The last date to turn in registration forms for summer camp at Owasippe (July 4-10) will be Thursday, May 20. So far, we have 28 boys who have indicated that they will be attending summer camp. Based on those numbers we will be working on getting a bus to transport our scouts. Our earlier Feedblitz did not include a registration form. You can download it here:
Owasippe Registration Form

The form should be accompanied by a check for $265 made out to Troop 24. Additional fees may be required, depending on which activities your scout(s) sign up for. Those payments can be made later, and more information will be forthcoming. Forms with checks attached can be turned in at the Troop meetings, or dropped off to Nancy Hopkins. (Slide it through the mailbox that goes into the house.)

More information about Owasippe can be found here:
Owasippe Welcome Packet

All scouts attending summer camp must submit a medical form, which must be signed by a doctor. Also required is a copy of the parent(s)’ insurance card, both front and back. BSA Medical Forms are good for 12 months, so most of those turned in for camp last year will expire before this year’s camp begins. Please make your appointment for a physical now! The Chicago Council, which sponsors Owasippe, uses a modified version of the national BSA form. Please do NOT print a medical form from the Des Plaines Valley Council or the national BSA websites. You MUST use this form:
Owasippe Medical Form

A separate waiver is required for horseback riding. If you’re not sure whether your scout will participate in horseback riding, please just fill it out and turn it in to be safe.
Horseback Riding Waiver

Still have questions? Contact Nancy Hopkins.

First, thanks to all of you that have agreed to drive! Without you this trip will not be possible for the boys!

SATURDAY DRIVERS – DEPARTING FROM the Church @ 7:00AM – ARRIVE at Church at 6:45AM – 6:50AM. – DO NOT BE LATE or you many NOT HAVE A RIDE!

A. REMEMBER to bring your gear: AT LEAST Sleeping bag, clothes, Flashlight.
B. IF your child has medications to take, please pack the medication on the top of your son’s pack and make sure a leader gets them!

Boys leaving for Camporee on SATURDAY MORNING are 16 total:
Dima A., Scott A., Andy C., Joe Du., William F., Garrett J., Derek J., Michael Geo., Dylan G., Jack Lu., Abraham O., Elijah O., Glen Q., Jimmy S., Spencer W., Sam Z.,

They will be traveling with these adults:

Cindy Andersen Can fit 5 passengers – already assigned to her vehicle – Scott, Derek, Glen and Michael Geo. – Can fit 1 (maybe 2) more.

Rob Corrigan Can fit 3 passengers – already assigned to his vehicle – Andy C. – Can fit 2 more

Nancy Hopkins Can fit 4 passengers – already assigned to her vehicle – Abraham, Elijah, Dima, Jack L. – FULL

Cathy Gryczan Can fit 6 passengers – already assigned to her vehicle – Dylan – Can fit 5 more

Please confirm back if I have missed any boy that is planning to depart on Saturday MORNING for the Camporee. The plan is when the drivers come back Sunday to pick up the boys, they will RETURN back to the church with the SAME boys they had in their car.

FRIDAY NIGHT – Leave Church at 5:00 PM

We have 12 boys leaving for Camporee on FRIDAY:
Daniel D., Casey G., Erik H., Joey J., Brian Le., Jack Le., Charlie M., Josh R., Joe R., Andrew S., Nick S., David S.

Mike Payne – Can fit 3
Jim Ringbloom – Can fit 4 – WILL NOT BE DRIVING BACK ON SUNDAY
Ray Rogers – Can fit 4
Roman Salij – Can fit 5

Questions? Contact Ray Rogers

Summer Camp for Troop 24 will be at Camp Wolverine on the Owasippe Scout Reservation in Twin Lake, Michigan, a four-hour drive from Riverside. We will NOT be attending our regularly visited Boy Scout Camp, Camp Mach Kin O’Siew (affectionately known as “Camp Mach”) this year due to schedules and availability of leaders.

Camp Wolverine is similar to Camp Mach in that it offers a merit badge program and the week-long camp experience. It differs in that the boys do not cook every meal, it is more spread out geographically, and there are more Outpost activities. The Owasippe Scout Reservation also offers a family campground area, known as the Reneker Family Camp, where a boy’s family can camp that week, be nearby and experience much the same surroundings that their son experiences. (Camp Reneker Family Camp reservations will be up to the family of the Scout.)

The price for summer camp is $265/boy ($145/adult leader) plus Merit Badge and Outpost fees. The amount of the additional fees depends on which activities the scout selects (varying form $20 to $40/activity).

