INDEPENDENCE, Ohio – Girl Scout Molly Dubitsky is about to receive a rare double award: In addition to her Eagle Scout Award, she will also receive the Girl Scout Gold Award.
The 17-year-old completed two separate community service projects at Camp Cheerful in Strongsville, part of the Achievement Centers for Children, as part of her work to earn the two awards from the two different Girl Scout organizations.
She said, “The inspiration came from my brother and I, who have been helping with a program for autistic children in our town for 11 years. When it came time to do the projects, I thought it would be cool if I could help autistic children.”
“I started with the Girl Scouts in kindergarten and my two brothers joined the Cub Scouts, but when the Boy Scouts started accepting girls, I did that too. I didn’t switch, I did both.”
Molly completed her Eagle Scout project in 2022 alongside her younger brother Matthew at Camp Cheerful, and both were supported by their older brother James Modarelli, who had achieved the rank of Eagle Scout himself a few years earlier.
Now Molly just has to complete one final interview next week with Independence-based Girl Scout Troop 71176 to receive her Gold Award. She is also a member of Scouts BSA Troop 652 in Brecksville, which is part of Scouting America, the new name of the Boy Scouts of America.
She said: “It was quite a lot of work. For the Gold Award we built two stations on the camp sensory trail. One has five different musical instruments for the children to play with as they complete the trail and the other is a board with lots of birdhouses and pictures on it so they can do a sort of ‘I see something you don’t see’ exercise.”
For her Eagle Scout Award, she had built picnic tables and benches and helped maintain the sensory trail, while her brother built a bridge for his award.
“I’ve been able to see through these projects that I can make a difference in the community, which is cool,” Molly said. “I never thought I could do something like this. Scouting has given me the opportunity to raise funds and make a difference.”
Susan Christopher, director of marketing and communications for Achievement Centers for Children, said, “The Sensory Trail at camp offers special activities for children and adults with disabilities. It began as an activity for riders who are part of our Adapted Riding program and has now expanded to include higher-level activities for those on horseback. Today, it also includes lower-level activities for campers and those exploring the trail on foot.”
“Molly oversaw the creation of two new stations for our sensory trail – one focused on music and another on birds. She acquired all the resources and materials and led a team in setting up, building and installing the stations.”
Cory Ramsey, equine program manager, said, “We are truly grateful for Molly’s hard work and efforts in improving our sensory trail used in our therapeutic riding program and all of our camp programs, including day and residential camps, as well as our adult day program.”
“We had a few volunteers who worked closely with Molly and her family, Vicki Hughes and her husband Bob Polly, who were both instrumental in leading the projects.”
