“Never underestimate the determination of a kid who is time-rich and cash-poor.” ― Cory Doctorow

What a story!

Lizzy Worthington isn’t a typical girl from Iowa, although she’s much like the ones I know. She is a Girl Scout and a member of her high school trap shooting team, the BGM Shotgunners.

Practicing was difficult for Lizzy, whose closest range was about 45 minutes away, so she decided that for her Girl Scout Gold Award Project, she was going to build a trap shooting range closer to home.

“Go big or go home,” Lizzy told a reporter with KWWL.

The Bear Creek Range took two years and $50,000 to build and while she said she wanted to quit the project many times, Lizzy is glad she stuck with it and hopes it will promote gun safety by teaching more people the proper way to handle firearms and shoot.

“I was a 16-year-old kid when I started,” she says. “It was just difficult. You look at something and you think, ‘I can’t do this’ which I definitely did with this, but just give it a little time and try a little harder.”

Thanks to her hard work and dedication to this project, Lizzy was chosen for the Girl Scout’s National Young Women of Distinction Award – an honor given to Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors whose Gold Award projects demonstrate extraordinary leadership, have a measurable and sustainable impact, and address a local challenge related to a national and/or global issue.

“I think this range will always be a part of me,” Lizzy said before concluding, “and maybe we’ll get some state champs around here, ’cause that’d be awesome!”

Are you near Malcom, IA? Join Lizzy and members of the Poweshiek County Sportsman’s Association (PSCA) for an open house at the Bear Creek Range located at 1159 US Highway 6, Malcom, IA on Saturday, August 5th from 9:00AM to 11:00AM. Coffee and donuts will be served and trap shooting will be available. The event is open to the public.

Click [HERE] to see Lizzy’s interview with KWWL.