Members of Scouting America Troop 529 from Shalimar collected nearly 300 pounds of trash from Spectre Island in the Santa Rosa Sound during a recent conservation cleanup effort.
- Eleven youth Scouts and seven adult leaders paddled canoes to the island for the day-long cleanup, removing litter and debris from both inland areas and the island’s shores. The scouts also used the opportunity to complete requirements for the canoeing merit badge, including challenging deep-water canoe swamping rescues.
“I am extremely proud of these scouts and how they have lived up to the Scout Oath and Law as well as our slogan to Do A Good Turn Daily,” said Troop 529 Scoutmaster Chris Cutler. “I encourage the community to follow the lead from these young scouts to be conservation-minded.”
The variety of trash collected included cans, spent shotgun shells, cigarette butts, an old buoy, fishing debris, folding chairs and toys.
The scouts received launch access support from several Hurlburt Field units, including the 1st Special Operations Wing, 1st Special Operations Security Forces Squadron-Outdoor Recreation Team, 1st Special Operations Force Support Squadron and 505th Command and Control Wing. Canoes for the expedition were supplied by Troop 532 from Holt.
“We are very thankful for the support in this effort by our friends at Hurlburt Field and Scout Troop 532. We could not have made this happen without them,” Cutler said.
The participation in these conservation activities will bring the scouts closer to achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Scouting provides boys and girls of all ages opportunities to learn leadership skills and build confidence and character while serving their community.
More information about Troop 529’s Spectre Island adventure is available at https://www.bsashalimar.org/troop-529b/camp-trips/spectre-island.