Girl Scouts complete work at camp

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Special to The Vindicator

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: After completing all the requirement in order to receive a Girl Scout Bronze Award, some happy campers enjoy a moment together outdoors at Camp Sugarbush in Kinsman. Satisfied with their accomplishments are, from left, Alexis Hunter, Marisa DeSalvo, Amanda Paynter, Macy Bigley, Miamee Buccella, Toniann Minardi, and Xavier Barrett.

AUSTINTOWN — Seven members of Girl Scout Troop 398 of Austintown recently completed the requirements for Girl Scout Bronze Awards, the highest award to be achieved by a junior Girl Scout.

The Bronze Award recognizes a scout’s commitment to excellence as she develops skills and values to meet present and future challenges in her life.

Recipients of the award were Xavier Barrett, Macy Bigley, Miamee Buccella, Marisa DeSalvo, Alexis Hunter, Toniann Minardi and Amanda Paynter, who began working toward the award in October of 2008.

Each had to earn a Junior Aide Patch, one of four Girl Scout signs, two badges related to a community service project, and design and carry out a community service project.

The scouts completed the requirements for their community service project by giving up a weekend to create a hands-on nature activity center at Camp Sugarbush.

They raised money to buy materials and to create interactive displays for other scouts to enjoy at the camp.

They created a magnetic fishing station where others can learn to identify fish found in Ohio, a display that helps scouts match birds with their feathers, a bird song identifier, displays that allow scouts to use their senses to identify the feel and scents of nature, a microscope to view nature up close, molds of animal tracks commonly found in the area, rubbing plates of flowers and leaves, and displays of animal X-rays.

They also painted the inside and outside of the Nature Nook and planted flowers around the building.

Making it possible for the girls to achieve their goals were mothers who volunteered for the task, Marianne Minardi, Dawn Inglis, Lisa Hunter, Marilyn Berchik and Tammy Bigley.