Cub Scouts Clean Up Illegal Dumping Site in Kinnelon

Den 8 of Cub Scout Pack 277 turned out to clean up an illegal dumping site located behind Mica Drive in Kinnelon this weekend.
 
The six scouts, under the direction of den leader Ernest Barbaris, of Nicholas Drive, removed debris including a large-screen television, aluminum siding, packing material, plastic, bricks, tires and other litter. The television was dumped as recently as Labor Day weekend, its screen smashed with bricks when it was dumped.
 
Participating Cub Scouts included Erik, Hudson, Justin, Tej and William, all of Kinnelon.
 
The site, which is on the border of the Borough of Kinnelon and New Jersey state land under the jurisdiction of Ringwood State Park, has experienced illegal dumping for years. A dirt road popular with illegal off-road vehicles provides easy access from the neighborhood road.
 
“There’s an old gate that is beyond inadequate, enabling people to have access to dump and abuse this unpatrolled area,” local resident Chris Roslan said. “It’s a shame that this is allowed to happen here in Kinnelon. We are so grateful to the Cub Scouts for volunteering to clean up the garbage. They are a great group of kids and the whole neighborhood applauds their efforts.”
 
For their participation, the Scouts will earn service project credits towards the Cub Scout’s “Leave No Trace” award patch. Leave No Trace is a plan that helps people to be more concerned about their environment and to help them protect it for future generations. Leave No Trace applies in a backyard or local park as much as it does in the wilderness. According to Scout guidelines, “We should practice 'Leave No Trace' in our attitude and actions wherever we go. Understanding nature strengthens our respect toward the environment.”
 
“When the Scouts learned about the illegal dumping in the neighborhood, they wanted to do something to help clean it up,” Barbaris said. “It’s encouraging to see them care about the environment at this young age, and also to take action to make the community a better place. These are core values at the heart of the Cub Scouts' mission.”

Information submitted by Chris Roslan.