Local Girl Scout saves sea turtles on Panama Coast

RIVERDALE — Abigael Doyle of Jefferson, was one of 28 girls to participate in a Girl Scout destinations program where she volunteered in Panama in conservation efforts to protect endangered sea turtles and explored new depths while learning to scuba dive on the Caribbean coast of Panama.

“My favorite memory was working with the sea turtles.” Doyle said, “It was amazing.”

Twelve-year-old Doyle from Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey recently returned from Outward Bound Costa Rica’s Scuba & Sea Turtle Adventure destination. This 14-day course included a multi-day service project at San San Pond Sak wetlands, located on the Caribbean coast of Panama. There the girls dedicated their time to protecting the endangered leatherback sea turtle population.

Doyle and her group spent the second half of their time in Panama, based on the remote island of Solarte, located in the Bocas del Toro Province. The girls learned about the local ecology and marine life while they were taught to scuba dive. After completing and passing the NAUI Open Water Certification training, Doyle and her coursemates are all now scuba certified.

After returning to Outward Bound’s rainforest base in Costa Rica, the group tackled Class II and III rapids on the Pejibaye River, zip lined through the canopies, and visited the vibrant artisan market of San Jose to finish up their adventure.

“Girl Scouts gives girls many opportunities to travel, domestically and internationally,” said Betty Garger, president and chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey. “While traveling girls learn independence and responsibility, as well as gain knowledge about new cultures and places. The Girl Scouts of the USA destinations program gives girls opportunities not only to travel, but to serve and impact local communities, and that’s just what Abigael did.”