The Gold Award is the highest award a girl can earn in Girl Scouting. It’s a national standard that acknowledges a girl’s accomplishments, leadership, commitment, creativity, and personal effort to make the world a better place. Each Gold Award is a significant achievement in a girl’s life and an extension and compilation of all she has learned through her Girl Scout experience.

Amelia McLeod’s Gold Award project, “Hydration Heroes,” was inspired by her desire to improve the health and well-being of the residents at Aegis Living, an assisted living community where her grandparents reside. During her visits, Amelia noticed a common issue among the elderly population—dehydration. Motivated to make a difference, she collaborated with the General Manager to develop a project aimed at addressing this vital health concern. Amelia launched “Hydration Heroes,” a lecture series focused on educating residents about the importance of hydration and the detrimental effects dehydration can have on both the body and mind. To ensure participants could continue to track their hydration habits, she provided informative handouts, hydration tracking sheets, and reusable water bottles. Residents were engaged, actively participating in the sessions and eager to learn more. Amelia’s project didn’t stop with education. She implemented accessible hydration stations within the community, ensuring that residents had easy access to water throughout the day. To make the program sustainable, she created a video summary of the lecture series for new residents and their families. Additionally, she wrote an Op-Ed for the VC-Reporter, spreading awareness about the importance of hydration for seniors. Through her “Hydration Heroes” project, Amelia McLeod not only made a positive impact on the health of Aegis Living residents but also created lasting resources to ensure ongoing awareness and hydration practices.

Amelia says, “Through my “Hydration Heroes” project, I discovered that thoughtful and consistent efforts can lead to significant improvements in community health. The joy and engagement of the residents illustrated to me the power of education and the importance of empathy in making a lasting impact.”

In an increasingly fast-paced world, mental health is often overlooked. Ashley Slicton recognized this growing concern and set out to create a solution through her Gold Award project, “Blue and Green Space Benefits on Mental Health” at Girl Scout Camp Arnaz. Inspired by the therapeutic effects of nature, Ashley designed a dedicated area to promote mental wellness by highlighting the powerful impact of outdoor environments. The Blue and Green Space incorporates calming natural features. Green elements like plants, grass, and trees provide a grounding effect, while blue components such as water fountains and ponds create a soothing atmosphere. Together, these elements offer a serene escape for visitors to relax, unwind, and reduce stress. Research supports the mental health benefits of nature, from reducing anxiety and lowering depression risks to improving focus and overall well-being. To enhance the experience, Ashley also included interactive educational cards that explain the mental health benefits of each element. Visitors can learn more about how nature influences their mental wellness as they explore the tranquil surroundings. Ashley’s project serves as a reminder of the simple yet effective ways we can improve our mental health by reconnecting with nature. The Blue and Green Space at Camp Arnaz offers a peaceful retreat where visitors can recharge and gain valuable insights into the healing power of the outdoors.

Ashley explains, “I learned a lot about myself while working on this project. I am proud that I completed a project that would make an impact in a subject that was meaningful to me. As a leader I learned that you need to be able to work together with your team, be open minded, flexible and motivational in working through obstacles/challenges.”

Caitlin Guerrero embarked on a meaningful project aimed at enhancing the therapeutic experience for participants in equine therapy. Caitlin’s Gold Award project, the “Equine Therapy Sensory Trail,” was thoughtfully designed to aid individuals with a range of needs, focusing on improving balance, visual skills, speech, motor skills, and building confidence—all while engaging in horseback riding. To make a lasting impact, Caitlin built two complete sensory trails for local equine therapy organizations. But she didn’t stop there. Caitlin also created a digital guide, enabling other equine therapy providers to replicate her work and implement their own sensory trails. Her project not only enhanced the therapy sessions for those participating but also made a sustainable difference by sharing resources with the broader community. This is the spirit of a Gold Award—creating a ripple effect of positive change.

Caitlin tells us, “From this project, I learned a lot about patience and time management. Doing a big project like this wasn’t easy but I remembered why I was doing it and the people I wanted to help. This helped me stay motivated and taught me more about helping the community.”

For more information about the Gold Award and how Girl Scouts are creating positive change within their communities, visit here.