THURSDAY February 23 TROOP 24 MEETING 7:00 PM

• MANDATORY ATTENDANCE FOR ALL TROOP 24 BOY SCOUTS and LEADERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!

• ORDER OF ARROW ELECTIONS: The OA Lodge requires complete troop attendance and participation for a valid election; otherwise they will not certify the election. We have 14 scouts up for election for OA and every vote counts!  Please make a conscientious decision on those scouts seeking the honor of membership in the Order of Arrow.   The lodge will have a presentation on the Lodge and activities and then we will have the election. We will meet in the Church.
• TROOP 24 ELECTIONS: The Senior Patrol Leader position and all Patrol Leader positions are up for election.  Each SPL Candidate will be given two minutes to make their election speech before voting begins.
• Minimum Qualifications for SPL:  Current Star or above scouts; HS Sophomore or 15 yoa; Previously held position of Patrol Leader, Asst. Senior Patrol Leader, or Den Chief; Scouting is his primary commitment and must attend every weekly meeting; Must attend Summer Camp; Must commit to planning and leading Patrol Leader Council Meetings.
• Minimum Qualifications for PL: Current rank of First Class or above; Must commit to attending weekly meetings; Must commit to attending Patrol Leader Council Meetings and representing their respective patrols.
• TROOP JOBS: All First Class and above scouts will choose a job and/or be assigned a job including Eagle Scouts.  It is the responsibility of every scout in Troop 24 to mentor, teach and instruct younger scouts.  Just as you were once a new scout who benefited from the guidance of the older scouts, it is your responsibility and duty to give back to the next generation of Troop 24 Boy Scouts.
• PIZZA PARTY: All the heavy decisions of the night will likely cause ravenous hunger and thus, we will have an inauguration ball pizza party to welcome and celebrate the new administration.
• CHEESE CHINCHILLA in charge of meeting set-up, FLAGS, and clean-up. Report at 6:45pm in Full Uniform

Troop 24 will be attending Tesomas Summer Camp July 16-22, 2017. The cost of camp will be $295 per scout. Sign-up on our troop website will begin in spring, and we are requesting that payment be made by check, using popcorn credits for those scouts who have earned them. For those with financial hardship, camperships are available to pay a portion of this cost. Tesomas campership applications are due April 1. Here is a link to the form that parents should submit to be considered: http://clsr.samoset.org/resources/CampershipApplication.pdf. Troop 24 also has campership money available for scouts with financial hardship who participated in our troop fundraising, contact Scoutmaster Flaherty for more information.

Tesomas program registration opens on March 1, and the following programs and merit badge classes have limited enrollment. Scuba will be offered for an additional cost of $160. Microtrek 101 is for scouts who are 13 and 14 years of age and First Class rank (morning only, $50 additional cost). Microtrek 200 is for Scouts 15 years of age or older and First Class rank (morning and afternoon session, $65 additional cost). Microtrek 300 is for scouts who have already been through Microtrek 200 and is an all-day program, additional fee $100. For details on these programs, see the Tesomas 2017 Leader guide. http://clsr.samoset.org/resources/TSCGuidebook.pdf Four merit badge classes have limited enrollment: Climbing, Archery, Rifle Shooting and Shotgun Shooting ($25 additional fee). If you wish to participate in one of these programs, email our Troop Camp Coordinator Carolyn Lach ASAP at clach@northpark.edu.

The Tesomas 2017 Merit Badge schedule is now available online: http://clsr.samoset.org/resources/TSCAdvancement.pdf Take a look, as some new classes are being offered this summer.

The Troop will conduct the annual Crossover Ceremony at Pack 24’s Blue and Gold Banquet on Sunday, February 26, at 5:00 p.m. at the Riverside Golf Club, 2520 Des Plaines, in North Riverside. Pizza dinner will be provided after the crossover, and you should be home by 7:00 p.m. Scouts are needed to participate and welcome the new Scouts into the Pack. Please register here to participate:
Webelos Crossover Sign Up

