If you have already had your scout’s bike inspected by a bike shop, great! If not, we will have a inspection this Friday, July 17, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 360 Nuttall in Riverside. We don’t want scouts to get to camp and have problems with their bikes, so the inspection is mandatory. If you know that your bicycle needs repair you will need to bring the needed parts with you and we will repair the bike that day.

You can also take your bicycle to any bike shop for inspection. Ask the bike shop to provide a paper saying that it is good working order.

Drop-off for bikes will be next Thursday, July 23, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. at 2413 S. 4th Avenue in North Riverside. Please remember to bring a helmet as well (marked with scout’s name). BSA rules require scouts to wear helmets when riding at camp.

We strongly encourage every scout to bring a bike. The camp is very large and it makes it much faster and easier to get around. Bikes are necessary for scouts taking archery and shooting sports because the ranges are quite far from our campsite.

For our 49 scouts who are going to Tesomas, we need to know what merit badges you plan to take. It appears that over half the scouts have not selected merit badge classes. Please review the list of merit badges offered (2015 Tesomas Advancement Schedule), and send your choices to Liz Gomorczak at jecggomo@gmail.com ASAP. If you can’t remember if you sent it, send it again, please.

For any scout or leader going to Camp Tesomas, please respond to this post with your t-shirt size. All sizes are adult. T-shirts are provided by the Troop. There is no cost to the scout family.

Fill out a form here: http://troop24riverside.com/2015/07/t-shirt-form-2015/

It’s time to pay for transportion to summer camp. The cost for the bus is $100 per scouts. If you have more than one scout in your family, the second and subsequent scouts pay only $75. The cost to transport bikes to/from camp is $15.

Please sign up here: http://troop24riverside.com/2015/07/tesomas-bus-bike-form/.

For Scouts participating in Micro-Trek at Tesomas Scout Camp this summer:

ATV Program (MT200) – Those Scouts 15 and older signed up for Micro-Trek 200 will have the opportunity to participate in an ATV Rider Course at camp. Each participant needs to bring the signed permission form with them to camp. Participants are required to wear long pants, long-sleeve shirts, and over-the-ankle boots. ATV Permission Form

Zip-Line Program (MT200) – Scouts 15 and older signed up for Micro-Trek 200 will have the opportunity to participate in a world-class canopy experience in the heart of the Northwoods. Each participant needs to bring a signed permission form with them to camp. Zip Line Permission Form

Rafting (MT101) – Scouts 13-14 signed up for Micro-Trek 101 will also have the opportunity to go rafting (pending weather and river conditions). Each participant needs to bring a signed permission form with them to camp. Rafting Permission Form

All forms should be delivered to Liz Gomorczak as soon as possible. PLEASE don’t wait until the last minute!

Swim tests are required for all scouts and adults attending any BSA summer camp. This includes scouts who have already earned a Swimming Merit Badge, and anyone who intends to put even their toes in the lake. Again this year, the Riverside Swim Club has generously agreed to hold the tests there. Every scout should plan to come to the Swim Club on one of the dates listed below. The Swim Club address is 100 Bloomingbank Road, Riverside. If you are not a member, just tell the person at the front desk that you are there for the boy scout swim test. Please try to attend the first opportunity available; do not wait until the last minute!

Thursday, June 25 at 11:00 a.m.
Saturday, June 27, at 10:00 a.m.
Saturday, July 11, at 10:00 a.m.

We held a meeting for parents last week 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 Liz Gomorczak, along with t-shirt size.
• 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.pdfSee 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 10 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 19! NO EXCEPTIONS! DELIVER FORMS TO:

   Liz Gomorczak
   2359 Burr Oak Avenue (5 blocks east of Des Plaines on north side of tracks)
   North Riverside
   OR SCAN AND E-MAIL TO jecggomo@gmail.com
   OR FAX TO 312-228-7811 – delivered confidentially to Liz’s e-mail

2. Print medical forms double-sided to save paper (A scout is thrifty!)
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: 2015 Tesomas Advancement Schedule
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 – check http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page for supply list (basketry, leatherwork, etc.)
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 (swimming, cooking + 1 or 2 more). See 2015 Tesomas Advancement Schedule
15. Additional fee – for shotgun merit badge ($25)
16. Special diet – Click on link and select:
    https://www.doubleknot.com/form/formjump.asp?bidx=0&surveyID=4401&OrgKey=1438
    Unit Type – “Troop”
    Unit Number – “24”
    Beginning Date at Camp – “July 26, 2015”
    Ending Date at Camp – “August 1, 2015”
    Camper’s Name
    Check – “Youth”
    Camp – “Tesomas Scout Camp”
    Your Phone Number
    Your E-mail Address
    Click “Continue”
    Fill in box with dietary needs
    Click “Complete Survey”
17. Bikes – It is HIGHLY recommended that all scouts bring bikes to camp to get around
    *Bikes MUST be inspected ahead of time.  (The Wheel Thing offers a free inspection and 10% off parts if needed – 15 S. La Grange, 352-3822) but more info is forthcoming.
    ALL scouts MUST HAVE HELMET! It’s a BSA rule.
    Bike drop off is Thursday, July 23, at 2413 4th Ave, North Riverside (home of Tom Hartwig)
18. Microtrek: http://clsr.samoset.org/hanna/microtrek.php
    *$45 for 13 – 14 years
    *$55 for 15 – 16 years
19. Waivers:
    Waivers must be turned in to Liz Gomoczak 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
    Cost – $170
    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) 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 – ~$25 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, August 1.  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 (possibly Riverside Swim Club).  It’s best to complete before camp.
29. T-shirt size – Add scout’s t-shirt size to merit badge selection form (or e-mail Liz Gomorczak at jecggomo@gmail.com).
30. Expect your scout to be sent home with a tent or other equipment to clean and dry after camp.

Tonight is our last regular troop meeting of the year. Next Thursday, May 28, will be our spring Court of Honor, which all scouts (and parents) should plan to attend.

We will also be holding Boards of Review tonight, so please sign up online if you need either a Scoutmaster Conference and/or a Board of Review
Scoutmaster Conference
Board of Review
Be sure to bring your scout books to have requirements signed off.

We are still in need of scouts for these events. Please sign up for:
Memorial Day ceremony
Court of Honor candle ceremony

It’s not too late to sign up for:
Kankakee River
Camp Tesomas

Finally, tonight is our parent meeting for scouts going to Tesomas. We will meet in the Social Hall at RPC at about 7:10-7:15. If your scout is not signed up, but is still considering whether to go to Tesomas, please join us for the meeting. If you have not yet paid for camp, please bring your payment tonight.

We have 67 (non-senior) scouts in Troop 24. 47 are signed up for one or more of our summer events: Seabase, Tesomas, Porcupine Mountains. It is not too late to sign up for Tesomas, and we encourage you to do so. The majority of our new scouts are going to Tesomas, and we hope the remaining new scouts will sign up! If you’re unsure, please plan to attend the camp meeting next Thursday, May 21, in the RPC Social Hall. We also need leaders for Camp Tesomas.

Scout Sign-up
Leader Sign-up