My name is Carrie Bishop of Golden

A Girl Scout Gold Award achiever

The Gold Award is the highest award in Girl Scouts. It’s a very prestigious award, and only a small amount of all Girl Scouts achieve it.

There’s a fair amount of work involved and it’s a pretty intensive project. There are a few restrictions, but it allows girls to be able to address an issue in their community that is close to their hearts. A Gold Award project has to be sustainable with little to no maintenance for the Girl Scout after she completes it.

My project took me about 11 months. Most of that was planning, but there was definitely some intensive work for a few months to get it off the ground.

I received my Gold Award in November, and I will be participating in the ceremony this spring. It will include Girl Scouts from all over the Denver area.

The award-winning project

For my project, I added an educational aspect to the Community Heroes Crevice Garden. The garden is located at the Apex Simms Street Center, which is just northwest of 80 and Simms in Arvada.

My project was fundraising, designing and installing a sign and a bench at the garden. I also created a website for the garden. The website is www.communityheroesgarden.com.

My project really addresses the issue of water conservation outside, at peoples’ homes. It provides another resource for members of the community and anyone who wants to reduce their water usage impact.

For the love of the outdoors

I’ve always kind of wanted to do this project. My bronze and silver awards were also focused on the outdoors. A big part of my life is getting outdoors –; running, hiking, camping. I want to share that with other people.

Water conservation is an important issue to me. I wanted to provide more information to people –; including those who want to move away from the traditional flower garden, yet still create something beautiful in their yard.

The most rewarding part of completing my project is that it showed me how much of an impact I can make. It was a great opportunity –; one that I’m really grateful for.

A bonded troop

I’ve been a Girl Scout since the first grade. I’m 15 now, and in the 10th grade at Ralston Valley High School. I’ve lived in Golden my whole life. I love the people who live around here. I’m close with my neighbors. We have a close-knit, supportive community –; and that’s nice to grow up in.

A huge part of why I’ve stuck with Girl Scouts is the other girls in my troop. We’re insanely close –; some of them I’ve known since the first grade. We definitely have a bond.

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