Two dedicated Girl Scouts from Troop 224 have earned the Girl Scout Bronze Award, the highest honor a Girl Scout Junior can achieve. Adelyanna M. and Aubrie D. led a meaningful community service project titled “Girl Scouts Helping Foster Families,” demonstrating leadership, empathy, and initiative as members of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida.
The project began in October 2024, when the girls recognized a critical need in their community: foster children often enter care suddenly, with few personal items. Wanting to help kids their own age, Adelyanna and Aubrie met with the Safe Children Coalition in Sarasota to learn directly about the foster system, the challenges children face during emergency removals, and the gaps in available support.
Motivated by what they learned, the Girl Scouts took action. Over the course of the next 12 months, they assembled 20 toiletry bags for children entering foster care, thoughtfully stocked with essentials meant to offer comfort, dignity, and a sense of stability. To make an even greater impact, the girls used part of their Girl Scout cookie earnings to purchase additional supplies for the Safe Children Coalition’s Family Closet, ensuring families and children have practical items when they need them most.
Throughout the project, Adelyanna and Aubrie practiced key Bronze Award skills—project planning, teamwork, problem-solving, budgeting, and communication. They produced a video to raise awareness and share their message with families and peers, helping expand community understanding of the needs of foster youth. Their work created a tangible, direct impact for children experiencing one of the most difficult moments of their lives.
The girls also experienced personal growth. Their troop leader, Liz Mercado, shared, “I loved seeing them grow through this project and seeing them realize their blessings. My own daughter now wants to be a foster parent.” One of the greatest challenges the girls faced was learning to scale their project—they felt deeply moved to help even more children than their resources allowed.
The Girl Scout Bronze Award encourages Girl Scout Juniors (grades 4–5) to work together to address a community need, take action, and develop lasting leadership skills. Projects must demonstrate research, planning, measurable impact, and community connection—key steps toward becoming confident, compassionate leaders.
Adelyanna and Aubrie hope their project inspires others. Their advice to younger Girl Scouts preparing for their Bronze Award: “Find something that can help the community. Look for organizations in need of help and awareness.”
Their awareness video and message encourage others to support foster families and the organizations that serve them—helping ensure every child feels seen, supported, and cared for.
We’re excited to share some great news! Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida has received a generous grant from the Collier Community Foundation, making it possible for even more girls in Collier County to experience all that Girl Scouts has to offer.
This funding is especially important because it tackles some big challenges girls face today. The State of the Florida Girl Report shows that girls across the state are dealing with growing pressures related to their mental, emotional, academic, and physical wellbeing. Programs like Girl Scouts provide a safe, supportive space where girls can build confidence, explore their strengths, and try new things—helping them grow in all areas of life.
With this grant, local troops in Collier County will have the resources they need to participate fully in the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE). That means uniforms, badges, troop supplies, program fees, and transportation to activities—everything that makes it possible for girls to be part of the fun, hands-on learning that Girl Scouts is known for.
Girl Scouts is about more than badges and outings. It’s about helping girls develop courage, resilience, and leadership skills while supporting their overall wellbeing. Whether they’re learning a new skill, working together on a team project, or discovering a passion they never knew they had, girls in Girl Scouts are growing academically, emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Thanks to the Collier Community Foundation, even more girls can experience the confidence-building, life-changing programs that Girl Scouts provides. We can’t wait to see the amazing things these girls will accomplish!
Want to learn more about Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida? Visit www.gsgcf.org.
The Juniors of Girl Scout Troop 178 are showing the world what compassion in action looks like!
These amazing young leaders recently earned their Girl Scout Bronze Award, the highest honor a Girl Scout Junior can achieve. Their project willenable the Animal Welfare League in Port Charlotte to kick off a new “Reading with Cats” program.
The Bronze Award challenges Girl Scouts to identify a meaningful community need, plan a thoughtful project, and take action—while developing leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills along the way. Troop 178’s project, “Pawfect Project,” did all of that and more.
The girls started their mission by raising awareness for homeless pets and collecting essential donations—including food, cat litter, towels, detergent, and more—during their trunk-or-treat event.
