What did you do for your Gold Award project?
Sometimes the families of patients at the hospital can be overlooked, especially if they had to go in an emergency without any advance planning. I tried to make hospital visits easier by meeting the physical needs of families at the hospital by providing them with care packages containing amenities such toothbrushes and toothpaste, warm hats, and entertaining activity booklets or card games. I also created separate brochures for children and adults that informed them on emergency preparedness and gave advice for being ready for an unexpected hospital visit. I distributed brochures at an educational event I created where elementary school students were able to meet with a firefighter and paramedic. Both brochures and talking with the emergency personnel helped to prepare the adults and children for an emergency.
How did you measure the impact your Gold Award project made on your target audience?
I measured impact by keeping track of the amount of care packages and brochures my project provided to families. I also conducted a survey six months after the educational event to gauge the impact that it had on elementary school students. I found that the care packages were extremely useful for the hospital and that the majority of the students could remember talking with the emergency personnel, who they remembered as helpful, regular people rather than scary figures buried under protective clothing.
How is your project sustainable? How will your project continue to impact after your involvement?
My project has been taken over by the National Honor Society chapter at my high school, where it will continue to provide care packages to a local hospital. In addition, I created a website available to the public (http://epgoldaward.wixsite.com/patientcarepackages) with copies of all the materials I created and used, and instructions for anyone to run a similar project to mine. Both of these increased the impact of my project and will allow it to continue indefinitely.
What is your project’s global and/or national connection?
The website I created, though in English, provides access to materials for global use. In addition, I personally distributed 800 educational brochures across the United States and Europe for anyone to use. These include globally applicable assistance, such as instructions on performing CPR and advice on supplies to take to the hospital.
What did you learn about yourself?
I learned how to advocate for myself, team, and, project by stepping outside of my communication comfort zone and talking to strangers for the benefit of my project. I learned how to motivate others to work towards a common goal and I am more confident now in my ability as a leader.
How will earning your Gold Award impact you in the future?
Through my Gold Award Project, I found that I could achieve a high goal once I set my mind to do it. In my future, this will help me set higher and higher goals and strive toward them. It will also help me see more possibilities and opportunities in the world.
Why do you feel the Gold Award was an important part of your Girl Scout experience?
In Girl Scouts, you see everywhere the motto “Courage. Confidence. Character.” I honestly believe that my Gold Award Project helped me grow in each of these areas. Because I forced myself to step out of my comfort zone, I gained the courage to take risks. By accomplishing what I set out to do and more, I gained the confidence to undertake future projects on my own. Finally, by finishing what I started even when there were times that I wanted to quit, I built a determined character that will help me in all future aspects of my life.
**IMPORTANT NOTE: This blog represents only a small fraction of the hard work, dedication and requirements that go into earning a Girl Scout Gold Award. It is simply a brief summary, which is meant to inspire Girl Scouts to Go Gold in the future. For more information on earning your Gold Award, please email highestawards@gscolorado.org