Hearts Of Gold - Reflections from Gold Award Girl Scouts

Full transcription available at http://heartsofgoldpodcast.com/ 

Camilla's project aims to build more united communities by educating people about different Asian cultures through workshops, YouTube vlogs, and a beautifully illustrated book.
Camilla shared that her project was prompted by the rise in Asian hate crimes during the pandemic, which motivated her to use education as a tool to foster understanding and empathy. She detailed the three components of her project: interactive workshops at YMCA branches, vlogs exploring various Asian communities in Los Angeles, and her book, which she successfully fundraised $6,000 to publish and distribute.
We d...

Full transcription available at http://heartsofgoldpodcast.com/ 

Neha's project, centered around dogs and the issue of overcrowded shelters, led her to create a nonprofit called Pawprints. The nonprofit focuses on raising awareness about the importance of microchipping and GPS tracking collars to prevent dogs from getting lost and ending up in shelters.
Neha shared her personal connection to the project, including her experience rescuing her dog Aggie, who was saved from euthanasia at an overcrowded shelter. She discussed the educational materials she created, which include information on properly registering microchips and options for GPS tracking c...

Full transcription available at http://heartsofgoldpodcast.com/ 

Adoriam, a passionate Girl Scout, shares her inspiring journey of earning the Girl Scout Gold Award. Adoriam’s project focused on addressing the declining bird population in Houston, a city that ranks as the second worst in America for migratory birds. Through her project, she aimed to educate the community about the importance of being bird-friendly by conducting workshops, creating videos, and providing resources. Adoriam’s interest in conservation was sparked by her involvement in the Glenn Miller Agriculture Program, where she connected with professionals in the field. This led her t...

Full transcription available at http://heartsofgoldpodcast.com/ 

Savannah, a dedicated Girl Scout who shared her journey of earning the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award. Savannah's project focused on improving the trails at her local animal shelter. She identified the need for better-marked trails to help volunteers and visitors navigate the area more easily. Her project involved cleaning up existing trails, adding new ones, naming them, and creating a detailed map with mileage information. She also developed a pamphlet for new volunteers to help them understand the shelter's rules and how they can contribute. One of the unique a...

Full transcription available at http://heartsofgoldpodcast.com/ 

We had the pleasure of speaking with Elizabeth, a freshman in college who recently completed her Girl Scout Gold Award project. Elizabeth's project, titled "Wisdom Wings," aims to support survivors of sexual abuse by providing care packages to police stations. These packages include stress toys, journals, pens, and informational pamphlets to help victims navigate the reporting process. Elizabeth shared her personal connection to the project, revealing her own experience with abuse as a child and the challenges she faced in reporting it. This deeply personal journey inspired her to write a...

Full transcription available at http://heartsofgoldpodcast.com/ 

We had the pleasure of speaking with Haley about her impactful Girl Scout Gold Award project. Haley's project focuses on raising awareness about the dangers of distracted walking, particularly in her hometown of Houston, Texas. She observed that many people, especially younger generations, are often engrossed in their phones while walking, which poses significant safety risks.

Haley shared how her project was inspired by the lack of attention given to pedestrian safety compared to the numerous campaigns on distracted driving. She created a website, brochure, and a Public S...

Full transcription available at http://heartsofgoldpodcast.com/ 

Valerie's Girl Scout Gold Award project addressed the critical issue of cat overpopulation in Waukesha County, Wisconsin. Partnering with her local Humane Society, HAWS, she contributed to their Project Guardian initiative by building weather-resistant cat shelters and creating an educational video presentation on the causes and effects of cat overpopulation.
Valerie shared her journey, from her initial inspiration driven by her love for animals to the challenges she faced, particularly with the technological aspects of her project. She emphasized the importance of communication and leadership, skills she honed t...

Full transcription available at http://heartsofgoldpodcast.com/ 

Kaylee, an inspiring young woman who has achieved remarkable feats both in her Girl Scout journey and in her athletic endeavors, shares the story of her Girl Scout Gold Award project, where she built over 100 feet of wooden bridges on the John P. Saylor Trail in Gallitzin State Forest.

This project was inspired by her own experiences running on the muddy trails and aimed to improve the trail for all users. She discusses the challenges she faced, and how she overcame them with the help of her friends a...

Isabel has been in Girl Scouts since kindergarten. Isabel and her troop have plans to stay together with her friends until they graduate from High School.
They are saving all their cookies and fall products proceeds for a cruise in 2027. Some of Isabel's best memories in Girl Scouting were the photo booth they had at their Bronze Award Community Pet Care Fair, doing a baking class over zoom during COVID, and going to Universal and Savannah with her troop. Scouting has given her plenty of memories to share with others like camping in the low 30’s in the tr...

Sarah Bland is a high school senior from Richmond, Virginia, where she lives with her mom, dad, and brother. Sarah runs cross country and track year round, and she has been an active member of her Girl Scout troop for 13 years. In her free time, she loves exploring new restaurants, hiking with friends, baking, and working as a lifeguard. After graduation, she plans to attend university and study health sciences. Several years ago, Sarah experienced iron deficiency, which impacted her performance as an athlete and her health overall. After learning how common it is in female athletes, she decided...