But Troop 178 didn’t stop there. They took their project to the next level by building bookshelves to support the shelter’s upcoming “Reading with Cats” program, a creative initiative designed to encourage young readers to practice literacy while spending time with adoptable cats. In doing so, the girls learned hands-on construction skills like measuring, sawing, assembling, and painting—practicing safety, precision, and teamwork every step of the way.
Through this project, the girls honed valuable life skills such as planning, communication, leadership, and project management, all while making a tangible difference in the lives of animals and children. Their efforts not only provided immediate support to the shelter, but they also created a lasting resource that will enrich the community for years to come.
A huge congratulations to the girls of Troop 178 for their creativity, generosity, and dedication! Their Bronze Award project is a shining example of how Girl Scouts put courage, confidence, and character into action, and we can’t wait to see how they continue to make the world a brighter place—one paw at a time
Service is at the heart of the Girl Scout experience — and this fall, Girl Scouts across Gulfcoast Florida have been busy making a difference for furry friends in need! From spreading hay to stocking donation shelves, these girls are showing how courage, confidence, and character can make a real impact in their communities.
Troop 499 Lends a Hand at Suncoast Humane Society
Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida Troop 499 rolled up their sleeves at the Suncoast Humane Society in Englewood, spending the day spreading hay along the shelter’s trails to help the animals and their visitors. After their hard work, the girls got a special treat — a “Happy Cappy” experience where they met the shelter’s resident capybaras! The girls learned about the care of these gentle animals while enjoying a fun, hands-on encounter that brought their day of service full circle.
Troop 178 Earns Bronze Award with “Pawfect Project”
In Charlotte County, Troop 178 of Englewood earned the Girl Scout Bronze Award, the highest honor a Junior Girl Scout (grades 4–5) can achieve, for their outstanding community service initiative called the “Pawfect Project.”
The troop identified a need at the Animal Welfare League of Charlotte County (AWL) and took action — collecting essential supplies such as pet food, cat litter, towels, and detergent to help the shelter care for animals awaiting their forever homes. They also added a creative twist by building a bookshelf for AWL’s “Reading with Cats” program, which encourages literacy by pairing young readers with feline friends in a cozy, confidence-boosting environment.
Girl Scout Donates Girl Scout BarkBoxes to Local Shelter
Meanwhile, Troop 678 in Port Charlotte contributed over 20 containers of dog food to the AWL, making the effort a true team achievement.
A special shout-out goes to Isabella O., who donated over a dozen limited-edition Girl Scout BarkBoxes during the Fall Product Program, Mags & Munchies. “It was the perfect way to help two causes with one purchase, and she was proud,” said troop leader and Isabella’s mom, Chrystal Ortiz. Fun fact: the Ortiz family recently adopted a shelter dog named Brownie, in honor of the Girl Scout level for grades 2–3!
The Mags & Munchies Fall Product Program helps Girl Scouts raise funds for troop service projects, adventures, and experiences while developing leadership skills such as goal setting, decision-making, money management, people skills, and business ethics. For the second year in a row, Girl Scouts partnered with BarkBox, offering themed boxes with custom dog toys, treats, and liners that can be purchased to support troops or donated to local animal shelters.
At Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, we know that girls grow strong when they have great role models—and our friends at the Florida Gulf Coast University Kappa Delta Sorority are helping make that happen! 💚💛
Every semester, Girl Scouts and Kappa Delta members come together for a series of fun, hands-on events designed to build confidence, foster friendships, and inspire the next generation of strong female leaders. This fall, the sisters of Kappa Delta hosted three unforgettable events with our Girl Scouts—each one packed with creativity, laughter, and leadership in action.
👑 Royalty with Kappa Delta – September 6
The semester kicked off in royal fashion with Royalty with Kappa Delta, where girls arrived ready to embrace their inner queens. Scouts and sorority sisters spent the day crafting crowns, playing games, and learning that confidence isn’t about wearing a tiara—it’s about believing in yourself and lifting others up. Through this fun, empowering theme, girls practiced courage and kindness, discovering that every Girl Scout has the power to lead with heart.
