Because the class size for the Fermilab Nuclear Science Merit Badge was limited to 12, we had more scout interest than available space. For those who did not sign up for the Fermilab outing (January 28, NOT January 21 as one of our posts mistakenly indicated), you have another opportunity. DPVC provides this information:

In conjunction with National Engineers Week, the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) is hosting an engineering fair and other activities at its Rice Campus. The purpose of the engineering fair is to communicate what engineers do, and attract young people to careers in science, technology, and engineering. The fair’s open house will consist of presentations and hands-on demonstrations by local professional engineering societies and businesses. Visit www.dupageeweek.iit.edu for more information. A Nuclear Science merit badge class for Boy Scouts will be offered on February 18, 2012. The open house and other activities will be held on February 25, 2012. The open house and the merit badge program are free.

The merit badge class will run from approximately 7:30 a.m. to 12:15 pm. Scouts need to bring “blue cards” and a copy of the merit badge book (2010 edition) with them. Registered counselors, Pedro Kong and B. J. Andrews, from the Calumet and DesPlaines Valley Councils respectively will sign the blue cards. Registration will only be accepted from 7:00 p.m. on January 31 through 7:00 p.m. on February 1, 2012. Registration is required due to the limited spaces in the class. For more information and to register, send email to AtomicEnergyMB2004@hotmail.com. Please provide the name of those attending, phone number, council name, and troop number in your email. Registration will be processed within three days and you will be informed if you are accepted or not.

IIT Rice Campus is located in Wheaton at 201 East Loop Road. Take the Naperville Road Exit off the East-West Tollway (I-88) going north towards Wheaton. Follow the sign to Naperville Road. Proceed north on Naperville Road to Butterfield Road (Rt. 56). Turn east on Butterfield Road and proceed to East Loop Road (about one mile). Turn north on East Loop Road. IIT Rice campus should be visible within one block.

Interested scouts from Troop 24 should sign up individually as described above. Our Council name is DesPlaines Valley.

This Saturday, January 21, scouts who have started but not completed the American Heritage, Reading, or First Aid Merit Badges are invited to join Scoutmasters Robertson and Lanken at the Riverside Library from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. A room has been reserved for the scouts, so this will be a great time to finish those badges. Scouts should bring their merit badge books and worksheets. Blank worksheets are available at http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Merit_Badge_Worksheets Contact Mr. Robertson with questions.

At the Troop meeting on January 19 scouts will be working on completing the First Aid Merit Badge. Older scouts and parents are needed to assist with teaching CPR. If you are available to help, please see Asst. Scoutmaster Stephanie Lanken at the meeting. In addition to the First Aid merit badge, there are a number of first aid requirements for all rank advancements through 1st Class. Please review your books to see if you are missing any of these requirements. Scouts should bring their books to this (and every other!) meeting.

Troop 24 is planning a day outing to Bemis Woods on February 4, 2012, to participate in the Des Plaines Valley Council Klondike Derby.

Scouts will meet at RPC at 7:15 a.m. and return the same day at approximately 4:00 p.m.

The Derby this year will feature scout skills as well as games and contests. Each patrol should be ready for fun and challenges.

The cost will be $8 and a can of non-cream soup (to be dumped into a communal pot for “garbage can soup”). Scouts should also bring a sack lunch to accompany the soup. Dress appropriately for the weather.

We will be looking for drivers. Since this outing is close, drivers do not need to stay. If you can drive please indicate the appropriate information with your son’s registration. Adults are welcome to stay and participate. If you would like to participate, please register and pay for yourself separately from your son.

Please remember you must register on the Troop online form AND pay (preferably using the online WePay system). If your son is not registered he will not show up on the roster. The deadline to register for this outing is Thursday, Feb. 2.

Register here: http://troop24riverside.com/2012/01/klondike-derby-february-4-2012/

Contact Dawn Gmitro with questions.

The Troop will have 3 meetings this spring at the Scout Cabin: February 3, March 2, and May 4.

This summer’s “high adventure” scout experience will be canoeing on the Boundary Waters. There will be an informational meeting on Tuesday, January 17, at 7:00 p.m. at Ascension Lutheran Church. Ascension is at 400 Nuttall in Riverside, across from Ames Elementary School. Please enter through the side door and come downstairs to the Fellowship Hall. Scouts and adults who are (or who might be) interested in this trip are invited to come and learn more.

We have filled the two remaining spots for the Nuclear Science Merit Badge class on January 21.

Our Popcorn Kernel, Mrs. Kodama, reports that 33 scouts sold a total of $13,027.65 worth of popcorn. The profit from the popcorn sales is available as a credit to each of those scouts to be used for summer camp or other troop outings. Because the scouts are listed by full name, this information is available in the password-protected directory on the website. (Contact Nancy Hopkins if you need the username & password.) Our top sellers this year (in order of sales) were: Max B ($1,669.00), Jimmy S ($1,509.00), Ryan K ($1,105.90), Elijah O ($949.00), Glen Q ($726.00), Andy C ($710.85).

Thank you very much to Anne Kodama for coordinating our popcorn sales!