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Native achieves Scouts' top award |
| By Amanda
Newman, Newberg Graphic reporter |
Kaitlyn Hamilton of
Newberg recently achieved the highest Girl Scout award possible —
the Girl Scout Gold Award.
Hamilton completed her Gold Award project this summer, working with
students from Newberg High School and Mountain View Middle School to
create hands-on learning kits for homeless children of preschool and
kindergarten age.
 The kits focused on
developing basic motor skills and early reading and math skills,
Hamilton explained. Their contents included a pompon catapult
counting game for the older kids and “sorting maps” for younger
children.
The kits were donated to the YWCA LearnLinks program, which
provides homework help and learning support for school-aged homeless
children in the Portland metro area.
LearnLinks, held after school at eight locations throughout the
academic year, provides an opportunity for homeless children to
practice critical math and reading skills and concepts.
Volunteer availability at LearnLinks is often limited to older
children in need of homework help. Hamilton’s learning kits will
provide younger children with interactive games and activities that
will keep them occupied and reinforce important learning skills.
LearnLinks estimates that the kits will serve 10 to 20 children
daily.
“I had worked in ... homeless shelters and soup kitchens, and
decided I wanted to work with the homeless,” Hamilton said. “After
talking with a (LearnLinks) representative, they told me of a need I
didn’t even know existed.”
Hamilton explained that LearnLinks primarily functions as a
homework helper, but the younger attendees often have no homework to
work on.
“The kids get exposed to different concepts in school, but they
rarely get a chance to practice outside school,” she said. Now they
will.
Registered Girl Scouts ages 14 to 18 are eligible for the Gold
Award, comparable to the Eagle Scout rank in Boy Scouts.
Requirements include: completing a Girl Scout Gold Award project,
which must “fulfill a need” and create change in the community; and
demonstrating self-discipline, leadership abilities, initiative and
a significant mastery of skills.
There are also several award prerequisites and Gold Award hopefuls
must plan their projects with appropriate council supervision,
submitting a proposal, journals and a final report.
Hamilton has been involved in Girl Scouts since second-grade. She
recently began her freshman year at Princeton University.
|
Published
Sept. 19, 2007, Newberg Graphic
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