The amazing Gold Award Girl Scouts have truly made the world a better place. By their hard work to earn the Gold Award in 2024–2025 they inspire us how to be both dreamers AND doers.
(Learn what it takes—and what it means—to earn the Gold Award, with a general overview at this link.)
Macy Casner: Pet Memorial Garden
Macy planned and implemented the creation of a pet memorial garden to fulfill a need in her hometown of Seymour, Indiana. Her hope is that it provides solace and a peaceful place to heal and gain closure for those who have lost a pet. It includes statues, benches, perennial plants, shrubs, a bird bath, and engraved bricks. The Jackson County Humane Society has agreed to maintain the pet memorial garden so it can be enjoyed for many years to come.
Aurora Green: Coexisting with Kentucky Snakes
Aurora addressed misconceptions and fears regarding snakes indigenous to Kentucky by presented to over 100 people through presentations at schools, the library and to Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops. She spoke about both venomous and non-venomous snakes, what they do in the environment, misconceptions and common myths, how to exist with snakes, first aid for snake bites, snake relocation services, and then introduced them to a Ball python so they could see and touch a snake up close. Aurora shared her presentation and posters so they could be used at Girl Scout and Boy Scout camps.
Madeline Haller: Nature Buddy Club
Madeline created the Nature Buddy Club to help children in her community gain environmental awareness and develop an appreciation for nature. Positive benefits also included new friendships and improved mental health. Through a series of 11 meetings the club of children aged 5–8 discussed environmental topics, explored the outdoors, and enjoyed hands-on activities. During the last meeting Madeline hosted a family nature walk so the kids could invite their siblings and parents to show them all the fun things they could find and identify.
Ella Rain Harris: Middle School Board Game Club
Ella Rain created an afterschool Board Game Club open to middle school students from Murray Middle School, Calloway County Middle School, Eastwood Christian Academy, and homeschooled students held at the Calloway County Public Library. The club gives students a non-screen way to have fun and learn skills such as strategizing, counting, memory, taking turns, and sharing. She also donated games to the library so they can continue to offer the club. Since implementation, the group has expanded to high schoolers and an adult board game club has also been formed.
Cameron Huggins: Houchens Hammock Unit
Cameron built a 12-person hammock unit at Houchens Program Center which increased the sleeping capacity at the camp by 26%. It is also a preferred sleeping option for many older Girl Scouts. She also created a tutorial video on how to properly and safely hang a hammock to assist campers. She held an open house where she demonstrated how to properly hang a hammock and then had participants try for themselves.
Evie Palazzo: All Things 2 Wheels
Evie created a patch packet (All Things 2-Wheels) to share information about women in powersports. She hopes to create an understanding of the shortage of women in the sport and to help Girl Scouts realize that they are not limited because of the stigma that it's a "man's sport." Evie also hosted a Women in 2-Wheels event at CC PowerSports in Clarksville, Indiana. Girl Scouts who attended the event met with representatives from CC PowerSports and Sportbike Track Time to learn about careers within the industry, safety equipment used, the different types of riding, how the sport is "going green", and historical women in the sport. Evie continues to promote and distribute her patch program, and the Women in 2-Wheels event will be hosted annually.
Rachel Provost: Lunch Club Kids Camp
Rachel planned and implemented a backyard summer worship camp called Lunch Club for elementary school children in her neighborhood. The kids enjoyed games, crafts, and lessons. Each day the kids would bring their lunch to enjoy it together in community. Rachel made her lesson plans available through a website and shared them with GoMinistries in the Dominican Republic where she had previously completed a mission trip.
Ella Stroud: Costume Closet
Ella created an inventory catalog for the costumes and accessories at the Clarksville Little Theater, a nonprofit in Clarksville, IN. Ella took photos of accessories, clothing, etc. and then uploaded photos and data such as quantity, description, and sizing in Google Sheets. This inventory has assisted the theater as they now have accurate information about their costumes to help them as they stage future productions. It also created an additional revenue stream as they know what costumes they have available to rent to other local theater companies. Ella also made a tutorial to teach others how to add to the catalog, so Clarksville Little Theater can use the system for years to come.