THURSDAY February 16 TROOP 24 MEETING 7:00 PM

• PANCAKE TICKET MONEY DUE!!!
• February:  WINTER ACTIVITIES
• BRING SCOUT BOOK TO ALL MEETINGS.
• SPARTANS in charge of meeting set-up, FLAGS, and clean-up. Report at 6:45pm in Full Uniform.
• Its Game Night at Troop 24. Tournaments of Uno, MilleBornes, Gin, Cardline Animals, Bingo, Boggle, Scattegories, and Upwords.  Winners will be awarded prizes on Election night.
• Trail to First Class: Second Class Citizenship 8c & 8d form can be found at Forms & Document tab of the Troop website.
• Trail to First Class: All scouts should be tracking their physical activity for Tenderfoot 6b, Second 7a, First 8a.  These need to be completed consecutively.  We sent home Activity Log sheets but you may also print them from the Personal Fitness Merit Badge workbook pp 11 at MeritBadge.org.
• Merit Badge: Theater Merit Badge will meet again with Mrs. Gmitro, bring your completed worksheets.
• Winter Skits: Last week to present winter skits.
• MANDATORY ATTENDANCE MEETING FEBRUARY 23 FOR TROOP AND ORDER OF ARROW ELECTIONS and PIZZA PARTY.
• Cyber Chip: Scout Rank and Star Rank need to acquire the Cyber Chip for your age.  Go to http://www.netsmartz.org/scouting to review the requirements.  Once you have completed the Read, Write and Watch requirements, register on the Troop 24 Website and we will set aside time in the meeting for the scout to complete the Teach and Talk requirements.  We have the Cards.  The chip expires after one year, see the Scoutmaster to “Recharge” or renew the Chip.

 

We look forward to seeing you at 7:00 pm on Thursday.

The Des Plaines Valley Community Merit Badge Academy will be
Saturday, March 25, 2017 – 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Elmwood Park High School
8201 West Fullerton Ave., Elmwood Park
$25 per scout, includes lunch and patch
Registration is now open, some classes will fill, register early and list alternate choices. Some classes have prerequisites, see the Council website or office for more information. The program has four periods, so scouts may earn two to four merit badges depending on their class choice. The following merit badges are offered:
Art
Aviation
Chemistry
Citizenship in the Community 2 periods
Citizenship in the Nation 2 Periods
Citizenship in the World 2 Periods
Collections
Disability Awareness
Family Life 2 Periods
Fingerprinting 2 Periods AM Only
Fish & Wildlife Management
Inventing
Journalism
Mammal Study
Moviemaking 2 Periods
Music
Personal Management 2 Periods
Scholarship
Space Exploration
Sustainability 2 Periods
Traffic Safety
Registration is online only, and closes March 20th at 5pm (or sooner if classes fill). Here is the link to registration on the Council website: https://scoutingevent.com/456-11842
Scouts must wear Class A uniforms and bring blue cards signed by their scoutmaster. Scouts who plan to attend should arrange their own transportation.

There is plenty of snow in Wisconsin with more in the forecast this week!  Granite Peak has 71/75 trails open and 42″ of snow at the mountain base/ 52″ at the summit.  The Scouts Leaders at Tesomas report the lake is frozen and ice fishing is on!  And they have snow on the trials to cross country ski and snowshoe in!   So…

Join Troop 24 for a President’s Day Long Weekend Outing with skiing/snowboarding at Granite Peak Resort and Winter Camp at Tesomas

This outing is  Friday, February 17 – Monday, February 20 and is an action-packed weekend of winter sports and activities.  We will depart Riverside on Friday early afternoon, stay in a hotel Friday night so we can hit the slopes of Granite Peak first thing Saturday.  After a day of skiing we will enjoy dinner and head to Tesomas where on Sunday we will participate in Winter Camp activities such as Ice Fishing, Cross Country skiing,  snowshoeing, sledding, building an igloo and playing broom ball.  We will depart Tesomas early Monday morning and arrive back in Riverside mid-afternoon.  This is a great opportunity to enjoy some winter fun and work on the Snow Sports merit badge.

Scouts can attend on their own or the whole family is welcome to take advantage of the group rates and join us for the ski portion or for the full outstanding weekend of fun!

Granite Peak offers trails for skiers at all skill levels, however  there will not be an opportunity to take ski lessons during this outing.  Therefore, scouts attending on their own should have prior skiing experience.

