Gold Award Spotlight: Sustainable Pollinator Roof Top and Ground Level Garden at ForKids in Chesapeake, Virginia

Gold Award Girl Scouts are role models and real-life heroes to those who are impacted by their projects. Girl Scout Ambassador Chardan took action to make the world greener, and earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, for completing a service project she called, “Sustainable Pollinator Roof Top and Ground Level Garden at ForKids in Chesapeake, Virginia.” To earn this award, Chardan planned and developed two garden spaces and an educational experience at the ForKids community shelter located in Chesapeake, Virginia. Her project provided families with access to outdoor learning spaces while also offering educational opportunities to learn more about where our food comes from.

Chardan partnered with ForKids to plan and develop two separate gardens at their facility. She enlisted a team of volunteers to help with the construction of the gardens, one at ground-level and another on the building’s rooftop.

Once the installations were complete, she invited residents of ForKids to explore the gardens and take part in hands-on learning experiences during a special event. Kids were able to have fun learning more about Chardan’s Gold Award project by participating in activities such as “BEEngo” and constructing mason bee houses. Chardan believes in the ForKids mission to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty for families and children, and wanted to contribute to that goal through her love for environmental education.

Chardan coordinated with community partners to ensure her project would have a lasting and sustainable impact.

“The pollinator garden was designed and planned in connection with Portsmouth Master Gardener Philip Peek and Granby Go Green,” Chardan said. “Granby Go Green is an organization at Granby High School devoted to raising environmental awareness and taking action to improve the ecosystem around the community surrounding the school. Twice a year, Granby Go Green will go to ForKids and spend one of their meeting times to clean up the gardens.”

Congratulations, Chardan!

Silver Award: Firewood Shelters

Girl Scout Cadettes Ella and Sarah wanted to give back to beloved Camp Skimino.

Silver Award: Chonky Kitty Castles

Cadettes from Troop 1055 helped the feral cat population in Gloucester County.

Silver Award: Unbridled Confidence

Girl Scout Emma from Troop 553 brought equine therapy to inner-city youth.