Girl Scouts of the United States of America is an organization that is 105 years old this year, with 2.6 million members throughout the country. In the Oakdale community, there are many students who continue to be Girl Scouts through high school and work hard to fulfill the organization’s goal of making the world a better place.

Sophomore Cameron Brickner is one of these girls. She is a member of Troop 81376, and has been a Girl Scout for 10 years. “In order to help out the local community, our troop holds blood drives for the American Red Cross and food drives for the Frederick Food Bank, and we help run events for younger girls,” she responded.

“We also get many other various opportunities to volunteer,” added sophomore Kaitlyn Murray, also a member of Troop 81376. “I have been a Girl Scout since I was 5, and I have benefitted so much. I have learned many leadership skills and have a greater love for the community.”

Sophomore Madison Buckwalter is another Girl Scout at Oakdale, but she belongs to a different troop – Troop 81831. “My troop participates in Operation Welcome Home, and we do clean ups at different public locations.  A lot of girls also do Gold Award projects.”

The Gold Award is the highest Girl Scout award one can earn, as the girl needs to lead and put at least 80 service hours into a single project or event.  The project also is required to be educational, sustainable, and beneficial to the local and global community.

Buckwalter just recently completed her project, which was the construction of a trail leading to a natural spring in Lake Linganore.  “A staff member of the Lake Linganore Association gave me the idea, and I thought it was great.  I used to play around that area a lot when I was younger.  I also wanted to encourage education about natural springs and our environment.”

Junior Jennifer Murray of Troop 81376 is currently working on her Gold Award.  “My project is called ‘I Can Camp!’. It’s a camp out for the Greater Frederick community so those without their own equipment can experience camping and all that it has to offer.”

It will be held the weekend of June 10th at the Catoctin Creek Park.  Participants will be able to learn camping skills such as how to pitch a tent, as well as rotations about wildlife safety, outdoor games, and more.

“I’ve always really enjoyed camping, and I want those without the opportunity to be able to go!” Murray stated.

If anyone in the Oakdale community is willing to help out, they can learn more about the event at @icancamp17 on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Through Gold Award and troop projects, these girls, along with many others, inspire altruism in the community. There are many opportunities one can take here at Oakdale to get involved in the local community as well. Don’t be afraid to take any volunteer chances you might see!