Aiden completed his Eagle Scout Project for Toni’s Kitchen on August 19. Scouts helped him construct 20 small planter boxes and assemble planting kits, including soil, seeds, and instructions, for Toni’s Kitchen to give to their customers to grow vegetables and herbs at home.
Liam’s project was to repair the pathways in the south section of Brookdale Park, where soil had been eroded along the edges of the paced trails. The erosion had created steep drop-offs and concern about injury to park goers who might have accidentally stepped off the trail. To remedy the situation and prevent further erosion, Liam led a team of scouts and other volunteers to fill the gullies with rocks, gravel, and sand, allowing stormwater runoff to run through the material rather than eroding it and making the paths safer for pedestrians.
Scouts spent a mostly sunny week at Camp Keowa in the Catskills. Favorite activities included fishing the prime spot right next to our campsite, devising humorous skits and shenanigans, collecting critters, zip lining, rappelling, rifle shooting, deep frying various foods over a campfire, completing the mile swim and BSA Lifeguard certification, beating the staff in the Scoutmasters v. Staff softball match, and relaxing at our lakeside campsite.
Our first Scouts and Assistant Scoutmaster, proudly sporting their blue neckerchiefs and custom slides, were inducted into Troop 12 during their first campfire at Camp Keowa.
Troop 12 continues our annual tradition of marching in Montclair’s 4th of July parade, a first for our new girls troop. We were accompanied by some Troop 12 Eagle Scout alumni.
Mikey designed an irrigation system for Northeast Earth Coalition’s community garden at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Oratory Church and led scouts in installing the irrigation system and creating a new hose spigot at the garden. Previously, volunteers and community members would have to carry water from the spigot 200 feet away. This project helps ensure that the garden beds get watered more consistently and makes watering much easier and quicker for community members.