Jenna Keyser of Ooltewah realized the lack of an outdoor learning space at the Chattanooga School for the Arts & Sciences and set out to create one. She led her team in preparing the site, digging post-holes, spreading soil, organizing material donations, building benches and a chalkboard, and planting a raised flowerbox in the center of the space. Jenna then opened her outdoor classroom to the school and earned a prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award in 2026 for her CSAS Outdoor Classroom project.

Gold Award Girl Scouts demonstrate exceptional leadership by tackling important community issues. As the organization’s highest achievement, earned by just 6% of Girl Scouts nationwide, the award requires planning and executing a sustainable, high-impact project. Through this intensive process, these young women work hard and empower themselves while creating lasting change for others.

Jenna’s project was inspired by a simple but important belief: students need opportunities to learn outside a traditional classroom. She worked with teachers, administrators, local businesses and volunteers to create a dedicated area where students could learn, collaborate and connect with nature.

Her vision came to life through more than 80 hours of planning, fundraising and hands-on work. Jenna coordinated volunteers, met with school leaders, applied for grants, secured donations and planned every aspect of the classroom’s design. She learned about construction, landscaping and project management. “The most successful part of my project was organizing a great group of volunteers,” Jenna says. “I couldn’t have finished the project without them.”

Any large project presents challenges. Budget constraints threatened some of her plans, and the rising cost of materials meant she had to be creative in securing donations and stretching every dollar. She reached out to local businesses and community partners for support. Through the process, she strengthened skills in budgeting, decision-making, collaboration, problem solving and leadership. She also learned she loves to lead a group by participating with them, saying “I couldn’t lead a group without doing all of the same things I was asking of them.”

The project’s impact extends beyond the physical classroom. Teachers became excited about using the new space for lessons and activities, while students gained a greater appreciation for nature and the benefits of outdoor learning. She hopes the classroom will continue serving students long after her graduation, fostering curiosity, environmental awareness and a lifelong love of learning.

A member of the Chattanooga School for the Arts & Sciences Class of 2026, Jenna completed her Gold Award project in June 2025. Through her work, she demonstrates the power of combining leadership, community support and a passion for education to create lasting change for future students.

Change the world, Girl Scout! Learn more at girlscoutcsa.org.