Katelin Harrington Girl Scout Gold Award 2016

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The Girl Scout Gold Award is the Highest Award a Girl Scout can earn and consists of a minimum of eighty hours of service. While I was trying to decide on a project I thought of many ideas but one that was most important to me was the fact that people go through their day engaged with their phone or computers and not their surroundings. I wanted this to change. I wanted people to talk to one another, to interact with each other, to go out have an adventure with their friends and family. I wanted to be able to make that change, and I had an idea as to how to address this issue in my community.

The problem I surmised is evident that people need to disconnect from the electronics, and go outside, and be more active. Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve is a place where people go and exercise, and enjoy the beauty of nature and fresh air. Although the preserve is beautiful, it is truly underutilized. The best aspect of the entire park is the amazing view from the top. Many glorious things are visible to the naked eye: the Manhattan skyline, the Atlantic Ocean, many bridges, Jones Beach Theater, and the delicate marshland. This view inspired me to complete my project at this park.

I needed a way to get people to want to go to the preserve. My Idea was a viewfinder to make the trek to the top more enticing. I initiated different ways to earn money to install the viewfinder at the top of the mountain where the views are best. Eventually, I led multiple tours at the preserve for Girl Scouts and other members of my community. The tours were my solution to get people to be more active, and away from the screens. My tours combined physical fitness with nature aspects; so that the people weren’t focused on “exercise and weight loss” they were simply outside having a fun time being active.

The thought of being considered as the inspiration that helped someone’s life improve is irreplaceable. I am optimistic that my project made a difference in someone’s life. I know for a fact that this project impacted me for the better. This project taught me how great it feels to face the world’s challenges and that even though I am only one person, I can still make a difference. Any problem can be solved with the proper motive and determination.