Girl Scouts Partner with Shy Wolf Sanctuary to Champion Animal Advocacy for Bronze Award Project

Jun26 by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

Girls Scouts Mary, Juliana, Lizzy and Alisa from Troop 328 earned the Girl Scout Bronze Award by advocating for animal welfare and creating a garden space at Shy Wolf Sanctuary.

A group of young Girl Scouts in Naples is taking a stand for misunderstood wildlife—and earning one of the organization’s highest honors in the process.

Girl Scout Juniors from Troop 328, who call themselves the “Wolf Pack,” are working toward their Bronze Award by partnering with Shy Wolf Sanctuary, a local nonprofit that rescues and rehabilitates wolves, wolfdogs, and other exotic animals. The Bronze Award is the highest award a Girl Scout Junior (grades 4–5) can earn, and it requires a minimum of 20 hours spent planning and executing a project that addresses a root cause of a community issue.

For their project, the girls are focused on dispelling common myths about wolves and raising awareness about the challenges they face due to habitat loss, pet abandonment, and illegal breeding. Their efforts included creating a community education display board titled “Wolves are Vital, Not Villains,” which is currently on view at the Naples Regional Library on Central Avenue. The display is expected to rotate through additional Collier County library branches in the coming months.

“I learned that wild animals need our help,” said sixth-grader Juliana G. “I also discovered the underlying reasons behind these issues, like the illegal wildlife trade.”

“My favorite part was when we made mosaic stepping stones. I learned cement skills! That’s so cool,” Lizzy said. “I learned how to collaborate better with others, and I learned how to use Google apps to stay organized.”

“This project means a lot to me,” said Alisa J. “I loved seeing the animals at Shy Wolf and I really hope that our Bronze Award Project can help them.” She also added that she learned a lot about teamwork and how to collaborate with others, and is excited to lead more projects in the future.

Mary said her favorite part was painting the flower boxes and planting the seeds. “I learned how to take notes at our meetings, as the secretary.”

In addition to the awareness campaign, the troop is volunteering on-site at Shy Wolf Sanctuary. They organized a stuffed animal drive to provide comfort items to the animals. Additionally, they are improving a garden area, designing mosaic stepping stones, and planting flowers.

The Girl Scout Bronze Award is designed to help girls develop leadership skills, explore community issues, and create sustainable solutions. More than a service project, it asks girls to identify root causes of a problem, build a team, connect with community partners, and make a lasting impact. Earning the Bronze Award empowers girls to see themselves as capable leaders and changemakers—even at a young age.

Girl Scout Juniors Alisa, Juliana, Lizzy, and Mary—will cap off their efforts with an educational session for the wider Girl Scout community later this summer, further expanding the project’s reach and sustainability.

Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc.: Girl Scouts create the world they want to live in and strive to make it better every single day. They explore their strengths, take on new challenges, and can always be themselves, regardless of background or ability. Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida council has a membership of over 3,800 girls in grades K-12, and more than 1,500 adult members. GSGCF is chartered by Girl Scouts of the USA and serves girls in ten counties including: Manatee, Hardee, Highlands, Sarasota, DeSoto, Charlotte, Glades, Lee, Hendry, and Collier. The council is governed by a volunteer board of directors who represent the geographic, ethnic, and social demographics of the council’s jurisdiction. For more information about Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida visit www.gsgcf.org.

Girl Scouts earn award for providing clothing and food supplies to those in need

Sep12 by Jessica Miano

Francesca L. and Zoey B., members of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida Troop 47 in Bradenton, have successfully completed their Girl Scout Bronze Award project by focusing on serving women in need within their community. The centerpiece of their initiative was the creation and distribution of “blessing bags,” containing gently used clothing, snacks, and drinks, aimed at supporting individuals during holidays and after hurricanes.

