MONROE, CT — Monroe Junior Girl Scout Troop 34018 has been active this spring, installing a StoryWalk at the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary on Commerce Road in Newtown during the first weekend of May, and helping replace flags on the graves of local veterans at Monroe cemeteries last Saturday.
“This is a Monroe Service Unit event, so any Monroe Girl Scouts and their parents may participate,” Melissa Timmins, co-leader of the troop, said of the event honoring veterans. “We had nine Monroe Girl Scout families participate.”
Every year, members of American Legion Sippin-Winspur Post 176 place miniature American flags at veterans’ gravesites in every cemetery in town on Armed Forces Day, a time to honor veterans from all branches of the U.S. armed services.
All veterans’ graves have a footstone identifying their service to their country, making it easier to find. In addition to placing miniature American flags at veterans’ gravesites, the volunteers replace existing flags that are worn out.
Last Saturday, Monroe Girl Scouts helped local veterans place and replace flags at the St. John’s, Walkers Farm, Stepney, Monroe Center, B’nai Israel, Elm Street and East Village cemeteries.
A StoryWalk
Monroe Junior Girl Scout Troop 34018 recently completed an installation of a StoryWalk along the Woodland Trail at the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary in Newtown. The trail can be found by heading down the hill from the parking area.
The story on display for the month of May is “The Ant’s Secret,” written by Balistar Margo and illustrated by Dani Padron. The story will change in the month of June to display “A Garden to Save the Birds” by Wendy McClure and illustrated by Beatriz Mayumi.
The concept of a StoryWalk was originally created by Anne Ferguson and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier, Vt. Storywalk® is a registered service mark owned by the Kellogg-Hubbard Library.
The Juniors took on this project to earn their Take Action Award as part of their Outdoor Journey in their fifth grade year. They were tasked with developing and executing a plan to impact their community in a positive way, while encouraging people to get outside and learn more about nature.
All community members are welcome to enjoy the StoryWalk free of charge at the Animal Sanctuary.
The Juniors and their leaders, Melissa Timmins and Jessica Katuska, worked closely with Laura King, director of community engagement for the CVHAS, to get approvals and plan the project.
On the day of the install, King met with the Girl Scouts to mark the trail and educate them about the mission of the sanctuary and the many other projects they do. For information about the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary, click here.
