There will be a meeting of patrol leaders Thursday, June 2, at 7:00 p.m. in the Social Hall. The agenda will include a review of the past year, meeting and outing planning for next year, and discussion of the patrols.

We held a meeting for parents covering everything you need to know about summer camp. There are links below for the documents that were discussed. If you were not at the meeting, please review the instructions carefully. The most important points:

• Schedule a medical exam ASAP because every scout (and adult) going to camp must have a medical form signed by a physician.
• Scouts need to select merit badge classes and submit their selections to Carrie Staubus.
• Bikes need to be inspected before camp.

1. Medical Form Parts A, B, C: Parents complete Parts A & B. A physician must complete Part C. http://www.scouting.org/filestore/HealthSafety/pdf/680-001_ABC.pdf See sample form for instructions on how to complete specific portions: Sample medical form. You can save the completed pdf on your computer to save time next year.

   MEDICAL FORMS ARE DUE NO LATER THAN JULY 1 SO THEY CAN BE COPIED AND ORGANIZED FOR CAMP. IF YOU CAN’T GET PART C (physician exam) DONE BY THEN, SUBMIT PARTS A and B AND PROVIDE 3 COPIES OF PART C BY JULY 10! NO EXCEPTIONS! DELIVER FORMS TO:

   Carrie Staubus
   3116 Maple Avenue
   Berwyn
   OR SCAN AND E-MAIL TO carrie@staubus.net

