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Connecting Journeys to Silver and Gold

The first challenge is picking which journey you wish to take — which offers a topic you are not only excited to explore, but one which you might be passionate about pursuing on the local, national or global level for an extended period of time. Picking a journey that reflects your interests will give you insight into what you may want to focus your Gold Award project on later.  Make notes of issues that are addressed or mentioned during the journey that you feel are important to you, your community or the world.

Once completed, look at notes you’ve taken along the way and think outside the box:

Which of these ideas can be combined into one larger project?

How can a global issue be fixed locally?

What else can you find out about these things that interest you or bother you?

Who else may be willing to get involved?

That last question brings us to “part two” of important ways to use your journey while prepping for the Silver or Gold: networking and contacts.

As you complete your journeys, you will meet a wide variety of people — some of them will be incredibly helpful, and others will only lead to frustration and dead ends.  Keep track of these encounters. It will save you a lot of effort if you can return to sources you can already count on in your quest for the Silver or Gold.

Additionally, these people you meet share your passions! If you’re having trouble thinking up a Silver or Gold project discuss it with your new network of peers and mentors — what would they like to see improved or changed?

Could you work with them to promote, improve, or expand an existing campaign? Can you take a project idea they’ve had and make it come to life? Or bring it to new people? Maybe they’ll just act as a sounding board for what is and isn’t possible or realistic in the field.  Truth is, most people are willing to help. You just have to tell them exactly what it is you’d like some help with.

Even if your Gold project is completely unrelated to your journey accomplishments, you may still be able to use some of your contacts, and you will DEFINITELY be able to use your new skills.

When carrying out your journey’s Take Action project, think about what you’re good at and what interests you. Do you enjoy teaching? Filming and photography? Acting? Interviewing? Writing? Promoting events?  If you work with your troop, what role do you find yourself drawn to and taking charge of naturally?

If you’re still planning your journey’s Take Action project, think about your hobbies. Think about your career goals. How can you ensure you’ll learn or improve at a skill you’ll be able to use the rest of your life?

You have the ability to emerge from your journey a better researcher, public speaker, thinker, interviewer, designer, writer, planner, or data analyzer. You can gain experience in persuasion, interviewing, marketing, and public relations.  These technical, interpersonal and general life skills will be incredibly helpful to you as you begin not only your Gold Award, but also your life as young adult in a fast-paced world.