The Personal Management Merit Badge Zoom meeting details are:

Meeting ID: 655 514 290 Password: 897115

The meetings will be on Wednesday April 1, (not Thursday as previously announced), at 6PM

There are no pre-requisites, however Scouts who want to get a head start can read the pamphlet, a version of which can be found at

https://www.troop109nj.com/merit-badge-library/

and the workbook, which we will use, can be found at:

http://usscouts.org/mb/worksheets/Personal-Management.pdf

You are not required to register, but it helps our leaders with planning and record keeping.

Sign up HERE.

Please sign up to participate in Troop 24 Zoom Conference Merit Badge Classes. Registration isn’t required, but it will help the counselors check the list and communicate with you in advance as needed. We will post and email Zoom Video Conference Codes when available. You may Google the Merit Badge Class Name plus “pamphlet” and “worksheet” to be able to read and print useful information.

Also, please let us know on the sign up form if there are merit badges that you would like to pursue that have reasonable “indoor” content.

Citizenship in the World* – TUE 3/31 @ 7:00 PM. Mr. Flaherty and Mrs. Murphy
Personal Management* – THU 4/2 @ 6:00 PM. Mr. Flassing and Mr. Friend
Electricity – Date and Time TBD. Mr. Hartwig and Dr. Lanken

* Eagle-required

Sign up for Merit Badge Classes and suggest other Merit Badge Subjects HERE.

The first Merit Badge Class Starts Tuesday evening. Here is the information to join the conference:
Topic: Citizenship in the World Merit Badge Meeting
Time: Mar 31, 2020 07:00 PM Central Time

As many of you enjoy “Spring Break” with a return to eLearning, next week, the Troop merit badge counselors have been meeting to establish virtual merit badge opportunities for you [via Zoom] during BSA National’s ruling to refrain from in-person unit activities during April.

Please note the first offerings below. Registration isn’t required, but it will help the counselors check the list and communicate with you in advance as needed. We will post and email Zoom Video Conference Codes when available. You may Google the Merit Badge Class Name plus “pamphlet” and “worksheet” to be able to read and print useful information.

Also, please let us know on the sign up form if there are merit badges that you would like to pursue that have reasonable “indoor” content.

Stay tuned for possible weekly meeting programming – we’re still sorting out a good virtual strategy.

Finally, note that while State Parks are currently closed, County parks are not. So if you’d like to find fresh air and exercise with your family, click here.

Citizenship in the World* – TUE 3/31 @ 7:00 PM. Mr. Flaherty and Mrs. Murphy
Personal Management* – THU 4/2 @ 6:00 PM. Mr. Flassing and Mr. Friend
Electricity – Date and Time TBD. Mr. Hartwig and Dr. Lanken

* Eagle-required

Sign up for Merit Badge Classes and suggest other Merit Badge Subjects HERE.

There are many ways for scouts to earn merit badges – at troop meetings, at camp, independently (under the guidance of a merit badge counselor) or in classes. Read over our Troop Merit Badge Page for info to help you get started.

We try to post about upcoming local merit badge classes. These are not troop events, so register directly with the organization offering the program, and plan to provide your own transportation. Please note that some of these dates conflict with troop campouts, so check our troop calendar and plan accordingly. Some programs fill quickly, so register ASAP if you know that you want to participate. Click on the links below for more information.

Triton Merit Badge College will take place on November 16.

The Microsoft Store at the Woodfield Mall has posted their fall merit badge schedule.

Three Fires Council is offering the Chemistry Merit Badge on three dates in October and November.

The DuPage Forest Preserve offers merit badge classes.

Morton Arboretum offers merit badge classes.

The Burpee Museum on Rockford offers merit badge classes.

Rolling Meadows Park District offers merit badge classes.

Lake County Court House Law Merit Badge Clinic. Saturday, February 22nd, 2020. Cost is $6.00 at the door. Click on this link, and near the bottom of the page click on “Merit Badge Flyer and Registration (PDF)” to register.

Let us know if you hear of other opportunities and we will share the news with the troop. Email committeechair@troop24riverside.com

Troop 24 is offering both merit badges for the first time.  The class is limited to 8 Scouts so that 4 can work on Motorboating and 4 can work on Water Sports then switch activities.  The cost of the outing will be $45 per scout which will cover fuel for the boats as well as breakfast and lunch on Friday.  Please plan to send extra money with your scout for Thursday’s dinner as we will stop on our way to Lake Geneva.

We will leave from RPC on Thursday, August 1st at 5:00pm.  We will stop for dinner then arrive at the Snyder’s where we will have a campfire.  We will be staying in the Snyder’s Lake Cottage (not in tents). Friday will be spent on Lake Geneva and we plan on being done by 3:00pm returning to RPC approximately 5:30pm on Friday.  Please click on the links provided here to see the requirements for both merit badges.  Please review these with your scout.

Motorboating https://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Motorboating

Water Sports https://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Water_Sports

This Merit Badge event is only open to Troop 24 Scouts who already have the Swimming Merit Badge.  Registrations are being accepted only for the first 8 scouts to sign up.  You can check on the Troop 24 Website “Upcoming Events” page to make sure your registration was fully submitted and accepted.

If you have a PFD that your son likes to wear please feel free to send it with them.  If not we will have PFD’s for everyone.  Make sure that they pack a swimsuit that they can tie, towel, and sunscreen.

In addition to our leaders Mr. Hartwig and Mr. Snyder,  we are looking for 2 adult drivers, preferably adults who will stay for the entire event and participate as chaperones.  Please sign up on the Adult Form if you can help with this event.

