Troop 1907 Beautifies Asbury Church Memorial Garden

Members of Girl Scout Junior Troop 1907 earned their Take Action badge in May by renovating the memorial garden at Asbury United Methodist Church in Arnold. The garden is a reflection space at the rear of the cemetery. The project was a month-long culmination of hands-on work, research and community outreach.

First, the girls removed overgrown shrubs, weeds and a plastic garden border to prepare the space.

Under the guidance of landscape architect and Anne Arundel Community College professor Anne Gleeson, the Girl Scouts learned about invasive species and plants native to Anne Arundel County. The girls then researched the plants that would grow best in the shaded garden and were indigenous to the county.

From there, the girls reached out to local garden centers to find the plants and solicit discounts and donations. Butterfly milkweed, fringed bleeding heart, columbine, foam flower and phlox were some of the plants discounted and donated by Arnold Farms, Gary's Gardens and Windwood Gardens.

The troop also purchased and assembled a new garden bench for the space. Daisy and Brownie Troop 4189 provided planters with annuals for the paver space on either side of the bench. Girl Scout Junior Troop 1862 members pitched in by planting and providing landscape rocks that the girls painted for a personal touch.

The project was funded by troop dollars earned through cookie sales as well as a donation from Asbury United Methodist Church.

Troop members included (bottom row, l-r) Erin Quigley, Sophia Josephs, Sydney Jamison, Liliana Bogley, Addie Coleman and (top row) Nicole Morella, Juliette White, Paige Langenbach, Olivia Chesley and Alaina White.