KINNELON — Den 14 of Cub Scout Pack 277 gathered last week to clean up the garden at Stonybrook School in Kinnelon.

The six scouts, under the direction of den leader Christiana Davies, removed weeds and raked the outside courtyard at Stonybrook School. The scouts learned to recognize the weeds that needed to be pulled, while protecting the flowering bushes, tomato bushes and pumpkin plants.

Participating scouts included Braeden, Andrew, Ayden, Michael and Evan, all of Kinnelon. Also assisting was Den Chief and Kinnelon Boy Scout Shawn Olstein.

All of the cub scouts that joined this community project are third-grade students at Stonybrook School. Their work will fill them with pride every time they look into their school garden and it will also teach them how rewarding community service can be.

For their participation, the Scouts will be awarded the Citizenship Belt Loop. The requirements for the Citizenship Belt Loop include developing a list of things that a scout can do around the home or the community to be a good citizen as well as participating in a family, den, or school service project.

“It is both inspiring and encouraging to witness a group of young boys caring for their surroundings and environment,” Davies said. “Volunteering their free time to make a difference in their community teaches the boys one of the most important values of scouting. It also helps cultivate a new generation of good citizens.”