In celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Conservation Good Turn for America, Scouting America is joining the nationwide initiative aimed at addressing the critical issue of waterway and marine debris, “aquatic trash”, offering Scouts the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the health of our waterways and ecosystems.

Each year, millions of tons of plastic and other man-made materials enter our water bodies, endangering marine life, disrupting habitats, and imposing economic costs. This aquatic trash often comes from dry lands miles away from our water resources.  Aquatic trash poses a significant threat to the health of our oceans, lakes, rivers, and associated ecosystems. By participating in Scouting For Clean Waterways, Scouts can help address this critical issue and make a positive difference in their communities and beyond.

As we empower Scouts to fight marine debris, we have a wave  of incredible news to share. Scouting America has officially partnered with the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris Program and CleanHub for our Scouting for Clean Waterways initiative.
Here are some things you need to know:
  1. This is a nationwide effort. All Scouts – regardless of age or location – can (and should!) take part in a S4CW service project.
  2. Tracking our impact is vital – because CleanHub will eventually match it lb. for lb. Track your impact in Scoutbook (and refer to the bottom of this post for more details).
  3. Education is key – the entities listed earlier in this post will enhance Scouts’ learning regarding marine science and conservation.
  4. Longevity and raising awareness in your local community are major goals. This will be a meaningful, impactful service initiative year-round.
For more information, dig into the full press release on the Scouting America website, now. https://ow.ly/9iNN50Vtxvq
For a step-by-step video on how to track your unit’s S4CW impact, check out this video. https://ow.ly/Vw8T50Vtxvp
To subscribe to important S4CW updates, visit the S4CW website. https://ow.ly/ZeZ050Vtxvo
To send a S4CW story to our social media team (for a chance to be featured), email Social.Media@Scouting.org (Scouting America) or marketing@michiganscouting.org (Council).

In Michigan

Michigan is blessed with her vast Great Lakes, many inland lakes, and a large network of rivers and watershed areas.  Our Scouts hardly can hike or camp without encountering these amazing waters.  Our Scouts are already out there — engage them in one of the Michigan Crossroads Council waterways events or partner with a local conservation group to create your own.

Upcoming Events

Know of an upcoming water cleanup event that other Scouts may be interested in attending?  Please let us know at activities@michiganscouting.org.

Record your hours

Did you or your unit take part in one of these events?  Make sure to record your conservation hours in Scoutbook+.  Let us know about your experience!  Share your photos with marketing@michiganscouting.org and/or activities@michiganscouting.org.