Troop 24 is Going Sailing in the Keys!

Troop 24 is going on a high adventure trip to BSA’s Florida Sea Base on Lower Matecumbe Key in the Florida Keys (Islamorada, Florida) over the Fourth of July weekend of 2015. Why are we bugging you about it now? Because we need to confirm our spots and pay our 50% deposit by October 1.

Who Can Go: Boys who are 1st Class or higher, have finished 8th grade and have the Swimming Merit Badge. We have spots reserved for up to 18 boys. We will also need six adults to accompany the boys (you do not need to be an Adult Leader to accompany the trip).

Where Are We Going: BSA’s Sea Base High Adventure Camp in the Florida Keys on Lower Matecumbe Key, Islamorada, FL.

What Are We Doing: We are going on a Coral Reef Sailing adventure. We will be spending the week on 40-50 foot sailboats. We will explore the Keys and associated Coral Reefs, snorkeling and fishing as we go (no SCUBA on this trip). The entire trip will be overseen by an experienced captain and there will be an opportunity to learn basic sailing skills.

When Are We Going: July 1 to July 9, 2015 (the adventure runs from July 2 to July 8, 2015, with the additional time being travel). Our tentative itinerary starts and ends at the Ft. Lauderdale airport with travel to and from Ft. Lauderdale being arranged separately to allow planning flexibility (there will be an organized group from Chicago or you can use frequent flyer miles, drive your self, travel by Portkey, etc.). When we know who is going we will work out the final itinerary as a group.

What Is It Going to Cost: Well, that’s the big question and we only have an estimated answer right now. The cost will vary based on the number of participants. If we fill all of our slots, we expect the cost not to exceed $1,250 per person, plus the cost of airfare to Ft. Lauderdale (currently $325, but the cost for next July is unknown). The cost will go up the smaller the group gets, a small group may be several hundred dollars more. These are preliminary estimates and we think the total cost will be closer to $1,000 per person in the end.

There will be an informational meeting during the September 18 Troop Meeting. If your son is even a little bit interested in going on this once in a (Scout’s) life trip, please come to the meeting or talk to Michael Murphy (mjmurphy64@gmail.com). We will need a commitment to the trip by Monday, September 29. Commitment will be in the form of a check to the Troop for the initial, nonrefundable, deposit of $500.

The Pav YMCA in Berwyn, in conjunction with Des Plaines Valley Council, will be offering programs for both Swimming and Lifesaving Merit Badges:

Swimming – Sunday, November 16 – noon to 6:00 p.m.
Life Saving – Sunday, November 23 – noon to 6:00 p.m.

The cost is $20. Interested scouts should sign up through the YMCA: www.pavymca.org

Mrs. Lulich will be holding two sessions for the Citizenship in the World Merit Badge on Sunday, September 21, and Sunday, September 28, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Riverside Public Library. This merit badge is recommended for older scouts, as the material is difficult. Things to remember to bring for this Merit Badge Class:

1. A Merit Badge Workbook for this merit badge printed out and preparation work filled in;
2. Any additional supporting documentation or project work pertinent to this merit badge;
3. A positive Scouting focus and attitude.

Following is an outline of the class to help you prepare.

Scouts will be signed off only on those requirements that the Merit Badge Counselor determines meets the requirements; no more, no less. This Merit Badge should not be expected to be earned without preparation and work. If you are not prepared, you will be asked to leave.

To help Mrs. Lulich prepare for the class, we would like scouts to sign up in advance if they plan to attend. Please sign up here: http://troop24riverside.com/2014/09/form-citizenship-in-the-world/

Preparation for Sunday, September 21:

1. Explain what citizenship in the world means to you and what you think it takes to be a good world citizen.

   Scouts should formulate a written answer for this requirement prior to the class and be ready to share their work as a part of classroom discussion.

2. Explain how one becomes a citizen in the United States, and explain the rights, duties, and obligations of U.S. citizenship. Discuss the similarities and differences between the rights, duties, and obligations of U.S. citizens and the citizens of two other countries.

