GSSC • Service Unit 612 • Troop 161

Capes of Comfort · Girl Scout Silver Award Project

Every bear deserves a superhero cape.

We created 51 teddy bears with handmade superhero capes for people living with dementia. We hope every bear brings comfort, a smile, and the feeling that someone cares.

CavanBrookeGabriella
51
bears completed
50
original goal
2025–26
project year
See our project
A close-up of Troop 161's completed teddy bears wearing colorful handmade capes against a softly blurred cream and lavender background
51 bears completed by Troop 161

From an idea to an impact

Our Silver Award project

We are Cavan, Brooke, and Gabriella, and we wanted our Silver Award project to be personal and meaningful.

Why we chose this project

Dementia hits close to home for all three of us. Each of us has a family member who has lived with dementia, so we have seen how hard it can be for the person and for the people who love them.

We know a teddy bear and cape cannot fix everything. But if we can help someone feel comforted, cared about, or a little happier—even for a moment—then this project is worth it to us.

How our idea changed

Our original approved project was called Alzheimer's/Dementia Mat, and we first planned to make activity mats. As we continued planning, we decided that teddy bears with handmade capes would be easier for residents to hold, offer companionship, and allow us to reach more people. The final product changed, but our mission stayed the same.

  1. 01
    Plan

    Create the cape pattern and choose cheerful fabrics.

  2. 02
    Make

    Measure, cut, and assemble each no-sew cape with adhesives.

  3. 03
    Pair

    Match each handmade cape with a teddy bear.

  4. 04
    Give

    Deliver the superhero bears to people living with dementia.

Finished project & delivery

Our goal was 50.
We made and delivered 51.

On September 25, 2026, we delivered all 51 comfort bears to the residents of Sunrise of Huntington. Each bear wore one of our colorful, handmade sensory capes created to offer companionship, comfort, and a little bit of happiness.

Special thanks to Ashley, a fellow Troop 161 member, for helping us deliver the bears.

Sunrise of Huntington 300 West Hills Road Huntington Station, NY 11746 Delivered September 25, 2026
The Silver Award team and fellow Troop 161 member Ashley with all 51 comfort bears at Sunrise of Huntington
51 comfort bears delivered to Sunrise of Huntington

Meet Troop 161's project team

Three leaders. One mission.

Cavan

Cape Design & Delivery Planning

Cavan created the cape design and pattern, led material cutting, and helped divide and organize the fundraiser delivery routes.

Brooke

Communications & Website Planning

Brooke created the fundraiser flyer, helped plan the website layout, recruited helpers, and helped organize egg deliveries.

Gabriella

Supplies & Fundraiser Materials

Gabriella organized and tracked the supplies needed for the fundraiser, teddy bears, and capes.

All three girls worked together on the mission, fundraiser, cape-making, and comfort bears.

How we funded the project

Egg My Yard

We created and promoted an Egg My Yard fundraiser to purchase the teddy bears, fabric, candy, eggs, toys, and other materials needed for our project.

Families could order candy- and toy-filled eggs to be delivered across their front lawns. We planned the routes, gathered helpers, and worked together to complete the deliveries. Fabric donated by Brooke's grandmother also helped support the project.

Help the idea continue

Make a sensory cape.

Teddy bears come in different sizes, so there is no single pattern. We created ours through trial and error, adjusting the shape until it fit our bears.

What you’ll need

  • A teddy bear
  • Decorative fabric and felt
  • Poster board or sturdy paper
  • Fabric chalk and scissors
  • Spray adhesive and fabric glue
  • Velcro, zippers, sequins, buttons, ribbons, and other sensory items
  1. 1
    Choose your bear

    Purchase the teddy bear first so you can create a cape that fits it properly.

  2. 2
    Create a half-cape pattern

    Fold poster board or sturdy paper in half. Draw and cut out one half of the cape, including the neckline. Test it on your bear and adjust it as needed.

  3. 3
    Fold and trace the fabric

    Fold the decorative fabric in half. Place the straight edge of the half-cape pattern along the fold, then trace around it with fabric chalk.

  4. 4
    Repeat with the felt

    Fold the felt in half and trace the same pattern onto it to create a matching backing.

  5. 5
    Cut out both layers

    Carefully cut along the chalk lines. When unfolded, each piece should form one complete cape.

  6. 6
    Attach the fabric to the felt

    Place one decorative fabric cape over one felt cape. Use spray adhesive to attach the layers and make the cape sturdier. Let it dry completely.

  7. 7
    Add the sensory pieces

    Arrange zippers, Velcro, sequins, buttons, textured strips, ribbons, or other sensory items on either side of the cape. Attach them securely with fabric glue or another strong adhesive.

  8. 8
    Add the neck closure

    Attach Velcro to both sides of the neckline so the cape can be placed around the bear’s neck and removed when needed.

  9. 9
    Let everything dry

    Allow all adhesives to dry completely. Check that every sensory item is firmly attached and that there are no loose pieces.

  10. 10
    Dress your bear

    Wrap the finished cape around the bear’s neck and fasten the Velcro. Your sensory comfort bear is complete!

Safety first

Use spray adhesive in a well-ventilated area with adult supervision. Make sure every embellishment is firmly attached before giving the bear to a recipient.

Connect with Troop 161

Questions about the project?

We'd love to hear from you. Reach out to learn more about the girls' Silver Award work, the comfort bears, or how to continue the project in your community.