A few updates to our post about the July 30- August 1 campout:
Only a current BSA swim test is required: passing as “Swimmer” – not the swimming merit badge (since we haven’t bee able to offer that merit badge locally recently).
Scouts may sign up for this campout if they will be working on both merit badges OR just one of the two badges. Scouts under 12 years old can do Water Sports, and scouts who already have one of these badges may do just the other. Please indicate that in the “Notes” when you sign up.

Here is the information and sign up links for the campout:
Troop 24 is offering Motorboating and Water Sports merit badges at a Troop campout July 30 – August 1, 2021.  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 $50 per scout. 

We will leave from RPC on Friday, July 30 at 10:00 am and return mid-day on Sunday, August 1.  We will be staying in tents at the Staubus property on Lake Shafer in Hartford, Michigan.  Please click on the links provided here to see the requirements for both merit badges.  Please review these with your scout.

Motorboating
Water Sports

This Merit Badge event is only open to Troop 24 Scouts who already have passed the BSA Swim Test.  Scouts who want to earn the Motorboating Merit Badge need to be at least 12 years old and complete the online certification class at https://www.boat-ed.com/michigan/ which has a cost of $29.50. At this point we have four leaders attending. If additional leaders sign up, we will open the campout to additional scouts for camping (but not merit badge instruction). 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 merit badge instructors Mr. Hartwig and Mr. Flaherty,  we are looking for 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
ADULT FORM

Our next Troop Campout will take place Friday July 30 to Sunday August 1. Troop 24 will go to Shafer Lake in Hartford, Michigan for tent camping and merit badges. Assistant Scoutmasters Tom Hartwig and John Flaherty will teach waterskiing so that scouts can earn the Water Sports merit badge, and older scouts can earn the Motorboating merit badge. Sign up and more details will be available when scouts return from Camp Tesomas.

Bike Inspection and Ax Yard
Bike inspection for camp will take place Tuesday, July 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Schrier’s house at 375 Uvedale in Riverside. We don’t want scouts to get to camp and have problems with their bikes, so please attend or have a family member bring your bike if you have a conflict. If you know that your bicycle needs repair you will need to bring the needed parts with you and we will repair the bike if possible. An Ax Yard will teach scouts how to safely use knives and axes. Scouts who participate will earn the Totin’ Chip which is required to possess or purchase a pocket knife at camp (mandatory for the Woodcarving Merit Badge).

Bike & Equipment Drop-Off
Bike drop-off is at Tom Hartwig’s yard at 2413 4th Avenue in North Riverside on Saturday, July 10 between 5 pm and 7pm. Remember to bring a bike helmet, as it is required by Camp Tesomas.

If you have any troop equipment (and ESPECIALLY tents), please bring it to the bike drop-off on Saturday.

What to Bring
Please print and review the Troop 24 recommended Camp Tesomas Packing List 2021. Scouts should pack so they know where everything is. Put your scout’s name on everything–AND WE MEAN EVERYTHING! Scouts must wear Class A uniforms (Scout shirts but not neckerchiefs) for travel to camp. Bring a hanger for the shirt during the week. Remember your scout book as we will have opportunities to work on rank advancement at Tesomas. If you have partial blue cards from merit badges offered at Tesomas, bring the partial blue cards so you can attempt to complete them at camp. You do not need blue cards for this year’s classes. Be sure to bring insect repellant and long pants & a long-sleeved shirt. When buying insect repellant, be sure it is NON-AEROSOL (aerosol sprays are very flammable, and are not allowed at camp). You may bring a cell phone (at your own risk) and ear buds for use on the bus only. Scouts must bring their own tent unless they have requested use of a Troop tent.

Medications
Scouts taking medications (prescription and non-prescription) should bring the meds in the original container in a ziplock bag labeled with the scout’s name. If there are multiple medications for a scout, please include a note detailing time, dosage, etc.
Leader Todd Veltman will collect this medication and remind those scouts when to take their medicine. Please give the bags to him at bus drop off on Sunday. The Tesomas medical office is available for scouts who need medication refrigerated or need other assistance. Please email tim@lauger.com if you have concerns.
Anyone who did not turn in their complete BSA medical form (with a copy of their health insurance card) MUST bring TWO copies on Sunday morning.
Scouts participating in a Microtrek program must bring their waivers completed, including parent signatures.

Snacks/Allergy Info
No snacks are allowed in tents – do not bring any extra food for during the week. For the bus trip to camp, you should have a water bottle and if you wish a NUT-FREE, non-messy snack, such as a piece of fruit or two.

Money
Scouts riding the bus will need money for lunch on the way to camp and money for lunch on the way home. Remind your scout to save back enough money to eat lunch on the return trip. Scouts may buy snacks at the Trading Post during the week. Souvenirs are available as well. $40-50 is the suggested amount to bring.

Departure
Meet in the parking lot of Hauser Jr. High at 6:30 a.m. sharp on Sunday, July 11th to load gear and prepare for a 7:00 am departure.

Swim Test
Scouts who did not take the swim test in advance will be taking the test almost immediately after arrival. Bring swim trunks and a towel in a separate bag on the bus.

Return to Riverside
The scouts arrive back at the Hauser parking lot at around 4:00 p.m. on Saturday July 17. They will use leaders’ phones to call as they get close and/or a group email will go out letting parents know when to meet the bus.

Bike inspection for camp will take place Tuesday, July 6th, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Schrier’s house at 375 Uvedale in Riverside.

We don’t want scouts to get to camp and have problems with their bikes, so please attend or have a family member bring your bike if you have a conflict. If you know that your bicycle needs repair you will need to bring the needed parts with you and we will repair the bike if possible.

An Ax Yard will teach scouts how to safely use knives and axes. Scouts who participate will earn the “Totin’ Chip” which is required to possess or purchase a pocket knife at camp (mandatory for the Woodcarving Merit Badge).

Those Scouts currently signed up for Woodcarving include:

Jacob J, Ryan E, Aiden V, Mateo C, Lucas C, David V, Lucas W, Lincoln R, Max S

In the event of rain or wet grass, the equipment check at 6:30 pm tonight will take place at the RPC gym. Please wear a mask unless you have been fully vaccinated.

Scouts and leaders are requested to attend our Troop equipment check on Tuesday, June 29 at 6:30 pm at Riverside Presbyterian Church driveway and lawn. We will be checking over tents and other equipment to prepare for our week of summer camp. In the event of rain on Tuesday evening, we will announce a new date.

Last chance for swim tests! If you have not yet completed your swim test for summer camp or high adventure camp, please attend the last test at the Berwyn Pav YMCA Tuesday, June 29 at 7:45 pm. Sign up HERE.

Reminder: 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. Scouts attending the Boundary Waters canoeing trip should also take the swim test now.

The swim test will be offered for Troop 24 members at the Pav YMCA (in Berwyn) on the following dates:

Sunday, June 27th at 3:00 pm – sign up HERE
Tuesday, June 29th at 7:45 pm – sign up HERE

Scouts will need to bring swim trunks, swim goggles (recommended) and a towel. 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.

Registration for this event is now closed.