Longan Elementary’s Girl Scout Troop 207 earned the Scouts' prestigious Bronze Award for building and dedicating an outdoor classroom at the school earlier this week.

The outdoor classroom includes brand new picnic tables, birdhouses and a flower garden.

“[For] the Bronze Project we did the outdoor classroom because the [old] picnic tables, they were really splintery," said Junior Girl Scout Hannah Paulding. "So we fixed the picnic tables with new wood and we made birdhouses."

The Bronze Award is the highest honor that a Junior Girl Scout Troop can earn. In order for these fourth- and fifth-grade scouts to earn the award, they must take the time to complete a project that will make a difference in the community. The Girl Scout Council presents the award to troops that, in its estimation, have met the award's criteria.

Troop 207 completed the project at the beginning of the month after planning and working on it for an entire school year. Members completed it with the assistance of their troop leaders, Vickie Marandina and Maggie Drilling.

“We’ve been writing down choices about what to do for a long time for the Bronze Project,” said Junior Scout Raygan Lukowsky. “This one stuck out because it helped.”

At the dedication ceremony, the Juniors recited the pledge of allegiance and Girl Scout promise before officially dedicating the site.

Longan’s principal, Richard Hall, gave the closing remarks, praising the girls for their hard work and dedication.