28 of our 70 scouts have paid dues for the coming year. Our charter has to be submitted to the Council before December 15. To continue in scouts, please pay online at Constant Contact.

We hope all of our current scouts are continuing in scouting, but if your scout has decided to drop out, could you please let us know by sending an email to nmhopkins1@comcast.net. Thanks.

This Wednesday, December 3, our scouts have a great opportunity to participate in a disability awareness event and earn the Disability Awareness merit badge.

The Lincolnway Special Recreation Association will be coming with wheelchairs and other interactive devices to teach the scouts what it feels like to have a disability. This event will be held in the North Riverside Commons gym at 2401 S. Desplaines Avenue, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

We will NOT be having a regular troop meeting on Thursday. Instead, scouts who attended the Wednesday event will work with Mrs. Lulich and Scoutmaster Lanken to complete the remaining requirements for the merit badge. Scouts should meet at RPC on Thursday, December 4, at 7:00 p.m. in the SOCIAL HALL.

We would like to know in advance how many scouts plan to attend. Please sign up here:
http://troop24riverside.com/2014/11/disability-awareness-form-december-3-4/

Disabilities Awareness merit badge requirements:

1. Discuss with your counselor proper disability etiquette and person first language. Explain why these are important.

2. Visit an agency that works with people with physical, mental, emotional, or educational disabilities. Collect and read information about the agency’s activities. Learn about opportunities its members have for training, employment, and education. Discuss what you have learned with your counselor

3. Do TWO of the following:
a. Talk to a Scout who has a disability and learn about his experiences taking part in Scouting activities and earning different merit badges. Discuss what you have learned with your counselor
b. Talk to an individual who has a disability and learn about this person’s experiences and the activities in which this person likes to participate. Discuss what you have learned with your counselor
c. Learn how people with disabilities take part in a particular adaptive sport or recreational activity. Discuss what you have learned with your counselor.
d. Learn about independent living aids such as service animals, canes, and augmentative communication devices such as teletypewriters (TTYs). Discuss with your counselor how people use such aids.

4. Visit TWO of the following locations and take notes about the accessibility to people with disabilities. In your notes, give examples of five things that could be done to improve upon the site and five things about the site that make it friendly to people with disabilities. Discuss your observations with your counselor.
a. Your school
b. Your place of worship
c. Your Scout camping site
d. A public exhibit or attraction (such as a theater, museum, or park)

5. Explain what advocacy is. Do ONE of the following advocacy activities:
a. Present a counselor approved disabilities awareness program to a Cub Scout pack or other group. During your presentation, explain and use person first language.
b. Find out about disability awareness education programs in your school or school system, or contact a disability advocacy agency. Volunteer with a program or agency for eight hours.
c. Using resources such as disability advocacy agencies, government agencies, the Internet (with your parent’s permission), and news magazines, learn about myths and misconceptions that influence the general public’s understanding of people with disabilities. List 10 myths and misconceptions about people with disabilities and learn the facts about each myth. Share your list with your counselor, then use it to make a presentation to a Cub Scout pack or other group.

6. Make a commitment to your merit badge counselor describing what you will do to show a positive attitude about people with disabilities and to encourage positive attitudes among others. Discuss how your awareness has changed as a result of what you have learned.

7. Name five professions that provide services to people with disabilities. Pick one that interests you and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss what you learn with your counselor, and tell why this profession interests you.

Help Troop 24 create some Holiday Cheer in Riverside

Scouts & adults are needed for 1 hour shifts at the Troop 24  s’mores tent at Riverside’s Holiday Stroll.

Click here to reserve your shift (5:00-6:00 SHIFT FULL)

• Friday, December 5
• Need two adults and 3 scouts per 1 hour shift
• One-hour shifts starting at 5:00 p.m.  We also need a few people for set-up (4:00) and take-down (9:00).

• We provide ingredients for strollers to roast marshmallows and make s’mores.
• We do not charge for the s’mores, but collect a free-will offering that goes to the Riverside Food Pantry.
• Service hours are given for this event.
• Troop 24 S’mores tent is located at Riverside Garage; always a popular location due to their train set-up.

Jack Lennon’s Eagle Scout project is this Saturday, November 22, at St. Mary Church in Riverside. We will be building tuteurs (structures for growing beans) and fences for the St. Mary vegetable garden. Adult volunteers are needed for the 10:00, 12:00, and 2:00 shifts, while youth volunteers are especially needed for the 2:00 shift.

Scouts who sold popcorn must pick up their orders this Saturday, November 15, at 288 Gage Road, Riverside, between 9:00am and 11:00am. Mark your calendars. Please forward any questions to our Popcorn Kernel at amkodama@sbcglobal.net.

We are now collecting dues for 2015. When we “recharter” the troop at the end of the year, we are required to pay dues for every scout and registered adult. Last year the BSA increased dues after we had already started collecting at the old level. The Troop Committee voted to cover the difference for 2014. For 2015, the dues will be $38 per scout, which also covers the cost of the Boys Life subscription. Because our charter and payment are due by December 15, please pay for your dues as soon as possible. We are collecting payment online through Constant Contact. If your son is not continuing in scouts, we would appreciate knowing that so we won’t continue nagging you for dues! Please contact Nancy Hopkins at nmhopkins1@comcast.net to let us know.

Pay here: Scout Dues

Troop 24 is planning a climbing outing to Vertical Endeavors in Warrenville on Saturday, November 15, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. After a short orientation, scouts will have access to auto-belays and bouldering. The cost of this outing is $13. This covers the cost of the harness rental and entrance to the facility. Any scout who would like to rent climbing shoes should bring an additional $5 (recommended for scouts who have climbed previously or have earned the Climbing Merit Badge). Scouts should also bring additional money ($10) to purchase dinner afterwards. We will leave RPC at 4:15 and should return by 9:30. We will also need leaders and drivers for this outing. An adult needs to stay in the building with the scouts. There is a coffee shop in the building if you are not climbing.

Adults can also climb. Payment can be made online through Constant Contact. Remember to pay for multiple scouts & adults from your family at the same time. Constant Contact won’t allow an e-mail address to be “reused” to add someone later. (You would have to use a different e-mail address.)

All scouts must bring a signed waiver to participate. Download the waiver at http://verticalendeavors.com/warrenville/. Scouts do not need to wear a Class A uniform, but we ask them to wear a Troop t-shirt.

Scouts sign up here.

Adults Leaders/Drivers sign up here.