2026 Reflections Program

MAKAYLA MORRIS During her time as a camper at Turkey Hill, MaKayla noticed that mealtimes were often challenging: children had no tables or benches, leading them to eat on logs around the campfire or on saddles at Camper’s Village. Meals were frequently dropped, and there was no designated place for plates or drinks. After speaking with the camp director, MaKayla learned that benches and picnic tables were the camp’s greatest need. To address this and earn the Gold Award, MaKayla designed and built three picnic tables, each featuring a central umbrella hole to provide shade, and six movable benches. These additions can be used at the picnic areas, around the campfire, or during games and other activities, creating flexible seating for campers. To personalize the space, she included a Bible verse ring on each picnic table, selected through an online poll. MaKayla also documented her project with a video shared on social media to inspire other Girl Scouts to consider improving camp spaces for future projects. Her efforts have made a lasting impact, enhancing the comfort, safety, and enjoyment of every camper at Turkey Hill. KENEDI NEWMAN Kenedi focused her Gold Award project on the rapid decline of bee populations. Bees are essential pollinators that support ecosystems, food production, and biodiversity, yet habitat loss from land development, pesticide use, disease, drought, and pollution has made it increasingly difficult for pollinators to survive. A major root cause of this issue is the lack of safe, accessible habitats and limited public understanding of how human actions impact pollinator health. To address this challenge, Kenedi designed and led a sustainable pollinator conservation project focused on habitat restoration and community education. She built a permanent pollinator habitat on a local golf course by planting Missouri native flowers and constructing a pollinator hive, commonly known as a bee hotel, to provide shelter for bees and other pollinators. Kenedi expanded the reach of her project through education and community engagement. She installed an informational sign at the habitat explaining its purpose and importance, including a QR code linking to the Missouri Department of Conservation’s resources on pollinators and conservation practices. She also created and distributed educational posters throughout her community and delivered presentations to civic groups and sororities. Kenedi worked with two younger Girl Scout troops, guiding them through hands on activities where they built their own bee hotels and learned about the role pollinators play in daily life.

District 12, Troop 123 Eureka High School 13 years in Girl Scouts Milestones Bronze Award Girl Scout Silver Award Girl Scout 13-Year Girl Scout 2025 Graduate Girl Scout

District 15, Troop 9231 Marceline High School 13 years in Girl Scouts Milestones Bronze Award Girl Scout Silver Award Girl Scout 13-Year Girl Scout Graduating Girl Scout