Boy Scouts refurbish Norwalk High greenhouse

NORWALK – Twenty three Boy Scouts from troops 19 and 222 in Norwalk on Nov. 7 cleared thousands of pounds of debris from the Norwalk High School greenhouse.

The work was part of Giles Ruck’s Eagle project. The 16-year-old Life Scout from Troop 19 is a junior at the school. He’s working toward Scouting’s highest rank – Eagle.

The boys, ages 11 to 17, took out old boards, pipes, cinder blocks and other debris, and dismantled rotted potting tables. They carried the refuse from the greenhouse atop the three-story school to a 10-yard dumpster outside.

By end of the seven-hour work day, the trash bin was completely filled, and the greenhouse cleared and powerwashed.

Adult leaders estimated that some 3,000 pounds of materials were hauled out by the boys.

“What a great job everyone did today,” high school Principal Reginald Roberts told the boys in a thank-you email shortly after the work was done. “On to phase two …”

The greenhouse hasn’t been used since the 1990s. Now that’s cleaned out, the next phase includes repairs to the window-opening mechanisms and the climate control. After that it can once again be used for teaching students.

Boys 7 to 17 can join Scouting any time of the year. Go to beascout.org to find a Cub Scout of Boy Scout unit near you.