Two Girl Scouts from Tehachapi set out on their Silver Award project with two things in mind: community and connection.
Serena Thornburg, an 8th grader, and Sophia Smith, a 7th grader, are Cadette members of Girl Scouts of Central California South, Troop 8014. For their Silver Award Project, titled “Gaga for Silver,” they researched, raised funds and purchased a portable ADA-accessible Gaga Ball Pit for Valley Oaks Charter School, allowing all students, including those with mobility challenges, to join in the fun.
The Silver Award is the highest honor a Cadette Girl Scout can earn. It represents at least 50 hours of leadership, planning and community service focused on creating a lasting impact in the community.
Gaga Ball is a game where players stand in a circle inside a pit. Someone throws the ball up and says, “Ga, ga, ball,” as it bounces three times. After the third bounce, players hit the ball with their palm and try to get others out by hitting them below the knee.
“This is a great way to promote an active lifestyle and interaction with your peers,” Sophia explained.
The goal of the Silver Award project is to find an issue in your community and develop a long-term solution.
One problem the girls noticed was a lack of connection between youth, especially after the COVID-19 shutdown, when many students felt isolated in a more digital world. They brainstormed ideas to help bring people together and realized that playground games encourage physical activity, mental well-being and inclusivity.
“It’s sometimes hard to meet and connect with people, which can lead to isolation and mental health challenges,” Sophia said. “Gaga Ball is an inclusive, easy and fun way to bring everyone together.”
To make their project sustainable, Serena and Sophia also designed and purchased an outdoor instruction sign and created a video showing how to play Gaga Ball. They added a QR code linking to the video so future students can easily learn the rules.
“It’s sort of like dodgeball, but more forgiving,” Serena joked.
Since the installation of the pit, school administrators have shared that students from 1st through 12th grade use it every day during recess, lunch and even P.E. classes. It has become one of the most popular activities on campus, bringing students of all ages and abilities together.
“The Silver Award is about taking initiative and making a difference,” said Nena Thornburg, troop leader of Girl Scouts Troop 8014. “It’s been rewarding to see how their project helps students connect and include everyone.”
Bela Smith, Girl Scout volunteer and project adviser, added, “The girls worked together and supported each other through every step, from planning to fundraising. Their project shows how teamwork and youth leadership can create real change in a school community.”
“I think Gaga Ball is a great way to make new friends and meet people with the same hobbies as you,” Serena said. “While playing the game, I’ve met a lot of nice people to play with!”
To fund the project, the girls reached out to family and friends to support their Girl Scout cookie sales, and their community was excited to help make it happen.
“Through this project, we learned how to work as a team, plan ahead, and take on leadership roles,” Sophia shared. “It feels good knowing we created something that helps others feel included.”
The girls hope their project inspires other students to find creative ways to build community and inclusivity in their schools. Their “Gaga for Silver” project is an example of how two determined Girl Scouts can make a lasting impact, one game at a time.