Requirements:

The purpose of this Interest Project is to educate Girl Scouts about the rich history of Michigan’s Great Lakes Lighthouses and lightships and the importance of restoration and preservation for future generations.

To earn, you must complete at least seven (7) activities as follows: two (2) Skill Builders activities, one (1) Technology activity, one (1) Service Project activity, one (1) Career Exploration activity, and two (2) activities from any category that you choose.

Skill Builders:

1. What is a lighthouse and lightship? How many of each is there in Michigan? Where are they located? How could you tell one apart from the other?

2. In the United States, most lighthouses are maintained by the National Park Service or the US Coast Guard. Find out about these organizations.

3. How many lighthouses in Michigan are privately owned? Are they open to the public? How does one go about buying a lighthouse?

4. Find out about the history of lighthouses and lightships.

5. Learn the lighthouse terminology.

6. Learn about the first know lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

7. Find out interesting facts about lighthouses and share with others.

8. Read stories about haunted lighthouses and lighthouse lore. Share what you have learned either with the rest of your troop or a younger troop.

Technology:

1. Find out how technology was important in the development of lighthouses and lightships.

2. Pick an area near where you live, or would like to visit, and find out what lighthouses still exist and whether you can visit them. Locate these on a map and see what bodies of water they are serving. Visit the lighthouse in person or online.

3. Learn about the different types of lighthouses. What type of lighthouse is predominant in the Great Lakes region? Why?

4. Find out about the different lenses used in lighthouses and how they work. Visit a maritime museum.

5. Find out what technologies are involved to save a lighthouse from decay or erosion. How are lighthouses moved, whenever possible?

Career Exploration:

1. Find out about careers in the Coast Guard. What jobs are there that relate directly to maintaining lighthouses and light stations?

2. Find out about careers in the National Park Service that relate directly to lighthouse and light stations?

3. Find out about Maritime Academies in the United States. What are the requirements to be admitted? What types of careers does this prepare you for?

4. Learn about at least one female Lighthouse Keeper. Who was Michigan’s first female lighthouse keeper? Which light was she keeper of? How long was she keeper there?

5. Learn more about the privately owned lighthouses that are now bed and breakfast inns. Do the owners still maintain the lights? What processes and jobs were involved to convert the lights to B&B’s?

6. Find out about Maritime careers.

7. Visit one of the many Lighthouse Festivals throughout the state of Michigan.

Service Project:

1. Find out about the American Lighthouse Foundation or the United States Lighthouse Society. Make a display about what they do and their preservation efforts.

2. Find out more information about lighthouse preservation groups here in Michigan. Is there any in your local area? Make a display about what they do and their preservation efforts.

3. Share what you have learned about lighthouse a Daisy, Brownie, or Junior Troop. Present the corresponding Lighthouse program.

4. Shore erosion is one of the major threats to lighthouse today. If you are close enough to the shore, take part in Dune Grass planting or some other program that help reduce shore erosion.

5. Contact the lighthouse that you are interested in, and ask them what type of service or help is needed.

6. Contact the Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy or the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association and volunteer to help.