• 61°
To qualify for the Gold Award in Girl Scouts, Olivia Downs prepared four sites for hammock camping at Camp Trico, a Girl Scout camp on Lake Guntersville. CONTRIBUTED

Olivia Downs earns Girl Scouts’ Gold Award with work at Camp Trico

MADISON – Olivia Downs earned the Gold Award, the pinnacle of honor in Girl Scouts, by improving Camp Trico, which holds great sentimental and educational value to Olivia and her peers.

“Going to Girl Scout camp with my troop has always been the best thing for me about being a Girl Scout,” Downs said. “We’ve been camping since kindergarten and first grade. Now, we’re in high school or have graduated.” In Troop 926, leaders are Jean Downs and Andrea Johnson.

Downs’ project has given a safe environment for outdoor progression, an important facet of Scouting.

She started work when COVID-19 restrictions limited capacity for sleeping areas at Scout camps. Occupancy basically was cut in half, but her project helped increase capacity. The Girl Scout Council wanted hammock sites near existing camping for easy access to bathhouses, cook shelters and cabins.

In addition, Downs taught classes on advanced camping, like backpacking and hammock camping. “I like to share my experiences so they can have as much fun as I did learning to try new things,” Downs said.

Luckily, a small team of relatives working with Downs avoided most COVID-19 constraints. Downs created four designated hammock sites at Camp Trico on Lake Guntersville. “The new sites added at least 60 places to safely hang hammocks,” Downs said.

Downs also prepared packets of educational materials: “Hammock Camping Basics,” “Backpacking Hygiene” and “Leave No Trace.” She successfully recruited three troops to create hammock sites at other properties.

The project required 101.2 hours, with most time needed for site clearing and developing educational materials. “We used lots of hand tools and chainsaws to clear sites. I marked each tree (for) hammocks and added signage,” Downs said.

“Girl Scouts now (can) try new camping experiences in a safe environment,” Downs said. Many girls are using the hammocks or “just hanging out. (The sites) will be enjoyed for a long time.”

A junior at James Clemens High School, Downs previously earned Bronze and Silver Awards; 60-plus skill badges and leadership pins; and Gold Level of Presidential Volunteer Service Award three times.

She is a member of James Clemens Competition Marching Band and American Legion Auxiliary, Post 229. She works at Toyota Field for the Trash Pandas. “I love doing anything with my troop and (boating) with my family,” Downs said.

Planning to attend Ole Miss, Downs wants to study engineering.

Olivia’s parents are Jeff and Jean Downs. He is a Director at Teledyne Brown Engineering. Jean is Vice President of Operations at SCI.

Bob Jones High School

Local Talent Shines In Alabama Baseball Victory At Toyota Field

Bob Jones High School

Bartlett selected as Executive Director of US Chess Federation

Madison

Mill Creek students shine in Elementary Science Olympiad

Madison

Facility dog Daryl comforts, ‘listens’ to children at Midtown elementary

Madison

Batt-Rawden named ‘Alabama School Psychologist of the Year’

Madison

Madison city councilman Teddy Powell loses to Marilyn Lands in special election for HD10

Bob Jones High School

Bob Jones’ population fondly remembers Angela Mooney

Digital Version

Digital version of The Madison Record – March 27, 2024

Events

AUSA showcasing the U.S. Army’s technological advances in Huntsville

Madison

Voters in HD10 to decide who fills unexpired term today

Madison

Jackie Smith’s legacy thrives through her students at Mill Creek

Harvest

AUSA sponsors ‘Operation Deploy Your Dress’ for women’s gowns

Bob Jones High School

Bob Jones ‘fetches’ ‘Mean Girls – High School Version’ for Spring Musical

Events

Arts Huntsville announces Panoply Arts Festival 2024 highlights  

Huntsville

Women in Tech – Huntsville event to view business future, open scholarships

James Clemens High School

Students in grades K-11 earn City Chess Champ titles

Madison

MVP Community Impact Grant helps library’s Music Garden

Harvest

Enjoy a day of celebration at TARCOG’s Senior Fun Fest

Madison

Kim Dykes named state’s Augmentative and Alternative Communication Professional

Bob Jones High School

All-Girls National Chess Championships set for Chicago

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Mustang Mud Run Set For April 13- Register Now

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Madison Miracle League Facility Hopes To Be “Shining” Location

Bob Jones High School

Madison Visionary Awards: Madison residents and business leaders named finalists for volunteerism awards

Digital Version

Digital version of The Madison Record – March 13, 2024

x