You have until Sunday, February 19, to sign up for our ski outing (February 25-26). We have 13 scouts signed up, as well as two siblings, five parent/leaders who are skiing, and one parent driving but not skiing. Our incoming Webelos are also welcome to attend with a parent.

Don’t forget that you have to both register on our website and pay via WePay:

Register

Pay

So far 11 scouts have signed up for our ski trip (as well as several siblings and parents). It’s not too late. Parents and Leaders, please fill out the registration form for yourselves if you plan to ski. It makes it easier to track the number of participants. It’s not too late to sign up: http://troop24riverside.com/2012/01/ski-trip-february-25-26-registration/

A report from Jimmy S on the recent Luge outing:

As we arrived at the Presbyterian Church at 8:45 on Saturday, January 14, all was well and it looked like the perfect day for luging. We got into our cars and went on our way to Muskegon. It took about 3½ hours to get there and along the way we stopped for lunch at separate places. Then we met at the Baymont Inn, our hotel, and checked in. We then proceeded to the Muskegon Sports Complex, which has the only luge track in America that is open to the public. Luging is a lot like sledding, but you lay down on an icy track. We luged for about 2 hours, from 4:00 to 6:00, then got in our cars and all went to Pizza Hut for dinner. After dinner, we left, but it was snowing so hard, you couldn’t even see the road 200 ft. in front of you. After some sliding along the road, and some wrong turns, we got back to the hotel and went swimming in the pool area. Still at the pool, some of the scouts got out, opened the door, and walked around in the snow. I did it, and I couldn’t feel my feet, so I can’t imagine what it felt like when some scouts rolled around in it. After the pool, most of the scouts went to their rooms and watched the Packers vs. Broncos football game. At 10:00, it was supposed to be lights out, although most of the scouts went to sleep around 12:00. In the morning we woke up, ate breakfast at the breakfast buffet at the hotel, and left at 8:30. We arrived in Riverside around 11:00, then we all went home.

We were successful in getting a reservation for a Philmont trek for the summer of 2013 (departing July 5 and returning on July 19). Scouts must be 14 years old or age 13 and have graduated from 8th grade to participate in a Philmont experience (our current 7th graders and older). Our most recent Eagle Scout described one of his experiences at Philmont as the best moment in Boy Scouts–not an uncommon feeling for those who have experienced Philmont.

There is also a possibility for a scuba experience at Florida Seabase during the summer of 2013. Those who are interested in either outing should attend an informational meeting on Monday, February 6, at 7:00 p.m. in the Social Hall at RPC.

It’s not too late to sign up for:

Klondike Derby – February 4
Feed My Starving Children (Service Outing) – February 10

Mark your calendars for Feb. 25-26 and sign up for Skiing/Snowboarding at Sunburst Recreation in Wisconsin and hotel overnight. We will spend Saturday participating in snow sports and then stay the night at a Country Inn & Suites hotel with a indoor swimming pool. This is a great opportunity to enjoy some winter fun and work on a merit badge.

Scouts can attend on their own or the whole family is welcome to take advantage of the group rates and join us. Families may choose to make this a day trip or stay overnight; all single scouts should plan to stay overnight.

Saturday February 25 – Sunday February 26
Saturday Itinerary
Depart: RPC 7:00 AM (2.5 hr drive)
Ski or Snowboarding: 10 AM – 4:30 PM
Free lessons: 10:30 AM (not required, but highly suggested for new skiers)
Dinner break/hotel check in: 5-7 PM
Night time tubing (optional): 7-9 PM
Swimming (optional): 7-10 PM

Sunday Itinerary
Continental Breakfast: 7-9 AM
Depart Hotel: 9:30 AM
Arrive Home: Return to RPC @ ~ 12:00 noon

Menu of Costs per person:
The BSA requires a scout to wear helmets while skiing/snowboarding, so the cost of the helmet rental is included in all the prices below. For those who have their own ski/snowboard equipment – see pricing that does not include equipment rental.

Ski rental, helmet, lift = $57
Snowboard rental, helmet, lift = $72
Helmet, lift only = $52
Tubing (Optional in evening) = $15
Shared Hotel w/meals* = $31 (4 scouts per room)
Family Hotel w/meals* = $120 (2 queen beds)
* Meals include Pizza dinner and hotel complimentary breakfast, all will need to bring either money or sack lunch for Saturday lunch at the Sunburst Chalet.

Leader in charge will be Bruce Robertson. For questions contact Bruce Robertson or Susan Lynch

Register:http://troop24riverside.com/?p=3421
Deadline for sign up: 2/19/12

Skiing/Snowboarding at Sunburst Recreation in Wisconsin and hotel overnight. Scouts can attend on their own or the whole family is welcome to take advantage of the group rates and join us.

Menu of costs per person:
Ski rental, helmet, lift = $57
Snowboard rental, helmet, lift = $72
Helmet, lift only = $52
Tubing (Optional in evening) = $15
Shared Hotel w/meals* = $31 (4 scouts per room)
Family Hotel w/meals* = $120 (2 queen beds)
* Meals include Pizza dinner and hotel complimentary breakfast

Leader in charge will be Bruce Robertson. For questions contact Bruce or Susan Lynch

Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) is a non-profit Christian organization committed to feeding children hungry in body and spirit.  The approach is simple: children and adult volunteers hand pack meals specifically formulated for malnourished children, and Christian and humanitarian relief organizations partner with FMSC to deliver the food to children around the world.

Troop 24, along with Girl Scout Troop 657, will be participating in a joint service opportunity to package food.

Friday, February 10, is an early release day for District 96 scouts. Scouts and chaperones will meet at RPC at 1:00 p.m. and drive to the FMSC location in Aurora. We anticipate returning to RPC at ~5:30 p.m.. There is no cost for this outing/service project.

We need a lot of chaperones/adult volunteers for this outing. The adult to scout ratio requirement for this age group is 1 : 4. If you are interested in volunteering and chaperoning, please indicate your interest when registering your scout.

To register, please fill out our registration form: http://troop24riverside.com/2012/01/feed-my-starving-children-service-project-21012-form/

For more information on Feed My Starving Children check out their web site at http://www.fmsc.org/

Contact Susan Lynch with questions.

Troop 24 is planning a day outing to Bemis Woods on February 4, 2012, to participate in the Des Plaines Valley Council Klondike Derby.

Scouts will meet at RPC at 7:15 a.m. and return the same day at approximately 4:00 p.m.

The Derby this year will feature scout skills as well as games and contests. Each patrol should be ready for fun and challenges.

The cost will be $8 and a can of non-cream soup (to be dumped into a communal pot for “garbage can soup”). Scouts should also bring a sack lunch to accompany the soup. Dress appropriately for the weather.

We will be looking for drivers. Since this outing is close, drivers do not need to stay. If you can drive please indicate the appropriate information with your son’s registration. Adults are welcome to stay and participate. If you would like to participate, please register and pay for yourself separately from your son.

Please remember you must register on the Troop online form AND pay (preferably using the online WePay system). If your son is not registered he will not show up on the roster. The deadline to register for this outing is Thursday, Feb. 2.

Register here: http://troop24riverside.com/2012/01/klondike-derby-february-4-2012/

Contact Dawn Gmitro with questions.