What did you do for your Gold Award project?
I created a project that provides teddy bears and made no-sew blankets to the Castle Rock Fire and Rescue and Castle Rock Police Department. Both organizations will distribute my items during emergency situations in order to offer comfort to people involved in traumatic situations.
How did you measure the impact your Gold Award project made on your target audience?
Each blanket has a tag which identifies this as a Gold Award project and contains a link to a survey which people who have received my items can complete, if they choose to do so, which asks if they felt comforted by the item. Contacts at the CRFD and CRPD have agreed to provide feedback from their responders regarding how victims reacted upon receiving a teddy bear and/or blanket.
How is your project sustainable? How will your project continue to impact after your involvement?
The Meadows Neighborhood Board of Governors has agreed to make Community Comfort an annual event for the Meadows. The BIONIC (Believe It Or Not I Care) group at Castle Rock Middle School has agreed to take over my project.
What is your project’s global and/or national connection?
My national connection was to research other projects that are taking place throughout the country that are similar to mine. For my global connection, I established contact with a Girl Guide Leader in the United Kingdom who had earned her own Gold Award and knows of groups in the United Kingdom who wish to start a project in similarity to mine in their area.
What did you learn about yourself?
I learned that I am capable of doing a large project such as a Gold Award project, and that I am able to inspire others to do community-benefiting projects of their own. Additionally, I now know that I cannot do everything by myself, and that it is okay to ask others for assistance.
How will earning your Gold Award impact you in the future?
I know now the importance of time management and better understand how to best manage my time, a practice I will be using at college. I also will continue to do volunteer service and community-based projects in order to help others as I have through my Gold Award. I am also more confident in my abilities for public speaking and interacting with those in authority or administration, a skill that will greatly benefit me in my future.
Why do you feel the Gold Award was an important part of your Girl Scout experience?
Ever since I was a Daisy, I have wanted to earn my Gold Award. I believe that through my project, I have a greater understanding about my community and myself, and have learned very useful and important life skills which I may not have earned if I did not complete my Gold Award project.
**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