⏱️ Minute to Win It – September 13
Next came Minute to Win It, a lively morning filled with fast-paced challenges and team spirit! Girl Scouts worked together—and with their college mentors—to complete silly and skillful games against the clock. From balancing acts to creative problem-solving, the event encouraged teamwork, perseverance, and positive risk-taking. Laughter filled the room as girls learned that success comes not just from winning, but from trying their best and cheering others on.
🍂 Giving Thanks with Kappa Delta and the Girl Scouts – October 18
The fall semester wrapped up with Giving Thanks with Kappa Delta and the Girl Scouts, a celebration of gratitude and community. Together, participants made thank-you crafts, reflected on what they were thankful for, and shared ways to give back to others. The event was a perfect reminder that leadership starts with kindness, empathy, and appreciation—values shared by both Kappa Delta and Girl Scouts.
A Partnership Rooted in Leadership and Sisterhood
The connection between Kappa Delta Sorority and Girl Scouts of the USA spans more than 25 years. Since 1998, Kappa Delta members nationwide have volunteered their time and talents to mentor Girl Scouts, lead confidence-building programs, and inspire girls to reach their full potential.
Locally, our collaboration with the FGCU Kappa Delta chapter brings this national mission to life, providing Girl Scouts with relatable college role models who exemplify leadership, service, and sisterhood. Each event reminds girls that confidence grows through connection—and that together, women of all ages can make the world a better place.
Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida is proud to announce that Anna Sherman, a recent graduate at Florida Southwestern Collegiate High School, has earned the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award—the highest honor a Girl Scout can achieve.
For her project, Athletic Zen: Building Mindfulness in Sports, Anna devoted 80 hours to creating resources that address the stress and pressure faced by student-athletes. Through a website, guidebook, and workshops, she provided mindfulness practices, journaling prompts, coloring pages, and videos to help athletes, coaches, and parents manage anxiety, strengthen focus, and build resilience. Her work ensures that student-athletes at her school and beyond have sustainable tools to support their mental well-being, including physical guidebooks now available in the school counselor’s office and a digital Canvas page for ongoing access.
The Girl Scout Gold Award recognizes fewer than 6% of Girl Scouts annually and challenges young women to identify a community need, develop a sustainable solution, and demonstrate leadership while dedicating at least 80 hours to their project. Gold Award Girl Scouts stand out in college applications, earn scholarships, and gain recognition from institutions and organizations nationwide.
“Anna’s project shows how important it is to support mental health in athletics,” said Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida CEO Mary Anne Servian. “Girl Scouts encourages girls to be friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, and to make the world a better place: it’s right in our Girl Scout Law. Anna’s Gold Award project exemplifies these values, and the resources she created will support students for years to come.”
According to the State of the Florida Girl Report, over half of Florida girls felt sad or hopeless for 2+ weeks in a row, and 1 in 4 seriously considered attempting suicide.
The report also found that in Girl Scouts, adult volunteers like troop leaders are proven to support overall positive mental health in girls. In fact, in a 2020 study focused on mental health support, girls cited their troop leader as the #1 source of positive mental health – above friends, family, and school.
With her Gold Award project, Anna has joined generations of Girl Scouts who have made sustainable change in their communities while exemplifying courage, confidence, and character.##
The Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida proudly welcomed home our nation’s heroes during Southwest Florida Honor Flight’s Mission XXIII at SRQ Airport on October 14 at 7 p.m. 💚✈️
Girls from across the council came together to line the terminal with American flags, handmade signs, and heartfelt smiles as they greeted returning veterans with cheers and gratitude. The girls eagerly shouted “Welcome home!” and “Thank you for your service!” as the veterans disembarked from their Honor Flight—a free, day-long trip to Washington, D.C. that allows them to visit the memorials dedicated to their service and sacrifice.
The Southwest Florida Honor Flight, part of the national Honor Flight Network, organizes these missions to honor veterans by giving them an unforgettable opportunity to reflect, remember, and be celebrated. Each flight is completely free for participants, covering all expenses including airfare, meals, and transportation. The program prioritizes terminally ill veterans and those who served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
For the Girl Scouts, participating in this homecoming wasn’t just about waving flags—it was about living the Girl Scout Promise and Law, showing respect, gratitude, and community spirit. Through experiences like this, girls learn the importance of patriotism, service, and connection across generations.
