Camp Mach is one of the highlights of the year for Troop 24. The date of the camp is Sunday, July 27 through Saturday, August 2. We have 17 scouts already registered (six from the Cobras, five from the Scorpions, and six others). Last year we had 100% of our new scouts attend Camp Mach. The scouts who crossed over in February have until the end of April to register and pay the “early bird” price of $200. (The regular price is $225.) Although we will accept registrations until May 29, it would be very helpful in planning transportation to know soon approximately how many will be attending. Registration forms are available here. The form and a check for $225 (or $200 for new scouts) made out to Troop 24 can be turned in to Nancy Hopkins, or brought to a troop meeting.

Visit our photo gallery to see pictures from Camp Mach.

The Troop Committee will meet on Tuesday, April 1, at 7:00 p.m. in the upstairs “Parlor” at Riverside Presbyterian Church. All parents are invited to attend.

If you were planning to sign up for the Merit Badge Academy on March 15, save yourself a trip to LaGrange. The Council reports that all classes are full.

The Troop Committee meeting is Tuesday, March 3, at 7:00 pm, in the RPC upstairs “parlor.” Parents are welcome (& encouraged) to attend.

Congratulations to all Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts for a successful pancake breakfast! 719 meals were served this year (compared to 679 in 2007 and 686 in 2006). The Boy Scouts sold about 655 tickets, the Cub Scouts sold about 615 tickets, 109 tickets were sold at the door, and we received $59 in donations. We had over 40 boy scouts, and many parents, help either on Friday evening or the day of the event. The Pancake Breakfast is our main fundraiser, supporting all the Troop’s events.

Our April outing is to the U.S. Grant Pilgrimage in Galena, IL. We’ll be camping in Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park. See www.usgrantpilgrimage.org for information. Cost is $30, permission slips are due by 4/10. We need parents for this outing.

Our March outing is to Camp Crown in Wilmot, IL, leaving on Saturday, 3/8 at 8:00, and returning on Sunday, 3/9, at 10:00. Cost is $20, and permission slips are due by 2/28. We need parents for this outing.

Thank you to the parents who have already volunteered to go to the monthly Voyageur Trace Round Table meetings. We have 3 meetings left without a volunteer: 2/13, 4/9, and 5/14.

A boy scout roundtable is a meeting open to all leaders, committee members, and scout parents. Our district’s are held every second Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at Ideal School, 9901 W. 58th St. in Countryside. They are 1.5 hours long. They cover upcoming events in our district, as well as an open discussion of boy scout issues. We need to have at least 1 representative of Troop 24 at each meeting, who will then come to the troop meeting and report. If you can go, please contact Pat Rohm.

Thanks to all the scouts and families who attended the Scout Sunday service at our charter organization, Riverside Presbyterian Church, and particularly to Max M and Casey C, the liturgists for the service. Thanks also to the parents who supplied baked goods and helped with the coffee fellowship.

The DesPlaines Valley Council has the following training sessions scheduled for February and March. Please consider registering for one of these classes. Sixteen Webelos scouts will be joining Troop 24 in the next month, and additional leaders will be needed to continue to offer a quality program. Being trained does not mean you must come to every troop meeting or every outing, but having additional trained leaders will give the troop more flexibility. Visit the DesPlaines Valley Council website for more information.

February 20 – New Leader Essentials is an introductory session that highlights the values, aims, history, funding, and methods of Scouting. Following Fast Start Training, this is the first segment of Basic Leader Training for Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Venturing Leaders. (This is not required for former Cub Scout leaders who have already completed the course).

February 24 – Merit Badge Counselor Orientation gives counselors the confidence and consistency needed to counsel Boy Scouts in Merit Badges. This course is required for every Merit Badge Counselor.

March 4, 6, 10 – Scoutmaster/Assistant Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training is required for all Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters, and transitioning Webelos leaders. This session concentrates on Troop operation. All three sessions are required.