SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – No matter the topic, education is key to understanding, and a South Lake Tahoe group of scouts found out how important education is, especially where bears are concerned. Girl Scout Troop 119 took on the daunting task of educating the public on how to coexist with the area’s black bears.
It started when Team BEAR (Bear Education, Advocacy & Research) members Toogee Sielsch and Leona Allen met with the scouts in May 2024 to educate them about the black bear population. Later that year, Troop Leader Katie Joll reached out to Leona to see if she could work with the troop to help educate people about coexisting with bears. The girls were attempting to obtain their Bronze Award (the highest award given to Girl Scout Juniors for community service efforts) and saw a need to provide education.
The Tahoe Interagency Bear Team approved the process for an education plan to be developed that included producing an informative video, designing posters and stickers, and staffing an information table at Fallen Leaf Campground.
The girls met with Tahoe’s wildlife biologist from the various agencies around the lake to learn about their jobs. Coincidentally, all of them are female.
Through a lot of hard work and dedication, the girls created a video that
educates visitors about being in bear country, especially for those camping in the Tahoe area. The short video on their work:
Troop members also created a poster with simple, easy-to-follow rules about being around bears. They also set up a booth at the entrance to Fallen Leaf Campground and spoke to 150 individuals and groups over the two days, quizzing visitors with pre-determined questions and rewarding them with a candy prize for the correct answer.
Leona said it was interesting that many families walked from their campsites to the booth to talk with the girls and ask questions.
“The experience for campers was very positive, and it was especially well-
received by the campground staff,” said Leona.
She spoke with the girls to ask them about the experience:
“I loved educating people about Bears. It was fun to be the teacher for once.”
“I really liked it when people got the right answers.”
“I felt really good about accomplishing such a big project. “ “I liked it when we talked with people in the campground. I think many of them now understand what to do when they visit places with Bears.”
“It was amazing to learn what biologists do. They know so much about Bears of all kinds.”
“Having had the honor of spending the last few months with Troop 119, I was able to observe firsthand how these young ladies can have a positive impact on our visitors, our community, and especially our bears,” said Leona. “I hope that all agencies involved endeavor to include more youth organizations in conservation education programs.”
The girls earned their Bronze Award, the highest achievement for Girl Scout Juniors. They are all entering South Tahoe Middle School this fall after being scouts together at Meyers Elementary School.
Public Service Announcement video with the girls and Team BEAR:
The troop thanks parents Briann and Erik Baker and their 4th Wall Down Productions for producing the video for them.
