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.

Kaitlin Turner’s Gold Award project, “Supplying Women in Developing Countries with Reusable Pads,” focused on addressing an important issue impacting women’s access to education. In many developing countries, menstruation is a barrier that often prevents women from attending school due to a lack of accessible menstrual care products. To combat this, Kaitlin launched a project to provide reusable pads and essential items like underwear to women in need. To achieve this, Kaitlin rallied the support of her community. She led an initiative to collect underwear donations and materials for reusable pads, which were then crafted and shipped to women in developing countries. Going further, Kaitlin partnered with San Luis Obispo High School, where she introduced a lesson into the school’s fashion curriculum. Students now learn about the importance of sustainable menstrual care, and as part of the lesson, they make reusable pads that are sent to countries in need each year. This curriculum, a lasting legacy of Kaitlin’s efforts, ensures the project’s continuation as an annual contribution. In addition to her school partnership, Kaitlin engaged local organizations like the SLO Quilt Guild, where generous members donated materials, cut fabrics, sewed pad kits, and taught younger Girl Scouts basic sewing skills. She also organized a “Sew Day” event that brought Girl Scouts from multiple troops together to learn sewing techniques and make reusable pads, fostering community spirit and hands-on learning. The pads created during this event were included in the project’s shipments, broadening its impact. Through her Gold Award project, Kaitlin not only supplied women with essential resources but also sparked a lasting educational initiative and a community-driven effort that will continue to empower women worldwide.

Kaitlin tells us, “[This project] helped me learn about how fortunate many of us really are and all the things we take for granted even though we may complain about them. So many kids here complain about going to school, but there are so many women out there that really want to go to school but can’t simply because of a lack of period products. I realized we need to not disregard what we are lucky to have and to strive to help others have the things they need to survive and grow as well.”

Kara Gusner’s Gold Award project, “Trailblazing for Safety: A Sun-Safe Adventure,” transformed a local trail system into a safer, more accessible space while educating the community on the importance of sun safety. Kara noticed that the Hillcrest Trail lacked essential resources like maps and trail markers, which, coupled with intense sun exposure, led to one of the area’s highest rates of heat-related medical emergencies. To address this, Kara partnered with the Conejo Park and Recreation Department, working closely with local rangers. She took the lead as project manager, assessing the trail’s needs and implementing a comprehensive safety plan. Her improvements included a new kiosk and clearly marked trail markers, which not only make navigation easier but also encourage safe, responsible hiking. In addition to the physical upgrades, Kara conducted guided hikes to teach community members about the trail’s history, including its recovery from a fire in 1978, local wildlife, and the risks of sun exposure and heat-related illnesses. As part of her project’s educational component, Kara also created a YouTube channel, “Hike Your Hometown,” which features a virtual hike of the Hillcrest Trail along with tips for staying sun-safe on the trail. Through this project, Kara gained invaluable leadership experience and a deepened commitment to community safety. Her dedication has made the Hillcrest Trail a safer, more enjoyable place for all.

Kara explains, “The gold award pushed me to limits I didn’t even know I had. And above all that, it pushed me past them. I developed as a leader, coming onto my own though organizing and directing this project. I learned how to take charge and work with others to create the vision that I had for this project. But beyond all else I learned how to be confident in who I am and what I can do, for myself and for my community.”

In an inspiring display of initiative and community spirit, Kira Carrington’s Gold Award project, “Monte Vista’s Little Free Garden,” has transformed her school into a hub of sustainable gardening and environmental education. Partnering with her school’s agriculture club and working closely with the principal, Kira set out to create a garden that goes beyond simple greenery; it’s an educational space highlighting the importance of water-wise and native plants. The garden includes a unique feature: a plant exchange stand where people can leave or take plants, fostering a sense of shared community resources and encouraging environmentally friendly gardening practices. In addition, a small library box is stocked with books about water-wise and native gardening, offering visitors a chance to learn more and take home knowledge about sustainable planting. Kira’s project is a testament to the impact that one person’s vision can have on a community. By combining beauty with sustainability, her Little Free Garden serves as an ongoing reminder of the environmental benefits of water-conscious gardening and empowers the community to participate in sustainable practices right in their own backyards.

Kira says, “A good plan, enough time, and plenty of helpers make big projects do-able!”

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