First Class or above scouts interested in working on the communications merit badge can begin work with Mr. Jerz and Ms. Murphy on Thursday, March 2 at 7pm at RPC.  For this meeting, please print out the merit badge work sheet (attached below) and complete requirements 1 (a, b or c) and 9.  In addition, if you have planned and served as master of ceremonies at a troop court of honor, blue & gold or campfire program, be prepared to discuss what you did to fulfill requirement 8.

• Merit Badge Worksheet: Communication MB Worksheet
• BSA Booklet: Comm MB Booklet

We will also work on this merit badge at the March 9 troop meeting.

 

Every year, we count on our fantastic parents to pitch in and help out with supervisory roles at the Pancake Breakfast, and to help with Setup the Thursday night before.

To sign up for a shift, log on to the Troop 24 Pancake Breakfast website at http://pancakes24.azurewebsites.net

If you haven’t signed in before, click on the Register as a New User link on the log in page. You will be asked for your name, email and a password. This will allow you to access the Adult Volunteer page that includes a link to the Adult Volunteer Work Schedule.

If you have done a particular job before, please sign up for it again if you can. We value your experience. If you can sign up for more than one shift, please feel free to do that as well.

Click the link for the Adult Volunteer Work Schedule. You will see the Shift Grid. Click on any shift marked as AVAILABLE and your name will appear in that spot. That’s it. You’re signed up. Now click on the job name you signed up for to view a PDF with instructions on doing the job you signed up for.

If you click the wrong shift, or too many, click the [X] button next to your name in the shift box and it will be erased.

Note: There are 2 tabs at the top of the schedule. The Adult Volunteer Work Schedule defaults to the day of the Pancake Breakfast (Sat Mar 4th). But if you cannot work the day of the Pancake Breakfast, click the Setup (Thu Mar 2nd) tab and sign up for that. If there is not a shift available, or you cannot work any of the times left, please send an email to Pancakes@Troop24Riverside.com so we can try to work out a way for you to help. ALSO, WE MAY CHANGE YOUR ASSIGNED JOB IF NEEDED. Any changes should be finalized by Feb 28th, so make sure you check back then.

All Scouts are required to sign up for a shift at the pancake breakfast. If you have a parent’s excuse for not being able to work on Saturday, you can help with Setup on Thursday.
To sign up for a shift, log on to the Troop 24 Pancake Breakfast website at http://pancakes24.azurewebsites.net
Scouts will log in with their BSA ID# (which was included on your ticket envelopes) as their User Name and Password, for example, 123456789:123456789. If you do not have your BSA ID#, email Rich Hosek — or have your parents email him — at Pancakes@Troop24Riverside.com and he will look it up for you. This will allow you to access the scout page that includes a link to the Scout Work Schedule. It will also tell you if we do not have a record of receiving your ticket money.
Click the link for the Scout Work Schedule. You will see the Shift Grid. Click on any shift marked as AVAILABLE and your name will appear in that spot. That’s it. You’re signed up. Now click on the job name you signed up for to view a PDF with instructions on doing the job you signed up for.
If you click the wrong shift, or too many, click the [X] button next to your name in the shift box and it will be erased.
Note: There are 2 tabs at the top of the schedule. The Scout Work Schedule defaults to the day of the Pancake Breakfast (Sat Mar 4th). But if you cannot work the day of the Pancake Breakfast (with parental excuse), click the Setup (Thu Mar 2nd) tab and sign up for that. If there is not a shift available, or you cannot work any of the times left, please send an email to Pancakes@Troop24Riverside.com so we can try to work out a swap. ALSO, WE MAY CHANGE YOUR ASSIGNED JOB IF NEEDED. Any changes should be finalized by Feb 28th, so make sure you check back then.

THURSDAY February 23 TROOP 24 MEETING 7:00 PM

• MANDATORY ATTENDANCE FOR ALL TROOP 24 BOY SCOUTS and LEADERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!

