New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Scouts camp out overnight — and pick up some trash
DERBY — There is popular saying known to the Boy Scouts of America: “keep the ‘outing’ in ‘Scouting.’”
And that’s just what members of Boy Scout Troop 3, along with their adult leaders, recently did when they christened the city’s new outdoor nature center.
A group of 16 scouts and four leaders held an overnight campout last weekend at the Frank Onopiak Nature Conservatory, according to Mayor Richard Dziekan.
The property at the corner of Sodom Lane was gifted to the city in 2003 by the estate of late resident Frank Onopiak. City officials said the property, which consists of several acres, has remained dormant until recently, when the city’s Public Works crew got to work and did some necessary maintenance to bring it up to speed.
The Scouts, according to Troop 3 Scoutmaster Randy Ritter, not only enjoyed a good old-fashioned camping trip in their hometown, they also spent part of the trip collecting debris around the property, as well as from the stream behind the buildings that were once home to the Onopiak family.
“We found a lot of plastic bottles, old metal items, car tires and even a children's bike in and along the stream, which we bagged for removal to the transfer station,” said Troop 3 Senior Patrol Leader Mike Szewczyk, 16, of Ansonia. “As Scouts, we have an Outdoor Code to always leave a place cleaner than we found it.”
The scouts continued to make good use of their time on the nature preserve, raising an American flag on the grounds, took a hike along the stream, worked on plant and animal identification and also made patrol videos as part of their cinematography themed program, according to Ritter.
“We also got to play some touch football, which I really enjoyed,” said Patrol Leader Aaron Asprelli, 14.
After pitching tents for their sleeping accommodations, the scouts also brought along camping stoves and made breakfast and lunch, and were later treated to pizza courtesy of the troop, as they relaxed around a fire pit.
“Our goal is to camp at least one weekend a month, throughout the year,” Ritter said. “We normally use the Housatonic Council's Edmund D. Strang Scout Reservation, located in Goshen, but it is nice to have access to the Onopiak property so we can do more local camping, too.”
Troop 3 Advancement Chairwoman Margie Kish said the overnight trip on the nature preserve has inspired plenty of ideas for community betterment.
“A number of our Scouts came up with possible ideas for Eagle Scout Community Service projects, like the development of a trail along the stream for the residents of Derby to enjoy,” she said.
Dziekan paid the scouts a visit during their campout, and was delighted to hear they were inspired by their surroundings.
“Seeing the scouts enjoying the site would have pleased Mr. Onopiak, since his idea was to make this a nature preserve for all to enjoy,” said Dziekan. “I encourage all youths in Derby to get involved in the Scouting program.”
Ritter said Troop 3 is open to all boys ages 11 to 17 and meets at 7 p.m., Wednesdays, at Derby 2nd Congregational Church on Elizabeth Street, the troop’s sponsoring organization since 1914. For more information, contact Ritter at 203-732-0343.