This spring, the members of Strasburg-area Girl Scout Junior Troop 70163 are setting their sights on the highest award available to them as Juniors: the Bronze Award. To achieve this goal, each Scout must log at least 20 hours of work, including completing several badge requirements that explore ideas of leadership, strength, and teamwork, along with carrying out a large-scale community take-action project. For this type of project, Scouts must find the root cause of an issue and address it in a way designed to have a long-term impact.

At the suggestion of one of its members, Troop 70163 has chosen to direct its energies toward creating bat boxes. The boxes will help to support the bat population by serving as homes for these creatures.

Troop 70163 plans to work with the Lancaster County Department of Parks and Recreation to learn more about bats; their impact on the environment, particularly in Pennsylvania; and how bat boxes may help. The Scouts will learn how to properly make bat boxes, and they will seek donations of plywood, paint, and other supplies from area businesses. The Scouts will also create fact guides related to the bat boxes.

Businesses interested in donating materials may contact troop leader Kate Peck at kathrynapeck@gmail.com.

Troop 70163 is part of Girl Scouts in the Heart of Central Pennsylvania's Hans Herr Service Unit. For more information, visit http://www.gsep.org.