For their project, the girls created a trail marking system. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held Monday, Aug. 21, at 3 p.m.
Members of Girl Scout Troop 22017 have been working on achieving their Silver Award Project.
To earn the Silver Award, Scouts must identify an issue in the community and then develop and implement a service project that benefits the community.
Scouts Emma Colucci, Kylie Patella and Katie Troilo, have identified the need to create a trail marking system for the Rancocas State Park located in Mt. Laurel.
The Scouts decided on marking trails to help first responders navigate to an injured hiker and/or make the trails user friendly to those who want to enjoy the state park.
The Scouts routinely met with Battalion Chief Larry Fox of the Mt. Laurel Fire Department and Burlington County Park Rangers Jeff Spakosky and Adam Heck to learn about blazing trails and appropriate access routes for emergency responders.
The Scouts also attended a nature class at the Mt. Laurel Library presented by Jennifer Bulava to learn about the wildlife and vegetation they may encounter while working on the trail system designed to benefit their community.
After several meetings, they marked approximately two miles of trails throughout the park and posted no hunting signs and trail maps at the entrances.
The Scouts worked with the Mt. Laurel Fire Department and used hand-held Geographic Information System devices to mark the longitude and latitude of each marker, which were then utilized to create a map of the trails for future reference.
While out on the trails, the girls saw a large variety of wildlife, and they hope the trails will encourage the community to enjoy the outdoors and help first responders when called to an emergency.
The Silver Award is the second highest award of the Girl Scouts of the USA, and the highest award that a Girl Scout Cadette can earn.
A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held Monday, Aug. 21, at 3 p.m., at Rancocas State Park, located at 339 Rancocas Blvd., in Mt. Laurel.