Events like the Honor Flight welcome-home celebration give girls a meaningful way to honor those who have served while reinforcing the values of citizenship, compassion, and leadership that Girl Scouts are known for.
Club leader Ava Williams earned the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award
Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida proudly celebrates Ava Williams, a senior at Gulf Coast High School in Naples, for earning the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouting. Ava devoted over 80 hours to her project, Threads of Comfort, which focused on supporting children in need while fostering intergenerational community connections.
Through her project, Ava created a crochet and craft club that brought together Youth Haven teens and local older adults to make handmade blankets, stuffed animals, and other comfort items for children experiencing illness, trauma, or other challenging circumstances. The intergenerational club provided opportunities for participants to learn new skills, share experiences, and collaborate to create meaningful, lasting support for children in the community.
The intergenerational craft club crocheted blankets, hats, and stuffies for residents at Youth Haven SWFL.
Youth Heaven is Southwest Florida’s only emergency shelter for neglected, abused, and homeless children and teens. The stuffed comfort items the club created were donated to the shelter.
Ava also developed resources to ensure her project’s sustainability, including a guide for future club leaders on organizing crafts, sourcing materials, and facilitating meetings. She donated supplies and educational materials to Youth Haven, enabling the residents to continue the club’s activities and benefit from her program.
The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest and more honorable achievement in Girl Scouting, requiring leadership, planning, and a commitment to making a measurable difference in the community. Less than 6% of eligible Girl Scouts ever earn this prestigious award. Projects like Ava’s demonstrate the core mission of Girl Scouting: building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.
Ava’s accomplishment is an inspiring example of how the Girl Scout Gold Award empowers girls to address real-world issues, lead community projects, and leave a lasting legacy.
Stuffed animals, blankets, and hats crocheted by club members were donated to Youth Haven SWFL.
Thanks to the generosity of donors during the 2024 Giving Challenge, which was presented by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County with giving strengthened by The Patterson Foundation, Mackenzie was able to Be the One to show us how Girl Scouts transforms girls’ lives and supports mental health.
The One to Struggle Quietly
Mackenzie joined Girl Scouts when she was in the first grade, to make new friends.
The first time we met Mackenzie, she was just seven years old. A bright and imaginative first grader, she was always eager to try new things, but prone to nerves when asked to speak up during a troop meeting.
She also carried struggles that weren’t always visible: the restless grip of social anxiety, and the heaviness of depression that sometimes kept her at home weighed heavily on her at times.
Mackenzie shared that her struggles with mental health began when she was in the eighth grade. “I was constantly sad and anxious,” she said. “It was affecting my grades at school and my friendships.”
Her mental health struggles made it difficult for her to feel like she fit in.
“Being diagnosed with anxiety was hard,” Mackenzie shares. “There were days where I missed school and had trouble explaining to my friends why I was absent. It made me feel lonely at times.”
And sadly, the research shows that Mackenzie is not alone.
With the support of funds raised during the 2024 Giving Challenge, Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida (GSGCF) joined forces with other Florida councils to commission a groundbreaking study on the state of Florida girls’ emotional, mental, physical, and academic wellness.
The State of the Florida Girl Report shows that girls face worse outcomes in academics, health, safety, and especially mental health compared to boys. According to the report, nearly 50% of Florida girls report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and more than 1 in 4 experience poor mental health most of the time.
But thankfully, it also shows a way forward: youth programs designed specifically for girls, like Girl Scouts, dramatically improve outcomes across every area studied.
The One to Ask for Help
At Girl Scouts, our mission has always been to build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. What we didn’t fully recognize was that while we were asking girls to change the world, the world wasn’t quite returning the favor. We knew we had to be the one to help girls thrive.
Many might ask: How did we get here? But at Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, we ask: Where do we go from here?
We knew right away that we couldn’t make lasting change without help from others.
So, as part of our goal to better serve our members’ mental health needs, we joined forces with HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital to deliver relevant mental wellness programming.
We also partnered with NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Sarasota and Manatee Counties and Children’s World for the 2024 Giving Challenge. Our main goal was to empower girls like Mackenzie with tools for mental health awareness, self-care, and resilience.
