Scouts team up with Central Arizona Project for a hands-on merit badge workshop, exploring environmental science and Arizona’s water sustainability in action.
Twenty Scouts from Scouting Arizona, Grand Canyon Council had a unique opportunity to dive deep into environmental science—and into the heart of Arizona’s water system—thanks to a special merit badge class hosted by the Central Arizona Project (CAP) on May 3, 2025.
In partnership with Scouting Arizona, CAP welcomed the Scouts to their headquarters campus for a two-day experience focused on earning the Environmental Science Merit Badge. The hands-on event was developed and led by Christina Collins, CAP’s Senior Industrial Hygienist and a longtime Scouting America volunteer.
When CAP General Manager asked Collins if she could host a workshop for Scouting Arizona in 2024, she stepped up without hesitation—bringing her passion for environmental science and Scouting together in a meaningful way.
Collins, who began her Scouting journey as an Explorer Scout at 14 and now serves as a Scoutmaster for her daughter’s troop, guided a team in creating environmentally focused activities that brought the merit badge requirements to life—in the desert on the CAP’s headquarters, no less.
The Scouts explored various environmental concepts such as air and water pollution, endangered species, and conservation practices, all with a direct connection to the CAP system.
“We were able to touch on how CAP ties into those elements in several ways, including how CAP delivers water to our desert communities and how the construction of the CAP aqueduct system was designed to minimize impacts to the surrounding environment,” said Collins in an article by Know Your Water News.
Read more: Connected to the Environment – Know Your Water News
This partnership highlights the value of community collaboration and education in fostering the next generation of environmental stewards. By combining STEM learning with real-world impact, Scouts were able to earn their merit badge while gaining a greater appreciation for Arizona’s precious water resources.
