Girl Scouts Troop 80744 Revitalizes Classroom Benches for Bernadette Morales Nature Preserve

RARITAN TWP., N.J. (Hunterdon County) — On Jul. 11, Girl Scouts Troop 80744 brought new life to Bernadette Morales Nature Preserve, a/k/a “Morales Park,” by designing and coloring the benches for the preserve’s outdoor classroom, contributing to the Township’s recent reforestation efforts of the preserve.

Troop 80744’s exemplary effort took up to three meetings to complete and serves as part of their Bronze award project, which is the highest honor a Junior Girl Scout can achieve. They chose Morales Park because they wanted to make a meaningful difference in their community and decided that adding colorful benches would be an inviting addition to the trails.

"Morales Park is used by so many people in the Flemington area that we wanted to make sure that it continues to be a place our neighbors can enjoy for years to come,” said Junior Girl Scout Angela Cifelli.

The finished benches for Bernadette Morales Nature Preserve’s outdoor classroom colored by members of Girl Scouts Troop 80744, Jul. 11. (Courtesy photo by Troop Leader Jenn Schwolow)

Most of the Troop’s Girls Scouts began working together as young as “Daisies,” which is the first level of Girl Scouting, designed to introduce young girls ages 5-7 to the organization and its activities.

Bernadette Morales Nature Preserve is a 52-acre park named for a popular former local teacher, located on the corner of Capner Street and Old Croton Road. The park’s trails consist of several loops and paths that guide visitors through the forested areas as they work their way up the hillside.

Girl Scouts Troop 80744 sits atop of the newly painted benches that reinvigorated the Bernadette Morales Nature Preserve’s natural appeal, Jul. 11. (Courtesy photo by Troop Leader Kate Waxman)

Donated to the Township in 1972, the preserve borders the Hunterdon County Upland Reserve and the Township’s Mine Brook Park. One of the amenities it offers are benches along the trails for parkgoers to sit, rest and enjoy their natural surroundings.

Troop Leader Jenn Schwolow says their work is far from over. In addition to the freshly painted benches for the preserve’s outdoor classroom, Troop 80744 are also working on painting the preserve’s bridge.

Girl Scouts Troop 80744 work together to place their artistic and colorful benches together in a circular format, Jul. 11. (Courtesy photo by Troop Leader Jenn Schwolow)

Raritan Township sends our appreciation to Girl Scouts Troop 80744 for volunteering their time at Bernadette Morales Nature Preserve. The park benches are situated inside the preserve’s outdoor classroom – so stop by when you need a break and enjoy the creativity and beauty of nature!

About Girl Scouts Troop 80744:

Flemington’s Girl Scouts Troop 80744, part of Service Unit 84 from the Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey (“GSHNJ”), is one of 76 troops with more than 700 girl scouts. Chartered by Girl Scouts of the United States of America, GSHNJ is open to girls from grade levels Kindergarten to 12 and helps them build courage, confidence, and character through various activities and leadership experiences with the goal of making positive changes in their communities. To learn more, visit: https://www.gshnj.org/.

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