Five years ago My dad (Awesnap) dropped me off at a Learn Now music class here at Featherstone. While in I was in class he walked around the school and thought "Wow, This place could usa a CITO." So right then he emailed the Principal for permission to have a clean up. There have been 4 here now, and I attended last years with him. This year, I am hosting my first event for my girl scouts troop on Earthday.
Geocachers have had a lasting impact with these annual "PWC Educational" CITO's hosting clean ups at Occoquan Elementary, Minnieville Elementary, Fred M. Lynn Middle School, and here at Featherstone Elementary School. Seeing broken beer bottles on the grass at a school makes it hard to imagine that field days and recesses take place here. The school custodians do the best they can, but there is a lot of trash left here weekly. Some is from the nearby businesses, and the rest just comes with the wind from the highway.
CITO stands for Cache In Trash Out. It’s the geocacher’s approach to keeping our game board (i.e. the entire planet) in great shape. Geocachers gather together to pick up trash, remove invasive species, repair trails and more! Also all geocachers who participate in a CITO between March 1st to August 31st will earn a pretty sweet new souvenir!
Bags for the clean up have been provided by NoVAGO, and I will have some gloves at the starting coords. You WILL get dirty, so dress appropriately, and wear good footwear. The fields could be soggy. The wood line has thorns and some poison ivy. Your garden gloves will come in handy as well. Our planned cleanup area is marked in red on the picture below. Disabled cachers are invited as well. The school has a paved lot that could be policed easily by wheelchair.
Approved by Principal Christina Treadwell