Swim tests for camp will take place at the Pav YMCA in Berwyn tonight (Monday, June 26) at 7pm. Swim tests will be offered one final time before camp on Monday, July 10 at 7pm, also at the Pav YMCA. Please sign up to let us know when you plan to attend.

June 26 Swim Test
July 10 Swim Test

The scheduled swim test for Thursday evening 6/22 has been cancelled. Please plan to attend the next swim test on Monday, June 26th at 7pm if you have not taken the swim test yet this summer. The test will take place at the Pav YMCA in Berwyn. Sign up here:
Swim Test Monday June 26

If you cannot attend, but would like to take the test before camp, please contact Mrs. Staubus at carrie@staubus.net. We will set up an additional test date if necessary.

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 must take the test, except for the scouts who already completed the test for Seabase.

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

Tuesday June 20 at 7pm
Thursday June 22 at 7pm
Monday June 26 at 7pm

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 Scott Johnson, 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 20
June 22
June 26

The troop needs to pay our bill soon for the bus to camp, so please remember to pay the fee for your scout. Here is the link to the registration and payment form:
Bus and Bike Form

Also, if you haven’t done so yet, let us know t-shirt sizes for all scouts and adults attending camp. Click on the following link for our t-shirt size survey:
Camp Tesomas T-shirt sizes

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:
https://troop24riverside.com/2017/05/busbike-form-2017/

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.
Camp Tesomas T-Shirt Sizes

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 16-22. More information about the camp is available here: Camp Tesomas Website

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 select merit badge choices on the 2017 Tesomas Advancement Schedule and turn it in at troop meeting or email to our camp coordinators (addresses below). For older scouts who are 1st Class and above, several other options are available including Microtreks. Please contact our summer camp coordinators to sign up for these programs NOW since there is limited enrollment.

The cost for camp is $295. (A late fee may of $15 may be added soon) Because many scouts have popcorn credits, the camp fee should be paid by check made out to Troop 24. Checks can be turned in at a Troop meeting. Scouts with popcorn credit were e-mailed 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 16, and will return mid-day on Saturday, July 22.

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 now. The form that you need to take to your physician can be downloaded here:
BSA Medical Form
Scuba participants will also need the PADI medical form.

Please don’t wait until the last minute to register! Register for camp here:
Scout Summer Camp Registration
Leaders and Troop Committee Members planning to attend Camp Tesomas, register here: Adult Summer Camp Registration

General questions about camp can be directed to our Summer Camp Coordinators, Carolyn Lach at clach@northpark.edu or Gina Scheidler at scheidler.gina@gmail.com.

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:

-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 Carolyn Lach at clach@northpark.edu.
-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: 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: http://clsr.samoset.org/resources/TSCAdvancement.pdf

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 – 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 workbook 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). See http://clsr.samoset.org/resources/TSCAdvancement.pdf

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 15, 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 register.

19. Waivers for Microtrek:
Waivers must be turned in to Carolyn Lach or Gina Scheidler with the medical forms.
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
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 16 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 22. 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.

On Thursday, April 6 at 7 pm, we will have a parent meeting about summer camp in the Social Hall downstairs from our troop meeting. At this meeting, we will give an overview of Camp Tesomas, discuss transportation, merit badge class selection, as well as answer any questions. This meeting is mandatory for parents of scouts attending Camp Tesomas for the first time. Parents of scouts who have not yet signed up, please attend to learn all about this outstanding camp which is the highlight of our scouting year.

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 16-22. More information about the camp is available here: Camp Tesomas Website We will have a parent meeting soon to answer questions about this summer camp.

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 2017 Tesomas Advancement Schedule. For older scouts who are 1st Class and above, several other options are available including Scuba or Microtreks. Please contact our summer camp coordinators (addresses below) to sign up for these programs NOW since there is limited enrollment. For scouts completing 8th grade or older who are 1st Class and above, there will also be the option of staying the following week for a canoeing/camping trip on the Wisconsin River. More details and sign up coming soon!

The cost for camp is $295 if paid before April 15. After April 15, the cost is $15 more. 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.

Tesomas offers a confidential “campership.” The application for this financial assistance is due to Tesomas by April 1 and can be found here: Campership Application. Some of our scouts have received funds in the past, so please apply if needed.

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 16, and will return mid-day on Saturday, July 22.

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 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 new Summer Camp Coordinators, Carolyn Lach at clach@northpark.edu or Gina Scheidler at scheidler.gina@gmail.com.