On January 17, the youth of Boy Scout Venturing Crew 202 from Westminster, Maryland hosted a sustainability evening at New Germany State Park for the people of western Maryland.  The event was attended by over 50 western Maryland residents, and attendees were treated with donations of reusable bags from Allegheny Power and a drawing for energy efficiency kits donated by the Maryland Energy Administration and Allegheny Power.  The purpose of the evening was threefold.

The initial presentations were geared to help residents learn about environmental conditions that have resulted from our lifestyles and habits, both locally and globally.  These were followed by information gleaned from numerous credible sources that showed that things must change, and that action must first be taken to stop and then reverse our harmful actions.  To stimulate action, an array of conservation and efficiency actions were presented; these were augmented by a series of clever, hands-on displays that related to one or more aspects of sustainability.  Especially popular was a lighting display featuring numerous types of CFL and state-of-the-art LED bulbs and a tank designed to show the benefits of pervious concrete and asphalt.  Numerous handouts were also available.

An important message was revealed this evening - this generation wants to survive and thrive, in spite of the daunting challenges ahead.  Further, these youth are willing to go to great lengths to stimulate action and behavior change on the part of adults.  Venturing Crew 202 is not without expectations.  Threads of hope are sewn into their message that people will develop a new ethic and the speakers made it clear that there is still time to do so.  It can start with changing some light bulbs and turning down a thermostat, but that is barely a beginning.  In their view, both conservation and renewable energy are a must.

It is truly admirable that this group of young men and women has the courage to face our problems and offer solutions.  On this night it was clear that their enthusiasm and knowledge aroused many in the audience to think cooperatively and sustainably.

Venturing is a co-ed program of the Boy Scouts of America. Venturing Crew 202 specializes in high adventure and environmental issues. For their environmental efforts, the Crew has been awarded the prestigious Hornaday Award as well as a national Environmental Excellence Award from Sea World Busch Gardens.  In the past 3 years the youth have conducted outreach for more than 11,000 Marylanders.