When most people think of a Girl or Boy Scout, they usually picture little kids in sashes with iron-on badges, not seniors in high school.

Although it’s true that a lot of Scouts drop out of their troop by the time they enter junior high, many continue with the program all the way until they graduate. This is the case for Camryn Bell, senior, who has been in Girl Scouts for 13 years.

“I’ve stayed with it because it’s a really good group of people, and I’ve been doing it a really long time. It’s a great program because it teaches you about leadership and organization,” Bell said.

The highest accomplishment you can achieve in Girl Scouts is the Gold award, which is comparable to the Boy Scouts’ Eagle Scout rank. It’s an 80-hour solo service project that a scout must create and execute.

In 2013, 56,841 Boy Scouts earned the Eagle Scout rank according to Boy Scouts of America. That’s only 6 percent of all Boy Scouts. It’s a similar percentage for Girl Scouts that achieve the Gold Award.

The Gold award projects seek to improve, educate, and inspire the greater community. The project can involve anything from creating libraries at hospitals to teaching science lessons to children.

For Bell’s award, she organized an environmental service project. She leads groups of scouts and park volunteers around a woodlot in Carver Park and teaches them how to remove invasive species such as buckthorn, garlic mustard, and invasive honeysuckle. So far, she has clocked 30 hours of service.

“The gold award is definitely one of the reasons I have stayed with [Girl Scouts]. It’s also a fun thing to do for your community,” Bell said.

Elliot Carson, senior, achieved the Eagle Scout rank for completing his own service project this year.

Carson’s service project involved him re-designing a local church’s garden with the help of volunteers. He ripped out weeds, planted hostas, and added in a bird bath. His group of Volunteers clocked 175 hours of work.

“I’m really glad I have the Eagle Scout award as something to put on my resume, it really helps boost my character,” Carson said.

Girl and Boy Scouts who have continued with the program are glad they’ve stuck with their troops through the years.

“Girl Scouts is a great program, I highly recommend it,” Bell said.