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Cape Coral Girl Scout earns Silver Award by championing inclusion

2 min read
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Cape Girl Scout Jocelyn N. with the supplies for the portable sensory bags she created. PROVIDED

Jocelyn N., an 8th-grade member of Girl Scout Troop 721, has earned the prestigious Girl Scout Silver Award for her project titled “Girl Scouts Is for Everyone.” Jocelyn’s project exemplifies the Girl Scouts’ core values of inclusion by creating tools to support girls with sensory-related disorders such as autism and sensory processing disorder (SPD).

The Girl Scout Silver Award is the highest honor a Girl Scout Cadette (grades 6-8) can earn. It recognizes girls who identify an issue they care about, create a sustainable solution, and make a measurable impact on their communities. By earning this award, Jocelyn joins a legacy of Girl Scouts who have demonstrated leadership, innovation and a commitment to improving the world.

For her Silver Award, Jocelyn designed and distributed portable sensory bags to troop leaders within her council. Each lightweight bag includes fidget toys, sensory items, sunglasses, earplugs and educational resources on SPD, along with instructions for calming techniques. To ensure the sustainability of her project, Jocelyn created a website where Girl Scout leaders can learn about sensory challenges and replenish kits as needed.

Jocelyn shared that this project is close to her heart because she has experienced sensory challenges herself. She believes that Girl Scouts is a place where every girl should feel welcome.

“I wanted to help create an environment where all girls can succeed,” she said.

The Girl Scouts organization is committed to welcoming girls of all backgrounds and abilities and fostering an inclusive and safe space where every member can thrive. To further this mission, Girl Scouts recently expanded tools to support girls with special needs in accessing and achieving the highest awards, such as the Gold Award. By creating a formal process for girls to request accommodations while pursuing the Highest Award, Girl Scouts has ensured that no girl will face barriers to her success.

The Gold Award, the highest honor a Girl Scout can achieve, is designed with flexibility to meet the individual needs of each girl. Advisors can work with Girl Scouts on a case-by-case basis to provide accommodations, ensuring that all girls can accomplish their goals to the best of their ability.

Girls needing accommodations while pursuing the Girl Scout Highest Awards can request them through the new Special Factors section of GoGold Online, ensuring they have the tools and support necessary to succeed.