By Cameron Howell, Girl Scout Alumni – Troop #532

On August 24^th, Campbell University was painted gold, silver, and bronze by Girl Scouts eager to get a jump start on earning Girl Scouts’ highest awards.  All That Glitters was an event which brought girls, adult volunteers and parents together from across Girl Scouts – NC Coastal Pines to learn more about the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards.

Volunteers from the Kappa Delta sorority chapter at North Carolina State University could be seen smiling and helping throughout the day.  The event was held in partnership with the national sorority who welcomed Girl Scouts of the USA as one of its national philanthropies in 1998.

Girl Scouts were excited to hear from the event’s guest speaker Nanette Geiger, an opera singer that wowed the audience with a rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz. Nanette encouraged the girls in attendance to have clear goals, build their “dream team,” and to never stop chasing their biggest dreams.

Following the morning keynote, girls and adults were invited to participate in workshops where they learned important information about how to begin the process of earning their awards. Girls were then treated to displays from two Girl Scout Gold Award and two Girl Scout Silver Award recipients. The awardees brought their award letters, plaques, award paperwork, and pictures to share with the Girl Scouts. One recipient even had an award letter from the Pope himself!

After a delicious lunch, girls participated in panels with Girl Scout Gold and Silver Award winners. It was a wonderful opportunity for girls to learn about the awards from girls just like them. Laughs were plentiful as the panelists recounted stories from their award experience.

Dr. Jennifer Latino, director of the First Year Experience at Campbell University, closed the day sharing her Girl Scout experience with the girls.  She stressed that the Girl Scout Gold Award not only builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, but it helps girls to get ahead – in their education, in the workplace, and throughout their lifetime.

What do you think would be the hardest thing about earning your Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award? What would be the greatest reward?