So far we have 32 scouts signed up for Camp Tesomas (July 13-19). We have a large campsite, and can fit more scouts. We will have our annual camp meeting for parents on Thursday, May 15, at 7:00 in the RPC Social Hall (while the Troop meeting is going on in the gym). PLEASE, we need at least one parent to attend from each scout family. Attendance at the camp meeting last year was sparse, and it caused all kinds of problems for our camp coordinator, so this meeting is mandatory. New parents: even if you are not yet sure if your scout will be going to summer camp, please come and get all your questions answered.

At the meeting on May 15 we will ask parents to submit their scout’s selection of merit badge classes. The merit badge schedule can be downloaded here: TSC-Merit-badge-schedule.pdf. Some merit badges have prerequisites that must be done at home before camp. The prerequisites are listed here: TSC Prerequisites 2014. The merit badge selection is different than last year so please review the list. New scouts should plan to sign up for Cooking, Swimming, and one other merit badge. Archery & shooting sports are not recommended for first-year scouts. The prerequisite list also rates the badges by difficulty.

The absolute LAST DAY to sign up and pay for camp will be Monday, June 2. That gives the new scouts who go on their first camp-out to Kankakee River (May 30-June 1) an opportunity to try a camp-out before committing to summer camp.

Don’t forget that scouts need a camp physical, signed by a doctor, to attend summer camp. This applies to all scouts, even the new scouts who just turned in medical forms Parts A & B (doctor portion is Part C): http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/ahmr.aspx

Our Spring Court of Honor will be held on Thursday, May 8, at 7:00 in the Social Hall at RPC. All scouts should attend unless they have an unavoidable conflict. Parents also attend to honor our scouts’ achievements and rank advancements.

On the 4th of July the Troop sells slices of pizza after Riverside’s parade. It’s a good community service, as well as a lucrative fundraiser for the Troop. Aside from some advance organization (made easy by great notes taken in previous years), this is a ONE-DAY event. We need a chairperson, or a group of 2-3 parents, to take charge of this event. This would be a good way for a few new parents to get involved without an ongoing commitment. PLEASE consider if you would be willing to volunteer. Please e-mail Nancy Hopkins at nmhopkins1@comcast.net. If you have specific questions about what is involved, Roman Salij would be available to answer questions at romansalij@yahoo.com.

Scouts: Please be sure to bring your books to the meeting tonight. We need to update our computer records prior to our Spring Court of Honor (which will be May 8). Also, scouts who need a Scoutmaster Conference should sign up online. Scouts who need a Board of Review, please contact Nancy Hopkins at nmhopkins1@comcast.net.

Troop 24 is planning a Camp Out

When:  Friday, April 25- Sunday, April 27, 2014

Where:  Warren Dunes State Park, in Sawyer, Michigan

What:  Camping.  Scouts will enjoy beautiful forest, windswept sand dunes and lovely Lake Michigan. This is an excellent opportunity for new scouts to try their hand at camping without Mom & Dad before summer camp while learning new outdoor skills.  It will also be lots of fun for older scouts to explore the beautiful dunes and an opportunity to share their advanced Boy Scouting skills.

Cost:  For Scouts and Adults  $47.

Deadline to Register: Sunday, April 20.

We will leave from the Riverside Presbyterian Church on Friday night and return Sunday early afternoon.  Parents of older scouts are welcome to attend this outing.  You may register yourself by following the Leader/Adult registration link.  We will need drivers as well.  If you are able to drive, but not stay, please complete this item on your scout’s registration form.  A registration form will need to be completed for each scout.  If you have more than one scout register each, then go to payment.  You are able to pay for up to 3 registrations for an event at a time.  If you pay and then go back later to pay for another registration you will need to use another email address.

Details on exact time to meet at RPC on Friday and a packing list will be distributed at a later date.

Scouts register here:

 http://troop24riverside.com/2014/04/warren-dunes-s…t-registration

Leaders and adults register here:

http://troop24riverside.com/2014/04/warren-dunes-adultleader-registration/

Contact Dawn Gmitro with questions.