I'm Sparky (or I may have possible been rechristened Spunky, which I like better, so maybe I'll keep it). I'm 17 years old, and have been a Girl Scout for about 11 of those years (correct me if I'm wrong, this is just an estimation). My troop (3049) and I are currently working on our Gold Award (successor of the Silver and Bronze Awards) and are rebuilding a traditional Girl Scout camp in southern New Mexico.
(I also really like parenthesis).
About me personally? I love to write and create things, read, play soccer, and learn languages.
About the Gold Award? It's only the most prestigious award a Girl Scout can get--the equivalent of the Boy Scout Eagle Award. It is mostly comprised of a project that takes months or even years to plan and carry out, and leads to the betterment of the community and the Girl Scouts themselves in some way. It's becoming more and more recognized by colleges and universities around the United States, and is a great way to do some soul-seeking and self-initiated volunteering. My troop has already been approved by the Girl Scout Council, so we're ready to roll!
About Camp Mary White? Founded in the early 1900's, it's been a traditional camp for Girl Scouts for a very long time. It's a home-away-from-home for girls, and a place where memories and dreams are made. However, in recent years it has been mostly unused and is falling into disrepair--camps are no longer held there for large groups of girls, and the some of the buildings are unsafe for habitation. My troops dream, after seeing the magic of the camp in the past two years, is to rebuild the camp so it's as healthy and vibrant as it was 50 years ago. If you want to learn more about CMW, click HERE.
Why are we doing this?
At my troops Scouts Own last year at Camp Mary White (CMW), I wrote this:
I am so close to the stars here. I imagine I can hear them singing, thrumming with their vast enormity. They twinkle at me, as if enjoying my insignificance. The moon has set now, down behind the hill to my right. It's rays are still visible over the crest of the hill, lingering like the memories of the days do as you sleep. Beethoven says that in the wee hours of the morning, the silence is ponderous; heavy with a beautiful presence. I am not afraid of silence, in fact I relish the few moments before sleep claims me, when my body is still but my mind is free to roam and dream. There is a magic about this place that in unequaled by anything I have ever seen. The love the counselors have for each other and days gone by is overwhelming, and a spectacular thing to see. A shooting star went by a few minutes ago. You could see it break through the atmosphere and illuminate the sky. It streaked towards the ground, breaking apart as it showed its true colors--gold, blue, purple and green. The things you can't catch on camera are the ones most vividly remembered, I find. As I roam across the land, traveling to new and unexpected places within and without, I will add to my internal film strip and keep the memories close. Camp Mary White changed my life. I have yet to see how or why, but the difference is profound. So, in the words of the Portuguese, ay, suadades.
But we can't do it alone. My specific part of the project is to make an Arts and Crafts Center at CMW. I will be using the old Arts and Crafts (A&C) building, which may need a few minor repairs. But we need craft supplies, and have a non-existent budget (it IS volunteering). I am asking for the following supplies, or a monetary donation of any size, to help my troop help small girls create their dreams.
Glue, glue sticks, string, yarn, colored pencils, crayons, markers, scissors, sequins, glitter, white and colored paper, rulers, pens, pencils, fabric, poster board, paints and brushes, stickers, arts and crafts books and kits, beads, embroidery thread, fabric, clay, tables, chairs storage containers, shelf-building material and tools.
If you would like to help, or have any tips or ideas, comments are welcome. If you would like to contact me, leave a comment and I'll get back to you (and feedback is welcomed as well).
Also thanks to my advisor Twinks! :D And to everyone who's already donated, and the amazing support of my troop, family and friends!
*Sorry for any strange wording--I'm in Portugal as a foreign exchange student and have not been speaking much English lately. I'll get back to New Mexico on June 26th.