   Scouts should have this written out to show the counselor that some thought and research has gone into this requirement and Scouts should be prepared to discuss their findings. Scouts will not automatically be signed off on this requirement just for attending as the requirement states that they must discuss a number of items and will be required to participate in group and/or individual discussion to obtain credit.

3. Do the following:
   a. Pick a current world event. In relation to this current event, discuss with your counselor how a country’s national interest and its relationship with other countries might affect areas such as its security, its economy, its values, and the health of its citizens.

   b. Select a foreign country and discuss with your counselor how its geography, natural resources, and climate influence its economy and its global partnerships with other countries.

   Scouts should be prepared to share their findings with the class and should be prepared with this requirement prior to the class. 1/2 of this requirement is preparation and research, the other 1/2 which will be facilitated in the class in discussion. Scouts cannot complete this requirement by only doing one or the other, both parts must be done for each component. Scouts not coming to class with preparation work will find it difficult, if not impossible, to complete this requirement on the day of the class. Preparation is a MUST for this requirement along with active class participation during the discussion.

4. Do TWO of the following:

   a. Explain international law and how it differs from national law. Explain the role of international law and how international law can be used as a tool for conflict resolution.

   b. Using resources such as major daily newspapers, the Internet (with your parent’s permission), and news magazines, observe a current issue that involves international trade, foreign exchange, balance of payments, tariffs, and free trade. Explain what you have learned. Include in your discussion an explanation of why countries must cooperate in order for world trade and global competition to thrive.

   c. Select TWO of the following organizations and describe their role in the world.

   • The United Nations
   • The World Court
   • World Organization of the Scout Movement
   • The World Health Organization
   • Amnesty International
   • The International Committee of the Red Cross
   • CARE

This class will focus on requirements 4a and 4c. For both requirements, Scouts should formulate a written answer prior to the class and be ready to share their work as a part of the classroom discussions.

Preparation for Sunday, September 28:

5. Do the following:

   a. Discuss the differences between constitutional and nonconstitutional governments.

   b. Name at least five different types of governments currently in power in the world

   c. Show on a world map countries that use each of these five different forms of government.

   For all three of the components of this requirement, scouts should be prepared to explain, discuss, and share their work in the class discussion of this requirement.

6. Do the following:

   a. Explain how a government is represented abroad and how the United States government is accredited to international organizations.

   b. Describe the roles of the following in the conduct of foreign relations

   • Ambassador
   • Consul
   • Bureau of International Information Programs
   • Agency for International Development
   • United States and Foreign Commercial Service

   c. Explain the purpose of a passport and visa for international travel.

   This requirement will be covered within the class, however, Scouts should familiarize themselves with the requirement and the corresponding section(s) within the Merit Badge Pamphlet so as to have a basic understanding prior to the class.

7. Do TWO of the following (with your parent’s permission) and share with your counselor what you have learned:

   a. Visit the website of the U.S. State Department. Learn more about an issue you find interesting that is discussed on this website.

   b. Visit the website of an international news organization or foreign government, OR examine a foreign newspaper available at your local library, bookstore, or newsstand. Find a news story about a human right realized in the United States that is not recognized in another country.

   c. Visit with a student or Scout from another country and discuss the typical values, holidays, ethnic foods, and traditions practiced or enjoyed there.

   d. Attend a world Scout jamboree.

   e. Participate in or attend an international event in your area, such as an ethnic festival, concert, or play.

Scouts & parents: Due to the inclement weather, we will NOT be camping tonight; however, we’ll still meet at the Scout Cabin from 7:00 to 9:30. See you there!

Primo Pizza has hired Troop 24 Scouts the past 3 summers, and is looking for someone to fill in for the last weeks of the Riverside Farmer’s Market this year. The job is taking orders and payments, not cooking. Decent handwriting would be appreciated.

Hours are from 4 pm to 7 pm, Wednesdays from now until mid-October. If you are 16 years or older and interested in a part-time job, call Mr. Tom Dioguardi at (847) 381-3663 (Primo’s number – he can generally be reached there). Tell him that Andrew Salij suggested that you call him about the job.