I was tasked with designing curriculum for Girl Scout troops to be used to complete merit badges during their 2026 Girl Scout Camps. The Girl Scouts of Silver Sage hold these camps in McCall, Idaho and Swan Valley, Idaho. Each camp centered around a different age range (for example, Cadettes are middle school ages) and merit badge (e.x. Night Owl Badge) that would be earned, as well as a camp theme (e.x. Moonlight Mission). I was able to remotely complete 7 different unique camps and merit badges.

It was an interesting challenge for me because it used a lot of the skills I have as a teacher, but it also challenged me in many ways. For example, in the classroom, students often demonstrate mastery through quizzes, tests, and projects that are completed and can be tracked. In the Girl Scouts, the girls demonstrate mastery through completing activities. It was also challenging for me to remember that the Scouts would come with different academic skills, and needed to largely show mastery through doing, not writing.

I really enjoyed the personal growth that came from the technology limitations. Educational technology is a huge part of what I do as a teacher. At the Girl Scout Camps, they don’t have wifi and have very limited technology. All of the activities needed to be designed around no-internet or computers. I didn’t realize how much I depended on technology to teach background knowlege of topics. The Girl Scouts do have access to printers and supplies, and I found myself using a lot of printed materials that I created, as well as a lot of hands-on supplies.

Overall, I’m so grateful for the opportunity to work with the Girl Scouts! It helped me realize just how many skills I DO have that can be applied outside of a traditional classroom, and how these skills can be used to help others. This upcoming school year, I’m planning to do more lessons that use less technology and more hands-on STEM materials, like what I designed for the camps. It was a great experience!

Grade Level and Subject Taught: 2nd-4th Grade Gifted and Talented Education (GATE)