If you wish to send mail to your scout at camp, please address the mail in this way:

(Camper’s Name), Troop 24
Tesomas Scout Camp
5403 Spider Lake Road
Rhinelander, WI 54501

You are encouraged to mail things several days early to ensure we receive it before checkout day.
Do NOT mail care packages that include any food items.

If there is an emergency family issue, please call (715) 365-3111 or email camp@samoset.org with
the camper’s name and unit number in the subject heading and the Camp Director will ensure that
the camper receives the message.

Bike Inspection and Ax Yard
Bike inspection for camp will take place Thursday, July 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Lach’s house at 2334 S. 14th Ave. in North Riverside. We don’t want scouts to get to camp and have problems with their bikes, so please attend or have a family member bring your bike if you have a conflict. If you know that your bicycle needs repair you will need to bring the needed parts with you and we will repair the bike if possible. An Ax Yard will teach scouts how to safely use knives and axes. Scouts who participate will earn the Totin’ Chip which is required to possess or purchase a pocket knife at camp (mandatory for the Woodcarving Merit Badge).

Bike & Equipment Drop-Off
Bike drop-off is at Tom Hartwig’s yard at 2413 4th Avenue in North Riverside on Saturday, July 13 between 9 a.m. and noon. Remember to bring a bike helmet, as it is required by Camp Tesomas.

If you have any troop equipment (and ESPECIALLY tents), please bring it to the bike drop-off on Saturday.

Weather Forecast
The projected high temperatures in Rhinelander, Wisconsin next week range from 85 to 91 degrees, with a chance of thunderstorms a couple of days. Evening temperatures are predicted with a low of 64 degrees. Pack appropriately.

What to Bring
Please print and review the Troop 24 recommended Summer Camp Packing List. Scouts should pack so they know where everything is. Put your scout’s name on everything–AND WE MEAN EVERYTHING! Scouts must wear Class A uniforms (Scout shirts but not neckerchiefs) for travel to camp. Bring a hanger for the shirt during the week. Remember your scout book as we will have opportunities to work on rank advancement at Tesomas. If you have partial blue cards from merit badges offered at Tesomas, bring the partial blue cards so you can attempt to complete them at camp. You do not need blue cards for this year’s classes. Be sure to bring insect repellant and long pants & a long-sleeved shirt. When buying insect repellant, be sure it is NON-AEROSOL (aerosol sprays are very flammable, and are not allowed at camp). You may bring a cell phone (at your own risk) and ear buds for use on the bus only. Older scouts may bring their own tent or hammock if they wish, but there will be no solo youth tents (you still will have a tent-mate if not in a troop tent).

Medications
Scouts taking medications (prescription and non-prescription) should bring the meds in the original container in a ziplock bag labeled with the scout’s name. If there are multiple medications for a scout, please include a note detailing time, dosage, etc.
Carrie Staubus will collect this medication and remind those scouts when to take their medicine. Please give the bags to her at bus drop off on Sunday. The Tesomas medical office is available for scouts who need medication refrigerated or need other assistance. Please email carrie@staubus.net if you have concerns.
Anyone who did not turn in their complete BSA medical form (with a copy of their health insurance card) MUST bring TWO copies on Sunday morning.
Scouts participating in the Scuba program must bring their packet with all required paperwork completed, including parent signatures.

Snacks/Allergy Info
No snacks are allowed in tents – do not bring any extra food for during the week. For the bus trip to camp, you should have a water bottle and if you wish a NUT-FREE, non-messy snack, such as a piece of fruit or two.

Money
Scouts riding the bus will need money for lunch on the way to camp and money for lunch on the way home. Remind your scout to save back enough money to eat lunch on the return trip. Scouts may buy snacks at the Trading Post during the week. Souvenirs are available as well. $40 is the suggested amount to bring.

Departure
Meet in the parking lot of Hauser Jr. High at 6:30 a.m. sharp on Sunday, July 14th to load gear and prepare for a 7:00 am departure.

Swim Test
Scouts who did not take the swim test in advance will be taking the test almost immediately after arrival. Bring swim trunks and a towel in a separate bag on the bus.

Return to Riverside
The scouts arrive back at the Hauser parking lot at around 4:00 p.m. on Saturday July 20. They will use leaders’ phones to call as they get close and/or a group email will go out letting parents know when to meet the bus.