“Seeing organizations like NAMI and Girl Scouts come together during the Giving Challenge really made me realize how far we’ve come in support of mental health awareness. It gave me confidence that girls were going to be able to grow up having these organizations easily accessible to learn about mental health diseases and how to manage everyday life,” Mackenzie said.
The data shows why these programs matter, too. TheState of the Florida Girl Report revealed that structured mentalhealth programs significantly improve girls’ coping skills, reduce risk behaviors, and increase academic performance.
Mary Anne Servian, CEO of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, put it this way: “Girls already have incredible strength and potential within them. Girl Scout programs simply give them the chance to discover it—by trying new things, building skills, and being surrounded by safe, supportive adults who believe in them. With the help of our community, we can continue providing these opportunities, tools, and resources so that girls like Mackenzie realize their power and use it to shape a brighter future.”
The One to Find Her Voice
Through Girl Scouts, Mackenzie participated in numerous troop and individual projects that made a positive impact on her community, learning the value of caring for others.
On March 28, 2024 Girl Scouts earned their Mental Wellness and First Aid badges at HCA.NAMI educators helped Girl Scouts discuss their feelings and learn positive coping skills. They also learned first aid with nurses, bandaged teddy bears, and toured the ER.
In March 2024, she discovered something even more personal: the importance of being the one to care for herself. During a Girl Scout badge workshop at HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital, she chose to work on the Finding My Voice badge.
At first, she was anxious to attend an event with so many unfamiliar faces. But the activities—breathing exercises, roleplays, naming emotions out loud—felt different from the usual school day. They gave her space and language for expressing feelings she was used to carrying in silence.
Later that spring, she laughed with friends while painting mandalas at the 2024 Giving Challenge Self-Care Fair event at Camp Honi Hanta. Girl Scouts hosted this workshop in collaboration with NAMI. Sunshine filtered through the cypress trees as a yoga instructor guided them in gentle stretches. Mackenzie didn’t realize it then, but she was one of the 78% of girls who walked away with greater emotional awareness after that day.
Girl Scouts attended our Self Care Fair on April 4, 2024.GSGCF CEO Mary Anne Servian with Girl Scouts at the fair.NAMI made presentations and even brought an emotional support dog, helping girls and their families learn all about mental wellness.
Mackenzie said that these activities really made her feel “understood and cared for.”
“Having a safe space to not only talk about my challenges but listen to other people’s challenges helped me to connect with girls I never thought I would. These were opportunities I would have never gotten if it hadn’t been for Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida.”
By June, she was watching her troop leaders bring back skills from the Volunteer Celebration Wellness Training. At this event, we continued to partner with NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties to equip over 100 leaders with wellness tools to share directly with girls.
The One to Find Belonging
For Mackenzie, Girl Scout programs were more than dates on a calendar; they were living proof that adults cared enough to create spaces just for girls like her, where she was never “too much” or “not enough.”
Mackenzie (right side, white shirt) hiking with her Girl Scout troop as a child.
In Girl Scouts, she found a place where she truly belonged.
Even when her mental health struggles set her apart during summer camp, she said the troop never treated her differently: “I was worried about what other people were going to think, but they welcomed me with open arms.”
She said attending Girl Scout camp in high school was “the best time of my life.” Meeting new friends, working with supportive leaders, and enjoying low-ropes challenges and campfire songs, she said, “brought back my happy self.”
“Girl Scouts is the one place where I could go and feel free and uplifted,” she added. “Not only did I have my leaders to help me, but my fellow sisters in Girl Scouting were also a big part too. They listened and helped me through all my struggles.”
The One to Conquer the World
With the confidence skills she learned in Girl Scouts, Mackenzie traveled to New York City to represent Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida at the United Nations’ 67th Commission on the Status of Women. She stood among global changemakers, voicing the needs of girls who are too often left unheard.
Mackenzie (left) stands with fellow GSGCF Girl Scouts at the United Nations, representing Girl Scouts as a youth delegate.
“Representing Girl Scouts at the UN ‘s 67th Commission on the Status of Women is an experience I’ll never forget. Getting to meet and see world leaders come together to talk and make changes about issues directly affecting me was incredible.
