By MATT STUCHLIK

Special to The Hays Daily News

The Leadership Hays Class of 2009 and the Boy Scouts of America teamed up to plant trees in honor of the Boy Scouts of America's 100th anniversary

Durability is the test of time, and Boy Scouts of America has withstood the changes it has presented. It has been 100 years since the organization became official in the United States in 1910. To celebrate the centennial, the Boy Scouts of America are, as marked by the 100th anniversary slogan, "Celebrating the Adventure, Continuing the Journey."

During this period of celebration that will be through the end of 2010, Boy Scouts are unveiling many ways of engaging communities and putting themselves back on the forefront to remind people they are as strong as ever.

One aspect of the centennial celebration is the planting of "Generations' Trees" to mark and commemorate the anniversary. Boy Scouts of America has a strong tradition of conservation and environmental stewardship. The Boy Scouts were stewards of the environment long before "green" became a popular term, so this promotion came naturally.

To pull off these tree plantings in Hays, the Boy Scouts and the leadership class got together to make the "Generations' Trees" a reality in Hays parks. Communicating and working with Jeff Boyle, director of parks for the city of Hays, was the final piece that was needed. Boyle and the parks department were supportive of the project and made the arrangements to have the tree plantings in Sunrise Park and East Frontier Park.

One cluster of three trees was planted in each park to grow and provide shade for parents and children near the playground equipment. The leadership class and many Boy Scouts converged on the parks, keeping their fingers crossed the rain would hold off on June 11 and 16.

Under Boyle's direction, the tree plantings were successful. He educated everyone in attendance on proper tree planting and techniques. The boys learned a lot about tree planting, but everyone who was there certainly took a few things to mind when they plant trees in the future.

It is because of the support of communities that Boy Scouts of America has been successful. The city of Hays Parks Department and the Leadership Hays Class of 2009 showed that youth of America are the most important part of a brighter future.

Matt Stuchlik is district executive of Wheatland/Buffalo Bill

Boy Scouts of America