Greetings, Tesomas Families –

As our camping week approaches, you are no doubt preparing for our Sunday morning departure.

As noted in a prior post, maintaining a positive “Scout Spirit” at camp will enable all of us to make the most of the week’s opportunities.

So, please take a few moments to review the Summer Camp Code of Conduct with your Scout, where Camp and Troop conduct expectations are outlined.

The leadership will reinforce this with the Scouts, while aspiring to spend most of our time just sharing stories about the adventures of the day.

Thanks.

We are just one week away from Tesomas Summer Camp.

There is one more chance to complete the swimming tests at Pav YMCA on Monday, July 8th at 5:30 pm – if not, you will be asked to take a swim test upon arrival at camp. If you did the swim test with another lifeguard, please scan and email the test results on the camp form to carrie@staubus.net.

BSA medical forms must be turned in NOW to Mrs. Lach including Part C from your doctor and a copy of your health insurance card.

Make sure your bicycles are tuned up, air in the tires and ready to ride. We have limited bicycle repair capabilities or parts at camp. You MUST have a helmet. Bicycle and helmet turn in will be on SATURDAY JULY 13 from 9am to Noon at 2413 S 4th Avenue, North Riverside. Email THartwig@olparks.com if you need to schedule an earlier drop off.

To help you prepare for camp, Troop 24 will hold an Ax Yard/Bike Check on Thursday, July 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Lach residence, 2334 S. 14th Ave, North Riverside. The purpose of the Ax Yard is to teach proper and safe use of knives, axes, and saws. Completion of the Ax Yard is required to obtain a Totin Chip, which is required if the scout is in possession of any kind of personal knife during any scouting activity. In preparation for the Ax Yard, each scout must review wood tools use and safety rules in the Boy Scout Handbook Chapter 12. Scouts must wear closed toe shoes and may wear Class B shirts. Troop 24 Instructors and other available experienced scouts are required to attend the Ax Yard and be prepared to teach the requisite wood tool use and safety rules.

Go to the the Camp Tesomas website for camp information including a recommended packing list (under Parent Guidebook). You can also look at the Troop 24 summer camp packing list. Do Not Forget: Scout Handbook, Class A uniform, rain gear, sunscreen and bug spray. A camp chair is nice to have also. A couple notes of what NOT TO BRING: Anything Aerosol, open toed shoes including flip flops, electronics. Neither Troop 24 nor Camp Tesomas accepts any responsibility for lost or damaged electronics or personal items. Put your name on Everything!

Travel: The bus will pick up the Troop on Sunday July 14 at 6:30 a.m. in the parking lot of Hauser Jr High. Scouts must wear their uniform shirt for travel to camp. The bus will make one stop during which Scouts may purchase lunch on their own. Don’t forget to save money to purchase your lunch on the return trip.

We look forward to seeing everyone SUNDAY at 6:30 a.m.

Greetings, Tesomas Families –

As our camping week approaches, we are all busy, no doubt.

The week should be splendid and adventurous for all, and to ensure that our Troop maintains a positive “Scout Spirit”, please take a few moments to complete the Cyber Chip renewal with your son before you leave for camp. The links are below.

https://www.scouting.org/training/youth-protection/cyber-chip/grades-6-8/
https://www.scouting.org/training/youth-protection/cyber-chip/grades-9-12/

Happy Fourth of July!

You can still join us for the Riverside Parade or Pizza Fundraising Booth (Set Up and Clean Up Shifts Open). We hope to see you there!

Bike inspection for camp will take place Thursday, July 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Lach’s house at 2334 S. 14th Ave. in North Riverside. We don’t want scouts to get to camp and have problems with their bikes, so please attend or have a family member bring your bike if you have a conflict. If you know that your bicycle needs repair you will need to bring the needed parts with you and we will repair the bike if possible.

An Ax Yard will teach scouts how to safely use knives and axes. Scouts who participate will earn the Totin’ Chip which is required to possess or purchase a pocket knife at camp (mandatory for the Woodcarving Merit Badge).

Remnder: All scouts attending summer camp at Tesomas and adults attending Tesomas who intend to boat or swim should plan to take the Boy Scout swim test. The swim test is required every year, not just for new scouts. Everyone who intends to swim or boat must take the test. (The Swim Test is part of the Merit Badge Class, so you do not need to attend both.)

