We reserved 12 spots for Scuba at Camp Tesomas, and we have had NO ONE sign up. The last 2 years we filled every available spot. Scuba is available for scouts 12 and older and adult leaders. The cost is $170, which is considerably less than you can learn scuba anywhere else. Participants have to pass the BSA swim test, and must be able to swim 200 meters during the week of class.

More information is available: http://clsr.samoset.org/hanna/scuba.php. If you are interested, please sign up by Wednesday, May 14.

Any Life Scout who has not attended a “Life to Eagle” presentation may want to attend an informational presentation at First United Methodist Church, 1032 Maple, Downer’s Grove, on May 13. You need to sign up here: http://www.boyscoutsdpvc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Life-to-Eagle-flyer-TG-140513.pdf.

Troop 24 is planning an overnight camp-out at Kankakee River State Park, leaving Friday, May 30, and returning Sunday, June 1.

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

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 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 the Scout 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 Friday, May 23.
• The Scout cost for this outing is $35 for food/camp fee, and $33  for canoeing (2 per canoe) or $45 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 Susan Lynch with questions.

Scout Form
Leader/Chaperone Form

To all Troop 24 parents: We are in need of volunteers to bring refreshments for after our spring Court of Honor this Thursday. Please email Sue Jones at sue_jones@designpac.com if you can bring something and indicate in the email what you are bringing. Suggestions are cookies, brownies, fruit, cheese & crackers, veggies & dip, hummus or guacamole & chips. We also need a few volunteers to arrive by 6:40 to assist with the food and beverage set-up. Thank you!

So far we have 32 scouts signed up for Camp Tesomas (July 13-19). We have a large campsite, and can fit more scouts. We will have our annual camp meeting for parents on Thursday, May 15, at 7:00 in the RPC Social Hall (while the Troop meeting is going on in the gym). PLEASE, we need at least one parent to attend from each scout family. Attendance at the camp meeting last year was sparse, and it caused all kinds of problems for our camp coordinator, so this meeting is mandatory. New parents: even if you are not yet sure if your scout will be going to summer camp, please come and get all your questions answered.

At the meeting on May 15 we will ask parents to submit their scout’s selection of merit badge classes. The merit badge schedule can be downloaded here: TSC-Merit-badge-schedule.pdf. Some merit badges have prerequisites that must be done at home before camp. The prerequisites are listed here: TSC Prerequisites 2014. The merit badge selection is different than last year so please review the list. New scouts should plan to sign up for Cooking, Swimming, and one other merit badge. Archery & shooting sports are not recommended for first-year scouts. The prerequisite list also rates the badges by difficulty.

The absolute LAST DAY to sign up and pay for camp will be Monday, June 2. That gives the new scouts who go on their first camp-out to Kankakee River (May 30-June 1) an opportunity to try a camp-out before committing to summer camp.

Don’t forget that scouts need a camp physical, signed by a doctor, to attend summer camp. This applies to all scouts, even the new scouts who just turned in medical forms Parts A & B (doctor portion is Part C): http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/ahmr.aspx

Our Spring Court of Honor will be held on Thursday, May 8, at 7:00 in the Social Hall at RPC. All scouts should attend unless they have an unavoidable conflict. Parents also attend to honor our scouts’ achievements and rank advancements.

On the 4th of July the Troop sells slices of pizza after Riverside’s parade. It’s a good community service, as well as a lucrative fundraiser for the Troop. Aside from some advance organization (made easy by great notes taken in previous years), this is a ONE-DAY event. We need a chairperson, or a group of 2-3 parents, to take charge of this event. This would be a good way for a few new parents to get involved without an ongoing commitment. PLEASE consider if you would be willing to volunteer. Please e-mail Nancy Hopkins at nmhopkins1@comcast.net. If you have specific questions about what is involved, Roman Salij would be available to answer questions at romansalij@yahoo.com.

Scouts: Please be sure to bring your books to the meeting tonight. We need to update our computer records prior to our Spring Court of Honor (which will be May 8). Also, scouts who need a Scoutmaster Conference should sign up online. Scouts who need a Board of Review, please contact Nancy Hopkins at nmhopkins1@comcast.net.