In January 2024, the Campbell County Commissioners were trying to decide how to best solve the trash issue in Gillette, Wyoming and the surrounding communities. Residents were complaining about increasing amounts of trash on private property and on the sides of the roads that lead to the county landfill. According to gillettenewsrecord.net, the problem was primarily due to citizens not covering their loads when hauling the garbage. Adding to the concerns was the anticipated 2024 International Camporee with approximately 60,000 attendees expected. The amount of trash during the Camporee period was predicted to be at least double the content of one of the County’s landfills.
Cindi Young (2024 International Camporee Community Service Projects Coordinator) and Angi Klamm (a local resident) worked strategically to ensure Pathfinder Clubs had opportunities to serve in meaningful ways that included community stakeholders. They saw an opportunity for youth to be a part of the solution to Gillette’s trash issue during the Camporee. A Litter Pick-up Project was subsequently added to several other community projects already planned.
Mount Sinai Striders Pathfinder Club from Orlando, Florida was blessed to be able to participate in the Litter Pick-up Project with Campbell County Public Works personnel (there were thousands of people on the waiting list to serve on a service project during the Camporee). Slots became available after one club had to cancel. One Pathfinder stated that “the adults made it fun by making it a competition to see who can fill the most bags”. Additionally, other youth expressed they were able to experience first-hand the impact their work had on the community. For example, a local citizen was so impressed with how the youth were working that she pulled over on the side of the road to personally thank them. She ended up returning later to offer payment for the service. The money was refused and the resident was told the service was a gift back to the community.
Conrad Johnson, Mount Sinai Striders Club Director commended the youth for their willingness to not only serve but do so joyfully. This commendation is significant because like some clubs traveling from Florida, inclement weather led to postponed flights. Mt. Sinai Striders had their flight postponed several times and ultimately cancelled and rescheduled for the following day. Once the club arrived in Gillette after driving 5 hours from Denver’s airport, they were met with even more severe weather in the evening resulting in the opening program for the Camporee being cancelled. In spite of these challenges, The Mount Sinai Striders didn’t alter their plan to serve later in the week.
To culminate their day of service to the citizens of Gillette, the Mount Sinai Striders and chaperones gathered on the roadside with their bus driver and the two County Public Works staff for a prayer of thanksgiving for the privilege to serve.
By: Lesli Ahonkhai, Southeastern Conference Community Outreach and Engagement Associate Director