The swim test will be offered for Troop 24 members at the Pav YMCA (in Berwyn) on the following dates:

Monday, June 24th at 5:30 pm – sign up HERE
Monday, July 8th at 5:30 pm – sign up HERE

Scouts will need to bring swim trunks, swim goggles (recommended) and a towel. Scouts will also need a waiver signed by their parent. There is no fee for the Swim Test and you will not need to purchase a YMCA guest pass.

You also have the option of testing with another certified lifeguard. These forms plus a copy of the lifeguard’s certication should be given to Mrs. Staubus at least a week before camp. Scan and email to carrie@staubus.net.

If you do not attend one of these test dates, you will be asked to take the test upon arrival at Camp Tesomas or you will be designated a non-swimmer.

Bus and Bike Transportation to Camp Tesomas:

Troop 24 has chartered a motorcoach bus to transport scouts to Camp Tesomas and back. This is a comfortable, air-conditioned bus with DVD players and a bathroom. The fee is $100 per scout round-trip (sorry no discount for one-way travel). If you have more than one scout, additional scouts in the same family are $75 each. We will also provide bicycle transport to camp for a cost of $20. We recommend that all scouts bring their bicycles due to the size and layout of the camp. Please sign up and pay now – do a separate form for each scout in your family to help us keep track of who has paid. There is no fee for bus or bike transportation for adults who are attending summer camp. Thank you!

Please sign up for the bus and bike here:
Bus and Bike Transporation

Camp Tesomas T-Shirts:

All scouts and adults who attend summer camp at Camp Tesomas will receive a t-shirt. Please click on the following link to let us know what size t-shirt you would like:
T-shirt size form

Medical Forms Needed ASAP:

All Scouts and Adults who are attending Camp Tesomas will need a current BSA Medical Form, including Parts A, B and C. Please get this form to Carolyn Lach at 2334 S. 14th Avenue in North Riverside, along with a copy of your medical insurance card.

SWIMMING MERIT BADGE CLASS:
The Pav YMCA in Berwyn will be offering the Swimming Merit Badge class for our troop on Monday, June 17th from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. The class will be held at the swimming pool at 2947 S. Oak Park Avenue in Berwyn. The Swimming Merit badge is required for any scout to participate in other water activities such as scout boating outings. Scouts will need to bring the $20 class fee, swim trunks, swim goggles (recommended) and a towel to this class. Scouts will also need a waiver signed by their parent, which we will email to class participants.

Please let us know if you will attend the Swimming Merit Badge Class– Sign up HERE

SWIM TESTS:
All scouts attending summer camp at Tesomas and adults attending Tesomas who intend to boat or swim should plan to take the Boy Scout swim test. The swim test is required every year, not just for new scouts. Everyone who intends to swim or boat must take the test. (The Swim Test is part of the Merit Badge Class, so you do not need to attend both.)

The swim test will be offered for Troop 24 members at the Pav YMCA on the following dates:

Saturday, June 22 at 12:30 pm
Monday, June 24th at 5:30 pm

Scouts will need to bring swim trunks, swim goggles (recommended) and a towel to this class. Scouts will also need a waiver signed by their parent, which we will email to participants. There is no fee for the Swim Test and you will not need to purchase a YMCA guest pass.

If you do not attend one of these test dates, you will be asked to take the test upon arrival at Camp Tesomas or you will be designated a non-swimmer.

Please fill out one of the following forms so we know who to expect each day:
June 22
June 24

AQUATICS RANK ADVANCEMENT REQUIREMENTS:
Scouts who are successful at completing the Swim Test will receive credit for Second Class Req 5b and First Class Req 6a. Troop 24 leaders will be present on these three dates if scouts wish to demonstrate and discuss all aquatics rank advancement requirements (Second Class Reqs 5a-d and First Class Reqs 6a-e). Scouts planning to complete these requirements, please bring your Scout Handbook.

The Troop needs to finalize its summer camp roster, class selections and payment for our week at Camp Tesomas July 14-20, 2019.

Please register NOW on our Troop Website if you plan to go to camp and have not yet signed up.
We have room for more scouts and adult leaders.
Click HERE for more info and the registration links.

Scouts should be paid in full at this point. Please bring any final payments to this week’s troop meeting.

We need your Merit Badge class selections. Email Carolyn Lach at clach@northpark.edu with your schedule or questions.