The Willing Warriors Retreat – How Gold Award Girl Scout Allison Built a Recovery Garden for Veterans

Hi, I am Allison Lockhart, and I am a proud Gold Award Girl Scout from Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital. Earning the Girl Scout Gold Award has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. But before my project and the impact that I made in my community, my journey began with friendship, adventure, and an incredibly special troop leader: my mom.

I joined Girl Scouts as a Brownie in second grade, full of curiosity and energy after being at school all day. While not knowing exactly what I was getting myself into and being a quiet and shy girl at the beginning of my journey, Girl Scouts has helped me get out of my shell and be more comfortable in various situations such as talking to strangers, getting help with projects, and building connections with people everywhere I go. Our meetings were filled with crafts, songs, laughter, and during the fall preparation for cookie-selling, but more than anything, they were filled with connection. And I was lucky enough to have my mom as my troop leader. Her guidance, support, and creativity made every troop activity feel like an adventure. Some of my favorite early memories include troop outings to local events who hosted troop nights/events, learning about diverse cultures, and everyone’s favorite selling cookies during cookies in both seasons. I did not realize it then, but those experiences were quietly shaping who I would become and how I would one day lead a project that would touch the lives of veterans, their families, and my community.

As I began planning my Gold Award, I knew I wanted to serve a group that had given so much to our country: military members and their families. I learned about The Willing Warriors Retreat in Haymarket, Virginia. A peaceful getaway where wounded, ill, and injured service members can rest, recover, and reconnect with their loved ones. While exploring ways to contribute to their space, I discovered that their garden area was not fully accessible to those in wheelchairs or with limited mobility. Since I love gardening and growing my own fresh produce at my own home in a raised bed that I built, that’s when I had the idea to design and build a wheelchair-friendly raised garden bed that veterans, disabled service members, and their families could all enjoy together while staying at the retreat.

I started by researching accessible garden designs and speaking with members of The Willing Warriors team to understand the needs of their guests. I also met with a neighbor who uses a wheelchair to get his perspective on some things such as proper height so that they can reach comfortably and get to everything that is planted in the bed. I then created many blueprints and designs for a raised bed that would be both functional and beautiful, considering things like height, reach range, and ease of access. With the help of local volunteers and mentors, I sourced materials, secured donations, and constructed the garden bed onsite. One of the most rewarding parts of the project was seeing the space come to life, not just as a structure, but as a place of peace, connection, and healing. Along the way, I faced challenges like weather delays since I started my project late fall and early into winter, and finding open time to work at the retreat when no guest where there as well as around my schoolwork and athletics, but each hurdle taught me how to stay flexible, communicate clearly, and problem-solve with confidence.

The complete raised garden bed is now a permanent addition to the Willing Warriors Retreat. It offers a space where disabled veterans and their loved ones can plant flowers, grow vegetables, harvest what is grown and simply enjoy the therapeutic power of nature while being together.

Seeing one guest out there enjoying picking fresh tomatoes on the vine reminded me exactly why I chose this project. Seeing that one person use the space made every challenge worth it!

This journey taught me that leadership is not about doing everything yourself, it is about rallying others, listening deeply, and staying committed to your purpose. I discovered that small acts, even as simple as building a garden bed can make an enormous impact on anyone when done with heart and intention.

To anyone considering the Gold Award: go for it. Choose something that matters to you and be ready to grow. You do not have to change the world overnight, but you can change someone’s world. And that is what really counts!

To my mom, who has been mine and my friends troop leader and my biggest cheerleader from day one—thank you for walking this journey with me. To my troop, mentors, and the team at The Willing Warriors Retreat your support made this project possible. And to every Girl Scout dreaming big: your voice matters. Your vision matters. And you are more capable than you know. Finally, to all the brave service men and women who have proudly served our country over the years, THANK YOU for everything you have sacrificed to protect our country!

Allison Lockhart
Gold Award Girl Scout, Class of 2025