Scouts who just crossed over have until Thursday, March 24, to sign up for Camp Mach at the reduced price of $265. They can sign up later–up until sometime in May–but the price after tomorrow will be $290. Six of the 5th grade scouts have already signed up.

To sign up: http://troop24riverside.com/2011/02/camp-mach-form/
To pay online: https://www.wepay.com/tickets/view/131963
(Scouts can also bring a check for $265, made out to Troop 24, to the meeting on Thursday.)

Scouts who plan to attend summer camp should have at least one night of camping experience without a parent. Cantigny counted, as will the Spring Camporee, April 15-17. The deadline to sign up for the Camporee is April 6.

Reminder: The Philmont Crew will be hiking at Waterfall Glen on Saturday. (Not all of you have registered!). Younger scouts can sign up until 8:00 p.m. tonight. We have 2 leaders who have committed to attend with the non-Philmont scouts. The forecast for Saturday is a high of 32 degrees, cloudy, and a chance of snow flurries. This outing is required for Philmont scouts. Younger scouts will be able to complete Second Class requirement (1b) of a 5-mile hike using a compass and map. Participants should eat prior to the outing, but should bring water bottles.

To sign up: http://troop24riverside.com/2011/03/waterfall-glen-day-hike-form/

Forms – Several families need to turn in one or more of our Troop forms. Please do so as soon as possible, as your scout cannot participate in outings unless we have all his paperwork. If possible, please drop off the forms to Nancy Hopkins; otherwise, bring them to the Troop meeting on March 24.

Camp Mach – Webelos 2 scouts who just crossed over have until March 24 to sign up for Camp Mach at the reduced rate of $265. After March 24, the cost will be $290. All but six of our scouts 6th grade and above have signed up for one of our summer camp opportunities, and three of the 5th grade scouts have already registered for Camp Mach.

Kayaking – For those families who have indicated an interest in the kayaking trip, we need BOTH a check for $75/person AND a registration on our sign-up form: http://troop24riverside.com/2011/03/apostle-islands-kayaking-form/
C’mon guys – we received a couple of checks but NO ONE has filled out the form!

Cantigny Weather Forecast – Be sure to send your scouts with warm clothing for the Cantigny outing. The high on Sunday (Accuweather) is supposed to be 52 degrees, with an overnight low of 36. No rain in the forecast.

On Saturday, March 26, the Troop will be hiking at Waterfall Glen. This is a REQUIRED hike for scouts and adults going to Philmont. Other scouts are welcome to attend as well. For scouts who need to fulfill the Second Class requirement (1b) of a 5-mile hike using a compass and map, this would be an appropriate outing. For scouts other than the Philmont scouts to participate, we need at least two adults to volunteer to hike. (They do not have to be leaders – they can be parents of scouts.) There is no cost for this outing.

We will leave from RPC at noon on March 26, and return in the late afternoon. Participants should eat prior to the outing, but bring water – and a snack to carry with you if think you can’t make it without nourishment.

Sign up here

Reminder: Tonight, at 7:00, Troop 24’s spring Court of Honor will be held in the Social Hall at RPC. Please join us as we recognize our scouts’ achievements.

If you are able to bring a food item to share with the hungry horde (currently 69 registered scouts, which does not include our senior Eagle Scouts who have turned 18), please drop it off in the kitchen before the ceremonies.

New scouts or anyone with forms to be turned in, please bring those forms to the meeting tonight.

See you there!

Troop 24 will be attending the Voyageur Trace Spring Camporee in Rochelle, Illinois, April  15-17.  This annual event will highlight camping skills.  Scouts should be dropped off at the Riverside Presbyterian Church on Friday evening (time to be determined).  They will return to the RPC for pick-up by parents on Sunday around noon.  Scouts should come prepared to camp in tents with sleeping bag, sleeping pad and appropriate clothing.  District 96 5th Grade Games Night is on Friday, April 15.  5th grade scouts can come on Saturday morning, with activities likely starting by 9:00 a.m.  We will need drivers! The cost for this event is $30. The deadline for signing up is Wednesday, April 6, at noon.

Please contact Dawn Gmitro with questions at dmgmitro@aol.com

Please register online.

The Troop Committee updated our “Scout & Parent Guide” for new scout families. Because we did not have such a document at the time most of the older scouts crossed over, you might want to look through the Guide, which describes things such as uniform requirements, dues, medical forms, record-keeping, and expectations relating to fundraising. Suggestions for improvements for our next update are welcome (contact nmhopkins1@comcast.net).

Download Scout & Parent Guide.