South Brunswick Scouts Lead Lake Cleanup, Earn District Honors

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — A South Brunswick Scout troop recently packed a lot into one weekend: a campout, a lake cleanup, hands-on skills training and an award for one of its adult leaders.

Scouting America Troop 10 kicked things off by camping at Sondek Park on Friday and Saturday nights, according to South Brunswick Township.

Early Saturday morning, the Scouts joined a Monmouth Council-wide Clean Waterways conservation event organized by Dana Gopal. Scouts gathered at 201 John T. O’Leary Blvd. in South Amboy for the cleanup, which helps protect local water habitats and lets Scouts earn conservation hours toward rank advancement.

Troop 10 was assigned to Sparrow Lake in Deerwood Park in Howell Township, where the Scouts collected close to 100 pounds of trash in eight bags from around the lake, according to the township.

That afternoon, older Scouts led the training. Senior Scouts taught younger members how to safely handle woods tools, practice fire safety and carry out Flag Color Guard duties.

Troop 10 has a long tradition of patriotism and adventure, according to the township. Its American travel flag has flown at many campouts and regional camporees, as well as at the International Security Assistance Force headquarters in Afghanistan. The troop’s unit flag has even made it to the North Pole.

The weekend wrapped up Sunday evening at the annual Middlesex District Dinner, where several troops gathered to celebrate adult volunteers. The Unit Award of Merit was presented to leaders from several area units for their service to young people.

This year’s honorees were:

• Mahesh Reddy Maramreddy of Troop 10

• Meaghan Grim of Troop 90

• Jovani Reaves of Troop 102G

“The success of this weekend—from environmental conservation and peer-to-peer mentoring to celebrating our incredible adult volunteers—truly embodies the spirit of Scouting,” Assistant Scoutmaster Chris Hurley said.

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