Hononegah student Lucy Berry earns Girl Scout Gold Award for sensory‑friendly project at Camp Winnebago

A Hononegah High School student is being honored for outstanding leadership and service. On July 7, the Roscoe VFW presented Lucy Berry with a plaque recognizing her as Girl Scout of the Year, celebrating her completion of the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award.

Berry devoted 110 volunteer hours to a project addressing the growing need for sensory‑friendly spaces and training at Camp Winnebago in Rockford. Her work combined hands‑on construction, community collaboration, and professional‑level curriculum development.

Berry designed and installed a “hammock wheel” featuring 13 hammocks arranged in a circular layout, each with weatherproof storage. The installation was completed with the help of more than 16 volunteers, including teachers, camp staff, Girl Scout community members, and local professionals.

Beyond the physical project, Berry partnered with special education teachers and occupational therapists from Sensory Therapeutics to create a training curriculum for camp counselors on sensory needs and inclusive support strategies. Her training has already reached a wide audience: Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois (GSNI) shared it during adult volunteer mental health workshops, and KinderCare is adapting the curriculum for summer staff at more than 15 camps nationwide.

Berry’s full project details and training materials are available at: https://tinyurl.com/h6nauut8

Her work reflects the highest ideals of the Girl Scout organization—leadership, innovation, and a commitment to improving her community. The Roscoe VFW’s recognition highlights the impact of Berry’s project both locally and beyond.

Thank you to Erin Berry Troop Leader 1398 for letting us know about Lucy's incredible honor.

Interested in Girls Scouts - Troop1398gs@gmail.com