Silver Award Spotlight

Taylor D. Sun Safety Program for the Bucks Believers

My name is Taylor and I’m a fair-skinned Senior Girl Scout who has always loved the sun more than it has loved me. As a result, I have had to learn a lot about sun protection and decided for my Silver Award project to share what I’ve learned with others. I have been volunteering with the Bucks Believers since I was seven years old. The Bucks Believers are a long distance running and walking team of special athletes who practiced and competed outdoors with little to no shade. So, when I started to outline a plan for my project, I knew immediately that I wanted to include the Bucks Believers.

My Silver Award project included teaching Sun Safety to the Bucks Believers, their families, and coaches, and providing the team with a tent that would shelter them from the sun. I introduced material in my Sun Safety lesson that highlighted the importance of sun safety, including UV protection and cancer prevention. I researched sun safety products and also reached out to one of my favorite sunscreen brands, Sun Bum, who graciously donated sun care items for each athlete. Due to COVID-19, I conducted two lessons, one virtual and one in-person, socially distanced in a local park. Each athlete was given a Sun Safety Kit complete with water to remind them to stay hydrated, sunscreen, a hat, SPF lip balm, and an outline of sun safety practices. Each coach was given a laminated Sun Safety sign with best practices to help the athletes remember what they learned. I wanted to also donate a Sun Shelter that the Bucks Believers could take with them to their practices and Special Olympics competitions. To accomplish this goal, I had to get creative and think of a way to fundraise. I successfully tiedyed and sold both sweatshirts and cloth face masks (to protect people from COVID-19). Next, I worked with the coaches and a tent company to design a custom team tent. It turned out amazing, and I was able to purchase and deliver it to the team. The athletes and coaches were thrilled and assured me that it would get much use! In addition to the smiles and hugs I received, I also know my effort to educate the athletes and their families was appreciated by the positive feedback I received from the survey I distributed, and from the letters that several of the athletes voluntarily sent to me in which they promised to always be safe in the sun!