A Cranford scouting group this month will help residents say goodbye to their main holiday ornament: the Christmas tree. The recently formed Venture Crew has announced that their Christmas tree recycling fundraiser kicks off this weekend.

The township doesn't pick up your Christmas trees curbside. Residents have to arrange a pickup, or haul their trees to the Conservation Center (see schedule here).

"Our Venture crew will be picking up trees and transporting them to the Conservation Center this weekend (January 5 & 6) and next weekend (January 12 & 13)," Kathleen Murray Venture Crew 80 adviser told Patch. The group is asking for a suggested donation of $10 for the task, and residents can email to arrange a pickup at venturecrew80nj@gmail.com

Venture Crew, said Murray, is associated with Boy Scouts of America and open to men and women 14 to 21. The proceeds from the tree program this year will benefit a summer trip to the Boy Scout Jamboree at the new Bechtel Summit in West Virginia. 

Last year's Christmas tree pickup helped the group pay for a hiking trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in the summer.

According to Murray, Boy Scouts of America encourages participants to "earn their way" to attend adventure camps. 

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The Venture Crew meets for meetings third Sunday of every month at 7:30p.m. For more information contact them at venturecrew80nj@gmail.com.