By Bonita Wilborn
moc.letsremrafobfsctd@nrobliwatinob
RAINSVILLE, Ala. – Girl Scouts don’t just dream of a better world; they go out and make it. The Girl Scout slogan is “Do a good turn daily.” The Girl Scout motto is “Be prepared.” From cleaning up local parks to building outdoor basketball courts or helping neighbors register to vote, Girl Scouts are on the case. Troops can participate in community service together or get even more involved with Take Action projects that create meaningful, sustainable change in communities.
Local Girl, Scout Reagan Martin of Rainsville, is certainly no exception to the rule. Reagan has begun a life of exemplary fashion and has recently received an award for her efforts. She has been a Girl Scout since she was in the 2nd grade, and now, in the 9th grade, she is in her seventh year of service. And when I say service, I certainly mean it.
Like many other young people today, Reagan has a very busy schedule during school with activities like band, Beta, academic excellence, etc. Reagan is also very active in volunteer work with the Girl Scouts. She is very proficient in cookie sales, attending Girl Scout meetings and activities, and volunteers countless hours during the summers at Girl Scout camps.
The Girl Scouts has a President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) program, which recognizes exceptional volunteers whose work makes real and sustainable differences in their communities. It recognizes United States citizens, including kids ages 5 and up, who have achieved between 26 and 250 hours of service to their community over 12 months. Volunteer hours are tracked over a calendar year and submitted to GSNCA for review annually in January. The PVS awards come in the form of Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Reagan received the Gold award since her volunteer hours far exceeded the number of hours required for submission.
According to Reagan’s mom, Amie (who happens to be her Girl Scout Leader), from January 2023 to January 2024 (12 months), Reagan logged more than 450 volunteer hours. “Reagan mostly works in the barn at Camp Gertrude Coleman in Trussville,” Amie Martin explained. “That’s the camp where we have horses. When she started, she was a little timid around the horses. Now, she loves it and volunteers every time we have a horse event if it’s where she can. Reagan can also teach horseback riding to younger Girl Scouts now. She helps clean the barn, muck the stalls, and whatever needs to be done in the barn.”
When not volunteering in the barn, Reagan helps with camp events, even to presenting programs to younger Girl Scouts.
“Reagan also volunteers at Camp Trico in Guntersville, where the activities are centered on water activities. Summer camps begin in early June and run through the end of July. Last year, Reagan volunteered for the full six weeks, every day (minus the time she was required to attend band camp). She would get herself up early, be at breakfast on time, and be ready to help serve the meals. At Trico, Reagan works with swimming, kayaking, boating, and jet skiing. She works as a spotter to ensure the safety of the other scouts. She also presents programs about bugs, animals, etc., whatever she is asked to do,” Amie Martin continued.
Reagan’s volunteer hours are only part of her Girl Scout activities. She is currently a senior Girl Scout, so part of her requirements at that level is to teach younger scouts and be an example for them to look up to. She recently helped a new Girl Scout learn the ropes of selling cookies, an activity that helps fund just about everything Girl Scouts do.
The award mentioned above, the President’s Volunteer Service Award program, is totally separate from the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold awards that are equivalent to the Boy Scout journey to Eagle status. Once a Girl Scout reaches Gold status (equivalent to Eagle), she is then eligible to apply for some scholarship funds for college. Reagan has completed the requirements to receive her Bronze Award and her Silver Award. She became eligible to begin work on the Gold award when she turned 15 in November. So, she is now actively working on the requirements for that level. Once a Girl Scout attains Gold status, she can transition to an Adult Girl Scout and purchase a Lifetime membership.
If interested in information about attending summer camp or anything Girl Scout-related, you may contact Amie Martin, Girl Experience Specialist – Younger Girl, at gro.acnstuocslrigobfsctd@nitrama.