GSEM Gold Award Project Catalog

The Awaken Project

Gold Award Girl Scout: Emily F., Troop 2042

Issue: Younger children are often unsure about the dangers of drugs. Root Cause: There is a lack of education surrounding drugs in elementary schools. Measurability: After the presentation and activities, Emily gave the students a survey. Sustainability: The school will continue to use the binders and bulletin board information each year during Red Ribbon Week.

Project Details: After recognizing the global impact of drug abuse, Emily decided to create a positive impact in her community. Emily partnered with The Awaken Project, a nonprofit committed to educating teens and young adults about drug abuse, to raise awareness on drug prevention in schools. Emily created a robust binder full of activities that elementary schools could utilize during Red Ribbon Week, a national initiative promoted each October to help keep kids drug-free. For older students, Emily created prompting questions, a presentation on the dangers of drug usage and a jeopardy game to test their knowledge.

Long-Term Pediatric Care Packages

Issue: Hospitals often don’t feel comfortable for those staying long-term. Root Cause: Extended stay pediatric patients are in the hospital with nothing to occupy time. Measurability: Mya surveyed the kids who received the kits and got positive feedback. Sustainability: Arts in Motion dance school will continue the collection drive each year and build more kits for pediatric patients.

Gold Award Girl Scout: Mya E., Troop 3993

Project Details: Mya helped pediatric patients feel more at home by creating care packages to donate to Mercy Hospital. Extended-stay pediatric patients need activities to keep them occupied and their spirits up after recovering from treatment. Mya organized a donation drive to collect more than 370 items, such as coloring books, journals, crafts, small toys and card games to then assemble the care packages. Mya then taught and led a team of volunteers to sew 75 special pillowcases. Mya also made tutorial videos to teach others how to sew pillowcases for donation to hospitals across the country. Arts in Motion School will continue to host a yearly drive to collect donations for the children in the hospital.