2. Print medical forms single sided please.
3. Insurance card – provide a copy of the front and back with medical forms.
4. Map to camp: http://clsr.samoset.org/resources/MapToCLSR.pdf (6-hour ride)
5. Address/phone number of camp:
   Scout’s Name, Troop 24, Camp Site – Fox (if you want to write but be sure it’s mailed early enough)
   5403 Spider Lake Road
   Rhinelander, WI 54501
   Letters are welcome; please do not send care packages
   715-365-3111 – Tesomas phone
   715-333-9849 – Tesomas fax
6. Parent guide: http://clsr.samoset.org/resources/TSCParentsGuide.pdf
   (DISREGARD PACKING LIST AND USE THE FOLLOWING INSTEAD)
7. Packing list – Scouts should pack so they know where everything is:
   Tesomas Packing List
8. Put your scout’s name on everything–AND WE MEAN EVERYTHING!!!
9. Scouts must wear Class A uniform (Scout shirt but not neckerchief) for travel to and from camp.
   Bring a wire hanger to hang the shirt during the week.
10. Advancement schedule – Be sure to check the level of difficulty (A is the most difficult and C is the least difficult). It is recommended that first-year scouts stick to levels B and C: http://clsr.samoset.org/resources/TSCAdvancement.pdf
11. Prerequisites – Be sure to check if there are any prerequisites for chosen merit badges: http://clsr.samoset.org/resources/TSCPrerequisites.pdf. Prerequisites should be done before camp starts.
12. Supplies for certain merit badges – basketry, leatherwork, etc. can be purchased at camp and billed to parent.
13. Troop’s merit badge book library – will be brought to camp for scouts to reference, but we suggest that you print out the workbook for each merit badge at http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
14. First-year scouts – merit badge choices (cooking + 2 or 3 more B or C level classes, swimming if your son does not mind cold lakewater). See http://clsr.samoset.org/resources/TSCAdvancement.pdf
15. Additional fee – for shotgun merit badge ($25)
16. Special diet – is available, please make request no later than July 1, contact Carrie Staubus.
17. Bikes – It is HIGHLY recommended that all scouts bring bikes to camp to get around
    *Bikes MUST be inspected ahead of time. You may go to a local bike shop or the troop will schedule an inspection day – more info is forthcoming.
    ALL scouts MUST HAVE HELMET! It’s a BSA rule.
    Bike drop off is Saturday, July 16, at 2413 4th Ave, North Riverside (home of Tom Hartwig)
18. Microtrek: level 100 still has availability, contact Carrie Staubus to register.
19. Waivers:
    Waivers must be turned in to Carrie Staubus with the medical forms.
    Bike (BRING HELMET): http://www.troop24riverside.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/bike-agreement.pdf
    Rafting: http://clsr.samoset.org/resources/RaftingPermission.pdf (Microtrek 101 for 13 – 14 years)
    ATV: http://clsr.samoset.org/resources/ATVPermission.pdf (Microtrek 200 for 15 – 16+ years)
    Zip line: http://clsr.samoset.org/resources/ZipLinePermission.pdf (Microtrek 200 for 15 – 16+ years)
20. Scuba: http://www.northwoodshighadventure.com/programs/scuba.php
    You will need to provide to Camp Tesomas:
    Measurements – height, weight, chest, waist, inseam, shoe size
    PADI Medical Statement
    2 – 1 ½ x 2” size photos for certification card
    Participants will get more information mailed in early summer.
21. Camp map: http://clsr.samoset.org/resources/CLSRMap.pdf (Fox Campsite is #27 on the map)
22. Departure – (The round-trip bus fee is $100 and information will be provided soon). Meet in parking lot of Hauser (behind school) Sunday July 17 at 6:30 a.m. for a 7:00 a.m. departure.
23. IF YOU HAVEN’T COMPLETED THE SWIM TEST IN ADVANCE, YOU WILL NEED TO TAKE THE SWIM TEST UPON ARRIVAL. BRING SWIM TRUNKS AND TOWEL IN SEPARATE BAG ON BUS. (See Item 28.)
24. Lunch – Bring sack lunch or money for lunch going, and be sure to save enough money for lunch on the return trip (put $ in one envelope marked “Lunch on way to camp” and $ in a second envelope marked “Lunch on way home from camp”). DO NOT BRING FOOD TO STORE FOOD IN TENTS!!!
25. Trading Post – slushies and odds and ends – ~$30 is probably enough for whole week, including lunch going and coming unless your scout wants to buy a souvenir.
26. Return – the bus departs camp between 9:00 and 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 23. The scouts arrive back in Riverside in the Hauser parking lot at around 4:30 pm. They will use leaders’ phones to call as they get close and/or a Feedblitz will go out letting parents know when to meet the bus in the Hauser parking lot.
27. Cell Phones – signal is very weak; chances of loss and/or damage are significant. Do NOT bring cell phones.
28. Swim test – A Feedblitz will go out several weeks before camp to advise of when/where (probably the Pav YMCA in Berwyn). It’s best to complete before camp.
29. T-shirt size – Let us know your son’s t-shirt size when you submit merit badge schedule.
30. Expect your scout to be sent home with a tent or other equipment to clean and dry after camp.

Kit K’s Eagle Project involves collecting crayons from the local area and recycling them with a facility in Rockford called Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful, where the crayons will be donated to schools in the Rockford area. He needs help with collections happening at Central and Ames Schools on Thursday, June 2nd and Friday, June 3rd. Please fill out this form before May 31st if you are able to participate: http://goo.gl/forms/pB275xCoCGu42fEw1.

If you are available from June 6th to June 13th to help peel and sort the crayons, the form above has sign ups as well. Any questions can be sent to Kit’s email address at kit6789@att.net.

We will continue working with the older scouts on the personal fitness merit badge at the troop meeting this evening.  Scouts should prepare by bringing:

• Running shoes & athletic clothes for the timed mile run
• Merit badge worksheet and their updated exercise log

See you tonight.

Congratulations to our newest Eagle Scout, Max Hoadley!

On Thursday, May 26 at 7 pm, we will have a parent meeting about summer camp in the Social Hall downstairs from our troop meeting. At this meeting, we will give an overview of Camp Tesomas, discuss transportation, merit badge class selection, as well as answer any questions. This meeting is mandatory for parents of scouts attending Camp Tesomas for the first time. Parents of scouts who have not yet signed up, please attend to learn all about this outstanding camp which is the highlight of our scouting year.

