Pack 24 is requesting assistance from Troop 24 boy scouts to help run the annual Pinewood Derby on Saturday, January 30, in the RPC gym. There will be four 45-minute shifts beginning at noon, with 3 scouts needed for each shift. The last shift may go for an hour, depending on the timing of the race. You can sign up for more than one shift, but you must sign up for each shift separately:

12:00 – 12:45
12:45 – 1:30
1:30 – 2:15
2:15 – 3:00
3:00 – 3:45

All boy scouts who help will receive a free lunch or snacks, which will be served by the girl scouts of Troop 657 in the Social Hall. You will also receive service hours.

Please report for your shift 5 minutes BEFORE your scheduled start time. See Mr. Jerz for instructions when you arrive.

The Three Fires Council is hosting a Merit Badge University on Saturday, February 20, in Elmhurst, at York High School. Many, many merit badge courses will be available. Registration just opened and can be found at https://scoutingevent.com/?MBU2016. Courses fill up quickly, so register soon.

This is the same weekend as the Cascade Mountain Ski Trip.

Getting ready for spring? Cleaning your closets? Troop 24 will be collecting gently used clothing and shoes for kids and teens in February and March. Begin saving your outgrown items now. The clothing will be donated through Messengers of Peace and the shoes through Soles for Souls.

Troop 24 has several fun outdoor adventures planned for January & February. Although registration for the Muskegon Luge outing is closed, it’s not too late to register for the Klondike Derby on January 23, always a fun event, and one that every scout should do at least once!

More information about Klondike can be found here:
http://troop24riverside.com/2016/01/klondike-derby-iditarod-saturday-january-23-2016/

Mark your calendars for February 27-28 and sign up for Skiing/Snowboarding at Sunburst Recreation in Wisconsin and hotel overnight. This outing is suitable for beginning skiers, as well as those who have never skied before. Lessons are highly recommended. 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 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. Families may choose to make this a day trip or stay overnight; all single scouts should plan to stay overnight.

Saturday, February 27 – Sunday, February 28
Saturday Itinerary
Depart: RPC 7:00 a.m. (2.5 hr drive)
Ski or Snowboarding: 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Lessons: 10:30 a.m. (not required, but strongly recommended for new skiers)
Dinner break/hotel check in: 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Night time tubing: 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Swimming (optional): 9:00-10:00 p.m.

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

Menu of Costs per person:
The BSA requires scouts 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 = $53 (includes tubing in the evening)
Snowboard rental, helmet, lift = $53 (includes tubing in the evening)
Ski or Snowboard lesson $10
Shared Hotel w/meals* = $35 (4 scouts per room)
Family Hotel w/meals* = $120 (2 queen beds)
* Meals include Pizza dinner and hotel complimentary breakfast.  Everyone 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 Dawn Gmitro.

Scouts, Adults, AND Siblings, sign up here:  http://troop24riverside.com/2016/01/ski-trip-sunburst-2016-form/

Deadline for sign-up: February 12, 2016

The weekend of February 20-21, we have a ski trip planned specifically for our First Class & above scouts who are intermediate or experienced skiers.  Scouts will ski in a buddy system with other scouts and there is no plan to partake in ski lessons.  We will spend Saturday skiing (snowboards also available) and tubing at Cascade Mt. and stay at a nearby Days Inn in Portage, WI  (4 per room). Lunch will be on your own. We’ll have pizza for supper at Cascade’s chalet and a breakfast buffet at the hotel, returning home by early afternoon on Sunday.

Cost per person
The BSA requires scouts to wear helmets while skiing/snowboarding, so you must include the cost of a helmet unless you bring your own.

• Youth (17 & under) unlimited day/night lift ticket $45
• Adult unlimited day/night lift ticket $55
• Tubing (optional) $10
• Ski/Board rental – $37
• Helmet (REQUIRED) – $8
• Accommodations & meals* = $55

* Meals include Pizza dinner and breakfast buffet. Participants will need to bring either money or sack lunch for Saturday.

Our leader for this outing will be John Flaherty.  We will need additional leaders/drivers – adults can ski as well!  Leaders and adults will need to pay for their lift/tubing tickets and equipment rentals, but meals and accommodations are gratis.

Sign up here: http://troop24riverside.com/2016/01/cascade-mountain-ski-trip-2016/

There is a limit of 20 for this event (leaders & scouts). The deadline for sign-up is Sunday, February 14, 2016

Our Council is sponsoring Wilderness First Aid Training on February 27 & 28. The class is open to adults and to scouts whose birthdates are BEFORE 2/27/2002.

The course is the American Red Cross Wilderness and Remote First Aid. It has been developed in conjunction with the BSA and is based on the 2010 BSA Wilderness First Aid Curriculum and Doctrine Guidelines. This is THE course for those who work, live, or play in remote areas, away from the usual EMS service. Most high adventure trips require that at least one person (preferably two) in each crew is certified in WRFA.

More information, and to register, go to:
http://pathwaytoadventure.doubleknot.com/event/1815973

Mr. Jerz will be at meeting tonight in his capacity as Family Life MB counselor to sign off on any process scouts have made since last fall.