Boy Scouts need to complete service hours as a requirement for rank advancement. For the Life rank, at least three hours of this service must be conservation-related. Here is some information on community events that are pre-approved for conservation service hours. These are NOT troop activities, so transportation and scout leader supervision will not be provided. We recommend that you bring an adult family member to participate if possible. Bring our Service Hour Form and have it signed at the event – please remember to turn the form in at a Troop meeting.

River Rats Spring Clean Up – Saturday, April 16th 9 am to noon
Join the dedicated Hofmann Dam River Rats in their semi-annual litter cleanup along the banks of the Des Plaines River. Enjoy the outdoors and learn about the river while helping your local natural areas.

*Disposable gloves, bags, refreshments and training will be provided
*Dress for the weather and to work along the river. Wear sturdy shoes/boots, long sleeves and long pants that can get dirty, and work gloves. Dressing in layers and wearing a hat is recommended.
*Overflow parking is available at Stella’s (3903 Joliet Ave, Lyons)

Meet at the forest preserve area east of the Lyons side of the Barrypoint Bridge and the Hofmann Tower.

Work will include removing trash from along the DesPlaines River.

Riverside Landscape workdays:
The Frederick Law Olmstead Society (FLOS) and Village of Riverside offer a monthly Landscape Workday, with several events this spring. Come for an hour or three, whatever your schedule allows. Middle school and high school aged scouts may attend with or without their parent, but you must bring this Volunteer Liability Release Statement signed by your parent. Locations vary, see the FLOS website for information. Look for the Riverside Public Works dump truck. Wear long pants and long sleeves, bring your work gloves and a water bottle. All other supplies will be provided.

Forest Preserve Workdays
The Forest Preserve of Cook County offers many volunteer opportunities. See their Volunteer Webpage for details.