Thanks to all the scouts who participated in the Memorial Day ceremony. Thanks to John Flaherty, we have photos of this event on our website, as well as photos from the Spring Court of Honor. To view the photos, go to http://troop24riverside.com/troop-scrapbook/

Scouts who are going on the Kankakee trip and are trying to complete 1st Class Requirement 4b (using the menu planned in requirement 4a, make a list showing the cost and food amounts needed to feed three or more boys and secure the ingredients), please be at RPC tomorrow promptly at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Flaherty will be taking scouts to the store to purchase food for the outing. We could use another parent or two to transport scouts to the store.

Friday, May 23, is the deadline to sign up for the Kankakee River canoe/bike outing. For more information see: http://troop24riverside.com/2014/05/kankakee-canoebike-campout-may-30-june-1-2014/

We need more scouts for the Memorial Day ceremony in Riverside on Monday morning. More information is available at: http://troop24riverside.com/2014/05/memorial-day-2014/

The Village of Riverside’s annual Memorial Day program will be held on Monday, May 26. The village has asked for the scouts to participate in the ceremony, as well as arrive at the village hall to help set up chairs at 7:00 a.m. Scouts should be in full uniform. It’s always a very moving ceremony, so any scouts who are in town this weekend are urged to attend. Questions? Contact Scoutmaster Tom Hartwig at thartwig@olparks.com.

Please sign up here: http://troop24riverside.com/2014/05/memorial-day-form-2014/

Due to Hauser’s Open House on Thursday, we are changing the Camp Tesomas informational meeting to this Wednesday, May 14, at 7:00 p.m. in the Social Hall at RPC. Parents and scouts should attend and select their merit badge classes.

We reserved 12 spots for Scuba at Camp Tesomas, and we have had NO ONE sign up. The last 2 years we filled every available spot. Scuba is available for scouts 12 and older and adult leaders. The cost is $170, which is considerably less than you can learn scuba anywhere else. Participants have to pass the BSA swim test, and must be able to swim 200 meters during the week of class.

More information is available: http://clsr.samoset.org/hanna/scuba.php. If you are interested, please sign up by Wednesday, May 14.

Any Life Scout who has not attended a “Life to Eagle” presentation may want to attend an informational presentation at First United Methodist Church, 1032 Maple, Downer’s Grove, on May 13. You need to sign up here: http://www.boyscoutsdpvc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Life-to-Eagle-flyer-TG-140513.pdf.

Troop 24 is planning an overnight camp-out at Kankakee River State Park, leaving Friday, May 30, and returning Sunday, June 1.

Scouts should come prepared to camp in tents for two nights.   We have two activities planned (we need several adults sign up as leaders/chaperones):

Canoeing/Kayaking:  The canoeing/kayaking will be a 12-mile, 3-5 hour trip on Saturday, outfitted by Reed’s.

• Scouts MUST have earned the Swimming Merit Badge to canoe or kayak.
• Kayaking is recommended for scouts with kayaking experience. Scouts will be in single kayaks and will need to be fit enough to paddle for the full 12 miles.
• Scouts must print and have a parent sign the  Reeds waiver in order to participate.

or

Bicycling: The biking will be done on a 10.5 mile paved bike path through the park.

• Biking is available for first-year scouts, or older scouts who have not earned the Swimming Merit Badge, or those who do not want to canoe/kayak.
• Scouts must wear a helmet to bike.
• Scout parents must make sure that the scout’s bicycle is in good working order prior to the outing.

We Need Parent Help:

In order to offer two activities we need many adults to participate.  If you are able to attend this outing and help out by either chaperoning the biking or the canoe/kayaking we would really appreciate the help.  Or if you can drive scouts either to or from this outing; please consider helping our leaders in this way.    If you would like to attend, please fill out the Leader/Chaperone Registration form; if you are willing to help drive, please indicate on the Scout Registration form your willingness to drive.  The nice thing about Kankakee is that it is only about 1-hour drive, so you can join whenever it works in your schedule. Last year we had several parents join us Saturday for the activities, while other parents helped with the driving on Friday and Sunday.

Logistics:

• Please drop your Scout off at RPC at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. We will return about noon on Sunday.
• Scouts who are canoeing or kayaking must print and have a parent sign the  Reeds waiver in order to participate.
• Scouts must have a bike helmet if they are biking.
• Deadline for signing up for the outing is Friday, May 23.
• The Scout cost for this outing is $35 for food/camp fee, and $33  for canoeing (2 per canoe) or $45 for a single kayak.
• We will provide transportation for the all bikes in one of the two Troop trailers.

Please fill out a form for each scout and each leader/chaperone.

Contact Susan Lynch with questions.

Scout Form
Leader/Chaperone Form