The Village of Riverside’s annual Memorial Day program will be held on Monday, May 30. The village has asked for the scouts to participate in the ceremony, as well as set up chairs at 6:00 a.m. and take down chairs following the ceremony. Scouts who are in town this weekend are urged to attend in full uniform (no jeans or shorts). Rehearsal is at 9:30, with the ceremony at 10:00. In case of rain, the ceremony will take place at St. Mary Parish Center. Questions? Contact Scoutmaster John Flaherty at jef2004@msn.com.

Please sign up here: http://troop24riverside.com/2016/05/memorial-day-may-30-2016-form/

Troop 24 is planning an overnight camp-out at Kankakee River State Park, leaving Friday, June 10, and returning Sunday, June 12.

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

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

• Scouts MUST be First Class or above  in order to canoe or kayak.
  
• Scouts MUST have earned the Swimming Merit Badge in order to canoe or kayak.
• Kayaking is recommended for scouts with kayaking experience. Scouts will be in single kayaks and will need to be fit/strong 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 scouts who are Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, 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 your Scout’s 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.

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 Sunday, June 5.
• The Scout cost for this outing is $40 for food/camp fee, and $34  for canoeing (2 per canoe) or $46 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. Scouts and Leaders must register and pay by Sunday June 5.

• Scout Form
• Leader/Chaperone Form

Contact Susan Lynch with questions.

As presented at the spring Court of Honor, Troop 24 is planning a high adventure trip in the Florida Keys next summer.  The Florida Seabase is a BSA owned and run facility that offers older scouts the opportunity to experience a nautical trip of a lifetime.  Troop 24 has a reservation for a crew of 18-20 scouts & adults on a Sea Exploring adventure on a 75 foot topsail schooner.

The following information should help you and your scout decide if this is a trip he (and maybe you) want to take:

• Who:
  • Participants must be 13 years old and graduated from the eighth grade or 14 years old
  • Must swim 100 yards (official BSA swimmer test), and stay afloat for one minute.
  • Minimum 4 adults as certified BSA leaders (max 50% of participants 18 or older)
  • First class rank
  • Crew size of 18 minimum to 20 maximum

• What: The following descriptions are from the Seabase website
  • Designed for larger groups, offering your crew the opportunity to experience a sailing adventure of yesteryear. These are large vessels, 75 feet or more, normally gaff-rigged topsail schooners, fully equipped and prepared to provide an unforgettable adventure snorkeling the beautiful Keys’ reefs, fishing, and hands-on sailing as well as a port-o-call in Key West.
  • During the weeklong odyssey, you will snorkel several reefs as you sail among the fabulous Florida Keys.  Along the way, you will troll for mackerel, barracuda, and mahi-mahi, hoping to supplement the ship’s stores.
  • Among the highlights of your adventure are sailing to a small archipelago of islands, fishing, snorkeling, and maybe even catching some lobster (in season). If you’re expecting a “cruise” and someone serving your meals, this is not the adventure for you. It is a rugged extended voyage on a large vessel. Everyone pitches in with the sailing and cooking chores. You’ll do on-board navigation, star study, and lots of snorkeling and fishing—but you won’t be waited on.

• Where:
  • Islamorada Florida, mile marker 73.8 in the Florida Keys 90 miles from Miami Airport

• When:
  • Sunday, June 25 to July 2, 2017; eight days & seven nights
  • Troop 24 organizational meeting in August as financial commitments are due in October 2016

• How:
  • Fly from Chicago airport (TBD) during early morning, connect with local charter bus to the Sea Base
  • Return from Seabase to connect with local charter bus and fly back to Chicago for evening arrival.

• Cost:
  • $837 to $930 per person program fee (depends on group size)
  • $100 estimated bus charter fee
  • $100 sundry other for meals in transit, T-shirt, etc.
  • $1,130 total estimated cost 
  • Excludes $200-350 estimated airfare, which families will book on their own

Are you interested or have questions?  Email Jim Jerz.   Stay tuned for the details of the first organizational meeting in late August.