It is with great sadness that we share the news of Tom Lombardo’s death.

An Eagle Scout and Riverside resident, Tom was the den leader for his son Jamie’s Cub Scout den in Pack 24. Tom shared his knowledge and love of scouting, all while privately facing stage four lung cancer.

Tom is survived by his wife Layla and son Jamie. You may read the obituary here.

Visitation will take place Thursday, November 16 from 2pm-7pm at Hitzeman Funeral Home located at 9445 E. 31st Street in Brookfield.

May the Great Master of all Scouts be with us until we meet again.

Troop 24 has a lot going on in November and December. Don’t forget to register and make your payments online. Here are links to our current forms:

Scout dues need to be paid now. Check Upcoming Events if you can’t remember if you paid yet. Then go to the post and forms for payment: Scout Dues

1,000 Trees service project is Saturday, November 18th. We need more scouts and leaders – please sign up here: 1,000 Trees

Holiday Stroll is Friday, December 1. Please volunteer to help at the s’mores tent by signing up here.

Purchase your ticket to our Saturday, December 16 private matinee showing of Star Wars: The Last Jedi here.

We’re looking forward to seeing all of you at our Troop Fall Court of Honor on Thursday, November 16. Remember – full scout uniform and please bring an appetizer or dessert to share.

In place of our usual Thursday troop meeting, there will be a Court of Honor on November 16th, starting at 7:00 p.m. in the RPC Social Hall. Scouts who wish to participate as color guard, candle lighters, etc. should arrive at 6:45 p.m.

Wikipedia’s definition of a BSA Court of Honor: “In the Boy Scouts of America a court of honor is a troop activity where scouts and their families come together to get their awards, and have a good time together. It is important for the scout’s family members to be there for their scouts receiving his rank advancement, merit badges, and other awards.”

Troop 24 holds two Courts of Honor each year–one in the fall and one in the spring. We expect that all scouts participate in these events, unless there is an unavoidable conflict. Scouts should dress in full uniform, including their scarf and merit badge sash (if they have one). Please no jeans or athletic apparel.

We also ask that each scout have at least one parent or grandparent present. Parents as well as scouts come forward when rank advancements are announced, and it’s sad when a scout has to stand up there alone.

We need refreshments for the reception after the ceremony. Noretta Griffin will be coordinating this, but we need volunteers to help set up and clean up. If you can volunteer or bring food, please e-mail Noretta at jasonandcorky@comcast.net. Suggestions are cookies, brownies, fruit, cheese & crackers, veggies & dip, hummus or guacamole & chips. Thanks!

If your scout is a big fan of the Star Wars movies, then we hope he can join Troop 24 for a private matinee showing of the newest Star Wars episode on Saturday, December 16 at 9:45am at the North Riverside Mall Classic Cinemas theatre. Doors open at 9:15am so scouts can get there in time to load up like Jabba the Hutt on all kinds of popcorn, sugary snacks, soft drinks, etc. and then shout out the answers to the movie trivia.

Space is limited – we have 60 seats reserved, since this opportunity will also be open to the Pack 24 Cub Scouts. At this time, registration will be only for scouts and leaders, but if space is available we will open it up for additional family members. Leaders will be present for check in and throughout the event, so scouts can attend without their parent.

The cost is $7 per person. Please sign up and pay here.

Scouts & adults are needed for our annual s’mores tent at Riverside’s Holiday Stroll Friday, December 1. We provide ingredients and a campfire to roast marshmallows and make s’mores. We do not charge for the s’mores, but collect a free-will offering that will go to the Riverside Presbyterian Church mission ministries. Because the donations collected will go to help those in need, service hours will be given. We will be located at Riverside Garage, always a popular location due to their train set-up. One-hour shifts are available starting at 5:00 p.m., and we also need a few people for set-up (4:00) and take-down (9:00). We need two adults and three or four scouts per shift. Our leaders for this event are Jim Fedorski and Noretta Griffin. Questions should be directed to jim.fedorski@comcast.net

