Chatham Girl Scout Day of Service 2022
Submitted by Ceal Purschke, Chatham Girl Scouts
The Chatham Girl Scouts annual Day of Service took place on Saturday, April 23, and it was all about trees! The event was chaired by Brownie and Cadette Troop Leader Jessica Romeo.
The Girl Scout movement has set a goal to make a positive impact on our planet by collectively planting five million trees over the next five years as well as protecting and honoring new and existing trees. To address this goal, Chatham Girl Scout Troops have been learning about and caring for trees in many ways over the past six months. Troops got involved in ways such as participating in the Maple Sugaring and All About Trees programs at the Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, learning about threats to trees, such as deforestation and invasive species like the Spotted Lantern Fly, earning their tree badges, making tree protectors, and visiting area arboretums, nature preserves, and the Drew Forest.
The Day of Service completed the goal with troops planting 100 native tree seedlings at the area Chatham schools, in the township and the borough. In addition, another 100 native seedlings were distributed for individuals to plant. The day celebrated what everyone learned about trees through games, crafts, educational displays, and included inspiring speakers such as Claire Whitcomb from the Drew Forest, George Sweetin a local arborist, and Colleen Truppo from the Shade Tree Commission. Troops entered a raffle for a gift card by completing the Chatham Tree Challenge over the past 6 months. Still more girls will be planting 100 native seedlings with the Morris County Parks Commission in the coming weeks.
Participating in the Girl Scout Tree Promise initiative empowered the troops to do their part to combat climate change and protect their futures in a very concrete way.
“The one who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life.”
― Rabindranath Tagore
