On Friday the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation will announce a new partnership between Vermont State Parks and the Boy Scouts Green Mountain Council called Adopt A Park.
The venture pairs local scout troops with state parks in their area to help with projects like spring cleanup, stacking wood, trail work or holding workshops for park visitors on scouting specialties outdoor skills, hikes, fire building and knots and rope work. The partnership is a model that will be used to encourage more community service organizations like the Girls Scouts, 4-H, Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, VFWs, etc. to support local parks.
In just the last few weeks, thirteen local troops have already adopted a nearby park, including Little River in Waterbury; Coolidge in Plymouth; Mt. Ascutney in Windsor; Lake Carmi in Enosburg Falls; Underhill State Park; Mt. Philo in Charlotte; Button Bay in Vergennes; Branbury in Salisbury; Half Moon in Hubbardton; Bomoseen in Fair Haven; St. Catherine in Poultney; Emerald Lake in Dorset and Shaftsbury State Park.
In return for helping the state parks, Scouts will earn camping certificates, day-use passes and be honored for their work by the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation.
The Green Mountain Council is home to more than 7,200 boys in 250 groups across Vermont. Boy Scouts have a long tradition of environmental appreciation and leadership. Working with the state parks will help introduce this next generation of Boy Scouts to the wonders of the outdoors.
Scouts are invited to adopt a state park by completing an application and discussing possible projects with park personnel. More information can be found online at: www.vtstateparks.com or www.scoutingvermont.org.
WHEN: Friday, May 1, 2009 2:30 p.m.
WHERE: Green Mountain Council, 838 US Route 2, Moretown (Near the Waterbury-Moretown Line)
Source: Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation
State to announce a new Adopt a Park Program
Submitted by tim
on