For Scouts participating in Micro-Trek at Tesomas Scout Camp this summer:

ATV Program (MT200) – Those Scouts 15 and older signed up for Micro-Trek 200 will have the opportunity to participate in an ATV Rider Course at camp. Each participant needs to bring the signed permission form with them to camp. Participants are required to wear long pants, long-sleeve shirts, and over-the-ankle boots. ATV Permission Form

Zip-Line Program (MT200) – Scouts 15 and older signed up for Micro-Trek 200 will have the opportunity to participate in a world-class canopy experience in the heart of the Northwoods. Each participant needs to bring a signed permission form with them to camp. Zip Line Permission Form

Rafting (MT101) – Scouts 13-14 signed up for Micro-Trek 101 will also have the opportunity to go rafting (pending weather and river conditions). Each participant needs to bring a signed permission form with them to camp. Rafting Permission Form

All forms should be delivered to Liz Gomorczak as soon as possible. PLEASE don’t wait until the last minute!

Swim tests are required for all scouts and adults attending any BSA summer camp. This includes scouts who have already earned a Swimming Merit Badge, and anyone who intends to put even their toes in the lake. Again this year, the Riverside Swim Club has generously agreed to hold the tests there. Every scout should plan to come to the Swim Club on one of the dates listed below. The Swim Club address is 100 Bloomingbank Road, Riverside. If you are not a member, just tell the person at the front desk that you are there for the boy scout swim test. Please try to attend the first opportunity available; do not wait until the last minute!

Thursday, June 25 at 11:00 a.m.
Saturday, June 27, at 10:00 a.m.
Saturday, July 11, at 10:00 a.m.

Troop 24 is planning an overnight camp-out at Kankakee River State Park, leaving Friday, June 26, and returning Sunday, June 28.

Scouts should come prepared to camp in tents for two nights.   We have two activities planned (we will need several adults to sign up as leaders/chaperones in order to have enough volunteers for this outing):

Canoeing/Kayaking:  The canoeing/kayaking will be a 12-mile, 3-5 hour trip on Saturday, outfitted by Reed’s.

• Scouts MUST have earned the Swimming Merit Badge in order to canoe or kayak.
• Kayaking is recommended for scouts with kayaking experience. Scouts will be in single kayaks and will need to be fit enough to paddle for the full 12 miles.
• Scouts must print and have a parent sign the  Reeds waiver in order to participate.

or

Bicycling: The biking will be done on a 10.5 mile paved bike path through the park.

• Biking is available for first-year scouts, or older scouts who have not earned the Swimming Merit Badge, or those who do not want to canoe/kayak.
• Scouts must wear a helmet to bike.
• Scout parents must make sure that the scout’s bicycle is in good working order prior to the outing.

We Need Parent Help:

In order to offer two activities we need many adults to participate.  If you are able to attend this outing and help out by either chaperoning the biking or the canoe/kayaking we would really appreciate the help.  Or if you can drive scouts either to or from this outing; please consider helping our leaders in this way.    If you would like to attend, please fill out the Leader/Chaperone Registration form; if you are willing to help drive, please indicate on your Scout’s Registration form your willingness to drive.  The nice thing about Kankakee is that it is only about 1-hour drive, so you can join whenever it works in your schedule. Last year we had several parents join us Saturday for the activities, while other parents helped with the driving on Friday and Sunday.

Logistics:

• Please drop your Scout off at RPC at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. We will return about noon on Sunday.
• Scouts who are canoeing or kayaking must print and have a parent sign the  Reeds waiver in order to participate.
• Scouts must have a bike helmet if they are biking.
• Deadline for signing up for the outing is Tuesday, June 23.
• The Scout cost for this outing is $40 for food/camp fee, and $34  for canoeing (2 per canoe) or $46 for a single kayak.
• We will provide transportation for the all bikes in one of the two Troop trailers.

Please fill out a form for each scout and each leader/chaperone.

Contact Dawn Gmitro with questions.

