8, 2011.

Scouts will learn to luge on a 850-foot Olympic training luge track. Scouts can reach speeds of up to 25-30 miles per hour and must be able to carry their sleds back to the top of the luge track. Scouts should not wear new or nylon coats to luge as they may get torn on the track. If time allows, scouts may have the opportunity to ice skate or tube. Please send extra money if your scout may want to participate in these activities. Scouts should also bring a snack and money for lunch. The Troop will be staying at a hotel with a pool. Scouts should bring a bathing suit. Rooms will have 4 scouts per room. No leaders will be in the scouts’ rooms. As with all outings, appropriate behavior is expected.

The adult leaders in charge will be Mike Payne and Ray Rogers. We need 3 additional adults to drive, stay overnight, and chaperone. Adults who plan to attend should fill out the online registration form. Please note in the Comments section whether you plan to luge.

Scouts should be dropped off at RPC at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 8, and will return to RPC around 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 9, 2010. The cost for this outing is $80. The deadline for signing up for this outing is 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 4. There are a limited number of tickets, so please register and pay as soon as possible.

Please fill out a separate form for each scout and each adult attending. The Muskegon Sports Complex requires each participant to complete a waiver form and provide proof of medical insurance in order to luge. Please print and complete the waiver, available at http://www.msports.org/luge/luge-waiver/, make a copy (front and back) of your medical card and turn both in by the deadline, either at a Troop meeting, or to Dawn Gmitro (140 Riverside Road or dmgmitro@aol.com). Scouts will not be allowed to luge without this paperwork, and no refunds can be given.

In addition to the paperwork required by the Muskegon Luge, please fill out our online form for each scout AND each adult leader attending.

Contact Dawn Gmitro at dmgmitro@aol.com with questions.