Skippack Brownies Make Learning Conservation Barrels Full of Fun

Last month, Brownies from Girl Scout Troop 72131, based out of Skippack Elementary School’s third grade, learned how rain runoff could negatively affect the world around them.

Kristina Henderson, program specialist for the Montgomery County Conservation District, based in Collegeville, paid the Brownies a visit at their monthly meeting to explain the potential environmental hazard through the use of a watershed model.

The plastic model depicted a vast landscape scene, focusing on areas of suburban residential and rural farmlands, complete with miniature cars and livestock. There was also a large body of water dominating the landscape model. In order to demonstrate the effects of rainwater runoff, Henderson used coco powder to symbolize sedimentation, powdered drink-mix to show pollution (such as runoff from washing one’s vehicle in their driveway), and sprinkles, which represented animal feces.

Using a spray bottle to mimic rain, Henderson said the Brownies saw how all the materials washed away into the large body of water, and understood the need for higher water quality.

“They’re awesome,” Henderson said. “The way that think and their enthusiasm is awesome.”

According to Amy Ramsey, co-troop leader of Brownie Girl Scout Troop 72131, the conservation lesson is part of yearlong educational Girl Scout “Journey,” of which her troop chose the theme “Wonder of Water.”

“I was really glad that this was the project we ended up doing. It’s been something I personally wanted to do for a long time,” Ramsey said. “I wanted to do something that would make a difference in each of the families’ lives.”

Save the Water

The next step of the Brownies’ Wonder of Water Journey was to create rain barrels.

According to an article from the Penn State extension website, a rain barrel is used to help reduce stormwater runoff by catching the runoff from rooftops and store water for future landscape use. The article states, during the summer, lawn and garden watering make up nearly 40-percent of typical household water use, and, also during the summer, rain barrels could save homeowners approximately 1,300 gallons.

The rain barrel-making event took place March 25, at the Skippack Church of the Brethren, located at 520 Collegeville Road, where the troop holds its monthly meetings.

Prior to the event, Ramsey, along with fellow troop leaders, collected 55-gallon water drums from a car-wash business, and, with the help of Henderson, prepared the strategically placed holes on each of the barrels for the 18 Brownies and their families to install the various functions of a rain barrel.  

Montgomery County Penn State Cooperative Extension members Linda Hoade, Master Gardener coordinator, and Wayne Brunt, Master Gardener facilitated the project.

“It’s a pretty good project,” Brunt said.

According to Brunt, as a Master Gardener with the Penn State Co-op, he often leads such rain-barrel making classes with adults, and working with the Brownies was a first for him.

In assembly-line fashion, the Brownies each received pieces of the rain barrel for installation.

The pieces included:

• A spigot, found at the base of the barrel

• A flexible overflow pipe

• A screen overtop the rain-collection hole

Brunt, who owns four rain barrels, further provided guidelines on how the water-saving tools should be maintained, such as placing the barrels at least 2-feet off the ground for access to the spigot; and keeping the barrels level.

“At 400-pounds apiece, that’s a lot of rain water,” Brunt said of filled rain barrels. “That’s why it needs to be level.”

Adult family members of the Brownies helped with the installation of the pieces. According to co-troop leader Jen Mahoney, inviting the families to assist troop members with the project was also part of the Journey lessons.

“We teach the girl scouts to discover, which leads to action,” Mahoney said. “It’s an experience to share. And, when you do things like this with your kids, you’re showing a commitment together.”

A Family that Makes a Rain Barrel Together …

It was apparent that the Brownies couldn’t contain their excitement when working alongside their moms and dads on the project.

“It’s fun,” Samantha Sciarra, Brownie Girl Scout of Troop 72131, said of working with her mother Susan and father Scott. “I didn’t know a lot of things about water, and I wanted to learn more.”

In turn, parents expressed gratitude for being introducing their family to rain barrels.

“I’m a big gardener, I water nonstop,” Susan Sciarra said. “It will be a lesson for all of us.”

Next month, the Brownies will have the opportunity to share their conservation lessons and rain-barrel creations with their classmates at Skippack Elementary, as well as work on the school’s nearly completed garden.

Ramsey said that the presentations will likely coincide with Earth Day celebrations that week.

“It’s going to be a good week,” Ramsey said.