Former Asst. Scoutmaster, Scott Vitek, 55, passed away on January 9. The Viteks were an active scout family. Scott and Kim have two children, Collin and Cody. Cody is a Troop 24 Eagle Scout from 2011.

There will be a memorial gathering on Monday, January 15, 2018, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Ivins/Moravecek Funeral Home, 80 E. Burlington St. Riverside.

Troop 24 has lots planned for 2018. Here is a summary of upcoming events:

January
January 20 – Klondike Derby
January 24 – Voyageur Trace Awards Dinner (for leaders and adult members)
January 25 – Boards of Review
January 27 – Pack 24 Pinewood Derby (scout volunteers needed)

February
February 3-4 Luge Overnight
February 4 – Scout Sunday
February 17 – Three Fires Merit Badge University (register here)
February 17-19 – Granite Peak Skiing and Winter Camp at Tesomas
February 22 – Troop 24 and Order of the Arrow Elections and Boards of Review
February 25 – Pack 24 Blue and Gold

March
March 3 – Pancake Breakfast
March 3 – Pack 120 Blue and Gold
March 16-18 – Cantigny Campout
March 22 – Boards of Review

April
April 20-22 – Climbing and Shooting Campout at Ingersoll Scout Reservation
April 21 – Hofmann Dam River Rats Service Project
April 26 – Boards of Review
April 29 – Service Project at the Boulevard

May
May 4-6 – Order of the Arrow Spring Fellowship Campout (members and elected scouts only)
May 17 – Spring Court of Honor
May 18-20 – White Pines State Park Campout
May 28 – Riverside Memorial Day Ceremony
May 31 – Boards of Review

June
Kankakee State Park Campout date TBD

July
July 4 – Pizza Booth Fundraiser
July 8-14 – Whitewater Rafting Trip at Camp Daniel Boone (older scouts only)
July 15-21 – Summer Camp at Camp Tesomas

Riverside Presbyterian Church, the charter organization for Troop 24 and Pack 24, invites all scouts, leaders and scout families to attend Worship in celebration of the long standing relationship between RPC and the Boy Scouts on February 4^th at 10:00 am.  The service will be followed by coffee fellowship hosted by Troop 24.

The Troop 24 Committee encourages scouts and their families to attend the Scout Sunday service.  It is a chance for many of our scouts to experience worship in a place of different denomination or faith.  Scout Sunday is also an occasion for us to show our appreciation to the members of RPC for their support and use of the church for 79 years.

Scouts who attend will also have the opportunity to earn service hours by participating in either the worship service or in fellowship. Please note that this is the weekend of the Luge outing, and those scouts will not be back in time to participate. Volunteers are needed for the following roles:

• Ushers: greet people, hand out bulletins, and pass the offering plate. (need 4-6 scouts)
• Liturgist: Read the scripture lesson and offer a prayer (1-2 scouts)
• Speakers willing to speak about their scouting experiences and what it has meant to them.  This is ideal for a scout working on their Communication Merit Badge that still needs to complete requirement #3 or a scout who is comfortable speaking in front of people. (need 2-3 scouts)
• Fellowship Set up (9:00 – 10:00):  Make coffee and lemonade, prepare plates of treats, set out plates, cups and saucers, etc. (need 4 scouts)
• Fellowship Clean up (12:00 – 12:30): run dishwasher, wash serving plates and coffee pots and wipe tables. (need 4 scouts)

Scouts willing to help – sign up here

We hope all scouts who attend bring something to share during fellowship (e.g. coffee cake, cookies, fruit, cheese & crackers, etc.).

Scouts and Leaders should wear their Class A uniform and merit badge sash.  If you have a Girl Scout or Cub Scout in the family, they are welcome to wear their uniform.  We hope to see you there.

If you have any questions please contact Carrie Staubus.

