Hold a 5K
Holding a 5k is hard work, but it pays off. You have to do many things in order to hold one. You have to get a space large enough to hold the desired number of people, if you close down roads, get permission to close them down, and police and/or signs to keep runners on the right path. It’s also wise to have maps and have refreshments, especially water. Here is a link to a site that can help you run your own 5k:
https://www.active.com/running/articles/how-to-organize-a-5k-a-guide-to-planning-your-first-race You can also collect donations for an organization from people who sign up for your race.
Little Free Library
To step up the difficulty on your projects you can try to make a Little Free Library near you. This is a case of books where someone can take a book from home to put in the library and then take one out to read. If you decide to make your own little free library, just remember that a lot of things need to happen before you can make one:
- You need to get permission from the land owner to build your little free library.
- You need to know how to work with wood and pour concrete.
If it seems like too much for you, then try to support a little free library near you by putting new books in, or keeping the wood in check. Little Free Library offers a patch program and special pricing on kits for scouts. Check it out on their website!
Contact Information
- Little Free Library Website: https://littlefreelibrary.org/
- Little Free Library for Scouts: https://littlefreelibrary.org/scouts/
Girl Scout Camp Improvements
Girl Scout camps are in need of help. One of the many things you can do at our GS camps is painting various things like picnic tables, benches and porches with a color chosen by the GSCNC. This is for all GS camps, not just one in particular. If you are interested in another way to help the camps, their project list has a wide variety of things the camps would greatly appreciate.
Contact information
Website: http://www.gscnc.org
Phone: 202 237-1670
School route letter
Look along the school route you or someone you know uses a lot and see if there is anything that should be changed, a dangerous crack in the pavement, or just a lack of shrubbery. Make a list of these errors and write them into a letter and send it off to the local school board. This a good way to speak up about issues that you see that might turn into safety hazards.
Water Help Video
Our beautiful water is suffering severe pollution in lakes, rivers, and oceans but you can help! With a group of friends find a day to get together and record a video about saving our water. You can make it intricate with costumes and a story line, or just a simple skit with one or two friends. This is a simple way to help the water in our world.
Stream Clean up
Fairfax county streams are in need of your help! Go to a stream near you with a trash bag and gloves and look around, if you look closely you’ll realize just how much trash ends up in our local streams. This is a great take action project or just a quick activity to help your community. If you want to join a group in the Potomac Watershed, or set up a trash cleanup at your school, visit the Alice Ferguson Foundation website below.
Supplies needed
Trash bag
Rain boots (Or any type of water-proof shoes)
Gloves, rakes or grabbers
Contact information
Alice Ferguson Foundation Potomac Watershed Cleanup:
https://fergusonfoundation.org/trash-free-potomac-watershed-initiative/potomac-river-watershed-cleanup/volunteers/
Park Clean up
Help to keep our local parks clean! Collect and bag trash from the grounds and waters, and compile all the trash everyone collects afterwards. Next, use your analytical skills to analyze and report what you found.
This project is a 3 hour time commitment. Anyone can do this project, but those under 16 must be supervised by an adult. You can also get community service hours for those under 18.
Contact Information
Location: Lake Accotink park,
7500 Accotink Park Rd.
Springfield , VA 22150
Contact: Erin Gray
Phone: 703-569-0285
Email: erin.gray@fairfaxcounty.gov
Trash Patrol
Go around the park and clean up trash from the ground and water.
Must be at least 13 years old.
Must bring trash bags and a dedicated group.
Contact Information:
- Clemyjontri Park (FCPA)
- 6317 Georgetown Pike, McLean , VA 22101
- Website: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/clemyjontri/
- Contact Person: Maria Carpenter
- 703-388-2807
- maria.carpenter@fairfaxcounty.gov
Stormwater Drain Labeling
Project Description
The Northern Virginia Storm Water Conservation District is needs volunteers to lead storm drain labeling projects. Storm drain labeling is an effective, low-cost method of educating residents about water quality problems in our streams, lakes, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.
Volunteers provide the legwork needed to educate residents and label the storm drains; NVSWCD provides all the supplies and materials. Groups that may wish to participate include homeowner and civic associations, scout and youth groups, school groups or conservation/environmental groups. Individuals and families are also welcome to volunteer. Volunteers start out by meeting with a staff member for a project orientation, and proceed to:
- Organize the project, including obtaining the approval of the local homeowner’s or civic association and recruiting additional volunteers.
- Educate the community about non-point source pollution. Project leaders can write an article for a community newsletter and/or place fliers on doors of homes in the project vicinity to explain the connection between storm drains and our streams.
- Label the storm drains with a “No Dumping” message. Groups will use pre-printed plastic markers and adhesive to label the storm drains.
Contact Information
Ashley Palmer, Fairfax County Stormwater Management, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 449, Fairfax, VA 22035