The Riverside Township Lions Club is looking for volunteers to help with the Scuff Gross Memorial Regatta canoe race event this Saturday, July 6th at 9 am. They are in need of a few older, strong scouts to help put the canoes in the Des Plaines River at 9 am in preparation for 10 am boat launch. The event begins at the McCormick Woods Forest Preserve on the northeast corner of 31st St. and 1st Ave. Scouts can earn service hours by volunteering at this event, please bring the Troop Service Hour Form with you. This is an individual opportunity and not a troop event, so you will need to provide your own transportation.

Please email event planner alexander.gallegoss@yahoo.com to let him if you can help.

Greetings, Tesomas Families –

As our camping week approaches, we are all busy, no doubt.

The week should be splendid and adventurous for all, and to ensure that our Troop maintains a positive “Scout Spirit”, please take a few moments to complete the Cyber Chip renewal with your son before you leave for camp. The links are below.

https://www.scouting.org/training/youth-protection/cyber-chip/grades-6-8/
https://www.scouting.org/training/youth-protection/cyber-chip/grades-9-12/

Happy Fourth of July!

You can still join us for the Riverside Parade or Pizza Fundraising Booth (Set Up and Clean Up Shifts Open). We hope to see you there!

Bike inspection for camp will take place Thursday, July 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Lach’s house at 2334 S. 14th Ave. in North Riverside. We don’t want scouts to get to camp and have problems with their bikes, so please attend or have a family member bring your bike if you have a conflict. If you know that your bicycle needs repair you will need to bring the needed parts with you and we will repair the bike if possible.

An Ax Yard will teach scouts how to safely use knives and axes. Scouts who participate will earn the Totin’ Chip which is required to possess or purchase a pocket knife at camp (mandatory for the Woodcarving Merit Badge).

I am looking for 3-4 adults to sit on two Eagle Boards of Review on Monday July 8th one at 6:00 pm and one starting at 7:15 PM. If you can sit on both boards or only one please let me know. Sitting on an Eagle Board it is a very rewarding opportunity to be a part of a Scout’s final step to achieving the rank of Eagle. No experience is necessary.  If you have not sat on an Eagle Board previously I can provide you with resources to familiarize yourself with topics that are discussed at the Board. Additionally, the Board is run by our Council Representative. We will meet at the Riverside Presbyterian Church in the Library. If you can sit on both you will be finished around 8:15/30.

If you are interested please email me at dmgmitro@aol.com.

Thank you,

Dawn Gmitro
Troop 24 Eagle Committee

Remnder: All scouts attending summer camp at Tesomas and adults attending Tesomas who intend to boat or swim should plan to take the Boy Scout swim test. The swim test is required every year, not just for new scouts. Everyone who intends to swim or boat must take the test. (The Swim Test is part of the Merit Badge Class, so you do not need to attend both.)

The swim test will be offered for Troop 24 members at the Pav YMCA (in Berwyn) on the following dates:

Monday, June 24th at 5:30 pm – sign up HERE
Monday, July 8th at 5:30 pm – sign up HERE

Scouts will need to bring swim trunks, swim goggles (recommended) and a towel. Scouts will also need a waiver signed by their parent. There is no fee for the Swim Test and you will not need to purchase a YMCA guest pass.

You also have the option of testing with another certified lifeguard. These forms plus a copy of the lifeguard’s certication should be given to Mrs. Staubus at least a week before camp. Scan and email to carrie@staubus.net.

If you do not attend one of these test dates, you will be asked to take the test upon arrival at Camp Tesomas or you will be designated a non-swimmer.

Flag Raising July 3

This year, Troop 24 will continues its honored role in raising the flag in Guthrie Park to start this year’s Fourth of July festivities.

If you have Color Guard experience, and would like to raise the flag, or would like to join the guard on this important occasion, sign up HERE.

The event takes place at Guthrie Park, on July 3rd at 5:15 PM. Full uniform with neckerchief and khaki/tan shorts or pants required.

If it’s sweltering, wear a Class B under your uniform to cool off after the ceremony!

July 4 Parade

This year, Troop 24 Boy Scouts will march in Riverside’s Independence Day Parade. We will be joining Pack 24 Cub Scouts and marching in uniform. Scouts will gather at 8:30 am at the Big Ball Park. Please let us know if you can be there.

Scouts and Leaders sign up HERE

July 4 Pizza Booth

We need help with our annual pizza booth at Riverside’s 4th of July celebration. This is our second largest fundraiser. We need scouts AND parents! Please sign up for one of the shifts below. Scouts should wear uniform shirts or Troop t-shirts. Please contact Cindy Reynolds at cindyreynolds3@gmail.com with questions.

Sign up here:
July 4th Pizza Booth

Our troop’s chartered organization, the Riverside Presbyterian Church, prepares, transports and serves a hot meal for 45-75 residents of The Boulevard (Chicago, Illinois) on the last Sunday of every month. The Boulevard provides a healing environment and resources to help ill and injured homeless adults restore their health, rebuild their lives and regain self-sufficiency. RPC has requested that scouts transport and serve the meal for the month of June (food will be purchased/prepared by church members). We are in need of a small group – 4 scouts and 2 adults- to participate in the service project. We will meet at the RPC kitchen at 2:30 on Sunday, June 30th, and be home around 6pm. This project is easy and rewarding, plus you will get to share in the meal of White Fence Farm chicken.

Please sign up here to help:
Scout Sign Up
Adult Sign Up

REMINDER: The Pav YMCA in Berwyn will be offering the Swimming Merit Badge class for our troop TONIGHT, Monday, June 17th from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. The class will be held at the swimming pool at 2947 S. Oak Park Avenue in Berwyn. The Swimming Merit badge is required for any scout to participate in scout boating outings, boating merit badge classes, etc. The Swimming Merit Badge is an Eagle required badge, and a class is also offered at Camp Tesomas.

For Scouts taking the class at the YMCA, please bring the $20 class fee, swim trunks, swim goggles (recommended) and a towel to this class. Scouts will also need a waiver signed by their parent, which we will email to class participants.

Please let us know if you will attend the Swimming Merit Badge Class– Sign up HERE