Warren Girl Scout Troop 65928 Completes Mural Project For Camp Jotoni

Submitted by Lisa Marie Arieno

The Arc of Somerset County is recognizing the Warren Girl Scout Troop 65928 - 9th Graders at Watchung Hills Regional High School for their efforts towards a Silver Award project that involved The Arc’s very own Camp Jotoni.

Camp Jotoni, located in Warren Township was an interest to Troop 65928 back in December 2013 when they toured the 15 acre campgrounds to see the effects of aging, wear and tear and natural destruction to some of the nature trails due to severe winter weather over the past few years.

The troop decided to work on various projects at the camp throughout the year that included a community clean up day in April when the nature trails were cleared and lined with logs for walking and easy access, pre-opening day clean up in late May, and re-painting of some of the camp pavilion signs. These projects along with a Camp Jotoni mural was completed at the end of September and the girls helped celebrate with the Camp Jotoni families by offering their volunteered time to face paint children at Camp Jotoni’s annual Community Day event on September 27th.

The Silver Award is a 30 hour project that involves community improvement that helps girls achieve leadership, organizational skills and determination to improve their local community. This is the highest award a Girl Scout Cadet can achieve.

“The mural and all other projects that were done throughout the year for our very special Camp Jotoni is such an incredible achievement for the girl scouts to complete their eagerness to work with us is such an honor”, says Lauren Panarella, Executive Director of The Arc of Somerset County. “The Girls Scouts contribution to Camp Jotoni will be a legacy for years to come and will greatly benefit the over 200 campers who attend Camp Jotoni each year.”

The Arc of Somerset County has recently launched a capital campaign to help revitalize Camp Jotoni for year round respite programs for children and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities and their families.

For more information about Camp Jotoni and the capital campaign, please contact Lisa Marie Arieno at 908-725-8544 x 610 or e-mail lisamariea@thearofsomerset.org<mailto:lisamariea@thearofsomerset.org>

Photographed from Left to Right:

Michelle Du, Alex Logan, Shelagh Wickey, Sierra Heuvelman, Kendal MacTaggart, Jillian Ferrara