Pack 24’s annual pinewood derby will be held on Saturday, January 27, and they are seeking help from our scouts. Any Troop 24 scout that wishes to work a one hour shift will earn a service hour, and will also have lunch or a treat, courtesy of the pack.

Our scouts will be managing the race by setting up the pinewood cars, and retrieving them to bring back to the starting gates. Boy scouts may also help supervise the movie room.

Shifts are available in one-hour blocks starting at 1:00pm. The racing is expected to wrap up at 3:00pm so the last shift will help with clean up.

Thanks in advance for your help. Click here to sign up today.

Welcome back Troop 24 from your long winter break.  We completed our Citizenship module and we will be working on knots and lashings for all those still needing to complete these requirements.  January is Sports Month and we start with a Dodgeball Tournament.  Citizenship in the Nation merit badge will meet with Mr. Perry again, so bring your completed merit badge requirements.

RETURN ALL TENTS!!!  RETURN ALL TENTS!!!

• BRING SCOUT BOOK TO ALL MEETINGS
• MEETING OPENING 7:00
  •   24th GARRISON patrol is responsible for meeting set-up, FLAGS, and clean up. Report at 6:45 in Full Uniform.
• SKILL INSTRUCTION
  • Knots & Lashings
  • To Be Completed at Home: Second Class 8c & 8d; see the form from the Forms & Documents link on the Troop website.
• QUARTERMASTERS: Store tents.
• MERIT BADGE: [First Class & Above]
  • Citizenship in the Nation merit badge with Mr. Perry.  Be prepared to discuss.
• TROOP ACTIVITY:  DODGEBALL TOURNAMENT
• 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 sign up on the Troop 24 website to schedule a meeting to complete the Teach and Talk requirements.  We have the Cards.  The chip expires after one year, see Scoutmaster Flaherty to “Recharge” or renew the Chip.

Sunday is the last day to register for the Luge Outing to Muskegon Michigan.  Don’t miss out on this great adventure!!

https://troop24riverside.com/2018/01/last-chance-to-luge/

Luge registration closes this Sunday Jan. 7th, 2018 so if you haven’t signed up yet, now’s your chance!

Luge weekend is sure to be an exciting outing filled with thrills and excitement as our scouts “sled” down the 850′ track and the hit the pool for some relaxation afterwards.

The cost of this trip is $115. (This includes the luge ticket, hotel accommodations, Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast.)

Scouts sign up HERE

For more details about this trip, click HERE.

***Please remember that 8th grade Hauser students may be required to attend mandatory testing on Feb 3rd, so if that’s you, we’ll catch you next time.

Happy New Year to our Troop 24 family.  The New Year holds many exciting adventures for Troop 24 Scouts so don’t miss out.

High Adventure abounds in the rush of white water rafting July 6th-14th for all scouts of First Class and above, age 14 by June 1 or 8th grade graduate, and swimming merit badge.  Space is extremely limited so don’t wait any longer.  https://troop24riverside.com/2017/12/2018-high-adventure-white-water-rafting-trek/

It’s Cold Out and time to enjoy the Arctic weather at the Muskegon Luge Outing February 3-4.  There are still spots available but don’t delay, Sunday, Jan 7 is the last date to register!!!!  Please check the dates against the RBHS Eighth Grade Placement Exams.  https://troop24riverside.com/2017/12/luge-reminder-dont-wait/

We need Scouts to fill out our Lost Boys Patrol to participate in the 2018 DesPlaines Valley Klondike Derby on January 20 at Bemis Woods.  It’s time to bring the Klondike Trophy back to Troop 24 so sign up today.  We will prepare the sled and review our scout skills in the coming meetings.  https://troop24riverside.com/2017/12/klondike-derby-saturday-january-20-2018/

Thursday’s January 4 Meeting will only be for those scouts working to complete their Scout or Tenderfoot ranks.  Leaders will be available to review your advancement requirements and help with your scout skills.  Thursday at 7pm at RPC.  The next regular meeting will be January 11.