Information and forms for summer camp:
Owasippe Welcome Packet 2010
Medical Form
Horseback Riding Form

Permission slips for the Camporee at the New Rochelle scout camp, Friday, April 16 – Sunday, April 18, are due by Thursday, April 9. Turn in the form at the Troop meeting, or drop it off to Lisa Buffo.

New scouts must attend at least one overnight camping trip to be eligible to attend summer camp. Since Friday night, April 16, is the date of the 5th Grade Games Night, we will be arranging transportation for scouts leaving on Friday night, as well as for 5th graders leaving on Saturday morning (no later than 7:00 a.m.). Please write on the form whether your scout will be going on Friday or on Saturday. Questions should be directed to Lisa Buffo.

Pack 24 has invited the Boys Scouts (and families) to the annual Roller Skating Party on Sunday, April 11, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Fleetwood Roller Rink in Summit. The Pack has rented the entire rink. Admission is free, or you can rent skates there ($3 or less). You can also bring your own skates.

Troop 24’s next overnight outing is to the Des Plaines Valley Council’s Camporee at the New Rochelle scout camp, leaving Friday, April 16 and returning Sunday, April 18.  New scouts must attend at least one overnight camping trip to be able to attend summer camp.  Since Friday night, April 16, is the date of the 5th Grade Games Night, we will be arranging transportation for scouts leaving on Friday night, as well as for 5th graders leaving Saturday morning (no later than 7:00 a.m.).   The permission slip is available to download .  Please write on the form whether your scout will be going on Friday or on Saturday.  Questions should be directed to Lisa Buffo.

We have a several  openings for the Climbing Merit Badge outing on Sunday, March 14.  Scouts 2nd class and above, and age 11 and older, are eligible.  Interested scouts should contact Dawn Gmitro.  The permission slip is available here. The cost is $40 for the merit badge class.

Unit 24 is planning a day trip to Upper Limits Climbing in Bloomington on Sunday, March 14. We will meet at Riverside Presbyterian Church at 6:45 a.m. to load, departing at 7:00 a.m. and returning to RPC at approximately 4:30 p.m.   The cost per boy is $40 for those pursuing the Climbing Merit Badge, or $30 for Rock Gym 101 (those who already have the merit badge). The permisison slip and money are due by Friday, March 5. Spaces are limited, so please return your forms early to ensure your spot. Forms may be turned in at the Troop meeting, or to Mrs. Gmitro.

A scout must be First Class or higher rank to attend this outing. Waivers are required by the facility. Scouts should bring a sack lunch and wear t-shirt and shorts, covered by sweat shirt and comfortable pants. Boys attending the merit badge class must obtain a merit badge book (available at the Scout Store), know the knots, and be able to answer the questions in the book. These will be covered in the mandatory scout meeting.

Some websites on knots are:

www.animatedknots.com
www.animatedscoutknots.com
www.2020site.org/knots.

The merit badge counselor at Upper Limits will not sign off on the first aid requirements so scouts will have to secure the first aid merit badge prior to or after the course in order to complete the full badge requirements.

Contact Dawn Gmitro with any questions.

Troop 24 is planning a 5-day outing, during the week of Spring Break, to Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. We will depart on Saturday, March 27, and return on Wednesday, March 31. While the schedule is not completely firm, the attached preliminary agenda gives an overview of the activities. Parents and siblings (1st grade and older) are welcome on this trip. Scouts who attend without a parent must have been on a previous Troop overnight trip. In order to make reservations for the cave and museum tours, we need to know how many people plan to attend. Please contact Asst. Scoutmaster Jim Ringbloom by this Friday and let him know if you plan to attend.

Saturday our troop took place in a bi-annual event: The Klondike Derby. It was held at Bemis Woods and we had 11 boys participating. They were:

Andy C.
Ben C.
Sam C.
Dan D.
Cole G.
Max H.
Joey J.
Cody L.
Charlie M.
Abraham O.
AND new addition – Elijah O.

As a team, we took 3rd place overall out of 19 teams – not too bad! Good teamwork and a lot of hard work was had by all. Our SPL, Ben C., along with his brother, Sam C. did a great job leading and coaching the boys in this event.

Our thanks to Deb and Paul Cox, Joe Derosier and Joe Ourth for driving. Thanks to Joe Ourth for making the station rounds with the team!

Next meeting: this Thursday at Riverside Presbyterian Church gym. In order to start the meeting on time, please arrive by 6:50pm.