And I got to be a part of that change too by writing statements to be sent over and giving a speech in front of a few hundred people. It gave me confidence that I was capable of doing anything I set my mind to,” she said. She also confessed, “A year prior I was having a panic attack about giving a presentation in front of my class and now I felt I could conquer the world.”
The One to Speak Up
When we unveiled The State of the Florida Girl report, Mackenzie stepped up to the podium inspired to raise her voice once again—this time not on an international stage, but in her own community. Before a crowd of leaders, politicians, reporters, and nonprofit directors, she spoke about her journey in Girl Scouts.
Mackenzie shares her story publicly at the unveiling of The State of the Florida Girl Report in July 2024.
She explained how the Mental Health Badge Workshop at HCA Sarasota Doctors Hospital, the 2024 Giving Challenge Self Care Fair, and other Girl Scout programs and supportive mentors helped her grow past the obstacles she faced with her mental health diagnosis.
Mackenzie said that being asked to stand beside Mary Anne Servian, Chief Girl Champion and CEO of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, and tell her story made her feel exceptionally confident and proud. “I was so anxious about messing up… But I pushed through it and went on stage in front of all those people and spoke about my story.”
Afterwards, she said it was encouraging to hear from attendees that they were inspired by her story. “I had never been prouder of myself because I knew what I was doing was going to be the one to help change girls’ lives.”
Her words truly strengthened those who heard her story with resolve to Be the One to do better for our girls.
You Can Be the One to Help Girls Thrive
Our work advocating for girls’ wellbeing isn’t done.
Currently, our calendar includes increased programming for girls, with new, inclusive opportunities added every day. These programs help girls build mental health skills, boost confidence through self-defense and empowerment workshops, explore STEM subjects, express themselves through art and performance, and strengthen their confidence through physical activity.
The State of the Florida Girl Report is a deep dive into the challenges and successes confronted by the girls in our state and serves as a call to action to reinforce the critical need for safe, nurturing environments designed to support girls’ growth.
In 2026, we hope to release an updated version of TheState of the Florida Girl Report to track progress and continue refining our programs based on the evolving needs of girls across the state.
Our membership is steadily growing, and so is the need. As more girls join, the demand for uniforms, financial aid, and support for life-changing programs grows with them.
Mackenzie knows firsthand what it means to be supported. Her story shows that when girls are given chances to explore, earn badges, live their values, and be guided by mentors in a place where they truly belong, amazing things happen. They grow. They lead. They find their voice.
Today, Mackenzie serves on the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida Board of Directors. She’s no longer the girl quietly battling anxiety and loneliness—she’s a leader shaping programs for thousands of girls across the Gulf Coast.
Mackenzie wants her community to understand the impact Girl Scout programs have on helping girls thrive:
“It’s hard to go through these kinds of challenges on your own,” she said. “No kid should have to. I don’t know where I would be right now if it weren’t for Girl Scouts being the light in my life through one of my toughest times.”
This year, you can be part of that light. Be the one to support the upcoming 2026 Giving Challenge taking place April 15-16.
This year, you can #BeTheOne to help girls thrive.
The 2026 Giving Challenge is presented by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County with giving strengthened by The Patterson Foundation.
Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida took to the outdoors during the annual Girl Scouts Love State Parks weekend, hiking trails, exploring shorelines, and connecting with nature at local parks across the region.
From guided nature walks to hands-on conservation projects and self-guided adventures, girls met park rangers, discovered local wildlife, and earned the Girl Scouts Love State Parks patch by completing a series of activities. The weekend offered every Girl Scout a chance to learn about Florida’s natural treasures while making memories that will last a lifetime.
Participating parks included Collier-Seminole, Delnor-Wiggins Pass, Highlands Hammock, Koreshan, Myakka River, and Oscar Scherer State Parks. Activities ranged from mangrove talks and Junior Ranger programs to museum scavenger hunts and shoreline clean-ups.
See the photos below:
Local Troop 446 participated in a beach clean-up at Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park and earned the Junior Ranger patch.
Troop 420 took a nature walk with Ranger Rives at Koreshan State Park, also earning their Junior Ranger patch.
Annabelle from Troop 1001 visited Myakka River State Park, where she explored nature and dared to walk across the big rope bridge!
Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. 