This Saturday, October 17, I will be conducting my Eagle Project from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Riverside Town Hall. For those who do not know, my project is running the local Halloween Windows program. Instead of participants painting directly on the windows, there is going to be an art day at the town hall. I am looking for help throughout the day from scouts. I know there is a conflict outing that many scouts will be attending, but it would be great if those not attending could help. If you are able to help, please email me, with the times you could work. I am looking for scouts to work 2-hour shifts, but any time that can be given is greatly appreciated. If you have any questions feel free to email me.
Elliot

A Take Pride in Riverside community work day will be held from 9:00 a.m. to noon on Saturday, October 17. Meet at the Quincy train platform (planting beds behind the Arts Center & Metal Mites) to help install weed block, plant & remulch the garden beds along the train parking lot. Bring gloves, rakes, shovels, and clippers if you have them. Dress warmly. Contact Terri Lynne-Culloden with any questions.

Save the date! Troop 24 has a reservation to stay at Eagle Cave the weekend of January 16. More details to follow. For photos of outings to Eagle Cave, always a favorite with the scouts, please see our Photo Gallery.

There will be a orienteering outing to Waterfall Glen Nature Center on Saturday, October 17, leaving around 8:00 am and returning around 1:00 pm. The permission slip is available here and at the Troop meetings. The two meetings (October 8 and the 15) prior to this outing will dedicated to preparation and learning how to orienteering.

This outing is for ALL RANKS as it is a valuable skill for all scouts. It is a great refresher for all, but is especially applicable to achieving 2nd Class and 1st Class requirements.

We are looking for parent volunteers to to accompany groups of 4-5 boys for this outing. This is a great opportunity for new scout parents to participate. It is only a half day commitment. You do not need orienteering experience yourself. Interested? Questions? Contact Dawn Gmitro.

Our Troop’s Chartered Organization, Riverside Presbyterian Church, is conducting a canned food drive during the month of October. The donations will be taken to the First Presbyterian Church in Chicago where the food will be distributed to needy families. We would like to help them by contributing food to their effort. We would appreciate it if you would contribute what you can. You can bring food to Troop meetings. A bin will be located just inside the door going up the stairs. You can also drop off food during the day at the Church Office lobby (door marked “Preschool”). Thank you in advance for your generosity. Contact Mike Gmitro with questions.

Troop 24 will be participating in the DesPlaines Valley Council/Voyageur Trace District Camporee to be held October 23-25 at Illinois Beach State Park in Zion. The scouts will leave about 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 23, and return to Riverside Presbyterian Church at approximately 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 25. The theme of the camporee will be conservation. On Saturday morning there will be education sessions presented by park staff and staff from the Shedd Aquarium. After lunch the troops will be assigned to conservation projects within the Park. Every attempt will be made to structure the education sessions and project to meet requirements of any and all relevant merit badges and conservation awards. The cost is $20 per scout (which includes the Voyageur Trace fee of $6 as well as the cost of food). The permission slip and money (check made out to Troop 24) are due by Thursday, October 8. Permission slips may be turned in at a troop meeting, or given to Dawn Gmitro.

RPC has recently had the gym floor refinished, at a considerable cost. They are requesting that street shoes not be worn in the gym–only white-soled gym shoes. Since the scouts don’t have an opportunity to change shoes, we are requesting their cooperation in protecting the new surface by removing their shoes at the door.

Order forms for the 2009 Troop 24 Trails End popcorn sale will be distributed at the September 24 troop meeting. At the October 1 meeting, this year’s “Popcorn Kernel”, Mrs. Renee Ricchio, will give a kickoff presentation for the campaign.  Scouts may begin taking orders as soon as they have their forms.

The first Troop meeting for the year will be Thursday, September 10, at 7:00 p.m. in the gym at Riverside Presbyterian Church. (September 3 is Hauser Fall Parent Night.)

On behalf of all Troop 24 scouts and parents, thank you to our leaders who went to Camp Mach!