Boy Scouts Clean Rahway River for Earth Day in Clark, NJ

When most kids were sleeping in last Saturday, Boy Scouts from Clark, New Jersey were already pulling on their boots to save a river.

Members of Clark Boy Scout Troop 145 joined the annual Rahway River Watershed cleanup on April 25, hauling out dozens of bags of trash from the water and surrounding areas. The scouts worked alongside leaders from the Rahway River Watershed Association and other volunteers near the Bloodgood Dam at Winfield Park.

The cleanup wasn't just about picking up litter. These young environmentalists earned conservation hours while tackling debris upstream and downstream of the dam, covering areas across Cranford, Clark, Linden, and Rahway.

The event honored Earth Day, officially recognized just three days earlier on April 22. For more than a quarter century, this cleanup has brought communities together to restore the health of their local watershed.

The Ripple Effect

Clea Carchia, executive director of the Rahway River Watershed Association, knows the power of showing up. "Over the more than 25 years this cleanup has occurred, thousands of folks have participated and pulled some amazing things from the river, improving its quality," she said.

The impact goes beyond cleaner water. When young people spend their Saturday mornings caring for the environment, they're building habits that will protect our planet for decades to come.

These scouts are learning that small actions add up. Every bag of trash removed means clearer water for wildlife, safer recreation areas for families, and a healthier ecosystem for everyone.

The scouts didn't just clean a river—they joined a legacy of environmental stewardship that's been growing stronger for 25 years and counting.

---