Bike Inspection and Ax Yard
Bike inspection for camp will take place TONIGHT – Thursday, July 12, 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 14 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 77 to 86 degrees, with a chance of thunderstorms a couple of days. Evening temperatures are predicted with a low of 52 degres. 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 if they wish, but there will be no solo youth tents (you still will have a tent-mate if not in a troop tent). Sleep mats or cots are preferred over air mattresses and NO double air mattresses.

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. Please fill out the Scout Medication Form for Camp Tesomas as their medical office will administer medication: Tesomas Medication Form
Carrie Staubus will collect this medication and remind those scouts when to visit the medical office. Please give the bags to her at bus drop off on Sunday.
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 15th 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 21. 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.

We are just one week away from Tesomas Summer Camp.  Everyone should have completed the swimming tests at Pav YMCA – if not, you will be asked to take a swim test upon arrival at camp. BSA medical forms must be turned in by now to Mrs. Lach including Part C from your doctor.  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 14 from 8am to Noon at 2413 S 4th Avenue, North Riverside.  

To help you prepare for camp, Troop 24 will hold an Ax Yard/Bike Check on Thursday, July 12, 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):  Camp Tesomas   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 15 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.

All scouts attending Tesomas who have not yet paid for transportation must do so NOW! Here is the link to information and the payment form.

If you plan to get to Tesomas some way other than the bus, please email Mrs. Lach at clach@northpark.edu to let her know your plans. Thank you.

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

Wednesday June 6 at 7:30 pm
Wednesday June 13 at 7:30 pm
Wednesday June 20 at 7:30 ppm

The Pav YMCA is located at 2947 Oak Park Ave. in Berwyn. When you arrive, let the front desk staff know that you are there for the Boy Scout swim test (you do not need to purchase a guest pass). Then proceed to the pool where you will check in with troop leaders and Jared Miller, the YMCA aquatics director.

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 6
June 13
June 20

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. We will also provide bicycle transport to camp for a cost of $15. 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

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

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.

We held a meeting for parents 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:

–Summer Camp is July 15-21, 2018
–Sign up for summer camp now so we know who is going!
Scout Sign Up
Leader Sign Up
–Bring your payment to a troop meeting ($300 check made out to Troop 24) ASAP but no later than the May 17 Court of Honor.
–Schedule a medical exam 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 Carolyn Lach at clach@northpark.edu. You can scan and attach the form to your email, or just email Mrs. Lach a list of your selections. See #10 below about the schedule of classes.
-Bus and bike transportation will be provided to camp. Please sign up and pay when the links are posted on the troop website.

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.pdf See 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 1 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 10! NO EXCEPTIONS! Deliver forms to Mrs. Lach or scan and email to her at clach@northpark.edu.

2. Print medical forms single sided please.

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: Read the 2018 Parent’s Guidebook and more here. (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 clothes 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: See 2018 Advancement Schedule here.

11. Prerequisites – Be sure to check if there are any prerequisites for chosen merit badges: See Advancement Prerequisites here. Prerequisites should be done before camp starts.

12. Supplies for certain merit badges – basketry, leatherwork, etc. can be purchased at camp and billed to parent.

13. Troop’s merit badge book library – will be brought to camp for scouts to reference, but we suggest that you print out the worksheets for each merit badge at http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

14. First-year scouts – merit badge choices (cooking + 2 or 3 more B or C level classes, swimming if your son does not mind cold lakewater).

15. Additional fee – for shotgun merit badge ($25)

16. Special diet – is available, please make request no later than July 1, contact Carolyn Lach.

17. Bikes – It is HIGHLY recommended that all scouts bring bikes to camp to get around
*Bikes MUST be inspected ahead of time. You may go to a local bike shop or the troop will schedule an inspection day – more info is forthcoming.
ALL scouts MUST HAVE HELMET! It’s a BSA rule.
Bike drop off is Saturday, July 14, at 2413 4th Ave, North Riverside (home of Tom Hartwig)

18. Microtrek: activities for older scouts who want an alternative to merit badge classes; contact Carolyn Lach to inquire about possible openings.

