Girl Scouts to celebrate golden moments this weekend

Carl Kieke
·3 min read

“Gold Award Girl Scouts don’t just change the world for the better – they change it for good.”

That quote should sum up what it means to be a Girl Scout who earns the Gold Award, the highest advancement award the program offers. (If you are not as familiar with Girl Scout awards, think the Eagle Scout rank from Boy Scouts. They are equally significant.)

Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains members and volunteers will gather in Fort Worth on Saturday to honor the 17 Girl Scouts from the council who achieved the award during 2022.

During their Girl Scout career, girls earn a variety of journeys, covering a multitude of subjects and interests. The journeys are age-appropriate, with a different list for each age group: Daisys (kindergarten/first grade), Brownies (2nd and 3rd grades), Juniors (4th and 5th grades), Cadettes (middle school), Seniors (high school freshman or sophomore) and Ambassadors (high school juniors and seniors).

To receive the Gold Award, a Scout must complete two journeys from the Senior or Ambassador group, or earn the Silver Award as a Senior and complete one additional journey.

Journeys allow Scouts to delve deeper into their subjects of choice. Some options (taken from the Senior list): Computer coding; ecology; space science; car care; first aid; personal finances; voting or democracy (separate journeys); local food production; and dozens more.

As a sample, here are requirements for the Locavor (locally-produced food) journey:

  • Explore the benefits and challenges of going local

  • Find your local food sources

  • Cook a simple dish showcasing local ingredients

  • Make a recipe with local ingredients

  • Try a local cooking challenge.

Along the way they learn leadership, planning skills (including time management), organization, community service and finding resources.

The Gold Award is a challenge, and a good reason for celebrating those who achieve it.

Upcoming events

  • “Medical Careers with Texas Tech University,” 6-7 p.m. Monday (repeats April 24 and May 8). Virtual and on-site options. For high school seniors and interested adults. No fee, but pre-registration required. Out-of-council members welcome. Deadline has passed; contact 800-582-7272 or customercare@gs-top.org for availability.

  • “Adulting 101: Doctor’s Appointments,” 7-8:30 p.m. Monday. $10 per girl; virtual event for middle school and high school ages. Information at gsctx.org under the “Discover” tab; open events calendar and go to April 10. Deadline has passed; check at customercare@gsctx.org for availability.

  • Cub Scout/Scouts BSA adult leaders’ roundtable, 7 p.m. Thursday, Highland Church of Christ, 425 Highland Ave., Abilene (one block west of Sayles Boulevard). 325-677-2688.

  • “Earth Day the Girl Scout Way” April 21-23 at Stevens Ranch. For adult leaders; parents can bring their Scouts for a separate program. $55 for adults, $35 for Scouts. Registration deadline has passed; contact Heidi Vose, 817-869-0736 or hvose@gs-top.org for availability.

  • “Safesitter Essentials” (for potential baby-sitters), 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday in San Angelo. $28 per Girl Scout (Central Texas Council only) in grades 5 through high school. Information at gsctx.org under the “Discover” tab; open events calendar and go to April 15. Deadline has passed; check at customercare@gsctx.org for availability.

  • Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains Gold Awards Celebration, 10 a.m. April 15, Worthington Renaissance Hotel, Fort Worth. $45 per person. Deadline has passed; contact 800-582-7272 or customercare@gs-top.org for availability.

  • “Kitchen Chemistry” for Girl Scouts in second through fifth grades, 6-9 p.m. Saturday, San Angelo service center. $30 per Scout (Central Texas council only). Information at gsctx.org under the “Discover” tab; open events calendar and go to April 15. Deadline has passed; check at customercare@gsctx.org for availability.

  • National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature, 102 Cedar St., Abilene, offers art activities each Saturday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at no charge. 325-673-4586

Deadlines

Tuesday for “Fireside Chat” on Girl Scout summer camp (Texas Oklahoma Plains council) 7:30-9 p.m. April 25. Zoom event; no fee, but register at customercare@gs-top.org.

Contact Carl Kieke at 325-673-3552 (voice only); or kiekec@suddenlink.net. Deadline is Monday for publication the following Monday

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Girl Scouts to celebrate golden moments this weekend