Scout Form
Leader/Chaperone Form

If you’ve been watching the weather forecasts you know that the weather outlook for this weekend is not good. We were going to wait until closer to the weekend before deciding whether to cancel, but the canoe outfitter in Kankakee will not be allowing canoes out on the water this weekend due to high water levels, even if we had no more rain. The water level at Momence, Illinois is considered at minor flood stage, and the river gauge upstream at Shelby, Indiana shows moderate flooding. Due to the high water there is floating debris (logs, etc.) that can make boating hazardous.

If you are interested, see the National Weather Service river levels: http://water.weather.gov/ahps/.

We will let you know when we decide whether, and when, to reschedule.

Congratulations to our newest Eagle Scout, Erik Robertson!

Congratulations to our newest Eagle Scout, Christopher Olszewski!

Due to the very lousy weather forecast for this weekend (rain, thunderstorms, and high in the 60’s), we are going to reschedule the Kankakee River outing to June 12-14. If you are still able to attend that weekend you don’t need to do anything. If the date does not work for you, please e-mail Nancy Hopkins and you will get a refund.

Scouts who were not able to go this weekend, but would like to sign up for June 12-14, can sign up online. (The form and post still have the old dates, but everything else is accurate.)

We are monitoring the weather forecast for this weekend, and we may have to move the outing to a new date. We will let you know as soon as possible.

We held a meeting for parents last week covering everything you need to know about summer camp. There are links below for the documents that were discussed. If you were not at the meeting, please review the instructions carefully. The most important points:

• Schedule a medical exam ASAP because every scout (and adult) going to camp must have a medical form signed by a physician.
• Scouts need to select merit badge classes and submit their selections to Liz Gomorczak, along with t-shirt size.
• Bikes need to be inspected before camp.

1. Medical Form Parts A, B, C: Parents complete Parts A & B. A physician must complete Part C. http://www.scouting.org/filestore/HealthSafety/pdf/680-001_ABC.pdfSee sample form for instructions on how to complete specific portions: Sample medical form. You can save the completed pdf on your computer to save time next year.

   MEDICAL FORMS ARE DUE NO LATER THAN JULY 10 SO THEY CAN BE COPIED AND ORGANIZED FOR CAMP.  IF YOU CAN’T GET PART C (physician exam) DONE BY THEN, SUBMIT PARTS A and B AND PROVIDE 3 COPIES OF PART C BY JULY 19! NO EXCEPTIONS! DELIVER FORMS TO:

   Liz Gomorczak
   2359 Burr Oak Avenue (5 blocks east of Des Plaines on north side of tracks)
   North Riverside
   OR SCAN AND E-MAIL TO jecggomo@gmail.com
   OR FAX TO 312-228-7811 – delivered confidentially to Liz’s e-mail

