JACKSON – A senior at Jackson Liberty High School who is working to earn her Girl Scout Gold Award is running an activity club for children who have special needs.
Paige McPaul, 17, has been a Girl Scout since she was in kindergarten. She is pursuing her Gold Award and said she chose this project because she enjoys helping others and making sure everyone feels included.
The Special Needs Activity Club meets at the Jackson Library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson. Paige said the youngsters who participate in the club play games, play with Lego, make crafts and more.
Children between the ages of 7 and 12 who are accompanied by a guardian may attend a meeting of the club from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Dec. 19, Jan. 3, Jan. 16, Jan. 30, Feb. 13 and Feb. 27.
Paige said she has volunteered in the Challenger program for four years and said the feedback she received from parents is that they would like another program for their children in addition to sports.
As a volunteer buddy in the Challenger program, Paige assisted children who have physical or developmental disabilities as they played soccer, basketball and softball.
The Gold Award is the highest award offered by the Girl Scouts. To earn the award, Paige said she decided to develop a program for a cause she cares about.
She said she conducted research and created a program to assist children who have special needs. She came up with a plan and led a team to carry it out, and most importantly, she said, to educate and inspire the community.
“Basically, it is a club at the library for special needs kids. We play games, board games, Lego, crafts, Bingo, things like that,” Paige said, adding that she enjoys running the club.
She said it is possible the club could continue at the library next year, even though she will be at college. For more information, email legosfunandmore@gmail.com. Volunteers are welcome to assist at the Special Needs Activity Club.
