Photo by Terry Georgia
Riley Kane (14, left) and Emma Turner (13) with the hundreds of “Survivor Packs” they created to help support fifth grade girls as they enter puberty.

By Terry Georgia                                                                                                                                                                                                      The Surveyor

Middle school is usually a time for girls to be caught up in friends, fun and fashion. But two Berthoud Girl Scouts decided to turn their attention to helping younger girls navigate some of the challenges puberty can bring. Riley Kane and Emma Turner, both eighth graders at Turner Middle School, came up with their idea as they were pondering a project to help them earn a Girl Scout Silver Award. The Silver Award is given to Girl Scouts who complete a project that helps the community and demonstrates leadership skills.

Kane and Turner were standing in line for four hours, waiting to pick up their Girl Scout cookie orders, when they hatched a plan to earn the Silver Award. Long-time friends, they talked about girls starting their periods and being in school when it happens.

“We talked about what we would need in that situation,” said Kane, “and how we’d feel if it was us.” They began to focus on younger girls, the ones still in elementary school when the time comes. “It’s unusual for girls to start that young,” said Turner, “but there are some instances when girls get it in elementary school.” They decided to put together “Ladies Survivor Packs” so that elementary school nurses would be prepared to help.

The Survivor Packs are canvas zipper bags filled with menstrual pads, feminine wipes, hand wipes, deodorant, underwear and chocolate—all the things they thought a girl might need if caught off guard. They’re posting flyers in the school bathrooms so students know they can get help from the nurse.

Turner and Kane approached the community for help with funding the project, setting up an Amazon “wish list” where people could buy items for the kits or donate gift cards toward the effort. They also presented their idea to the McKee Wellness Foundation, getting donations from both the foundation and a McKee doctor who heard about their plan. They coordinated the purchase of the supplies and assembled more than 200 Survivor Packs to divide between Berthoud’s three elementary schools, Berthoud Elementary, Ivy Stockwell and Carrie Martin.

“We’re doing this so girls know there are resources available.” reasoned Turner, “We’re putting up signs in the bathrooms to let them know they’re not alone and they can get help.”

Michelle Cooper is Girl Scout Troop 76876’s adult leader. She’s proud of Turner and Kane and their compassion for younger girls. “You have to be courageous to do a project like this.” said Cooper, who has helped guide the girls in their scouting since they were quite young, “It’s so awesome to see them as little ones in first and second grade, then watch them grow into leadership roles and have enough courage and bravery to have an impact with younger girls.”

A requirement of the Silver Award is to create a project that is sustainable. Kane and Turner believe they’ve made enough Survivor Packs to last each school about three years. They’ll also be making presentations to younger Girl Scouts hoping to inspire them to replenish the Packs when they’re ready to pursue a Silver Award of their own.