More than 190 youth from 18 high schools gathered at Tuolumne River Regional Park in Stanislaus County on Nov. 15 for a service project.
Bee Staff Reports
More than 190 youth from 18 high schools gathered at Tuolumne River Regional Park in Stanislaus County on Nov. 15 for a service project.
After four hours of intense work, the youth had planted 20,000 grass plugs, as well as shrubs and trees.
"Every year, we break a record," says Luis Jimenez, Outreach Executive for the Greater Yosemite Council of the Boy Scouts. "And every year, more youth show up."
Jimenez is a former youth member of the program, as were several of the other adult leaders helping that day.
The youth kicked off their service project with a breakfast organized by Hispanic Youth Leadership Council (HYLC) members from Orestimba High School in Newman. The rules for meals are that they have to be healthy and must be planned and organized by the youth.
The youth were then organized into work groups. After four hours of digging and planting, the youth gathered together to survey their accomplishment.
"They couldn't believe it. They kept saying, 'Wow, we did all that!' " Jimenez said.
To add to the fun of the day, the groups then had lunch and entertained one another with "serenatas" (songs) that they prepared on the spot, using whatever props were on hand.
At the end of the year, the youth will invited their parents and community leaders to a picnic in the park to show off their achievement.
"This past Saturday's efforts were typical of the commitment that HYLC high schoolers provide. We are very proud to be co-sponsors of HYLC," said Bob Dees, executive director of the Boy Scouts Greater Yosemite Council.
The youth, part of a combined program sponsored by the HYLC and the Venture Scouting division of the Boy Scouts of America, adopted Tuolumne Park 10 years ago. They provide community service in the fall and spring.
