If you plan to go to summer camp with the troop this year but have not yet registered, we need you to sign up by the end of this weekend. If you have a special situation and need to delay registration, please let Mrs. Lach know.
Scouts sign up HERE

Full payment for camp was due on Thursday. The cost is $300, payable by check to Troop 24. Please email Mrs. Lach at clach@northpark.edu if you have not yet paid.

Merit badge choices should be turned in as soon as possible. The class schedule can be viewed on the Tesomas website under “Advancement Schedule”.

More information plus online payment for bus and bike transportation coming soon.

Troop 24 is planning an overnight camp-out at Kankakee River State Park, leaving Friday, June 1, and returning Sunday, June 3.

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.Bicycling: The biking will be done on a 10.5 mile paved bike path through the park.

or

• 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.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 Wednesday, May 23.
• 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.
• All participating Scouts must return equipment and participate in clean up at 7:00 pm on Thursday, June 7 at RPC.
• Please fill out a form for each scout and each leader/chaperone. Scouts and Leaders must register and pay by Wednesday May 23.

To register: 

• Leaders & chaperones register here
• Scouts register here
• Register each participant separately if you have multiple family members interested in attending.

In place of our usual Thursday troop meeting, there will be a Court of Honor on May 17th, starting at 7:00 p.m. in the Riverside Presbyterian Church 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. Nothing with peanut ingredients please.