2024
SCOUTING FOR
FOOD DRIVE

Some units may have already completed a Food Drive in the fall.  This is the council campaign for units who would like to do another collection and for those units who have not had the opportunity to participate yet.

Download the informational flyer that includes tips and a list of food pantries if your unit does not have a designated food pantry in your area.

Download and use this fillable door hanger for your food drive.


The goal of the event will be to remove as many invasive plants from the Watchung Reservation forest ecosystem as possible in one morning. On that date, it is expected that Japanese barberry and multiflora rosa bushes will be the only plants in the forest with green leaves, making it easy to identify them.  The plants will be removed by pulling, digging up the root balls, or cutting. 

Scouting volunteers can sign up as a unit or as an individual. Participants must arrive and check-in between 8:30 am and 9:00 am.  Participants will park at the Trailside Nature & Science Center parking lot, 452 New Providence Road, Mountainside, and will gather at the amphitheater located between there and the Scout Camping Area.  Union County Parks staff will provide instructions on how to remove plants and then make assignments.  All participants will return to the amphitheater at noon to check-out. 

Scout BSA and Venture Crew participants will be assigned to specific areas throughout the 2,143-acre park.  Units will need to transport their members to those locations.  All Cub Scout participants and any individual Scout BSA participants will be assigned to areas close to the Trailside Nature & Science Center. County staff and Watchung Reservation Trail Stewards will be on site to provide logistical support and technical guidance, as well as supervision of individual Scouts.  Some work gloves and tools will be available for use by event participants.

Service hours can be credited toward rank advancements, or as conservation hours for Camping Merit Badge.  Operation WRIP will be a rain or shine event.

The Scout Camping Area will be available at no charge to Scouts BSA troops or Venture Crews that wish to camp overnight Friday and/or Saturday, on a first come- first served basis. 

This event will be co-sponsored by the Union County Board of County Commissioners. All participants are asked to register by April 3, 2024.  Complete details will be emailed to participants after they register.


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Community Service Committee

The Legend of the “Unknown Scout,” whose good turn on a foggy London street in 1909 inspired 
William D. Boyce to establish the Boy Scouts of America.

 

Scouting was founded on the principal of service to others, and the organization remains dedicated to that purpose. The goal of the Community Service Committee is to foster that ideal, to assist Scouting units in achievement of their community service objectives, and to recognize units and Scouts who perform service to others.

 

Why Perform Community Service?
  1. The core values of Scouting are “to help other people at all times,” and to “do a good turn daily.”
  2. It’s a win – win for Scouting and the community, benefiting the organizations and people where we live.
  3. It teaches youth life-long lessons about the importance of community involvement and volunteerism.
  4. It gives your unit’s program calendar, greater structure, variety and worthwhile activity.
  5. It enables your unit to achieve its “Journey to Excellence” service project goals.

What types of activities are considered Community Service?

According the BSA Handbook, “A service project is a special Good Turn that puts Scout Spirit into action.”  Some Good Turns are big—saving a life, helping out after disasters. But most Good Turns small, thoughtful acts—helping a child cross a busy street, or going to the store for an elderly neighbor.  Scout Leaders are always the best source to ask regarding this question, as each Unit may have different ideas regarding the nature of community service the Unit wants to record.

Should a Unit record community service hours that are not counted towards advancement?

Absolutely.  Scouting Principles embody a commitment to service.   One of the purposes of community service is to show leadership in service work. Many Good Turns are done that are not advancement related and all should be encouraged to be recorded. (For advancement, Scoutmasters must approve the service).

Contact Us

Committee Chair:  Kathy Perna

District Chairs:

Skylands- Katie Reidmiller

Fishawack –

Raritan Valley – Nancy Korsun

Pioneer – Martha Kamichoff

Project Champions:

Month of Service- Mitch Erickson

Toys for Tots-Michael Hart

Conservation Project-Dan Bernier

Scouting for Food-Bob Fromtling