By: Jenny Taylor, Communications and PR Intern

Girl Scouts – NC Coastal Pines congratulates the 12 outstanding troops designated as a Daisy’s Dozen Elite Troop for the 2013-2014 membership year. Throughout the year, these 12 troops completed a dozen steps in multiple categories (such as Girl Scout Traditions, troop banking, family involvement, and Girl Scout Journeys) and 6 bonus steps (such as local and council event participation) required to receive this honor.

These awesome troops accomplished many things this year that embody the spirit of being a Girl Scout. In fact, they accomplished so much it would be impossible to share everything about their phenomenal year! So let’s take a brief look at some of their highlights.

Troop #115 – Youngsville

Troop #115 helped improve the outdoor area of their meeting place by decorating a bird bath and painting two picnic tables. The girls tried archery and canoeing for the first time and took a fun-filled overnight trip to Marbles Children’s Museum. For one service project, the troop volunteered at the United Way food bank.

Troop #124 – Hoke County

Troop #124 had several service projects this year. Some girls earned their Bronze Award by making quilts to donate to military children in need through Project Linus. The troop also donated to The Haven, a local animal shelter. Troop outings included attending a quilt show in Raleigh, a dolphin boat adventure, and running a Color Run 5k.

Troop #372 – Henderson

Troop #372 donated items and time to their local animal shelter and served at a local soup kitchen. This year, the girls were deeply inspired by one of their leaders battling cancer. They participated in Relay for Life by helping put out luminaries and made bags to help support cancer patients at Maria Parham Hospital in Henderson, N.C.

Troop #554 – Hampstead

Troop #554 learned about conservation and pollution this year and participated in a NC beach clean-up. The girls also held a canned food drive and promoted a summer learning program at their host church. Their fun and educational troop activities included trips to the Surf City police department, Fort Fisher, and a sea turtle hospital.

Troop #1010 – Orange County

Troop #1010’s year included planting flowers as a thank you to their host church, exploring North Carolina’s bodies of water, helping with a waterway clean-up, and sponsoring two sea turtles. Some of the girls attended the International Festival in Raleigh, held a Spring Bling, and collected food and toy donations for their local dog rescue, Paws4Ever.

Troop #1022 – Fayetteville

Girl Scout Troop #1022’s community service this year included helping a church mission to make mats for the homeless. The girls collected hundreds of bags and cut them into strips to later be woven together for mats. The troop held a clothing drive for a local charity and some members of the troop participated in the MLK Day of Service.

Troop #1202 – Garner

Girl Scout Daisy Troop #1202 took a field trip to the local SPCA and voted to donate a portion of their cookie funds to that organization. They also collected can tabs and cleaning supplies for the Ronald McDonald House. As a thank you to the church that provides their meeting space, they hosted a cupcake reception after a Sunday service.

Troop #1436 – Fayetteville

The troop’s local community work this year included collecting food and clothing to donate to Urban Faith Ministries. Their service went beyond their own community when they donated mosquito nets to children overseas and helped fund the building of a well in Malawi. The girls enjoyed family and troop time by organizing an annual family Kickball Day.

Troop #1477 – Morrisville

The troop’s major service project this year was helping with the Jared Box Project, which provides a small storage box filled with age appropriate games, toys, and activities for hospitalized children. The girls also provided much needed items to the local women’s shelter. They enjoyed expanding their knowledge of other cultures by researching Indonesia and learning about the lives of Indonesian girls their age.

Troop #1536 – Havelock

Troop #1536’s community service projects included making Christmas cards and cookies for residents of a local nursing home and painting birdhouses for veterans. Troop members attended the fall camporee and participated in the Veteran’s Day and Christmas Day parades. The girls enjoyed family time by planning a father/daughter dance and organizing a fun family picnic day.

Troop #1555 – Raleigh

For their service projects, Girl Scout Troop #1555 collected donations for and prepared 16 Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes and made Veteran’s Day cards for soldiers. They also decorated a display case at their host church which emphasized the power of positive friendships and offered tips for dealing with bullies. The girls enjoyed attending Teen Camporee and the Girl’s World Expo.

Troop #3274 – Fuquay Varina

In an effort to instill young girls with confidence and hope, Troop #3274 wrote, illustrated, and published their own book about the many opportunities that exist for girls as they grow into adults. The highlight of their year was their weekend adventure to Beaufort, N.C., where they hiked, collected shells, had a treasure hunt, and experienced the beauty of the wild ponies.

Congratulations to all the Girl Scouts, leaders, and adult volunteers who made the Daisy’s Dozen Elite Troop’s accomplishments possible. Way to go!

If you are as inspired by these troops as we are and want more information on how your troop can become a Daisy’s Dozen Elite Troop, check out the Daisy’s Dozen Troop Program assessment tool.