Stream Clean

After our snowy winter, we have been blessed with a beautiful start to spring. Scouts does a local stream clean up each year and this year we had 70 degree weather and sunshine in which to do it. All 3 of our big girls were signed up to participate in a different way. Megan's Daisy troop had baked cakes a few days prior and they were preparing food for all of the volunteers. Emma's Cadette troop had a challenging section of stream, and Rachael and I were assigned yet another section. Emma had an attitude about going and claimed she didn't know about the clean up but by the time we were geared up she was enthusiastic. After dropping Megan off, we picked up our gloves and trash bags and then I got my Brownie troop started. I then I drove Emma over to her section. We didn't see Emma's troop immediately but heard them up the stream a bit. Emma decided to walk along the water in her boots to meet up with her group. Em had her bag over her shoulder filled with dry clothes but just after a few steps slipped and fell in the water. She was soaked but she was a good sport, I helped her up, and we walked together till we found her troop.

   I rejoined my troop who was making fast work of our section of the stream. We spent more time on the banks picking up all of the plastic wrappers and convenience food trash. Rachael was having a blast and popped back and forth between sections. She didn't clear one section of trash but instead climbed all over the area picking up trash as she went. On of the dad's commented that Rae reminded him of his son, who is hyper active, but that Rachael followed directions better. She had a great time and we pulled out 8 black trash bags full of garbage. Everyone was getting tired, so we prepared to head over for some food.

Rachael had found a number of interesting things during our clean up and was really upset that I had thrown them in with the rest of the trash. I had explained that we weren't keeping anything ahead of time but she had gotten attached to a green plastic ladybug. She was over tired and wound up crying for the next 45 minutes. It was very difficult to deal with because we had another brownie with us and we needed to meet the troop for food. Luckily Jim arrived in the church parking lot with Bridget, where food was being served, to pick Megan up for a birthday party, shortly after we arrived. It gave Rachael a little time to calm down and I was able to check on my troop and Megan inside. Megan was proud to show me the cake that she had baked and decorated before she left with Jim and Bridget.

Rachael stopped crying but became self conscious of her red eyes. She found a knit hat in the car and pulled it down really low, She ate and regained her composure, and had a great time playing in the hall. We were there for a long time waiting for brownie parents to arrive and for Emma's troop to get back.  I was glad to see Emma arrive and in great spirits. She had a pretty substantial bruise on her knee from the fall she took earlier. Emma obviously had a great time in the stream and they too pulled out lots of trash.

I know that I get a surge of accomplishment out of this type of service activity and I love watching the joy that the girls get out of doing something helpful. Serving just feels good and I hope Emma, Rachael, and Megan seek out activities for this feeling over and over again.