Thank you, scout parents! We had a very successful early registration for summer camp. Our Troop has 44 scouts (excluding our 8 graduating seniors). All but 9 of those scouts have signed up for one of our three summer outings. We have 23 scouts registered for Camp Mach. If you are the parent of one of the 9 scouts who have not signed up, there is still time! Sign up here.

The BSA has announced a “new” medical form. It’s similar to the old forms we’ve used in the past, but the revisions allow the same form to be used for summer camp, high adventure camp, and regular scouting activities. The form has to be updated by parents annually, and the best time to do so is before the scouts go to summer camp. For summer camp a physician’s exam is required (see Part C below). For the BSA high adventure camps (Philmont, Seabase, Northern Tier), Part D must also be completed.

Any scout (or leader) going to any of our summer outings should make an appointment for a physical exam in order to have the forms completed by June 30.

The form is available at:
http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/ahmr.aspx
You can download the form, fill it in, print it, and save an electronic copy for your files.

Parts A and B are required annually by participants in all Scouting events. This health history, parental/guardian informed consent and hold harmless/release agreement, and talent release statement is to be completed by the participant and parents/guardians.

Part C is to be completed for any event that exceeds 72 consecutive hours, for all high-adventure base participants, or when the nature of the activity is strenuous and demanding. Service projects or work weekends may fit this description. Part C is to be completed and signed by a certified and licensed health-care provider—physician (MD or DO), nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.

Part D is required to be reviewed by all participants of a high-adventure program at one of the national high-adventure bases and shared with the examining health-care provider before completing Part C.

The BSA’s frequently asked questions (FAQs) section, http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/Resources/MedicalFormFAQs.aspx, has been updated to reflect the changes in the form.

The bottom line: call your son’s physician and make an appointment. Print out the form, fill in as much of the form as you can, and take it with you to the appointment.

All scouts are cordially invited to an Eagle Court of Honor on Sunday, March 6, at 1:00 p.m., at the Township Hall. Scouts should be in full dress uniform. Please join us in honoring Sam Cox, Christian Flasza, Ben Mitchell, and Fitz Robling.

We will be setting up for the Pancake Breakfast on Thursday evening, March 4. We could use some of the older (and/or stronger) scouts and adults to help. If you are available, please come to the church at 7:00 p.m.

The Troop meeting next week is on Friday, March 5, at the Scout Cabin. This will be the first meeting for our new scouts.

1. Pancake Breakfast money is due tonight.

2. Payment for early registration for Camp Mach is due tonight.

3. Scouts who have been working on merit badges should turn in blue cards tonight in order to receive the badges at the 3/17 Court of Honor.

4. Briefing for parents tonight in the RPC Social Hall (downstairs) by Dr. Bonnette and a member of the RB Referendum Committee. Please come!

The Pancake Breakfast is the Troop’s largest fundraiser. All scouts have been assigned a time to work. The schedule is attached. If a scout is unable to work at his assigned time, he should make arrangements to trade times with another scout, and let Mrs. Jones know about the switch. Questions? E-mail Mrs. Jones at sue_jones@designpac.com.

Pack 24’s annual Blue & Gold banquet and Crossover ceremony will be held on Sunday, February 27. We need 16 boy scouts to participate in the crossover. Interested scouts should contact Mr. Payne (pain08@comcast.net) by Wednesday morning at 8:00 a.m.

The ceremony will take place at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, at the same place as it has been held for the past three years: Park Place, 6240 Joliet Road, Countryside.

February 24 will be the last chance for scouts to receive a Board of Review prior to the spring Court of Honor on March 17. If a scout needs a Board of Review, please contact our Scoutmaster ASAP.

The deadline for turning in Pancake Breakfast ticket money is Thursday, February 24. Please bring your money to the troop meeting on Thursday night, if you haven’t already turned it in. Reminder: all scouts are required to turn in $75 each for their allotted tickets. Thank You!