2. Print medical forms double-sided to save paper (A scout is thrifty!)
3. Insurance card – provide a copy of the front and back with medical forms.
4. Map to camp: http://clsr.samoset.org/resources/MapToCLSR.pdf (6-hour ride)
5. Address/phone number of camp:
   Scout’s Name, Troop 24, Camp Site – Fox (if you want to write but be sure it’s mailed early enough)
   5403 Spider Lake Road
   Rhinelander, WI 54501
   Letters are welcome; please do not send care packages
   715-365-3111 – Tesomas phone
   715-333-9849 – Tesomas fax
6. Parent guide: http://clsr.samoset.org/resources/TSCParentsGuide.pdf
   (DISREGARD PACKING LIST AND USE THE FOLLOWING INSTEAD)
7. Packing list – Scouts should pack so they know where everything is:
   Tesomas Packing List
8. Put your scout’s name on everything–AND WE MEAN EVERYTHING!!!
9. Scouts must wear Class A uniform (Scout shirt but not neckerchief) for travel to and from camp
   Bring a wire hanger to hang the shirt during the week.
10. Advancement schedule – Be sure to check the level of difficulty (A is the most difficult and C is the least difficult).  It is recommended that first-year scouts stick to levels B and C: 2015 Tesomas Advancement Schedule
11. Prerequisites – Be sure to check if there are any prerequisites for chosen merit badges: http://clsr.samoset.org/resources/TSCPrerequisites.pdf. Prerequisites should be done before camp starts.
12. Supplies for certain merit badges – check http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page for supply list (basketry, leatherwork, etc.)
13. Troop’s merit badge book library – will be brought to camp for scouts to reference, but we suggest that you print out the workbook for each merit badge at http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
14. First-year scouts – merit badge choices (swimming, cooking + 1 or 2 more). See 2015 Tesomas Advancement Schedule
15. Additional fee – for shotgun merit badge ($25)
16. Special diet – Click on link and select:
    https://www.doubleknot.com/form/formjump.asp?bidx=0&surveyID=4401&OrgKey=1438
    Unit Type – “Troop”
    Unit Number – “24”
    Beginning Date at Camp – “July 26, 2015”
    Ending Date at Camp – “August 1, 2015”
    Camper’s Name
    Check – “Youth”
    Camp – “Tesomas Scout Camp”
    Your Phone Number
    Your E-mail Address
    Click “Continue”
    Fill in box with dietary needs
    Click “Complete Survey”
17. Bikes – It is HIGHLY recommended that all scouts bring bikes to camp to get around
    *Bikes MUST be inspected ahead of time.  (The Wheel Thing offers a free inspection and 10% off parts if needed – 15 S. La Grange, 352-3822) but more info is forthcoming.
    ALL scouts MUST HAVE HELMET! It’s a BSA rule.
    Bike drop off is Thursday, July 23, at 2413 4th Ave, North Riverside (home of Tom Hartwig)
18. Microtrek: http://clsr.samoset.org/hanna/microtrek.php
    *$45 for 13 – 14 years
    *$55 for 15 – 16 years
19. Waivers:
    Waivers must be turned in to Liz Gomoczak with the medical forms.
    Bike (BRING HELMET): http://www.troop24riverside.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/bike-agreement.pdf
    Rafting: http://clsr.samoset.org/resources/RaftingPermission.pdf (Microtrek 101 for 13 – 14 years)
    ATV: http://clsr.samoset.org/resources/ATVPermission.pdf (Microtrek 200 for 15 – 16+ years)
    Zip line: http://clsr.samoset.org/resources/ZipLinePermission.pdf (Microtrek 200 for 15 – 16+ years)
20. Scuba: http://www.northwoodshighadventure.com/programs/scuba.php
    Cost – $170
    Measurements – height, weight, chest, waist, inseam, shoe size
    PADI Medical Statement
    2 – 1 ½ x 2” size photos for certification card
    Participants will get more information mailed in early summer.
21. Camp map: http://clsr.samoset.org/resources/CLSRMap.pdf (Fox Campsite is #27 on the map)
22. Departure –  (The round-trip bus fee is $100 and information will be provided soon).  Meet in parking lot of Hauser (behind school) at 6:30 a.m. for a 7:00 a.m. departure.
23. IF YOU HAVEN’T COMPLETED THE SWIM TEST IN ADVANCE, YOU WILL NEED TO TAKE THE SWIM TEST UPON ARRIVAL.  BRING SWIM TRUNKS AND TOWEL IN SEPARATE BAG ON BUS. (See Item 28.)
24. Lunch – Bring sack lunch or money for lunch going, and be sure to save enough money for lunch on the return trip (put $ in one envelope marked “Lunch on way to camp” and $ in a second envelope marked “Lunch on way home from camp”). DO NOT BRING FOOD TO STORE FOOD IN TENTS!!!
25. Trading Post – slushies and odds and ends – ~$25 is probably enough for whole week, including lunch going and coming unless your scout wants to buy a souvenir.
26. Return – the bus departs camp between 9:00 and 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 1.  The scouts arrive back in Riverside in the Hauser parking lot at around 4:30 pm.  They will use leaders’ phones to call as they get close and/or a Feedblitz will go out letting parents know when to meet the bus in the Hauser parking lot.
27. Cell Phones – signal is very weak; chances of loss and/or damage are significant. Do NOT bring cell phones.
28. Swim test – A Feedblitz will go out several weeks before camp to advise of when/where (possibly Riverside Swim Club).  It’s best to complete before camp.
29. T-shirt size – Add scout’s t-shirt size to merit badge selection form (or e-mail Liz Gomorczak at jecggomo@gmail.com).
30. Expect your scout to be sent home with a tent or other equipment to clean and dry after camp.