27 scouts have already signed up for our Friday camp-out at the Scout Cabin. We would appreciate knowing as soon as possible how many will attend (for food planning purposes), but sign-up any time before Friday evening is fine. Those who don’t want to camp but still plan to come for the evening events are welcome. Events will include cooking, satisfying some of the rank requirements for those who need them. We’ll also have an outdoor movie, weather permitting. Scouts are welcome to bring their own tents, or they can use the Troop tents. Scouts below 1st Class should bring their books.

Sign up here: http://troop24riverside.com/2012/08/scout-cabin-campout-form-sept-7-2012/

The deadline for Camp Inferno (September 9) is approaching. We have a total of 35 spots available; we have 19 scouts and 4 adults registered so far. This will be an awesome event, but we’ll need more drivers to get the scouts to the camp (about a 4-hour drive to Pana, IL). If your scout has already signed up, can you consider attending as an adult? We have four experienced leaders going, so don’t be concerned if you’ve never gone on an overnight before. For more information, and to sign up, visit http://troop24riverside.com/2012/08/camp-inferno-2012-burnin-and-blowin-stuff-up/.

If your scout is interested in attending Camp Inferno on September 28-30, don’t delay in signing up. This is a firm deadline (and not under our control). Only 12 spots remain (adults & scouts combined).

Scouts, sign up here: http://troop24riverside.com/2012/08/camp-inferno-2012-scout-registration-form/

Adults, sign up here: http://troop24riverside.com/2012/08/camp-inferno-2012-leaderadult-registration-form/

Note: Sign up deadline is Sunday Sept 9!!

Camp Inferno is a fire, law enforcement, EMS, and public safety event sponsored by the Lincoln Trails Council. It is staffed by area emergency responders. The unofficial theme is “burn and blow stuff up”.  What more could scouts and scouters ask for?  Troop 24 will be attending this event as their September camping trip.  The event promises to have lots to do and see.  Check out the details below or look at pictures of the Camp Inferno 2009 on the Lincoln Trails Council web site.

Dates: September 28-30, 2012
Location: Rhodes France Scout Reservation, Pana, IL
Cost: $50/scout

Troop 24 will depart from RPC early Friday evening 9/28  (exact time TBD, it is an approximate 3.5 hr drive to event) and will return to RPC Sunday 9/30 early afternoon.

Saturday Demonstrations

• Fire trucks
• Air Evac Helicopter
• Jaws of Life
• Bomb Squad Blowing stuff up
• Grain Dust Explosions
• Arson Investigation items
• Blackhawk Helicopter (tentative)
• Military Vehicles (tentative)
• High Voltage Safety Demo (tentative)
• More being planned

Saturday Hands on Events

• Impairment (Drunk) Goggles
• Fire-Fighter Challenge Course
• Self Contained Breathing Apparatus
• Grain Bin Engulfment
• Grain Bin Tug of War
• Fire Extinguisher Use
• Steam Implosion (small)
• Smarties Shoot at the rifle range
• Foosball Tournament

Saturday Evening Firebowl

• Grease Fire Demo
• Large Steam Implosion
• Room Fire

T-shirt and Patch for every registered attendee!

Troop 24 will be camping jamboree style with Boys Scout Troops,  Explorer and Venture Crews from all over Illinois.  We have a very small window to sign up and register for this event.  Registration will close on September 9.  Cancellations after September 9 will forfeit the $20 non-refundable registration fee. For questions contact Susan Lynch

Scouts Register here by September 9

As always,  we need leaders and adult chaperones to participate and drive.  This outing is outside our normal weekend outing radius and therefore we are looking for leaders/adults willing to attend the full event and drive both ways.

