What did you do for your Gold Award project?
My project addressed senior citizens and their connection to technology. Because most of the older generations aren’t as familiar with technology as my generation is, my goal was to increase their knowledge about different electronics in our world today. I set up multiple open-house technology sessions at Holly Creek Retirement Community. Along with the help of my volunteers, we were able to help over 33 residents with their technology questions.
How did you measure the impact your Gold Award project made on your target audience?
I created surveys for residents in the Skylark Adult Day Care to complete at the end of every session. This helped me get feedback from the residents. It was a way to help me improve my sessions to ensure all their questions were getting answered. I also was able to learn what different technology they were having difficulties with and they ranged from cordless phones to iPads.
How is your project sustainable? How will your project continue to impact after your involvement?
After I completed my sessions at Holly Creek, I spoke with several members of my community, sent emails to multiple church youth groups, presented my project to the Centennial Star Service Unit leaders, and posted in the Facebook page for the service unit. Through these efforts, I was able to come in contact with Junior Girl Scout Troop 62599 to carry on my project with Holly Creek. I am so excited that others in my community will be able to see what a rewarding experience this can be. I have also left manuals at Holly Creek so the residents can refer to them on a daily basis.
What is your project’s global and/or national connection?
Technology is present everywhere in our world today and the need for assistance with it is not only present in my community, but it is also present in other communities across the nation, and across the globe. One resident that my team and I helped was able to connect with his grandson on the east coast whom he hadn’t seen in many years. By giving the residents access to this technology, and knowing how to use it, they can be better connected to our society.
What did you learn about yourself?
I learned a lot about myself while doing this project. I had to figure a lot of things out on my own and sometimes I would get to the end of the rope and think it was the end, but I continued to motivate myself and get the job done. I also used leadership skills like being open-minded to other’s opinions and ideas. When things wouldn’t go how I expected them to, I had to be open to ways around the obstacle. I worked on communication as I worked with a variety of different people and their styles of dealing with others.
How will earning your Gold Award impact you in the future?
This project gave me the experience and tools to be able to take on group projects with multiple people. It gave me confidence to take on long-term projects and follow through to the end. It proved my communication skills because of my interactions with older adults, presentations and speaking with people I haven’t worked with before. Using these skills will allow me to be an effective leader and to accomplish my goals despite setbacks I might face.
Why do you feel the Gold Award was an important part of your Girl Scout experience?
Earning my Gold Award was a way to finish out my Girl Scout career. I have been in Girl Scouts since I was 5 and throughout my 13 years I have been able to complete many things, including my Bronze and Silver Awards, so earning the Gold Award was a way to complete the missing pieces to my puzzle in Girl Scouting.
***IMPORTANT NOTE: This blog represents only a small fraction of the hard work, dedication and requirements that go into earning a Girl Scout Gold Award. It is simply a brief summary, which is meant to inspire Girl Scouts to Go Gold in the future. For more information on earning your Gold Award, please email highestawards@gscolorado.org