Parents of current Troop 24 scouts received an email on Monday inviting them to log into Scoutbook. Scoutbook is the BSA’s online unit management tool and helps scouts, parents and leaders track advancement and achievements along the Scouting trail. Troop 24 recently switched over to the Scoutbook program, which allows scouts and parents (not just leaders) to view the scout’s progress on a computer or other device.

To access Scoutbook, follow the instructions in the invitation email to login or set up an account. Parents who have completed the online Youth Protection Training will already have a “my.scouting” account and must use the same username and password to login. You should be able to view your scout’s progress and achievements, including rank, merit badges, camping nights, service hours, etc. We are still in the process of entering information, so encourage your scout to bring their book to all troop meetings so we can do updates to Scoutbook. Go to scoutbook.com to login after your initial account setup.

If you have questions about Scoutbook or information that should be added to your scout’s account, please contact our Advancement Chairperson, Alice Enochs or Committee Chair Carrie Staubus.

** SUMMER IS ALMOST HERE! **

** NO WEEKLY TROOP MEETINGS UNTIL FALL **

Notable News:

We’ll see many of you … at Kankakee this weekend … at Summer Merit Badge workshops … at a final PLC meeting … at Tesomas Summer Camp preparation meetings … at the Fourth of July pizza tent … and at Camp Tesomas!

Good luck to Messieurs Hosek, Lukas, and Friend and the Philmont Crew, who head to New Mexico next week!

And good luck to all of our 18-year-olds who begin their new journeys soon.

Stay tuned for summer-time Troop announcements.

CAMP TESOMAS INFO MEETING ON THURSDAY APRIL 11th in the Riverside Presbyterian Church Social Hall at the same time as the Troop meeting.

The meeting is open to all parents planning to send or thinking about sending their Scouts to camp this summer.

If you can’t attend, but have a question, feel free to email to Carolyn Lach [clach@northpark.edu] or Carrie Staubus [carrie@staubus.net] for response, and sharing during the meeting.

Troop 24 has its group campsite at Tesomas reserved for July 14 to July 20. Sign up on our Troop website will be opened soon.

Camp Tesomas is a great opportunity to enjoy the waterfront, shooting sports, merit badge programs, and life at the camp-site, and a chance to just have some fun in the great outdoors with your fellow Scouts.

Keep reading below for an important message about an upcoming Eagle project.

Troop 24 requires that your son camp overnight with the Troop before attending Tesomas summer camp [which will be a highlight of their summer!].

This helps them become comfortable with overnight camping away from the family.

The March Cantigny camp-out is a good first opportunity, since they’ll get to spend time with one another and with the Troop [youth] Instructors and some of the adult leaders, and it’s only one night of camping.

April [climbing], May [horse-back riding] and June [cycling] will also give your sons opportunities, but if they’re free for Cantigny, give it some thought!

Finally, remember to include the required BSA Medical Forms if you haven’t furnished them yet to the Troop.

Click here to register for Cantigny!

Earning the Cyber Chip will help scouts learn how to stay safe while they are online and using social networks and electronic forms of communication. Topics include cell phone use, texting, blogging, gaming, cyberbullying and identity theft.

Scouts need to earn the Cyber Chip in order to make Scout rank and Star rank. A current Cyber Chip is also required for several merit badges. Go to http://www.netsmartz.org/scouting to review the requirements. Once you have completed the Read, Write and Watch requirements, please sign up for a Cyber Chip Meeting on the Troop 24 website to let us know your scout is ready to complete the Teach and Talk requirements. We have the Cards. The chip expires after one year, see Scoutmaster Tim Lauger to “Recharge” or renew the Chip.

NO REGULAR TROOP MEETING ON FEBRUARY 28TH!

MANDATORY PANCAKE BREAKFAST SET-UP ON THURSDAY FOR THOSE SCOUTS NOT WORKING ON SATURDAY.

FIRST SPRING PATROL LEADERS COUNCIL MEETING ON MONDAY, MARCH 4TH 6PM AT RPC.

PATROL LEADERS COUNCIL ILST (Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops) WORKSHOP MARCH 8-9 [SCOUT CABIN]

SIGN UP FOR THE CANTIGNY CROSSOVER CAMP-OUT WILL BEGIN SOON. MARCH 15-16-17.

Friday night open to all Scouts (except Cross-over Scouts)
Saturday night for Cross-overs and Troop Guides/Instructors.

Thursday’s Election resulted in New Scout Leadership for Troop 24. After a spirited race for Senior Patrol Leader, a new leader prevailed, and has since selected his Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. Congratulations to the new leadership and patrol leaders who will lead the troop for the next six months until August 31. The new leadership will soon have its first Patrol Leaders Council meeting to begin planning a new and exciting agenda moving forward. We trust that all the scouts will embrace the ideas, activities and enthusiasm of their scout leaders.

Senior Patrol Leader: Liam C
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader: Nathan G

All new Patrol Leaders should save the date for Friday evening March 8th and Saturday morning March 9th –
Patrol Leader Council Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops “ILST” training, at the Scout Cabin.
with overnight camping details TBD.

Reminder to all Scouts and Leaders: There is no regular Troop meeting this Thursday. We would appreciate your help setting up for the Pancake Breakfast at that time. Sign up at http://everyyear.org

On Thursday, February 21 at 7 pm, Troop 24 leaders will hold an information meeting about Scouts BSA programs for girls. This meeting will take place at the Social Hall of Riverside Presbyterian Church, 116 Barrypoint Road. Although Troop 24 does not currently have a linked female troop, we want to let our community know about this opportunity and gauge interest in a possible linked troop. See this flyer for details and please invite your friends and family with 11 to 17 year old girls to attend.

On Saturday, December 15th from 2 to 5 pm, the Pav YMCA in Berwyn will be offering Swim Tests for rank advancement to scouts from our troop and Berwyn Boy Scout troops. If scouts are successful at completing these tests, they can receive credit for Second Class Reqs. 5a-d and First Class Regs. 6a-d. Scouts do not need to pre-register or purchase a guest pass. Please bring $5 fee and your swimsuit, towel and (optional) swim goggles. You do NOT need your scout book, results will be recorded for leaders and can be signed off at the next troop meeting. A parent should attend with each scout since leaders will not be present at this event. The Pav YMCA is located at 2947 S. Oak Park Avenue in Berwyn and you will meet with Paige Zick, the Aquatics Director.

A Red Cross Lifeguarding Class will be offered at the Pav YMCA noon to 5pm on 12/27, 12/28, 1/3 and 1/4. Scouts who are confident swimmers and will be at least 15 years old by the last day of class may register for the non-member fee of $225. Certification NOT guaranteed. Contact Paige Zick at pzick@pavymca.org to register or for more information.

Coming soon: Merit Badge Classes at the Pav YMCA, including Swimming, Lifesaving, Emergency Preparedness and more. Information will be posted when dates become available.

Wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving!

Of course there will be no troop meeting this week. But don’t forget to look through our recent messages, and sign up for the Holiday Stroll and Laser Tag Outing. And if you haven’t done so yet, we really need you to pay your dues!!

Next week, we will hold Boards of Review, so please sign up for a Scoutmaster Conference or a Board of Review if you are ready.

Patrol leader Council will meet next Monday, November 26 at 6pm at Riverside Presbyterian Church.