Scouting For Clean Waterways
A conservations good turn for america
Welcome to Scouting For Clean Waterways!
In celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Conservation Good Turn for America, Scouting America is joining the nationwide initiative aimed at addressing the critical issue of waterway and marine debris, “aquatic trash”, offering Scouts the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the health of our waterways and ecosystems.
Why It Matters:
Each year, millions of tons of plastic and other man-made materials enter our water bodies, endangering marine life, disrupting habitats, and imposing economic costs. This aquatic trash often comes from dry lands miles away from our water resources. Aquatic trash poses a significant threat to the health of our oceans, lakes, rivers, and associated ecosystems. By participating in Scouting For Clean Waterways, Scouts can help address this critical issue and make a positive difference in their communities and beyond.
Protecting our Environment
Scouting for Clean Waterways helps to improve our lives and the environment through:
Clean Water and Sanitation
Life Below Water
Life on Land
Responsible Consumption and Production
Responsible Consumption and Production
Partnerships for the Goals
Impact Partners
Program Partners
Media
Scouting for Clean Waterways
09/11/2025
For the most part, plastic is good. It’s the human-made material in may useful…
Why it’s beneficial to record your Scouting for Clean Waterways project in Scoutbook
04/07/2025
Scouting for Clean Waterways is up and running.
Scouting for Clean Waterways season is upon us! Here’s how you can participate
03/05/2025
Scouting for Clean Waterways, Scouting America’s new initiative aimed…
Let’s talk about Scouting for Clean Waterways!
01/10/2025
Let’s talk about Scouting for Clean Waterways!
Council’s weekend beach cleanup events continue to grow
11/07/2024
Scouts enjoy helping their communities – and one council has seen the impact…
Announcing Scouting for Clean Waterways, a new conservation program for all Scouts
06/06/2024
Plastic trash is a problem. Scouting for Clean Waterways could end up…
Show and Tell: Summer of Service
06/21/2022
Cub Scout Pack 167 of Caguas, Puerto Rico, participated during Scouts Trash…
Reporting Your Event
After the completion of your Scouting for Clean Waterways’ project, we need you to report your event so that we can truly show the ripple effect being accomplished by Scouting America units.
If you are doing the project as an individual or unit, please have your leadership report it through Scoutbook+. Click here to learn how to record it. This way the individual Scouts will get the information recorded on their records.
If the council or district is doing the event as a large event, click here for fillable PDF and then email the completed form to cleanwaterScouts@scouting.org
Dive Into Discovery with NOAA:
A Resource for Scouts Protecting Our Waterways
As Scouts committed to conservation and protecting our planet, understanding our oceans and waterways is essential. With support from the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program provides powerful tools and knowledge to help you explore the problem of litter and marine debris, and become better stewards of our environment.
Marine debris floats on the surface of the water in Hanauma Bay, O’ahu, Hawaii (Photo Credit: NOAA).
Discover more about the different types of marine debris, where it comes from, and the ways it impacts wildlife, habitats, and people.
A volunteer holds the shreds of a balloon and a plastic fragment (Photo Credit: NOAA).
Learn how you can help solve the marine debris problem.
Volunteers participate in the 2017 International Coastal Cleanup on Kingman Island in Washington, D.C. (Photo Credit: NOAA).
Explore activities and resources for the whole family to inspire curiosity and stewardship at all ages.
Stand Out While Making a Difference!
Shop official Scouting for Clean Waterways gear—including tees, caps, reusable water bottles, and the exclusive Scouting for Clean Waterways Emblem—now available online. Perfect for cleanups and beyond, these essentials let you show your pride and support the movement in style.
Order today to be ready for your cleanup event!
Scan the QR codes to shop the collection and make a difference today.
Together, we’ll make a meaningful impact on the health of our waterways and ecosystems—every small effort leads to big waves of change!
48,771 Pounds of plastic |
111,157 Pounds of trash |
159,928 Total Pounds |
208,699 Total Pounds with the CleanHub match
44,496 Pounds of plastic |
100,150 Pounds of trash |
144,646 Total Pounds |
189,142 Total Pounds with the CleanHub match
44,496 Pounds of plastic |
100,150 Pounds of trash |
144,646 Total Pounds |
189,142 Total Pounds with the CleanHub match
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