Woven art brings attention to animals in need

Megan Getschmann has always liked animals. As a Girl Scout, she wanted to help the animals at the New Hampshire SPCA, so she decided to make a weaving structure for their playground that also teaches about the animal shelter. She has earned the highest honor for a student in grades 6-8, the Girl Scout Silver Award, for her project, "Green Buddies."

Getschmann, 14, is from Exeter and is in ninth grade now at Portsmouth Christian Academy.

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"She had met with the director of education at the SPCA in late 2024 to talk about what needs they might have," said her father, Robert Getschmann. "The director said that they would like to make additions to their playground which is used primarily for the camp which they run in the summer.This fit well for Megan since she likes working with children, having been a program assistant at Camp Seawood in Portsmouth."

Megan built the frame herself and used natural materials for the weaving materials. She rented an auger for digging the post holes and constructed the frame on site.

To tie the art concept to the shelter, Megan wrote a book on the history of weaving and weaving patterns that also included facts about the protection of animals in New Hampshire, animal care tips, and facts about animals. The book was laminated and attached to the structure so children can read about animals and weaving. She also included an audio device with recordings about animal care and how weaving relates to the natural web of life on the planet.

In Girl Scouts, girls find the power within to help make the world a better place. To find out more about Girl Scouts, see www.girlscoutsgwm.org.

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