The project, which spanned 10 months, required dedicated effort and approximately 20 hours of work from each participant. Despite challenges such as organizing donations and logistics for packing the bags, Francesca and Zoey remained committed to their goal, driven by a desire to make a tangible difference in the lives of community members facing adversity.

The girls were motivated to help their community after witnessing neighbors struggling in the aftermath of recent hurricanes Troop Leader Laurie Leclercq said, “Our girls know that everyone has tough times sometimes and they need help. Especially if a storm or hurricane comes and destroys all your belongings.”

Earn the Girl Scout Bronze Award!

Central to the success of their endeavor was collaboration with local organizations including Umbrella Women, a nonprofit serving homeless in Manatee and Sarasota counties, and Kim’s Crew, a food pantry that services Manatee county families and individuals in emergency situations. These partnerships enabled Francesca and Zoey to extend their impact across Manatee and Sarasota Counties, ensuring that their efforts reached those most in need.

Looking ahead, the troop plans to establish their project as an annual event. They are also considering the potential for expansion to involve other troops or community organizations. This commitment to sustainability reflects the core values of the Girl Scout Bronze Award, which encourages girls to develop leadership skills, build connections within their community, and foster a sense of empowerment.

The Girl Scout Bronze Award is the highest honor a Girl Scout Junior can achieve. It emphasizes the importance of community service and personal development. Through projects like Francesca and Zoey’s, participants gain valuable life skills and experiences that prepare them for future challenges and opportunities.

A group of Junior Scouts and volunteers standing on a white bridge together A group of Junior Scouts and volunteers standing on a white bridge together

Girls work with a team to make positive change in their communities and earn the Girl Scout Bronze Award, the highest award a Girl Scout Junior can earn. (Photo: GSUSA)

Girl Scouts Build Little Free Library and Earn Bronze Award

Jul19 by Jessica Miano

The Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida are developing young women leaders passionate about giving back to their community. Recently, Girl Scouts Alivia B., Rylee H., and Samantha M. from Troop 617 in Englewood earned the Bronze Award, the highest honor for a Girl Scout Junior, by creating a Little Free Library in their community. Under the guidance of leaders Pam Cataloni and Crystal Burritt, these dedicated girls, committed to Girl Scouting for six years, have completed a significant community project.

The Girl Scout Bronze Award, designed for Girl Scout Juniors in grades 4-5, requires a team project that makes a lasting impact on the community. It emphasizes leadership, community involvement, and essential skills development. Earning this award signifies that a Girl Scout has made a substantial difference by addressing a community need or issue.

Troop 617 collaborated with the Kiwanis Club of Englewood-Cape Haze and a local food pantry to address childhood literacy. They placed the book box at the St. David’s Jubilee Center of Englewood, Florida, recognizing it as a wonderful opportunity to support their local community. The project’s success was a collaborative effort, with valuable support from the Kiwanis Club and The Book Worm, a beloved used bookstore.

According to Burritt, the girls honed several important skills throughout the project. They learned to work as a cohesive team, delegating tasks such as painting and constructing different parts of the book box. They also developed research skills, narrowing down their favorite Dr. Seuss quotes to find the perfect one: “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Additionally, they gained confidence in soliciting donations and working with local businesses.

The book box is located at 401 S. Broadway, Englewood, FL 34224. Community members are encouraged to donate books and take one they haven’t read yet, supporting the spirit of sharing and literacy.

The girls stocked the Little Free Library with donations from local nonprofits.

The girls’ favorite part of the project was the hands-on experience of constructing the box, particularly using hand tools, making cement, and the camaraderie they shared, including a memorable dance party in the parking lot. Despite challenges like digging a deep hole in hard ground and assembling the box, the girls persevered and successfully completed their project.

Alivia B. shared her excitement about being a Girl Scout, saying, “It is like an afterschool club. We get to be with some of our best friends, doing fun things like helping our community and going on lots of adventures!”

