The Person Behind the Project

Meet Zoe

A Girl Scout Ambassador, Zoe Malmquist plans to spread fitness throughout her community. Five years ago, she began her fitness journey and realized the impact fitness had on mental health. Through her journey she went on to lose over 100 pounds and deeply improve her mental health. With this Gold Award she hopes to make a difference in her local community of Itasca County — and to inspire people globally.

Zoe Malmquist in her Girl Scout Ambassador vest — Zoe, Girl Scout Ambassador — Troop 482

Zoe climbing an obstacle wall at a Tough Mudder race — Putting fitness into action at a Tough Mudder obstacle race

Zoe wearing headphones while editing videos on her laptop — Behind the scenes — editing the project's educational fitness videos

What Is the Girl Scout Gold Award?

The Gold Award is the highest honor a Girl Scout can earn. It is open only to high-school-age Girl Scouts (Seniors and Ambassadors) and recognizes those who identify a real issue in their community and lead a lasting effort to address it.

Earning the Gold Award takes a minimum of 80 hours of work. A Gold Award Girl Scout must research the root cause of a community issue, build a team, create and carry out a project plan, and — most importantly — make sure the project's impact is sustainable, so it keeps helping the community long after the project itself is complete. Fewer than 6% of Girl Scouts earn it.

This website, the educational fitness videos, the documentary, and the community surveys all make up Zoe's Gold Award project: a lasting resource to help Itasca County move more, feel better, and understand the powerful connection between physical fitness and mental health.