We have LOTS of events planned for the shortest month of the year!

On February 14, we have room for 10 scouts to participate in the Klondike Derby, an annual event sponsored by the Council based on the Iditarod–although with scouts pulling the sleds, rather than dogs. For scouts who don’t mind cold weather, this is a very fun event, and one that every scout should do once. For more information, or to sign up: Klondike Gold in the Cold

We have two ski trips planned, one specifically for our Star & Above scouts (intermediate skiers/no beginners), and one suitable for all ages and skill levels.

On February 21-22, Star & Above scouts will be going to Chestnut Mountain Resort in Galena. We will leave early Saturday morning, ski all day, and spend the night at the lodge (bunkbeds with up to 8 per room). Kent Johnson and Bruce Robertson will be our leaders for that event. We are limited to 15 participants (scouts & leaders both), so sign up soon! For more information, or to sign up: Chestnut Mountain

On February 28-March 1, we are sponsoring a trip to Sunburst Recreation in Wisconsin This outing is suitable for beginning skiers, as well as those who have never skied before. Lessons are available. We will leave from RPC early on Saturday, spend the day skiing, have pizza at a hotel, and return to the slopes for night-time tubing. 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. For more information, or to sign up: Sunburst

On February 22, we need 12 scouts to assist with the Pack 24 Crossover. The time involved would be approximately 2 hours (5:00 – 7:00). If you are attending the ski trip, you will have time to do both. Dinner will be provided for those boy scouts who sign up. To sign up: Crossover

Four MORE boy scouts are needed to help with the crossover of Webelos from Pack 24 into Troop 24, on Sunday, February 22, at 5:00 at the Riverside Golf Club, 2520 Des Plaines Road, in North Riverside. Dinner will be provided after the crossover, and you should be home by 7:00 p.m. Sign up here: http://troop24riverside.com/2015/02/webelos-crossover-2015-form/

Scouts: At the Troop Meeting tonight (February 5), we will be working on the First Aid Merit Badge. This is an Eagle-required badge, and we offer this once/year.

The weekend of February 21-22, we have a ski trip planned specifically for our Star & Above scouts who are “intermediate” skiers. We will spend Saturday skiing (snowboards also available) and stay at the Chestnut Mountain resort near Galena in dorm-style rooms (3 bunk beds per room with an attached bathroom). Lunch will be on your own. We’ll have pizza for supper and a breakfast buffet at the resort, returning home by early afternoon on Sunday.

Cost 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.

Ski rental, helmet, lift = $76
Snowboard rental, helmet, lift = $76
Helmet = $8 (REQUIRED unless you have your own helmet)
Accommodations & meals* = $50

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

Our leaders for this outing will be Kent Johnson & Bruce Robertson. We will need additional leaders/drivers – adults can ski as well!

Sign up here: http://troop24riverside.com/2015/02/chestnut-mountain-2015-form/

There is a limit of 12 for this event (leaders & scouts). The deadline for sign-up is February 17, 2015

Mark your calendars for February 28-March 1 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 on a 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 28 – Sunday March 1
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, all 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 Bruce Robertson or Dawn Gmitro.

Scouts, Adults, AND Siblings, sign up here:  http://troop24riverside.com/2015/02/sunburst-ski-outing-2015-form/

Deadline for sign-up: February 22, 2015

Riverside Presbyterian Church, our charter organization since 1939, invites you to attend RPC on Scout Sunday, February 8. RPC’s service begins at 10:00 a.m. with Coffee Fellowship to follow in the Social Hall.

The Boy Scouts of America annually celebrates its founding on February 8, 1910, based on the program started by Lord Baden Powell in England in 1907. Scout Sunday was added to the Scout celebration in the mid-1940s. The Scout Sunday tradition was started to make people in houses of worship aware of Scouting, and to allow Scouts to live out their “Duty to God” pledged each week. The Scout Law says that a “Scout is Reverent” and the Scouts of all ages promise to do their “Duty to God.”

Scout families who would like to provide treats for the coffee hour after the service are invited to drop them off in the Social Hall kitchen of the church any time between 9:00 and 10:45 a.m. Thanks for your contributions & hope to see you there!

If you can’t join us at RPC, wear your uniform proudly to whatever church you attend to show the community what we mean when we say “a scout is reverent.”

Several scouts have told Sue Jones that they are not able to work at the Pancake Breakfast because they are attending the Council’s Merit Badge Academy. The Merit Badge Academy is March 14, and the Pancake Breakfast is March 7. The Council is sponsoring a First Aid Meet on March 7; however, Troop 24 will not be participating in this event. The Pancake Breakfast is our most important fundraiser of the year and we need help from every scout. If you have an unavoidable conflict you can ask Mrs. Jones to be placed on the set-up crew to work on Thursday night, March 5.