The Girl Scouts of Silver Sage are an exemplary organization and I was most fortunate to get to work with them. As the 2026 extern I worked remotely creating badge lesson plans for their 2027 girl scout summer camps. I was even invited to spend time at their beautiful camp. I was unable to attend the camp but as I looked at the camp map and photos online, I was envious of the time that the campers got to spend at the site.

While working with the Girl Scouts of Silver Sage my intended outcome was to lighten their load by creating badge lesson plans. I first did research on each badge, then formulated activities that would reach the badge requirements. I was never a part of Girl Scouts growing up but as I looked at the badges and the skills that the campers would gain I was inspired. As these small goals and steps were completed I was able to see each badge come to fruition and it was fantastic! When creating these lesson plans I worked with the girl scout employees to make lessons that were helpful for the campers and also understandable for the counselors. We found a great happy medium that gave the counselors structure to teach from but also flexibility to create each lesson as their own. After all, the counselors are the girl scout experts. As a teacher I know the importance of being flexible when teaching and so I can only hope that these counselors will be able to take my lesson plans and make them their own when they teach them next summer. As I learned from the girl scouts, the counselors, and the employees, I was able to see that these lesson plans needed to be based on love, and skill building. They were lessons that needed to be handled with care. I have full confidence in the counselors and I know that they will do great things with the lessons that I have helped create.

These lesson plans impacted me a lot. I was able to get practical experience with creating lesson plans and also learn from the girl scouts. I learned that as I go into this next school year I need to teach with love and care. I need to see the value in all of my students. I have already been loving each and every student that enters my room but I see that it was not enough. I need to really and truly appreciate each of them and see their skills. I know that I have helped the Girl Scouts of Silver Sage but more importantly they helped me. They helped me to see that everyone has skills that need to be acknowledged and built upon. I strive to add this more to my classroom.

Overall, I was able to do a lot of exciting work this summer. I was able to take a load off of the girl scout’s plate by creating lessons for them, and they were able to help me see the growth that I need in my classroom. I had a great time working for them and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Thank you for the opportunity that I was blessed with.