Silver Award Spotlight: "Emergency Period Supply Bags"

Girl Scout Aliya of Troop 273, a recently bridged Girl Scout Senior, was pinned with the Girl Scout Silver Award by Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast VP of Membership Engagement Terri Washington at A Place for Girls in Chesapeake on October 17, 2022! Aliya received recognition for completing a service project which she titled, “Emergency Period Supply Bags,” which she implemented during the 2022 summer camp season. The Girl Scout created discreet kits for preteens and teens that contain a reusable pad and a care card to help address period poverty in her community. To implement the program, Aliya hung laminated flyers in the bathrooms at A Place for Girls with instructions for other Girl Scouts about how to discreetly make a make-shift pad or how to get in touch with a staff member or camp counselor for one of the free supply kits.

Aliya and GSCCC VP Terri Washington

Since becoming a Girl Scout, Aliya has had a passion for making a difference and leaving a positive mark in her community. 

Check out an article here about a food drive Aliya lead as well as a recycling project she hosted as a Girl Scout Junior to earn her Bronze Award! 

Watch a YouTube video here from Aliya as she describes her Silver Award project in more detail-

Gold Award Spotlight: “The Ability Garden”

Girl Scout Ambassador Morgan of Troop 13 recently earned the Girl Scout Gold Award by completing a project she titled, “The Ability Garden,” where she created indoor and outdoor learning features, themed around gardening, for the residents of St. Mary’s Home. St. Mary’s Home, which is located in Norfolk, Virginia, provides a place for children and young adults, newborn through 21 years of age, to live, play, and go to school while also receiving complex, professional, around-the-clock care from medical staff. Morgan wanted to provide a creative and accessible learning experience for the residents of St. Mary’s Home, so she incorporated her love of gardening with a mission of serving others! 

She tackled this issue by building, painting and planting four ADA approved raised garden beds and a sensory play box for mobile residents to explore and learn new skills on the grounds of St. Mary’s Home. The Girl Scout also created an indoor succulent garden, built on a rolling cart, for residents who cannot get outdoors to also experience the joys of a garden. 

“Gardening typically requires fine motor skills, the ability to get down on the ground and knowledge of plants,  herbs, and tools,” Morgan said. “Often, people with special needs are excluded from participating in certain experiences. I wanted to specifically address the issue of gardening and how adapting to the residents’ needs can improve their physical, social, and mental well-being. From being involved in groups and community activities, to an opportunity to learn about healthy foods, gardening is about improving the enjoyment of life.”

Congratulations, Morgan, and thank you for making your community, and the world, a better place!