Go to Gold Award, 2026

Jackie Bushong from Waterloo Designated a Gold Award Girl Scout

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois congratulates Jackie Bushong from Waterloo, Illinois for becoming a Gold Award Girl Scout—a designation she earned by helping younger Girl Scouts learn to appreciate and care for the outdoors.

Jackie wanted to remind younger Girl Scouts to cherish the natural world around them. So she planned and hosted a service unit campout that offered girls a variety of fun outdoor activities to enjoy and taught them “Leave No Trace” principles that explain how to preserve nature. Campers even earned their “Art in the Outdoors” badge and made birdhouses to donate to a local nursing home.

Along with her effort planning the activities, meals, and sleeping arrangements prior to the campout, Jackie also took a hands-on role running the event. She helped cook, led hikes, and directed a team of volunteers to make the event run smoothly. She was able to teach younger campers about nature and the importance of picking up trash.

Gold Award Girl Scouts become innovative problem-solvers, empathetic leaders, confident public speakers, and focused project managers. They learn resourcefulness, tenacity, and decision-making skills, giving them an edge personally and professionally. As they take action to transform their communities, Gold Award Girl Scouts gain tangible skills and prove they’re the leaders our world needs.

“I learned that no matter how old you are, you should always love the planet. I was able to watch girls of all ages find a lot of cool things in nature that they never would have found without going on this camping trip,” said Jackie when reflecting on her Gold Award project.

Jackie is the daughter of Teresa and Steve Bushong and member of the Class of 2026 at Waterloo High School. After graduating, she plans to attend Southwestern Illinois College to study education. Jackie is a Trifecta Girl Scout who has earned the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards.

March 26, 2026