Armed with industrial-strength trash bags and wearing bright orange vests, non latex medical gloves and Cub Scouts hats, Pack 982 headed out to tackle the trash ranging from candy bar wrappers, shopping bags, soda cans, bottles and juice boxes in the Potomac Crossing subdivision.

Pack 982 participated in the 5th Annual Keep Leesburg Beautiful Community Clean up during their Pack meeting on Thursday April 16, 2009. The Town provided supplies including safety vest, gloves and orange bags. The pack prepared for the clean up at Balls Bluff Elementary School and then headed out into the Potomac Crossing community to pick up litter along Cattail Branch. After the event, the Pack reported when and where the orange bags were left so that the Town could collect the bags and dispose of the trash properly.

The project was a natural fit for the Scouts because one part of the Scout oath is “duty to others” and they got to help the community while being outside at the same time. The Scout leaders hope that the project reminded the Scouts that they are responsible for maintaining and preserving Leesburg resources. The leaders spoke with the Scouts about how juice boxes and candy wrappers should not be thrown on the ground, street or down the storm drain. The leaders also plan to educate the Scouts at an upcoming camping trip in order to discuss Leave No Trace Behind. Leave No Trace Behind teaches Cub Scouts what they can do to protect the environment for future generations.

The Scouts learned first hand that you do what you can, when you can. As a result, Pack 982 left the Potomac Crossing community “a litter bit better”. Hopefully we inspired everyone to think about littering and take the time to Keep Leesburg Beautiful.