Please sign up here: Holiday Stroll Form

Troop 24 will participate in Riverside’s annual 1,000 Trees Planting Project – Saturday, November 18 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Volunteers should meet at the Riverside Town Hall Second Floor Auditorium for an information session on how to plant tree seeds. Following the training, volunteers are divided into teams to plant previously collected tree seeds in the village’s natural areas along the Des Plaines River. When the teams are done, they can report to the Scout Cabin to return their tools and enjoy soup, chili and hot cocoa. This reforestation effort will be fun, rewarding and easy, and this project will earn scouts conservation service hours needed for rank advancement. Participants should wear warm clothes, gloves, boots and a hat, or whatever outerwear is appropriate for the day’s weather. Scouts do not need to commit to the entire time period to participate.

Read more about the 1,000 Trees service opportunity in this Illinois Farm Bureau article.

Scouts sign up here

Leaders/Adults sign up here

Navigation is key to finding your way.  Thursday we will be finishing the Navigation module so review Scout Handbook pages 327-357 and be prepared to demonstrate your skills to complete your rank advancement requirements.  On Saturday at Waterfall Glen, we will finish the 5 mile hike and the orienteering requirements as well as spending the weekend  in the great outdoors.  Saturday will also showcase our outdoor chefs who will complete the cooking merit badge.

• BRING SCOUT BOOK TO ALL MEETINGS
• MEETING OPENING 7:00
  • SPARTANS are responsible for meeting set-up, FLAGS, and clean up. Report at 6:45 in Full Uniform.
• SKILL INSTRUCTION
  • Navigation: Scout Handbook Section 11 pp 327-357. See Rank Advancement Requirements under Navigation.
  • All scouts should be prepared to demonstrate their navigation skills to get their advancement signed off.
• MERIT BADGE: [First Class & Above]
  • Mr. Flaherty will be completing the COOKING merit badge this week. Bring your completed workbook requirements 4 & 6 and be prepared.
• TROOP ACTIVITY: Patrol competition Tug of War.
• 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, please see Scoutmaster Flaherty to schedule the Teach and Talk requirements.  We have the Cards.  The chip expires after one year, see Scoutmaster Flaherty to “Recharge” or renew the Chip.

It is time to renew your BSA scout membership.  BSA (National and Council Offices) is increasing their dues by 33%.  The cost for 2018 is $60 per scout. Please pay online as soon as possible.

Scout Dues Form

In the past Troop 24 has subsidized the cost of BSA dues for our adult volunteer leaders. A fee is required for each member, including our Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters and Troop Committee Members. With the increase in the dues, this is a considerable cost to the troop.   Please consider making a donation to our troop,  so we can continue to subsidize our leaders who volunteer so much of their time.  Thank you for your support of Troop 24!

Donations for Adult Membership Fees

Scout Cabin Friday

It is Scout Cabin Friday this week!! Don’t miss out on the scavenger hunt that the Patrol Leaders Council has planned along with a campfire and S’mores.  Look forward to seeing everyone there starting at 7:00.

Thursday Meeting

Thursday’s meeting will be limited to all scouts attending the Waterfall Glen Campout, Cooking Merit Badge, and working on Scout Rank.

• All scouts attending the Waterfall Glen Campout must report at 7:00 to plan and prepare for the campout.  Sign up deadline for the campout is this Wednesday November 1.  https://troop24riverside.com/2017/10/waterfall-glen-nov-10-12-2017-scout-camping-form-2/
• All scouts that need to complete the Cooking Merit Badge will meet with Mr. Flaherty.  Please have requirements 6a-c completed in the worksheets and be prepared to discuss.  We will complete requirements 6d-f during the Saturday hike at the Waterfall Glen Campout.  Cooking Merit Badge will meet again on November 9 to finish requirement 4.  For more information see MeritBadge.org
• All scouts working to complete the Scout rank will have an opportunity to meet individually with Assistant Scoutmasters.  Review and practice your scout skills.  Parents, please review and complete Requirement 6 with your scout: 6. With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide and earn the Cyber Chip Award for your grade.  The Parent’s Guide is in the front of the Scout Handbook.