Getting Ready for an Adventure of a Lifetime

Lauryn Barnhart, a Sidney High School junior, and 12th year Girl Scout Ambassador with the Girl Scouts of Montana and Wyoming is set for an adventure of a lifetime! July 2017, Barnhart will be participating in an educational trip to Belize.

This exciting adventure is offered to a specific region of Girl Scouts from ages 13-18, and Barnhart is 1 of 8 girls lucky enough to participate in the EF Tours trip titled Belize: Wildlife Adventure. Departing from Denver, CO July 6, she will spend 7 days traveling, touring, and learning about the county's history of the Lamanai Ruins, culture of a local school, and natural landscapes of Peccary National Park with a jungle survival course and hike. She will also have an opportunity to visit a baboon sanctuary, the Belize Zoo, and possibly the world's first and most premier jaguar preservation. Adding to this fun educational experience are activities including a snuba and sea trek in Ambergis Caye.

Barnhart is a very conscientious sixteen-year-old with an avid interest in science and she is active in her community and school. She has taken advance placements classes during her sophomore and junior years at SHS; all 4 classes offering dual high school and college credit. At this point she plans to attend Dickinson State University where she will get her secondary education degree majoring in science. She is passionate towards animals and is extremely motivated by the aspects of this trip.

This 7-day adventure is completely funded through Barnhart's troop account. The account has been in place since her kindergarten year as a Girl Scout Daisy, raising money throughout the years with cookie and QSP sales, participating in other fundraisers and community service projects. Barnhart has earned both her Bronze and Silver Award and has plans for completing her Gold Award her senior year. The Girl Scout Award is equivalent to the Eagle Scout Award.

Girl scouts themselves are not allowed to make donation or sponsor requests, but as her troop leader and parent, I may make the request on her behalf. We are requesting any help you or your business can afford to offer, whether it be a monetary donation or product donation to help with the cause.

We have upcoming "online-sale" fundraiser on Facebook, where we are putting together donated products to be bid on by participants. The date of this online sale will be February 20 to March 4.

Donations can be mailed to GS troop 2433, 518 4th St. SE, Sidney, MT 59270 or dropped by the Union Gateway Agency, 309 2nd St NW, Sidney.