Tag Archives: highest-awards

Naples Girl Scout Brings Teens and Seniors Together to Craft for Children in Need

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

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.

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

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.
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. 

Port Charlotte Girl Scout Earns Prestigious Gold Award Providing Resources and Free Pet Care to Community Members

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

Victoria Morton, a 17-year-old Girl Scout Ambassador from Troop 00135 in Gulfcoast Council, has earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest achievement in Girl Scouting, for her project, Pet Resource Central. With only 5.4% of eligible Girl Scouts earning this distinction, Victoria’s initiative stands as a testament to her leadership, dedication, and commitment to her community.

The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest recognition a Girl Scout can earn. It is the culmination of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, in which Girl Scouts use all the skills and knowledge they have gained through Girl Scouting to identify an issue they care about and develop a plan for sustainable change in their communities. The award requires Girl Scouts to demonstrate proficiency in team leadership, project planning and execution, and outreach, while ensuring their project creates a sustainable, measurable impact on the community. The prestigious award is recognized nationally by GSUSA, as well as by Congress and the U.S. Military.

Recognizing the financial burden pet care can place on low-income families, Victoria launched Pet Resource Central, an initiative aimed at providing essential pet care education and resources. She created a website, petresourcecentral.com, offering information on low-cost and free pet care services, vaccinations, and spay/neuter programs. To ensure accessibility, she distributed over 2,000 pounds of pet food, each bag attached with an informative pamphlet directing pet owners to the website.

Victoria also hosted 13 free pet care events, providing bathing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and teeth brushing, all while educating pet owners on affordable veterinary services.

“My goal was to make sure that pets in low-income households receive the care they deserve, even when their owners face financial hardships,” Victoria said. “Through my website and outreach events, I was able to connect pet owners with the resources they need to keep their animals healthy and happy.”

Victoria’s project has had a lasting impact. She secured partnerships with the Gulf Coast Humane Society and the Community Resource Center of Punta Gorda, ensuring the continued distribution of educational materials and pet food. Additionally, the website will remain active, with updates managed by dedicated volunteers.

Mary Anne Servian, CEO of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, praised Victoria’s efforts: “Earning the Gold Award is an extraordinary achievement, and Victoria embodies the core values of Girl Scouting. This program teaches girls how to communicate effectively and collaborate with their communities to drive meaningful change. Victoria’s initiative not only provided immediate support to pet owners in need but also created lasting partnerships to ensure its impact continues. She has truly made a difference.””

Through her 136.5-hour project, Victoria honed her leadership, problem-solving, and organizational skills. “I learned that even small actions can create a ripple effect,” she reflected. “This project was about more than just pet care—it was about supporting families and ensuring that no one has to choose between feeding their pet and feeding themselves.”

Victoria will be honored at the Young Women of Distinction Ceremony later this year, where she will join an elite group of Girl Scouts who have made significant contributions to their communities through the Gold Award.

For more information on Pet Resource Central, visit petresourcecentral.com.

For more information about Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida or how to join or support a troop, visit www.gsgcf.org.

Cape Coral Girl Scout Earns Silver Award by Championing Inclusion

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

After Jocelyn was diagnosed with sensory processing disorder, she wanted to help others girls facing similar challenges feel included in Girl Scouts.

Jocelyn N., an 8th-grade member of Girl Scout Troop 721, has earned the prestigious Girl Scout Silver Award for her project titled “Girl Scouts Is for Everyone.” Jocelyn’s project exemplifies the Girl Scouts’ core values of inclusion by creating tools to support girls with sensory-related disorders such as autism and sensory processing disorder (SPD).

The Girl Scout Silver Award is the highest honor a Girl Scout Cadette (grades 6–8) can earn. It recognizes girls who identify an issue they care about, create a sustainable solution, and make a measurable impact on their communities. By earning this award, Jocelyn joins a legacy of Girl Scouts who have demonstrated leadership, innovation, and a commitment to improving the world.

For her Silver Award, Jocelyn designed and distributed portable sensory bags to troop leaders within her council. Each lightweight bag includes fidget toys, sensory items, sunglasses, earplugs, and educational resources on SPD, along with instructions for calming techniques. To ensure the sustainability of her project, Jocelyn created a website where Girl Scout leaders can learn about sensory challenges and replenish kits as needed.

Jocelyn shared that this project is close to my heart because she has experienced sensory challenges herself. She believes that Girl Scouts is a place where every girl should feel welcome. “I wanted to help create an environment where all girls can succeed,” she said.

The Girl Scouts organization is committed to welcoming girls of all backgrounds and abilities and fostering an inclusive and safe space where every member can thrive. To further this mission, Girl Scouts recently expanded tools to support girls with special needs in accessing and achieving the highest awards, such as the Gold Award. By creating a formal process for girls to request accommodations while pursuing the Highest Award, Girl Scouts has ensured that no girl will face barriers to her success.

The Gold Award, the highest honor a Girl Scout can achieve, is designed with flexibility to meet the individual needs of each girl. Advisors can work with Girl Scouts on a case-by-case basis to provide accommodations, ensuring that all girls can accomplish their goals to the best of their ability.

“Girl Scouts believe in the power of all girls,” said Mary Anne Servian, CEO of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida. “Jocelyn’s project beautifully reflects our commitment to inclusivity and demonstrates how Girl Scouts can truly make the world a better place.”

Girls needing accommodations while pursuing the Girl Scout Highest Awards can request them through the new Special Factors section of GoGold Online, ensuring they have the tools and support necessary to succeed.

Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida Soar at Naples Airport’s Girls in Aviation Day

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

Over 50 eager Girl Scouts from across the Gulfcoast Florida region gathered at Naples Airport on Saturday, September 21, for an inspiring Girls in Aviation Day event, hosted in partnership with the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida.

This special event, designed to empower young girls with knowledge about aviation and highlight women’s contributions in the field, featured an engaging tour of Naples Airport. Participants had the unique opportunity to explore various aircraft, guided by experienced professionals.

Highlights of the day included hands-on activities such as sitting in a Cessna, practicing a pilot’s checklist, and mastering airfield communication using marshalling signals.

The event also included a captivating Q&A session with a female pilot, providing valuable insights into the excitement and possibilities within the aviation industry. This interactive session encouraged girls to consider aviation not only as a thrilling hobby but also as a promising career path.

“This event was a fantastic opportunity for our Girl Scouts to explore the world of aviation firsthand,” Mary Anne Servian, CEO at Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida. “We’re grateful to Naples Airport for their partnership in making this day both educational and inspirational. Experiences like these help our girls envision their futures in fields they may not have previously considered.”

Girls in Aviation Day at Naples Airport was open exclusively to registered Girl Scout adult members with approved background checks, ensuring a safe and enriching environment for all participants. Adults were able to register on a first-come, first-served basis, reflecting the event’s popularity and the community’s enthusiasm for introducing girls to new opportunities.