Three dedicated Girl Scout Cadettes from Troop 608 have earned the prestigious Girl Scout Silver Award—the highest award a Girl Scout Cadette can achieve—for creating and delivering sensory kits to children experiencing medical emergencies across Charlotte and South Sarasota Counties.
Addison B., Emma V., and Brinley E. identified a critical gap in care: while sensory kits were available in shelters, EMS units, and hospital emergency rooms through the Southwest Florida Healthcare Coalition, they were not available in local free-standing emergency departments or walk-in clinics—facilities where many families first seek care.
Their Take Action project, “Sensory Kits for Kids in Distress,” provided nine fully stocked sensory kits to three free-standing emergency departments and six walk-in clinics serving their community.
A Solution That Meets Kids Where They Are
Medical settings can be overwhelming, especially for children with special needs. Through research and partnership with the Healthcare Coalition, the Girl Scouts developed kits filled with calming, tactile, and comfort-focused items designed to reduce anxiety and help children regulate during stressful medical events.
Each kit included an inventory list and refill guide to ensure long-term sustainability. When delivering the kits, the Cadettes educated facility leadership on how to use and restock them—ensuring their impact continues far beyond the award project.
Two facilities surveyed the program and rated its usefulness 10 out of 10, affirming the immediate value of the girls’ work.
The project was powered by girl-led community partnerships.
To fund the project, each Girl Scout secured business sponsorships and worked within a detailed budget they created themselves. The team partnered with the Southwest Florida Healthcare Coalition for supply guidance and assembly support and received space sponsorship from HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital to host their packing event.
Throughout the project, the girls strengthened skills in public speaking, budgeting, collaboration, sponsorship outreach, and community education—hallmarks of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
“Public speaking is difficult for me,” shared Addison, “but working with my team made it easier. I also loved doing something kind for others.”
Emma reflected, “Now when I see a child in a scary medical setting—especially a child with extra needs—I understand better and feel more helpful.”
Brinley added, “We built relationships with local businesses that want to work with us again. That made me proud.”
A Model for Broader Impact
Healthcare Coalitions operate in every state, and the team plans to share their project model so other communities can replicate it. By addressing the root cause—lack of child-focused sensory support in smaller medical facilities—their solution creates a lasting, scalable impact.
The Girl Scout Silver Award requires approximately 50 hours of leadership, planning, and Take Action work per girl. These Cadettes exceeded expectations, demonstrating courage, confidence, and character while making their community stronger.
Because when Girl Scouts see a problem, they don’t just help—they lead.
Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. 