Seven members of Girl Scout Troop 46502 of Hollidaysburg recently completed their Bronze Award Project, the highest award a Junior Girl Scout can earn.

Participating Scouts were Bobbi Onkst, Mae Flaugh, Emma Wessner, Avelyn Witt, Felicity Wolfe, Lena Ballos and Maura Hovance.

As part of the project, the girls were tasked with identifying a need within their community and developing a meaningful way to address it.

After researching local needs, the troop recognized that Blair County does not have a children’s hospital, requiring many children — especially those with special needs — to travel outside the area for surgeries, specialized treatments and medical appointments.

Understanding that these trips can involve long and challenging car rides, the girls created a project called “Boredom Bags.”

With support from generous donations from local businesses and organizations, the troop assembled backpacks filled with activities and comfort items designed to help children stay occupied during travel.

Each bag also included a handmade item created by the Girl Scouts. The troop made small fleece blankets for infants and toddlers, while older children received activity packets assembled by the girls.

To further support the project, the troop organized a book drive at their elementary schools this spring, collecting gently used books to include in the bags.

In total, the girls purchased and assembled 130 Boredom Bags, divided into three age categories. The backpacks contain books, fidget toys and other age-appropriate items tailored to the needs of children at different developmental stages.

The bags will be distributed to local children through two pediatric therapy agencies, Kids First and Blair Therapies, helping make medical travel a little easier and more comfortable for families throughout the region.