Earth Scouts:
This project is similar to but more than just a scouting program. It is a way for children and youth to become empowered to make a positive difference in their homes, schools and communities and to their own lives and futures.  Earth Scouts is a relatively new national program developed by Earth Charter U.S. that inspires leadership qualities in boys and girls from 3 to 15 years of age and engages them in activities appropriate to Earth Charter themes.

Earth Scouts’ youth wrote the mission: Changing the world one fun badge at a time - children and youth working together to make the Earth Charter a reality at home and in the community. Badges center on universal human rights, eliminating poverty (economic justice), participatory democracy, respect for nature and a culture of peace.

If you are interested or know someone who may be interested in joining Earth Scouts of East Haddam/Moodus, please contact efroark@gmail.com for further details.

Rain barrels:
For the past three years, we have been providing large, high-quality rain barrels at wholesale prices for a growing number of residents who choose to lessen their use of city or well water for garden irrigation, as well as reducing discharge into storm sewers. This has become a very popular spring project and in 2009 demand from residents was such that it was necessary to organize an additional delivery event in July. We plan to run a similar project in 2010 and will provide details as soon as we can.

Individual Participation:
One of the important aspects of Earth Charter living is for individuals who endorse our values to be active in community projects of their choice. While our regular activities as a group are meant to be interesting and informative, they are no substitute for hands-on participation wherever one’s own gifts and talents allow.

We are pleased to report that Earth Charter adherents are active in our towns, particularly on East Haddam’s Green Committee, it’s Environmental Round Table, Old Lyme’s Tree Commission, the Historic District Commission, Chester’s Conservation Commission and many other private, town and government boards, commissions and positions. There are also numerous participants throughout our region in activities that help create a widening and interconnecting partnership working for the greater good of our community and planet.