April 27, 2012 > Girl Scout vision leads to sensory garden Girl Scout vision leads to sensory garden Submitted By Cathryn Oliver Brown In the middle of Parkmont Elementary School where portables once stood, flowers are blooming. For the past two years after the portables were removed, this little area of the school grounds has been fenced off to keep the students away from the remaining rubble. Girl Scout Kimberly Henderson had a vision of what could be done in the area. Under the guidance of teacher Catherine Strommen, Kimberly designed a sensory garden. She has spent months planning and implementing her vision. Kimberly obtained donations and discounts on materials and plants from local businesses and Parkmont families then coordinated volunteers. Over several weekends, about 100 students and family members came out to help build the garden which is separated into four sections - sight, smell, touch, and sound - to be used as an outdoor science classroom. Kimberly, an 11th grade student at Washington High School, took on this project as part of her Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can earn. Now that the garden is complete, Kimberly will teach a group of students at Parkmont to take care of the garden and complete her report for Girl Scouts. Soon she will be awarded the Girl Scout Gold Award, placing her in a very select group of young women.