Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month. Marcia Roe of Westminster in the Metro Denver region volunteers with the Outdoor Adventure Club, in addition to leading a troop of older girls, running a day camp in the summer, and helping lead the Peak to Peak service unit. She is also a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community.
GSCO asked Marcia to answer a few quick questions about her volunteer experience. We hope you find her as inspiring as we did.
Why did you become a Girl Scout volunteer?
When my daughters were five they were watching a show on TV that showed a fictional version of Girl Scouting. They were into asking if things were real or not real for things they saw on TV, so when I told them the show was not real but that being a Girl Scout was real, and that I had been one too, they begged to try it out and we have been living real Girl Scout adventures together for the last eight years. It was an amazing thing to start together as a family tradition and the girls in our troop have become like family after all this time.
Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout.
I am a leader for Troop 1359. Our troop has 16 girls 4th grade- 8th grade. I am also the cookie mom.
I am a co-service unit manager for the Peak to Peak service unit. We are small, but mighty.
I volunteer with GSCO’s Outdoor Adventure Club where once a month I work with an amazing team doing outdoor adventures, like dog sledding, with older Girl Scouts.
What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer?
I have learned that it is always necessary to be prepared with a song, riddle, and good story.
Live the good stories, they make better tales to tell later.
I have learned to ask for help when I need it. Elaborate plans and themes can be awesome, but not nearly as awesome as spontaneous free opportunities.
Girl-led is always the way to go.
What do you hope girls have learned from you?
I hope that I am a role model to them that adventure is always out there. That they can accomplish great things with commitment and a big heart.
How has your experience as a volunteer helped you become a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)?
I feel that being a Girl Scout volunteer is to live all the aspects of being a G.I.R.L. Go-getter because I never dreamed we would have such big cookie program goals as to set and meet goals that can get our whole troop to super sellers and that we are planning and saving to go on an EF tour. Innovator because I don’t have to be an expert at everything, I just have to be open to trying new things, experiences, badges, etc. Risk-taker because outdoor adventures are equal parts of risk and awe. I am always up for the next adventure. Finally, a leader, I am humbled and honored that my girls look to me for guidance in their own leadership.
Want to nominate a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado to spotlight? Please email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org.
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