Project aimed at keeping New Hampshire lakes clean
BEDFORD, NH | Knowing that many of New Hampshire’s lakes are too dirty to swim in, Holly Rohlfs decided that keeping Newfound Lake one of the cleanest in the state would be her priority in going for her Girl Scout Gold Award. The Gold Award is the highest level of achievement a Girl Scout can earn.
“I learned a lot about construction, water sampling, marketing, and overall lake safety,” Rohlfs, 17, of New Boston, N.H., said in her Gold Award final report. “I learned what it was like to be in charge of a large group of girls leading a trail, or, more importantly, what it is like telling adults what to do.”
Rohlfs worked with the Newfound Lake Regional Association (NLRA) to educate those using the lake that they not only have to be careful about draining and wiping off their boats as they go from one water body to another, but also that lawn fertilizers and landscaping choices can have an effect on the lakes’ health.
The Derryfield School student created a pamphlet, video and blog for the NLRA website. She also took on landscaping projects around the lake. Her video, soon to be posted at the website, may also be seen at https://youtu.be/4usQQ9k67HM
Boyd Smith, Rohlfs’ advisor, said she also helped the NRLA by taking part in their programs, taking photos, and writing an article for their fall 2017 newsletter.
“Holly is a very smart, focused, thoughtful and hard-working young lady,” said Smith. “She worked well in a variety of situations. I would hire her/partner with her again. I believe the Gold Award is an important opportunity offered by the (Girl Scouts) and would be happy to mentor future Gold Award candidates.”
Holly exemplifies the Girl Scout DNA and takes the lead as a G.I.R.L. (Go-Getter, Risk-Taker, Innovator, Leader)™. To earn her Gold Award, each Girl Scout identifies and develops a Take Action project in her community that will stand the test of time, have a real and meaningful influence on people’s lives, and leave a legacy that lasts forever. It is one of the most challenging, exciting, and rewarding experiences a girl can have, and one of the most prestigious recognitions she’ll accomplish in life. And it’s only available at Girl Scouts.
Since 1916, Girl Scouts have been making meaningful, sustainable change in their communities and around the world. The Girl Scout Gold Award acknowledges the power behind each recipient’s dedication to not only empowering and bettering herself, but also to making the world a better place for others. Gold Award Girl Scouts are courageous leaders and visionary change makers.
About the Girl Scout Gold Award
- Gold Award Girl Scouts on average spend one to two years on their project.
- The average age of Gold Award Girl Scouts is 17.
- Since 1916, 1 million girls have earned the Gold Award or its equivalent.
- Gold Award Girl Scouts who join the armed forces enter one rank higher than other recruits.
- University research indicates that noting you are a Gold Award Girl Scout on a college application is influential in the admissions decision-making process.
- A Gold Award project must be sustainable after the girl’s involvement ends.
- 11 young women earned their Gold Award last year in New Hampshire and Vermont as part of Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains.
About Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains: Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains is recognized throughout New Hampshire and Vermont as a leading expert on girls. Our innovative leadership programs help girls discover, connect, and take action as they develop strong values, a social conscience, and a deep sense of self and their potential. Through our exciting and challenging programs, Girl Scouts not only participate but also take the lead in a range of activities—from kayaking, archery, and camping, to coding, robotics, financial literacy training, and beyond! Serving more than 10,000 girls throughout New Hampshire and Vermont, girls discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together. Visit www.girlscoutsgwm.org.