19. Waivers for Microtrek:
Waivers must be turned in to Carolyn Lach with the medical forms.

20. Scuba: http://www.northwoodshighadventure.com/programs/scuba.php
You will need to provide to Camp Tesomas:
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) Sunday July 15 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 – ~$30 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, July 21. 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 an email 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 – We will let you know several weeks before camp when/where our troop swim test will take place (probably the Pav YMCA in Berwyn). It’s best to complete before camp.

29. T-shirt size – We will send an email with a form requesting your son’s t-shirt size.

30. Expect your scout to be sent home with a tent or other equipment to clean and dry after camp.

It’s time to register for Troop 24 Summer Camp!!

Troop 24′s annual summer camp will be at Camp Tesomas, north of Rhinelander, Wisconsin (about 6 hours from Riverside). Traditionally, almost all our scouts attend summer camp, and we highly recommend that new scouts attend camp. The dates for this year’s camp are July 15-21. More information about the camp is available here: Camp Tesomas Website We will have a parent meeting on Thursday, April 5th during the troop meeting to answer questions about this summer camp. It is important that each scout new to the summer camp experience has a parent attend this meeting.

Younger scouts (current 5th, 6th, 7th graders) will take merit badge classes. For our 5th grade scouts particularly, our leaders will discuss their options with them and make recommendations. You can start thinking about your merit badge choices by looking at the 2018 Tesomas Advancement Schedule.

The cost for camp is $300. Because many scouts have popcorn credits, the camp fee will be paid by check made out to Troop 24. Checks can be turned in at a Troop meeting. Scouts with popcorn credit will receive an e-mail with the amount. If it will be a hardship to pay everything at once, you can pay $150 now, with the remainder due by May 15.

As in the past, we will charter a bus to take our scouts to camp. We anticipate the cost to be $100 (which is in addition to the cost of the camp). We will also be transporting bicycles to camp. More information about the bus and bike transportation will be available later. The bus will leave about 7:00 a.m. on Sunday morning, July 15, and will return mid-day on Saturday, July 21.

All scouts will need an updated BSA medical form, signed by a physician (Part C) prior to going to camp. Please make your doctors’ appointments soon. The form that you need to take to your physician can be downloaded here:
BSA Medical Form

Please don’t wait until the last minute to register! Register for camp here:
Scout Summer Camp Registration

At this time, we are accepting adult registration from ONLY Leaders and Troop Committee Members. Adults planning to attend Camp Tesomas, register here:
Adult Summer Camp Registration

General questions about camp can be directed to our Summer Camp Coordinator, Carolyn Lach at clach@northpark.edu

Troop 24 will be attending Tesomas Summer Camp July 15-21, 2018. The cost of camp will be $300 per scout, plus an additional bus fee for transportation. Sign-up on our troop website will begin in spring, and we are requesting that payment be made by check, using popcorn credits for those scouts who have earned them. For those with financial hardship, camperships are available to pay a portion of this cost. Tesomas campership applications are due April 1. Here is a link to the form that parents should submit to be considered: http://clsr.samoset.org/resources/CampershipApplication.pdf. Troop 24 also has campership money available for scouts with financial hardship who participated in our troop fundraising, contact Scoutmaster Flaherty for more information.

Tesomas program registration opens on March 1, and the following programs and merit badge classes have limited enrollment. Scuba will be offered to high school age scouts for an additional cost. Microtrek 101 is for scouts who are 13 and 14 years of age and First Class rank (morning only, $50 additional cost). Microtrek 200 is for Scouts 15 years of age or older and First Class rank (morning and afternoon session, $65 additional cost). More information will be available at troop meetings or on the Camp Tesomas website. Four merit badge classes have limited enrollment: Climbing, Archery, Rifle Shooting and Shotgun Shooting ($25 additional fee). If you wish to participate in one of these programs, email our Troop Camp Coordinator Carolyn Lach ASAP at clach@northpark.edu.

The Tesomas 2018 Merit Badge schedule is now available online: Take a look, as some new classes are being offered this summer.