Friday, February 17 – Monday, February 20

Friday Itinerary

• Depart: RPC  at  2:00 p.m. (4.5 hr drive)
• Arrive at LaQuinta Inn at ~5 p.m.
• Dinner in area
• Swimming at hotel

Saturday Itinerary

• Continental Breakfast: 7:00-9:00 a.m.
• Ski or Snowboarding: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Dinner in Wausau
• Drive to Tesomas arrive ~7:30 pm
• evening activity

Sunday Itinerary

• Breakfast at Tesomas
• Winter Camp Activities 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• Lunch 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Winter Camp  Activities 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Dinner at Tesomas

Monday Itinerary

• Depart Tesomas 8:00 a.m.
• Breakfast on the road
• Return to Riverside ~2:30 p.m.

Cost and Payment:

The price of this outing is dependent on the size of the group. There is a discount if we are a group of 20 or more; therefore the payment for this outing will be handled a little differently then other outings.  When you register you will be asked to pay $50 per person non-refundable deposit.  Once registration is closed (February 11) you will be notified of the remaining cost and asked to pay it.  If you cancel at any time you will forfeit the deposit.  If you cancel within 48 hours of the departure, you may be charged an additional $25  cancellation fee per person, depending on the impact the cancellation has on our group rate.

Below is a menu of the costs, but if you need to rent ski equipment the cost of the weekend will be between $174 (group rate) and $223 (w/o group rate) per person.  If you have equipment (including helmet), the costs  drop to $142 (group rate) to $175 (w/o group rate) per person.

Menu of Costs per person:

Friday night accommodations options and cost

• between $25 – $30 per scout or leader/adult  for shared room
• $95 for family room

Saturday costs

• Ski or snowboard rental:  $22 (group rate) / $38 (w/o group rate)
• Helmet rental: $10 – BSA policy is everyone must wear a helmet.  If you do not have a helmet, you must rent one.
• Lift Ticket : $42 (group rate) / $70 (w/o group rate)
• Group dinner: $20

Sunday Winter Camp cost include: 2 nights accommodation in bunkhouse, 3 meals Sunday, Winter activities (Ice Fish, Cross Country ski,  snowshoe, sled, build an igloo, broom ball)

• Scout/sibling cost:  $55
• Leader/Adult cost: $40

Additional Meals:

• Friday dinner at fast food restaurant, Saturday lunch at chalet and Monday breakfast at fast food restaurant are at your own expense.  Scouts should be given pocket money to cover these three meals.

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

Scouts, Adults, AND Siblings, sign up here: http://troop24riverside.com/2017/01/2017-winter-outing-form/

Deadline for sign-up: February 12, 2017

THURSDAY February 9 TROOP 24 MEETING 7:00 PM

• February:  WINTER ACTIVITIES
• BRING SCOUT BOOK TO ALL MEETINGS.
• Iceberg in charge of meeting set-up, FLAGS, and clean-up. Report at 6:45pm in Full Uniform.
• Trail to First Class: Knot tying competitions.
• Trail to First Class: Second Class Citizenship 8c & 8d form can be found at Forms & Document tab of the Troop website.
• Trail to First Class: All scouts should be tracking their physical activity for Tenderfoot 6b, Second 7a, First 8a.  These need to be completed consecutively.  We sent home Activity Log sheets but you may also print them from the Personal Fitness Merit Badge workbook pp 11 at MeritBadge.org.
• Merit Badge: FINAL Citizenship in the World meeting with Mrs. Murphy.  Bring completed worksheets and be prepared to discuss.  If you are unable to attend, contact Mrs. Murphy at jkmurphy64@gmail.co to make alternative arrangements.
• Winter Skits: Each patrol will develop and rehearse skits this week for presentation the next week.
• MANDATORY ATTENDANCE MEETING FEBRUARY 23 FOR TROOP AND ORDER OF ARROW ELECTIONS.
• Cyber Chip: Scout Rank and Star Rank need to acquire the Cyber Chip for your age.  Go to http://www.netsmartz.org/scouting to review the requirements.  Once you have completed the Read, Write and Watch requirements, register on the Troop 24 Website and we will set aside time in the meeting for the scout to complete the Teach and Talk requirements.  We have the Cards.  The chip expires after one year, see the Scoutmaster to “Recharge” or renew the Chip.

 

We look forward to seeing you at 7:00 pm on Thursday.

