Girl Scout Gold Award

When Bella Olson set out to earn her Girl Scout Gold Award, she chose a project that would bring light to the habitat destruction of pollinator species and how we can combat this issue as a community. She created a film, “Flights of the Future,” to show how crucial pollinators and plants are to our planet. Her enthusiasm was contagious! From the start, Bella’s vision, determination, and independence shone brightly. As her Project Advisor through Wings of Change, I had the joy of seeing her leadership and creativity in action.

Bella approached her Gold Award project with a clear sense of purpose. She identified a topic that was of global concern and set out to make a real impact through storytelling. Her film, “Flights of the Future,” was entirely her own creation. She took charge of every aspect, from research and planning to filming and editing. Bella’s initiative was remarkable; she recorded in multiple locations, reached out to community members, organized interviews, and managed her timeline with professionalism and maturity. Bella was inspired to do videography for her project because she has firsthand knowledge of the impact that these types of videos can have on people! An engaging video like this presents a wealth of information in a format that is easy to understand. It enables viewers to gain knowledge and feel motivated without the need for extensive manual research, which would require significantly more time. Through social media, these videos can be shared easily as well. This offers countless individuals the opportunity to learn about this movement without facing limitations, such as a lack of time for research or access to high-quality resources. We encourage you to share this video and spread the word of the importance of butterflies, pollinators, and plants. Let’s make Bella a YouTube star!

My role as Project Advisor was to serve as a resource and subject matter expert. Bella interviewed me a couple of times for her film, seeking insights and perspectives to enrich her project and learn more about pollinators, butterflies, and their connection. Beyond those interviews, she required very little guidance—her independence and drive were evident at every step. Bella knew what she wanted to achieve and was proactive in seeking out the support she needed, while confidently steering her project.

Watching Bella’s journey unfold was inspiring. She demonstrated creativity, leadership, and a deep sense of responsibility to her community. “Flights of the Future” is more than just a film—it’s a testament to what young leaders can accomplish when they set their minds to something meaningful.

It was truly my honor to support Bella on her journey. We are grateful for her work to help educate of the importance of butterflies, pollinators, and plants. As I reflect on her accomplishments, I am reminded of a simple truth: “Our children inherit the earth.” Bella’s project gives me hope for the future, and I am grateful to have played even a small part in her success.