Tree Planting at Deer Wood Campground — November 16, 2025

There’s something special about giving back to the places that give us so much. On Sunday, November 16, 2025, the Firebirds Circle gathered at Deer Wood Campground in Pipersville to plant trees — not just to beautify the grounds, but to honor the parks and natural spaces where we camp, explore, and build lasting memories together.

This service project was more than tree planting. It was a hands-on opportunity to teach our children about environmental stewardship, demonstrate gratitude for the outdoor spaces we enjoy, and connect more deeply with nature through meaningful action.

Why This Matters

The parks, campgrounds, and green spaces we visit throughout the year are the backdrop for countless Firebirds adventures. From rustic camping trips to nature hikes, these places provide us with opportunities to disconnect from screens, strengthen bonds, and experience the peace and beauty of the outdoors.

By planting trees at Deer Wood Campground, we’re:

  • Giving back to the parks we love: Supporting the health and sustainability of the spaces that host our camping trips and outdoor activities
  • Connecting to nature: Teaching our children that caring for the environment isn’t abstract — it’s practical, hands-on work that starts right here
  • Investing in the future: These trees will grow for decades, providing shade, oxygen, and habitat long after our children have grown
  • Modeling stewardship: Showing our Adventure Guides that communities thrive when we take responsibility for shared spaces

What Made the Day Special

This service project embodied the core values of YMCA Adventure Guides:

  • Service in action: Parents and children worked side-by-side with shovels, loppers, and gloves, learning that service means rolling up your sleeves and doing the work
  • Teamwork: Families coordinated to dig holes, position saplings, and secure stakes — small teams making quick decisions and supporting one another
  • Connection to place: Standing together on the grounds where we’ve camped before, we gained a deeper appreciation for the land and a personal investment in its future
  • Gratitude through giving: Our children experienced the idea that when something brings us joy, we can give something back

Why Service Projects Like This Matter

As YMCA Adventure Guides, we teach values by doing. The Tree Planting Service Project reminds us that environmental stewardship starts with our own hands and our own commitment. Our children leave with more than dirt under their nails — they leave with a stronger connection to nature, pride in contributing to their community, and an embodied understanding that caring for the earth means showing up and doing the work.

Thank You

Thank you to every volunteer who brought tools, brought energy, and brought their families to serve. Your time and effort directly support the parks and campgrounds we love, and you’ve modeled compassionate environmental leadership for our children.

Together, we’re planting more than trees — we’re planting a legacy of care, gratitude, and stewardship.