Consider talking about an outing, a service project or other experience that has made you proud to be a Boy Scout. Scout Sunday is a perfect opportunity for you to accomplish requirement #3 of the Communication Badge.  Sign up for today to be a speaker at Scout Sunday (Sunday 2/12)  and merit badge counselors will work with you to prepare a short speech.

 

 

Riverside Presbyterian Church, the charter organization for Troop 24 and Pack 24, invites all scouts, leaders and scout families to attend Worship in celebration of the long standing relationship between RPC and the Boy Scouts on February 12^th at 10:00 am.  The service will be followed by coffee fellowship hosted by Troop 24.

The Troop 24 Committee encourages scouts and their families to attend the Scout Sunday service.  It is an chance for many of our scouts to experience worship in a place of different denomination or faith.  And an occasion for us to show our appreciation to the members of RPC for their support and use of the church for 78 years.

Scouts who attend will also have the opportunity to earn service hours by participating in either the worship service or in fellowship. Consider helping in one of these roles. There are many:

• Ushers: greet people, hand out bulletin, and pass the offering plate. (need 4-6 scouts)
• Liturgist: Read the scripture lesson and offer a prayer ( 1-2 scouts)
• Speakers willing to speak about their scouting experiences and what it has meant to them.  This is ideal for a scout working on their Communication Merit Badge that still needs to complete requirement #3 or a scout who is comfortable speaking in front of people. (need 2-3 scouts)
• Fellowship Set up (9:00 – 10:00):  Make coffee and lemonade, prepare plates of treats, set out plates, cups and saucers, etc. (need 4 scouts)
• Fellowship Clean up (12:00 – 12:30): run dishwasher, wash serving plates and coffee pots and wipe tables. (need 4 scouts)

Scouts willing to help – sign up here

We hope all scouts who attend bring something to share during fellowship (e.g. coffee cake, cookies, fruit, cheese & crackers, etc.)

Scouts and Leaders should wear their Class A uniform and merit badge sash.  If you have a Girl Scout in the family, she is welcome to wear her uniform.  We hope to see you there.

If you have any questions please contact Carrie Staubus or Susan Lynch

FEBRUARY:  Winter Activities

• February 7: Troop Committee Meeting
• February 12: Scout Sunday 10:00 am Service RPC
• February 17-20: CAMP OUT:  Friday/Saturday: Granite Peak Ski Area, Wausau WI; Sunday/Monday: Tesomas Scout Camp, Rhinelander, WI.
• February 23: MANDATORY ATTENDANCE Troop Elections; Order of Arrow Elections; Board of Review
• February 26: Pack 120 and Pack 24 Blue and Gold Dinners.
• February 28: Patrol Leaders Council Meeting with new troop leadership.

MARCH:  Wildlife & Wilderness Survival

• March 4:  Pancake Breakfast at RPC
• March 7: Troop Committee Meeting
• March 13: PAV YMCA Swimming Merit Badge Class
• March 17-19:  CAMP OUT: Bullfrog Lake, 9600 Wolf Road, Willow Springs, Illinois
• March 30: Board of Review

APRIL: TBD

• April 4: Troop Committee Meeting
• April 13: NO MEETING
• April 20: Board of Review
• April 22: Voyageur Trace Adventure Day
• April 27: Spring Court of Honor
• April 28-30: CAMP OUT:  Ingersoll Scout Reservation; 33 Knox Rd 650 E, London Mills, IL 61544

MAY:  TBD

• May TBD : CAMP OUT
• May 20: Troop 24 100-year anniversary event at RPC/Scout Cabin CAMP OUT
• May 25: LAST MEETING/ Board of Review

JUNE: TBD

• June 18-23: National Youth Leadership Training; Camp Betz, Berrien Springs, MI.
• June 25-30: National Youth Leadership Training; Camp Big Timber, Elgin, IL
• June 25-July 2:  Seabase High Adventure

JULY:  Summer Camp

• July 9-14: National Youth Leadership Training; Camp Sol R Crown, Wilmot, WI
• July 16-22:  Tesomas Summer Camp
• July 23-29:  Wisconsin River Canoe Trip High Adventure

Board of Reviews will be scheduled for the troop meeting on the last Thursday of each month.