Local Girl Scouts Complete Heartwarming Bronze Award Project: Introducing “Buddy Benches” to Sarasota County Playgrounds

Nov14 by Jessica Miano

A group of dedicated and compassionate Girl Scouts from Troop #348 in Sarasota County have undertaken a significant community initiative as part of their Bronze Award Project. Olivia, Violet, Kinsley, Ariel, Autumn, and Sam have collaborated to install “Buddy Benches” at various playgrounds in the county, with the aim of creating comfortable spaces for friends to gather and connect.

The Bronze Award is a prestigious honor within the Girl Scouts, recognizing significant community service projects undertaken by Scouts in their pursuit of making a positive impact. Last year, the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida enabled 78 Girl Scouts to earn their Bronze Award, showcasing the dedication and commitment of these young leaders.

The idea for the project emerged when the girls noticed the positive impact of a single bench at a local playground where people regularly gathered. Inspired by the sense of community it fostered, the girls resolved to extend this camaraderie by installing more benches throughout Sarasota County.

This venture marks the Girl Scouts’ first major construction project. Olivia, one of the project leaders, expressed her enthusiasm for the learning experience, stating that she learned a lot about construction and enjoyed learning how to use a power drill.

The Buddy Benches, still in the drying phase, will be meticulously painted by the girls at the end of this month. Once completed, these benches will find their new homes at prominent locations including LaMarque Elementary in North Port, Cranberry Elementary in North Port, Atwater Elementary in North Port, and Faith Preparatory School in Lake Suzy.

A particularly touching aspect of this initiative is the dedication of one of the benches at Atwater Elementary School in North Port to the memory of six-year-old Daylan Guillen, a beloved student who recently passed away. This memorial bench will serve as a lasting tribute to Daylan’s spirit and will be the only one of its kind among the Buddy Benches.

The successful execution of this heartwarming project was made possible through generous contributions from the local community. Home Depot of North Port donated essential materials such as wood, screws, and paint rollers. Additionally, a kind-hearted local real estate agent provided funding for the paint, and the director of Faith Preparatory School showed support by sending a gift card to Lowe’s, enabling the purchase of necessary protective gear like eyewear and gloves. Under the careful supervision of adults, the girls constructed the benches entirely by themselves, showcasing their dedication and teamwork.

The Buddy Benches not only provide a comfortable space for friends to gather but also stand as a testament to the Girl Scouts’ commitment to making a positive impact in their community. Their initiative, determination, and compassion serve as an inspiration to us all.

611 Girls Honored at 2023 Young Women of Distinction Ceremony

May23 by Jessica Miano

A total of 611 Girl Scouts from across 10 Florida counties will be honored at the annual Young Women of Distinction Ceremony on May 21, 2023 at the Charlotte Harbor Convention Center.

This annual celebration provides friends, family, troop leaders, volunteers, and council staff the opportunity to honor the outstanding achievements of Girl Scouts throughout the council.

Among those being honored are 40 Girl Scouts who earned the Silver Award, the second highest award in Girl Scouting, and the highest award that a Girl Scout Cadette can earn. 78 Girl Scouts will receive the Bronze Award; the third highest honor in Girl Scouting, and the highest award a Girl Scout Junior can earn.

Awardees will be introduced by the Class of 2023 Gold Award Girl Scouts, who recently received their Gold Award pins at the 3^rd annual GSGCF Gold Award Luncheon. The Gold Award is the highest award and most prestigious honor a Girl Scout can earn.

Other awards to be presented include the My Promise, My Faith Pin, which invites girls to experience a faith journey through exploration of the Girl Scout Law and teachings from their faith; the Journey Summit Award Pin, which is earned by girls who have completed three National Leadership Journeys at their grade level; and the 10 Year Membership Pin. Graduating Girl Scouts, Girl Scout College Scholarship recipients, and Cookie Entrepreneurs will also be recognized at the celebration.

The event is made possible by several generous sponsors: Publix Supermarket Charities, Florida Power & Light, the Swift Family Foundation, and The United Way.