Did you know that the Girls Scouts have something equivalent to the Boy Scouts’ Eagle Scout status? It is called The Gold Award and is the highest award that a Girl Scout can earn. Since 1916, Girl Scout’s highest award has stood for excellence and leadership for girls everywhere. The gold award requires a Girl Scout to create a project that is individual and self-sustaining. After finishing the project, the award recipient’s name will prominently be displayed in the Governor’s office.

According to the Girl Scout Gold Award application, “The Girl Scout Gold Award is the most prestigious award that Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors can earn. Fulfilling the requirements for the Gold Award starts with completing two Senior or Ambassador Journeys or having earned the Silver Award and completing one Senior or Ambassador Journey. Each Journey you complete gives you the skills you need to plan and implement your Take Action project. After you have fulfilled the Journey(s) requirement, 80 hours is the suggested minimum amount of time for completing the steps: identifying an issue, investigating it thoroughly, getting help and building a team, creating a plan, presenting your plan, gathering feedback, taking action, and educating and inspiring others. The suggested minimum hours are not a rule; they are a guide for you to plan your time in achieving your goal.”

The steps necessary to complete this project include:

• Choosing an issue based on personal values and identifying a need in the community.
• Investigating and researching how to address the need identified.
• Gathering help and support in order to invite others to take action together.
• Creating a plan that will viably support the cause and provide a measurable impact.
• Present the plan for approval to the Girl Scout council.
• Take action, educate and inspire others to support the cause.

This year, CSPA senior, Olivia Marison, is currently working to earn her Gold Award. She has seen a need in the community to find safe ways to dispose of expired or unused prescription and nonprescription medications.

“Many families have medicine cabinets full of medications that are not only taking up space but are a potential hazard to others if used inappropriately,” Marison says. In addition, Marison says that households unknowingly contribute to water and land contamination by either flushing these medications down the toilet or throwing them into their garbage, eventually making their way into landfills.

Please consider supporting this senior by viewing, clicking like, and sharing the informational video that she has created in order to educate others on how to properly dispose of these items.

Click here to view Olivia Marison’s Girl Scout Video