Scout assistance is needed with Cody L’s Eagle Project tomorrow from 2:00 to 4:00 in the Social Hall (downstairs) at RPC. Drop your scout off and go Christmas shopping! Scouts who assist will receive service hours.

We are still in need of scout and adult assistance at the Holiday Stroll in Riverside, this Friday, December 5. Because the proceeds from our s’mores donations will go to the Riverside Township Food Pantry, service hours will be given.

One shift is full, but we need volunteers for every other shift:

4:30 Set-up: Need 1 adult

5:00-6:00: SHIFT FULL

6:00-7:00: Need 2 adults and 3 scouts

7:00-8:00: Need 1 adult and 1 scout

8:00-9:00: Need 2 adults and 3 scouts

Please sign up here: http://troop24riverside.com/2014/11/holiday-stroll-december-5-2014/

It’s not too late to sign up for the Disability Awareness Merit Badge. We will meet at the North Riverside Commons on WEDNESDAY, December 3, at 6:30 p.m. The Lincolnway Special Recreation Association will be coming with wheelchairs and other interactive devices to teach the scouts what it feels like to have a disability. The Troop is paying for this class; there is no cost to our scouts.

There will be NO REGULAR TROOP MEETING this Thursday, December 4. Instead, Mrs. Lulich and Mrs. Lanken will complete the remaining requirements for the merit badge at RPC at 7:00 in the Social Hall.

We realize that the Thursday class conflicts with the Hauser concert. For those scouts who can not come on Thursday, December 4, we will schedule an additional session to complete the badge. The date will depend on how many scouts are involved, and their schedules; it’s possible that it will be in 2015.

Sign up here: http://troop24riverside.com/2014/11/disability-awareness-form-december-3-4/

There will be NO Troop meeting on December 18.  Instead, we will be going to the Laser Quest in Downers Grove  on December 19 to celebrate finishing exams and the Holiday break.

The Laser Quest facility is located at Finley Square Mall, 1524 Butterfield Rd, Downers Grove, IL 60515.

• Parents are asked to provide transportation for their scouts to & from the event.
• Scouts should be at the facility at 5:40 PM to check in and prep for our first game at 6 PM
• We will play 3 games of laser tag and have pizza for dinner.
• Pick up will be at 8:15 PM.
• Cost $20/scout.
• We also need adults to attend as chaperones, if you are willing to supervise scouts between games and serve pizza please indicate on the form when you sign up your scout.

This outing is limited to 30 scouts so sign up early!

Sign up here.

28 of our 70 scouts have paid dues for the coming year. Our charter has to be submitted to the Council before December 15. To continue in scouts, please pay online at Constant Contact.

We hope all of our current scouts are continuing in scouting, but if your scout has decided to drop out, could you please let us know by sending an email to nmhopkins1@comcast.net. Thanks.

This Wednesday, December 3, our scouts have a great opportunity to participate in a disability awareness event and earn the Disability Awareness merit badge.

The Lincolnway Special Recreation Association will be coming with wheelchairs and other interactive devices to teach the scouts what it feels like to have a disability. This event will be held in the North Riverside Commons gym at 2401 S. Desplaines Avenue, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

We will NOT be having a regular troop meeting on Thursday. Instead, scouts who attended the Wednesday event will work with Mrs. Lulich and Scoutmaster Lanken to complete the remaining requirements for the merit badge. Scouts should meet at RPC on Thursday, December 4, at 7:00 p.m. in the SOCIAL HALL.

We would like to know in advance how many scouts plan to attend. Please sign up here:
http://troop24riverside.com/2014/11/disability-awareness-form-december-3-4/

Disabilities Awareness merit badge requirements:

1. Discuss with your counselor proper disability etiquette and person first language. Explain why these are important.

2. Visit an agency that works with people with physical, mental, emotional, or educational disabilities. Collect and read information about the agency’s activities. Learn about opportunities its members have for training, employment, and education. Discuss what you have learned with your counselor

3. Do TWO of the following:
a. Talk to a Scout who has a disability and learn about his experiences taking part in Scouting activities and earning different merit badges. Discuss what you have learned with your counselor
b. Talk to an individual who has a disability and learn about this person’s experiences and the activities in which this person likes to participate. Discuss what you have learned with your counselor
c. Learn how people with disabilities take part in a particular adaptive sport or recreational activity. Discuss what you have learned with your counselor.
d. Learn about independent living aids such as service animals, canes, and augmentative communication devices such as teletypewriters (TTYs). Discuss with your counselor how people use such aids.

4. Visit TWO of the following locations and take notes about the accessibility to people with disabilities. In your notes, give examples of five things that could be done to improve upon the site and five things about the site that make it friendly to people with disabilities. Discuss your observations with your counselor.
a. Your school
b. Your place of worship
c. Your Scout camping site
d. A public exhibit or attraction (such as a theater, museum, or park)

5. Explain what advocacy is. Do ONE of the following advocacy activities:
a. Present a counselor approved disabilities awareness program to a Cub Scout pack or other group. During your presentation, explain and use person first language.
b. Find out about disability awareness education programs in your school or school system, or contact a disability advocacy agency. Volunteer with a program or agency for eight hours.
c. Using resources such as disability advocacy agencies, government agencies, the Internet (with your parent’s permission), and news magazines, learn about myths and misconceptions that influence the general public’s understanding of people with disabilities. List 10 myths and misconceptions about people with disabilities and learn the facts about each myth. Share your list with your counselor, then use it to make a presentation to a Cub Scout pack or other group.

6. Make a commitment to your merit badge counselor describing what you will do to show a positive attitude about people with disabilities and to encourage positive attitudes among others. Discuss how your awareness has changed as a result of what you have learned.

7. Name five professions that provide services to people with disabilities. Pick one that interests you and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss what you learn with your counselor, and tell why this profession interests you.

Help Troop 24 create some Holiday Cheer in Riverside

Scouts & adults are needed for 1 hour shifts at the Troop 24  s’mores tent at Riverside’s Holiday Stroll.

Click here to reserve your shift (5:00-6:00 SHIFT FULL)

• Friday, December 5
• Need two adults and 3 scouts per 1 hour shift
• One-hour shifts starting at 5:00 p.m.  We also need a few people for set-up (4:00) and take-down (9:00).

• We provide ingredients for strollers to roast marshmallows and make s’mores.
• We do not charge for the s’mores, but collect a free-will offering that goes to the Riverside Food Pantry.
• Service hours are given for this event.
• Troop 24 S’mores tent is located at Riverside Garage; always a popular location due to their train set-up.