Girl Scouts Gold Award

[chelsea&austinsmom]

I'm looking for ideas for my dd Girl Scouts Gold Project. She wants to do something at the Childrens Hospital anyone have any good suggestions for her project.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I would call them up and see if they have a need for something that she can do. You never know.

 

[minniebeth]

I know that one of the local GS here did a project for Children's Hospital...she did like 200 mini-backpacks filled with art supplies for kids. I think I saw it had crayons, a small drawing pad, a small water color paint set, safety scissors, a mini glue, stencils, stickers, etc.
Others have done backpacks with books, a fun kit, a fun toiletries kit with fun toothbrushes, toothpastes, fruity creams, etc.

I have no idea how the project was funded though, I would imagine that this would be a relatively costly project unless they went through an Oriental Trading type company.

In additon to a Children's Hospital, has she looked into a project with a Ronald McDonald House? If you have a Children's Hospital, likely you might have a Ronald McDonald House. My DD's GS troop does a lot there and they always have great needs.

Good luck to your DD! The Gold Award is a lot of work but very rewarding!

 

[barkley]

speaking of toiletry kits-i'll make a suggestion but kind of outside the norm for a children's hospital project.

how about a small toiletry kit for parents? when dd was hospitalized on a couple of different occasions i encountered many moms like myself who stayed 24/7 at the hospital. not all hospitals have gift shops where items can be purchased or are located near stores to make purchases, and what a parent can initialy think will only be an overnite stay can stretch into multidays. in those situations it would be wonderful if there was a resource like a small toiletry bag.

i'm thinking just the basics-a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, a comb, maybe deoderant. your dd might be able to get local hotels to donate some items, a local dentist might be willing to donate the dental care products. if you REALY want to provide a nice extra maybe you could get some local nail salons to donate those cheap thin foam flip flops (that are used for pedicures)-these would be a godsend if you have to use the floor or unit shower.

 

[shrubber]

Remember that Gold award projects are meant to be sustainable.[/I
Not a one time event.
]A toiletry kit for patients is merely ok. A program developed so that area schoolchildren get together once a year to make toiletry kits is fantastic.
That is the premise behind the award, not simply doing something good for the community, but evoking change in the community.

 

[barkley]

Remember that Gold award projects are meant to be sustainable.[/I
Not a one time event.
]A toiletry kit for patients is merely ok. A program developed so that area schoolchildren get together once a year to make toiletry kits is fantastic.
That is the premise behind the award, not simply doing something good for the community, but evoking change in the community.

something along the same line, that could be a continuing program would be the patient 'blankie' program that our local shriner's hospital has volunteers who do.

they teach volunteers how to make smallish (a bit bigger than a lap blanket) fleece blankets (realy easy-just cut strips around the end of a pre-cut peice of fleece and knot the ends to make a border). they get fleece either through money donated or by hitting up the local stores to donate the end pieces from bolts, or remaining stock from holidays. they get together on some kind of basis and make the blankets which are then laundered and given to shriners to give to every child admitted to their hospital.

 

[shrubber]

OP...Does your DD have a Girl Scout Scout Gold Award Advisor?
GSUSA recommends that parents, troop leaders do not fill that role, rather they suggest someone from outside the group help.

 

[minniebeth]

Remember that Gold award projects are meant to be sustainable.[/I
Not a one time event.
]A toiletry kit for patients is merely ok. A program developed so that area schoolchildren get together once a year to make toiletry kits is fantastic.
That is the premise behind the award, not simply doing something good for the community, but evoking change in the community.

This is correct and the way it should be, the same as the Eagle Scout project for Boy Scouts, but it seems that many projects are approved that are service oriented....I guess it depends on the council and leaders within.

 

[allison443]

Remember that Gold award projects are meant to be sustainable.[/I
Not a one time event.
]A toiletry kit for patients is merely ok. A program developed so that area schoolchildren get together once a year to make toiletry kits is fantastic.
That is the premise behind the award, not simply doing something good for the community, but evoking change in the community.

I agree...and isn't there supposed to be a substantial amount of hours involved? I am thinking something like 75 hours (maybe it was 50). Collecting/donating supplies is not a gold award-level project from my experience as a leader for many years, although it is a great project!

OP I heard about a girl who did a gold award project, she took a "clowning class" and would go perform at children's hospitals. Maybe you could look at the websites of some of the various councils (link from GSUSA website) and get some ideas? Good luck to your dd-it is great she wants to achieve the award!

 

[Ashes8380]

It is supposed to be sustainable and I believe it's at least 75 hours of service. However, it seems to vary widely by council and gold award advisor. I remember mine wouldn't accept any of my project ideas, and was not helpful in developing new ones, to the point where I gave up and just said forget it. But there were other girls in my council who did super simple projects because their advisors let them.

I'm still bitter.... can ya tell?

 

[shrubber]

It is supposed to be sustainable and I believe it's at least 75 hours of service. However, it seems to vary widely by council and gold award advisor. I remember mine wouldn't accept any of my project ideas, and was not helpful in developing new ones, to the point where I gave up and just said forget it. But there were other girls in my council who did super simple projects because their advisors let them.

I'm still bitter.... can ya tell?

That's becoming more of a problem with GSUSA. The individual councils can set rules of their own, apart from national.
BSA runs much smoother and less complicated.

 

[Ashes8380]

That's becoming more of a problem with GSUSA. The individual councils can set rules of their own, apart from national.
BSA runs much smoother and less complicated.

Yeah, I do programming for a GSUSA summer camp and I can't say I'm particularly thrilled at the direction the council is going in, which is a shame, because I absolutely love scouting.

 

[Terry36]

OP what did your DD decide? My DD is currently trying to think of good projects as well...I'm at a loss.

 

[ferrytale]

All I have to say is GOOD LUCK! I am going through this right now helping my sister finish up her proposal to submit, they make is so darn hard - and I am her leader! I really do wish her & you lots of luck, no ideas for you unfortuately.

 

[clh2]

GS mom here: Why aren't the girls work at figuring out their own projects?

They should be doing the research, making the contacts etc.

That is part of the whole Gold Award process.

I'll get off my soapbox now...

 

[Terry36]

GS mom here: Why aren't the girls work at figuring out their own projects?

They should be doing the research, making the contacts etc.

That is part of the whole Gold Award process.

I'll get off my soapbox now...

Yes that should be the ideal scenario however my dd(10.5) has NOT been provided with sufficient guidance to do so. So I am left with assisting her!! Thanks for your help though...