• ORDER OF ARROW ELECTIONS: The OA Lodge requires complete troop attendance and participation for a valid election; otherwise they will not certify the election. We have 14 scouts up for election for OA and every vote counts!  Please make a conscientious decision on those scouts seeking the honor of membership in the Order of Arrow.   The lodge will have a presentation on the Lodge and activities and then we will have the election. We will meet in the Church.
• TROOP 24 ELECTIONS: The Senior Patrol Leader position and all Patrol Leader positions are up for election.  Each SPL Candidate will be given two minutes to make their election speech before voting begins.
• Minimum Qualifications for SPL:  Current Star or above scouts; HS Sophomore or 15 yoa; Previously held position of Patrol Leader, Asst. Senior Patrol Leader, or Den Chief; Scouting is his primary commitment and must attend every weekly meeting; Must attend Summer Camp; Must commit to planning and leading Patrol Leader Council Meetings.
• Minimum Qualifications for PL: Current rank of First Class or above; Must commit to attending weekly meetings; Must commit to attending Patrol Leader Council Meetings and representing their respective patrols.
• TROOP JOBS: All First Class and above scouts will choose a job and/or be assigned a job including Eagle Scouts.  It is the responsibility of every scout in Troop 24 to mentor, teach and instruct younger scouts.  Just as you were once a new scout who benefited from the guidance of the older scouts, it is your responsibility and duty to give back to the next generation of Troop 24 Boy Scouts.
• PIZZA PARTY: All the heavy decisions of the night will likely cause ravenous hunger and thus, we will have an inauguration ball pizza party to welcome and celebrate the new administration.
• CHEESE CHINCHILLA in charge of meeting set-up, FLAGS, and clean-up. Report at 6:45pm in Full Uniform

Troop 24 will be attending Tesomas Summer Camp July 16-22, 2017. The cost of camp will be $295 per scout. Sign-up on our troop website will begin in spring, and we are requesting that payment be made by check, using popcorn credits for those scouts who have earned them. For those with financial hardship, camperships are available to pay a portion of this cost. Tesomas campership applications are due April 1. Here is a link to the form that parents should submit to be considered: http://clsr.samoset.org/resources/CampershipApplication.pdf. Troop 24 also has campership money available for scouts with financial hardship who participated in our troop fundraising, contact Scoutmaster Flaherty for more information.

Tesomas program registration opens on March 1, and the following programs and merit badge classes have limited enrollment. Scuba will be offered for an additional cost of $160. Microtrek 101 is for scouts who are 13 and 14 years of age and First Class rank (morning only, $50 additional cost). Microtrek 200 is for Scouts 15 years of age or older and First Class rank (morning and afternoon session, $65 additional cost). Microtrek 300 is for scouts who have already been through Microtrek 200 and is an all-day program, additional fee $100. For details on these programs, see the Tesomas 2017 Leader guide. http://clsr.samoset.org/resources/TSCGuidebook.pdf Four merit badge classes have limited enrollment: Climbing, Archery, Rifle Shooting and Shotgun Shooting ($25 additional fee). If you wish to participate in one of these programs, email our Troop Camp Coordinator Carolyn Lach ASAP at clach@northpark.edu.

The Tesomas 2017 Merit Badge schedule is now available online: http://clsr.samoset.org/resources/TSCAdvancement.pdf Take a look, as some new classes are being offered this summer.

The Troop will conduct the annual Crossover Ceremony at Pack 24’s Blue and Gold Banquet on Sunday, February 26, at 5:00 p.m. at the Riverside Golf Club, 2520 Des Plaines, in North Riverside. Pizza dinner will be provided after the crossover, and you should be home by 7:00 p.m. Scouts are needed to participate and welcome the new Scouts into the Pack. Please register here to participate:
Webelos Crossover Sign Up