Leaders/Adults Register here by September 9

Scouts going to Kankakee River State Park this weekend should bring, in addition to their usual gear of sleeping bag, pad, flashlight, personal items:

Water bottle – if you are bicycling it would be ideal if you have a bottle rack on your bike to carry it
Cup – this does not mean either a cup OR a water bottle, as you can’t drink soup from a bottle
Day Pack – small lightweight pack that can be used while bicycling or canoeing
Bicycle Helmet – for those bicycling, a helmet is REQUIRED by BSA rules; no exceptions
Hat & sunscreen
Waiver form for Canoe/Kayakers

All scouts who will be canoeing must have a waiver signed by a parent. Please print the waiver here: http://reedscanoetrips.com/agreement.htm

Scouts whose parents are not canoeing must turn in the form on Friday at drop-off.

The deadline for signing up for the Kankakee River outing is Thursday, May 10. Two activities are planned for the weekend of May 18-20. Canoeing is available for scouts who have earned the Swimming Merit Badge. Bicycling is available for all scouts.

Please fill out a form for each scout and each leader. The Scout cost for this outing is $30 for food, and $31 for canoeing (2 per canoe) or $42 for a single kayak. (Kayaking is only for scouts with kayaking experience. Do not sign up for a kayak unless you have kayaked before.)

We will provide transportation for the bikes. Scout parents should be sure that the scout’s bicycle is in good working order.

Scout Form
Leader Form

Contact Dawn Gmitro with questions at dmgmitro@aol.com

A couple weeks ago, we went to the Boy Scout Camporee in Rochelle, Illinois. We left on Friday at 5:30. We got there, helped the first year scouts set up tents, and set up the rest of the tents. After that, we set up a cracker barrel, or a small snack consisting of summer sausage, cheese, and crackers. After that, the scouts either chose to go to astronomy or sit around the fire. After everyone got back, we all went to sleep in our separate tents. We woke up in the morning and assembled into our patrols and made a breakfast of corned beef hash and eggs. We then cleaned up and went to our separate merit badge courses. I did not actually go to any merit badge courses, I just brought my fishing pole and went fishing, but you could have chosen the astronomy, soil and water conservation, geocaching, fishing, nature, or fly fishing merit badge. After the merit badge course was finished, we returned to the campsite to have lunch. We just had basic lunch sandwiches with cheese or ham or turkey. After lunch, we cleaned up and had about a half hour of free time. I chose to go fishing, but other scouts went to view the river and some just played games. After that, everyone chose a second merit badge and went to it from about 2:00 to 5:00. At 5:00, we all reported back to the campsite to start dinner, which was sloppy joes. I supervised my patrol, and the meal was pretty good. After dinner, the entire troop went to the camporee campfire and our troop did a skit. After the skit, we had a flag retirement ceremony and then went back to camp. We all went to sleep and woke up the next morning, broke down camp, had a small breakfast, and went home. We arrived at RPC at about 11:00.
–James S.

Troop 24 is planning an overnight camp-out at Kankakee River State Park, leaving Friday, May 18, and returning Sunday, May 20.

Scouts should come prepared to camp in tents for two nights. We have two activities planned, if enough adults sign up as leaders/chaperones: canoeing (scouts MUST have earned the Swimming Merit Badge to canoe) or bicycling. The canoeing will be a 12-mile, 3-5 hour canoe trip on Saturday, outfitted by Reed’s. The biking will be done on a 10.5 mile paved bike path through the park. Biking is available for first-year scouts, or older scouts who have not earned the Swimming Merit Badge, or those who do not want to canoe.

Please drop your Scout off at RPC at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. We will return about noon on Sunday.

The deadline for signing up for the outing is Thursday, May 10.

Please fill out a form for each scout and each leader. The Scout cost for this outing is $30 for food, and $31 for canoeing (2 per canoe) or $42 for a single kayak. (Kayaking is only for scouts with kayaking experience. Do not sign up for a kayak unless you have kayaked before.) Scouts must wear their Class A uniforms to travel. Contact Dawn Gmitro with questions.

We will provide transportation for the bikes in one of the two Troop trailers. Scout parents should be sure that the scout’s bicycle is in good working order.

Scout Form
Leader Form