Here are links to the forms:

SCOUT FORM:

Water Sports & Motorboating Merit Badge Overnight 8/1/2019 SCOUT FORM

ADULT FORM:

Water Sports & Motorboating Merit Badge Overnight 8/1/2019 ADULT FORM

REMINDER: The Pav YMCA in Berwyn will be offering the Swimming Merit Badge class for our troop TONIGHT, 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 scout boating outings, boating merit badge classes, etc. The Swimming Merit Badge is an Eagle required badge, and a class is also offered at Camp Tesomas.

For Scouts taking the class at the YMCA, please 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

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 following activities are not troop events, so register directly with the organization offering the program, and plan to provide your own transportation. Some programs fill quickly, so register ASAP if you know that you want to participate.

The Microsoft Store at the Woodfield Mall has posted their summer merit badge schedule. See the Three Fires Council Website for more information.

The Pathway to Adventure Council will offer summer TradingTech Merit Badge Classes in various locations in Chicago. See the Council website calendar to register.
Chess will be offered 6/25/2019 from 9-12 pm.
Welding will be offered 7/8/2019 for scouts ages 13 and older.
Law will be offered 8/5/2019 9-12 pm.

Boy Scout Merit Badge Day at Camp Wokanda (near Peoria)
Friday, July 26, 2019; 6-8 pm
Free overnight camping on Friday (plan to bring a parent as this is not a troop activity)
Saturday, July 27, 2019; 9 am to 4 pm
$15 per Scout, regardless if you sign up for 1, 2, 3, or 4 classes.

REGISTRATION OPENED 5/22/19.

Each Scout will receive a commemorative patch; T-shirts and other Camp Wokanda patches will be available.

Badges offered (list updated on 5/22/19):
Bird Study, Canoeing, Chess, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Environmental Science, First Aid, Fishing, Geocaching, Hiking, Indian Lore, Medicine, Metalwork, Orienteering, Pioneering, Scouting Heritage, and Wilderness Survival.

Click HERE to see the Camp Wokanda schedule of classes and prerequisites. Once you have selected your classes, then call the Camp office at 309/579-2157 to register for the event.

PLEASE…
• Scout uniform is requested, but also wear/bring clothes appropriate for your merit badges.
• If you are tenting overnight:
—Please reserve a tent site ahead of time when you register for classes. Let us know who will be staying in your site. Scouts must be accompanied by adults for overnight camping; all Youth Protection rules must be observed.
—You are responsible for your own meal Friday evening and Saturday morning.
• If you are just coming for Saturday’s classes
—Bring a water bottle, sack lunch, paper and pen/pencil, and merit badge worksheets printed from MeritBadge.org. Also bring proof of prerequisites as detailed on the merit badge listing sheet.
• Thoroughly read the required merit badge books and be ready to present knowledge in class.
• Please be on time. Check-in will start at 5 pm Friday 7/26/19 and on 7:30 am on 7/27/19. Classes begin promptly at 6 pm Friday and 9 am Saturday. Some classes will require you to walk a distance, so allow yourself extra time.
• Parents and Scout leaders are welcome. Each troop should be accompanied by adults.
• Call the Camp Wokanda office at 309/579-2157 to register. An email confirmation will be sent to each Scout and must be presented for admittance on the day of the event.

There are many ways for scouts to earn merit badges – at troop meetings, at camp, independently (under the guidance of a merit badge counselor) or in classes. Read over our Troop Merit Badge Page for info to help you get started.

We try to post about upcoming local merit badge classes. These are not troop events, so register directly with the organization offering the program, and plan to provide your own transportation. Please note that some of these dates conflict with troop campouts, so check our troop calendar and plan accordingly. Some programs fill quickly, so register ASAP if you know that you want to participate.

The Pathway to Adventure Council will offer summer TradingTech Merit Badge Classes in various locations in downtown Chicago. See the Council website calendar to register.
Chess will be offered 6/25/2019 from 9-12 pm.
Entrepreneurship will be offered on 6/25/2019 from 1-5 pm.
Law will be offered 8/5/2019 9-12 pm.

The W.D. Boyce Council is offering an Animal Science Merit Badge class 5/4/2019 at the ISU Farm in Lexington, IL.

Severson Dells Nature Center in Rockford, IL will offer a Plant Science Merit Badge class on 5/4/2019.

Oak Brook Trout Unlimited offers a Fly Fishing Merit Badge class on several dates throughout the summer.

Camp Wokanda near Peoria is planning Merit Badge Days for 7/26/2019 and 7/27/2019.

The Pathways to Eagle Merit Badge Program will take place 8/2/2019 and 8/3/2019 in Bolingbrook, IL.

The Space Jamboree Merit Badge Program takes place 8/2/2019 and 8/3/2019 at the Rantoul Airport in Rantoul, IL.

The Dresden Merit Badge Clinic will be held 8/11/2019 in Morris, IL.

Save the Date for the Triton College Merit Badge Day on 11/16/2019.

New schedules have been posted for ongoing programs at:
Burpee Museum in Rockford
DuPage Forest Preserve
Microsoft Store at the Woodfield Mall
Morton Arboretum
Naperville Park District
Rolling Meadows Park District

Let us know if you hear of other opportunities and we will share the news with the troop. Email committeechair@troop24riverside.com

Scouts who will be working on the Skating Merit Badge MUST bring a printed out copy of the Skating Merit Badge Workbook (available online here) and a pen or pencil to tonight’s troop meeting. If you have the Skating merit badge booklet (available at the LaGrange Scout Store), please bring that also. Thank you!