Volunteers bag trash around Veto Lake
From left, AddaLou Hoge, Presley Wetz, Piper McGlumphy, Paige McGlumphy, Maelee Blair and Mackenzie Slater, members of the Black Diamond Girl Scout Troop 10531, take a break Saturday during the Veto Lake Spring Sweep. (Photo by Kristen Hainkel)
Mackenzie Slater, a member of Black Diamond Girl Scout Troop 10531, shows leader Sara McGlumphy, right, a long tube that was found Saturday during the fifth annual Veto Lake Spring Sweep. (Photo by Kristen Hainkel)
AddaLou Hoge of the Black Diamond Girl Scout Troop 10531 proudly displays her discovery Saturday at the Veto Lake Spring Sweep. (Photo by Kristen Hainkel)
Maelee Blair of Black Diamond Girl Scout Troop 10531 keeps her footing Saturday during the fifth annual Veto Lake Spring Sweep. (Photo by Kristen Hainkel)
Parent volunteer Erica Wetz, left, discards trash found Saturday during the Veto Lake Spring Sweep. (Photo by Kristen Hainkel)
From left, AddaLou Hoge, Presley Wetz, Piper McGlumphy, Paige McGlumphy, Maelee Blair and Mackenzie Slater, members of the Black Diamond Girl Scout Troop 10531, take a break Saturday during the Veto Lake Spring Sweep. (Photo by Kristen Hainkel)
Mackenzie Slater, a member of Black Diamond Girl Scout Troop 10531, shows leader Sara McGlumphy, right, a long tube that was found Saturday during the fifth annual Veto Lake Spring Sweep. (Photo by Kristen Hainkel)
AddaLou Hoge of the Black Diamond Girl Scout Troop 10531 proudly displays her discovery Saturday at the Veto Lake Spring Sweep. (Photo by Kristen Hainkel)
Maelee Blair of Black Diamond Girl Scout Troop 10531 keeps her footing Saturday during the fifth annual Veto Lake Spring Sweep. (Photo by Kristen Hainkel)
Parent volunteer Erica Wetz, left, discards trash found Saturday during the Veto Lake Spring Sweep. (Photo by Kristen Hainkel)
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VETO -- Participants in the fifth annual Veto Lake Spring Sweep on Saturday included a Girl and Boy Scout Troop and local individuals.
Founder Jesse Roush said the idea originated on his drive to work.
"Sometimes when I'm going to work, I take the scenic route around Veto Lake. I got tired of seeing the trash along the road," he said.
Roush said the first year of the clean up consisted of him and a few friends. Participation has grown each year. This year included Boy Scout Troop 217 of Barlow and Black Diamond Girl Scout Troop 10531.
Troop 10531 Leader Sara McGlumphy said this was her group's second year participating in the clean up. The sunny and warm spring air was a contrast to last year's conditions.
"Last year, we were all bundled up and it was so cold.," she said. "We were so happy to see the sun this year."
Despite the cold conditions, Sara McGlumphy said the kids had fun and decided to return this year and help again.
"We all live in this area and thought it would be a good idea to have the kids clean up," McGlumphy said.
Parent Erica Wetz said the group had found fish bones near the lakeside, but decided not to leave them be. She also said they had found a Paw Patrol stuffed animal.
Troop Members Mackenzie Slater and Paige McGlumphy said they found a long tube along the side of the lake.
Alcohol bottles were a common find around the lake, Roush said.
"We've had a running joke of what alcohol we can find. One year it was Miller Lite and the next it was Yuengling," he said. "It's an unfortunate treasure hunt."
In preparation for the clean up, the Girl Scout troop had matching shirts made that each member could color in with a marker.