Scouts 'Keep Bees Buzzing' with New Larkin Hives

Girl Scout Troop 24 is a group of seven, 5th grade girls (Ava Competiello, Emily Riotto, Claire Nadler, Megan Allen, Tara Sproha, Lauren Achter, & Sofia Wuensch) that are in their second/final year of Junior Scouts. 

Within the past year and a half, the girls have been working on the steps to earn their Bronze Award, the highest achievement at their level. The main part of this award is to recognize a need/problem in their community, and actually take steps to change it for the long term. It is different than your average community service project, which aids in a quick fix.

The girls set their sights on a global problem and decided to act within their own community, with the hopes of it catching on. Their project has been given a slogan: “Keep The Bees Buzzing”. 

The girls became aware, first through their science class at Sicomac Elementary School, about the on going Colony Collapse Disorder throughout the world. The girls decided to try and help by bringing it to the attention of the town council and requested to place a honey beehive on the Larkin House property. The council unanimously voted in favor of the project after hearing the girl’s presentation. 

The girls have secured a Beekeeper, Mr. Richard Schluger that will take care of the hive and can offer seminars/lectures to local schools/scouts due to his commitment & passion regarding this very serious problem. For Albert Einstein was quoted as saying, “If the bee disappears from the surface of the earth, man would have no more than four years to live!” 

To raise the funding necessary to build the hive, the girls created rubber made bracelets with their slogan and attached their mission statement to each bracelet. “Bee the best you can bee, by saving the bees. 7 Little Bronze Bees saving colonies. Thank you for supporting the Larkin House Honeybee Hive!” 

One weekend in mid January, the girls sold the bracelets in front of the local Stop & Shop. People were so generous & were all looking forward to the hive coming to town. 

To make this project even more meaningful to the girls, they painted the hive boxes and learned how to create a brochure to be handed out to help spread the word of just how important this cause is.

The unveiling/ribbon cutting ceremony was at The Larkin House Saturday during the township's Earth Day celebration.

The Troop would like to thank the Mayor & Council for supporting the girls in their project every step of the way. They have truly been amazing. They would also like to thank the Township of Wyckoff for all of their hard work preparing the grounds at The Larkin House for the honey bee arrival, Jan Fence Co. for graciously donating & installing the fencing, and Beekeeper Rich for all of his wisdom & passion for this project.

On behalf of the 7 Little Bronze Bees, we thank everyone for their support!

Troop 24