THURSDAY February 16 TROOP 24 MEETING 7:00 PM

• PANCAKE TICKET MONEY DUE!!!
• February:  WINTER ACTIVITIES
• BRING SCOUT BOOK TO ALL MEETINGS.
• SPARTANS in charge of meeting set-up, FLAGS, and clean-up. Report at 6:45pm in Full Uniform.
• Its Game Night at Troop 24. Tournaments of Uno, MilleBornes, Gin, Cardline Animals, Bingo, Boggle, Scattegories, and Upwords.  Winners will be awarded prizes on Election night.
• Trail to First Class: Second Class Citizenship 8c & 8d form can be found at Forms & Document tab of the Troop website.
• Trail to First Class: All scouts should be tracking their physical activity for Tenderfoot 6b, Second 7a, First 8a.  These need to be completed consecutively.  We sent home Activity Log sheets but you may also print them from the Personal Fitness Merit Badge workbook pp 11 at MeritBadge.org.
• Merit Badge: Theater Merit Badge will meet again with Mrs. Gmitro, bring your completed worksheets.
• Winter Skits: Last week to present winter skits.
• MANDATORY ATTENDANCE MEETING FEBRUARY 23 FOR TROOP AND ORDER OF ARROW ELECTIONS and PIZZA PARTY.
• Cyber Chip: Scout Rank and Star Rank need to acquire the Cyber Chip for your age.  Go to http://www.netsmartz.org/scouting to review the requirements.  Once you have completed the Read, Write and Watch requirements, register on the Troop 24 Website and we will set aside time in the meeting for the scout to complete the Teach and Talk requirements.  We have the Cards.  The chip expires after one year, see the Scoutmaster to “Recharge” or renew the Chip.

 

We look forward to seeing you at 7:00 pm on Thursday.

The Des Plaines Valley Community Merit Badge Academy will be
Saturday, March 25, 2017 – 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Elmwood Park High School
8201 West Fullerton Ave., Elmwood Park
$25 per scout, includes lunch and patch
Registration is now open, some classes will fill, register early and list alternate choices. Some classes have prerequisites, see the Council website or office for more information. The program has four periods, so scouts may earn two to four merit badges depending on their class choice. The following merit badges are offered:
Art
Aviation
Chemistry
Citizenship in the Community 2 periods
Citizenship in the Nation 2 Periods
Citizenship in the World 2 Periods
Collections
Disability Awareness
Family Life 2 Periods
Fingerprinting 2 Periods AM Only
Fish & Wildlife Management
Inventing
Journalism
Mammal Study
Moviemaking 2 Periods
Music
Personal Management 2 Periods
Scholarship
Space Exploration
Sustainability 2 Periods
Traffic Safety
Registration is online only, and closes March 20th at 5pm (or sooner if classes fill). Here is the link to registration on the Council website: https://scoutingevent.com/456-11842
Scouts must wear Class A uniforms and bring blue cards signed by their scoutmaster. Scouts who plan to attend should arrange their own transportation.

There is plenty of snow in Wisconsin with more in the forecast this week!  Granite Peak has 71/75 trails open and 42″ of snow at the mountain base/ 52″ at the summit.  The Scouts Leaders at Tesomas report the lake is frozen and ice fishing is on!  And they have snow on the trials to cross country ski and snowshoe in!   So…

Join Troop 24 for a President’s Day Long Weekend Outing with skiing/snowboarding at Granite Peak Resort and Winter Camp at Tesomas

This outing is  Friday, February 17 – Monday, February 20 and is an action-packed weekend of winter sports and activities.  We will depart Riverside on Friday early afternoon, stay in a hotel Friday night so we can hit the slopes of Granite Peak first thing Saturday.  After a day of skiing we will enjoy dinner and head to Tesomas where on Sunday we will participate in Winter Camp activities such as Ice Fishing, Cross Country skiing,  snowshoeing, sledding, building an igloo and playing broom ball.  We will depart Tesomas early Monday morning and arrive back in Riverside mid-afternoon.  This is a great opportunity to enjoy some winter fun and work on the Snow Sports merit badge.

Scouts can attend on their own or the whole family is welcome to take advantage of the group rates and join us for the ski portion or for the full outstanding weekend of fun!

Granite Peak offers trails for skiers at all skill levels, however  there will not be an opportunity to take ski lessons during this outing.  Therefore, scouts attending on their own should have prior skiing experience.

