Thursday, June 9, 2011

Madison County Girl Scouts Earn Silver Award

Shelby of Madison noticed that many girls in her apartment complex were left alone without adult supervision and thought Girl Scouts could make a difference to these girls. They would see Shelby in her uniform and ask questions, she would tell them about Girl Scouts and invite them to a meeting. The girls explained that they had no one to drive them, so Shelby held meetings at the complex. She provided the girls with registration forms and scholarship applications. She made needed arrangements with the Council representative, the apartment complex and her family. After all was approved she sent e-mails to Girl Scout leaders in the community to see if they could help her. She created flyers and an advertisement for the apartment’s newsletter. Shelby organized the meetings and her mom and another adult ran the meetings every week.

Kasey, Kayla and Kathryn of Huntsville had fond memories of the outdoor garden used as an outdoor classroom at Williams Elementary School. Since the teacher who cared for and maintained the garden retired 4 years ago, the garden has not been maintained and is not useable. The girls wanted the students to have the same experiences they remembered, so they received permission from the principal to revitalize the garden. They contacted the Botanical Gardens to ask for help in what to plant. After many hours of weeding, raking, painting and planting, the girls were proud that the garden was how they remembered it. They put an article in the school PTA newsletter letting everyone know about the garden and held a Grand Reopening Party.

Morgan, Sarah, Leah, Ashlyn and Madison of Madison and Leah of Harvest decided to provide assistance to a local after school program held in the Lincoln Village area of Huntsville. The girls set up a plan to provide resources for the after school program. They decided to provide new playground equipment, spruce up the recreational grounds and hold a sports day. They each took a list of people to call, send letters or visit. They worked with vendors in the community, helped to clean the grounds and construct a badminton/volleyball court. The girls reached out to local businesses, schools, church and their families for support with this project. The children attending the after school program were very excited about the wonderful changes to their playground and the fun Sports Day.  

The Girl Scout Silver Award is the highest award a Girl Scout Cadette can earn. This award symbolizes a Girl Scout Cadette’s accomplishments in Girl Scouting and community activities as she matures and works to better her life and the lives of others.