Local Girl Scout troops in partnership with WabiSabi and Mad Bro Sports have completed a painting project of the Local Girl Scout Meeting House.
Troops 1412, 2221 and 2222 donated portions of their money from cookie sales to fund the paint job, while troop 776 was tasked with selecting three color pallets and setting up a system so every scout in the Red Rock Community of Moab could vote. The scouts removed plant growth from the building’s walls under supervision from Kara Dohrenwend, founder of Wildland Scapes. Scouts scraped paint, baked and served pizza for volunteers. The scouts also masked the building’s window glass prior to painting.
Painting of the meeting house itself was performed by Shad Swink and Mike O’Reilly, converting the Girl Scout House to a pearl color. Girl Scouts themselves sanded and painted picnic tables in the backyard.
“Them doing everything hands-on, proves to the girls that they have skills,” Red Rock Community leader and troop 2222 leader Michele Hill said.
Girl Scouts Jena Swink, Abby Estenson and Taylor Denton worked together to apply for a Make A Difference in Moab grant from WabiSabi, with Tanyon Griffith delivering the grant application before the deadline, according to a press release.
“It was hard because I wanted to proofread everything,” Hill said. “But letting them do everything by themselves is really important.”
Hill explains that the Agent of Change journey helps the girl scouts identify what a leader can be. Troop 2222 sold cookies to raise funds for this project, and when they realized they did not have enough money, they coordinated with other troops to help. When they still did not have enough money for their budget, the girls wrote in for a grant from WabiSabi.
She said that it is important for the girls to learn how to step up and take ownership, instead of looking at an adult for what to do. This is not the first time that many troops have spent time together, but Hill said it was the first time they worked together toward the same goal.
“I think having those troops work together is a tremendous experience,” Hill said. “It granted them tools to be leaders, developed personal strengths and demonstrated how a team can work to make change.”
Troop 2222 completed the Agent of Change journey, which explores the Power of One (leader qualities), the Power of a Team, and the Power of Community, which this project celebrates.
The celebration will take place at Girl Scout Meeting House, 462 Sundial Lane, on Tuesday, Aug. 26 at 5:10 PM.
What: Local Girl Scout troop celebration
When: Tuesday, Aug. 26, 5:10 p.m.
Where: Girl Scout Meeting House, 462 Sundial Lane
Celebration set for Aug. 26.