Friday, February 17 – Monday, February 20

Friday Itinerary

• Depart: RPC  at  2:00 p.m. (4.5 hr drive)
• Arrive at LaQuinta Inn at ~5 p.m.
• Dinner in area
• Swimming at hotel

Saturday Itinerary

• Continental Breakfast: 7:00-9:00 a.m.
• Ski or Snowboarding: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Dinner in Wausau
• Drive to Tesomas arrive ~7:30 pm
• evening activity

Sunday Itinerary

• Breakfast at Tesomas
• Winter Camp Activities 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• Lunch 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Winter Camp  Activities 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Dinner at Tesomas

Monday Itinerary

• Depart Tesomas 8:00 a.m.
• Breakfast on the road
• Return to Riverside ~2:30 p.m.

Cost and Payment:

The price of this outing is dependent on the size of the group. There is a discount if we are a group of 20 or more; therefore the payment for this outing will be handled a little differently then other outings.  When you register you will be asked to pay $50 per person non-refundable deposit.  Once registration is closed (February 11) you will be notified of the remaining cost and asked to pay it.  If you cancel at any time you will forfeit the deposit.  If you cancel within 48 hours of the departure, you may be charged an additional $25  cancellation fee per person, depending on the impact the cancellation has on our group rate.

Below is a menu of the costs, but if you need to rent ski equipment the cost of the weekend will be between $174 (group rate) and $223 (w/o group rate) per person.  If you have equipment (including helmet), the costs  drop to $142 (group rate) to $175 (w/o group rate) per person.

Menu of Costs per person:

Friday night accommodations options and cost

• between $25 – $30 per scout or leader/adult  for shared room
• $95 for family room

Saturday costs

• Ski or snowboard rental:  $22 (group rate) / $38 (w/o group rate)
• Helmet rental: $10 – BSA policy is everyone must wear a helmet.  If you do not have a helmet, you must rent one.
• Lift Ticket : $42 (group rate) / $70 (w/o group rate)
• Group dinner: $20

Sunday Winter Camp cost include: 2 nights accommodation in bunkhouse, 3 meals Sunday, Winter activities (Ice Fish, Cross Country ski,  snowshoe, sled, build an igloo, broom ball)

• Scout/sibling cost:  $55
• Leader/Adult cost: $40

Additional Meals:

• Friday dinner at fast food restaurant, Saturday lunch at chalet and Monday breakfast at fast food restaurant are at your own expense.  Scouts should be given pocket money to cover these three meals.

Leader in charge will be Bruce Robertson. For questions contact Susan Lynch

Scouts, Adults, AND Siblings, sign up here: http://troop24riverside.com/2017/01/2017-winter-outing-form/

Deadline for sign-up: February 12, 2017

THURSDAY February 9 TROOP 24 MEETING 7:00 PM

• February:  WINTER ACTIVITIES
• BRING SCOUT BOOK TO ALL MEETINGS.
• Iceberg in charge of meeting set-up, FLAGS, and clean-up. Report at 6:45pm in Full Uniform.
• Trail to First Class: Knot tying competitions.
• Trail to First Class: Second Class Citizenship 8c & 8d form can be found at Forms & Document tab of the Troop website.
• Trail to First Class: All scouts should be tracking their physical activity for Tenderfoot 6b, Second 7a, First 8a.  These need to be completed consecutively.  We sent home Activity Log sheets but you may also print them from the Personal Fitness Merit Badge workbook pp 11 at MeritBadge.org.
• Merit Badge: FINAL Citizenship in the World meeting with Mrs. Murphy.  Bring completed worksheets and be prepared to discuss.  If you are unable to attend, contact Mrs. Murphy at jkmurphy64@gmail.co to make alternative arrangements.
• Winter Skits: Each patrol will develop and rehearse skits this week for presentation the next week.
• MANDATORY ATTENDANCE MEETING FEBRUARY 23 FOR TROOP AND ORDER OF ARROW ELECTIONS.
• Cyber Chip: Scout Rank and Star Rank need to acquire the Cyber Chip for your age.  Go to http://www.netsmartz.org/scouting to review the requirements.  Once you have completed the Read, Write and Watch requirements, register on the Troop 24 Website and we will set aside time in the meeting for the scout to complete the Teach and Talk requirements.  We have the Cards.  The chip expires after one year, see the Scoutmaster to “Recharge” or renew the Chip.

 

We look forward to seeing you at 7:00 pm on Thursday.