April is Volunteer Appreciation MonthThank you for being a Girl Scout volunteer! We love our volunteers and are celebrating you during Volunteer Appreciation Month. Check out some amazing volunteers that we have spotlighted on the GSCO Blog this month.
Girl Scout volunteers change the lives of girls in their communities every day. Some volunteers go above and beyond all expectations and have a positive impact on their troop and/or their service unit and sometimes the whole council. Recognize an outstanding volunteer by nominating them for a Volunteer Recognition Award . Nominators are responsible for ensuring enough endorsements are submitted to support their nomination of a volunteer for an award. Your volunteer support specialist can check the status of nominations. Nominate an exceptional volunteer for a volunteer award by June 30!
Check out other ways to say thank your fellow volunteers below.LEARN MORE
Find Your Adventure with Early Bird Renewal!
It’s time to sign up for another Girl Scout year full of new adventures! Renew your membership in April get a 20% discount ($5) off your membership.
All members who renew before May 13 can join in a special event with Girl Scout alumn Kristen Bell! Learn how to paint your world purple with Kristen, co-author of The World Needs More Purple People, for a fun virtual event on May 19. This special event is open to members registered for the 2023 membership year, so make sure you are renewed and then register! Registration for this special event is open: https://girlscouts.org/purple
Members who renew before June 30 will receive these additional rewards:
Girls earn the Find Your Adventure Early Bird patch (pictured above).
Choice of $25 GSCO shop credit or Rededication Kit for troops renewing two or more leaders and three or more girls*
Service Units, earn $100+ $0.25/girl when you renew 50% or more of your unit membership*
Stay tuned for additional surprises and drawings to be announced during Early Bird!
*Annual Troop Report and ACH forms must be submitted by June 30, 2022 to qualify for troop and service unit rewards.
50/50 Starter Troop Incentive
Troop and Service Unit Teams: Troops and/or service units who recruit and mentor a new troop, with new volunteer leadership, April 1-July 31, 2022 will earn $50 for the troop or service unit and $50 for the new troop! Supporting the new troop for four to six sessions will ensure a great initial experience as new members start their Girl Scout adventure!
Girl Scout Days at Elitch Gardens patch contest
We are looking for creative Girl Scouts to submit their best design for the 2022 Girl Scout Days at Elitch Gardens patch. Submit your design ideas by May 16 and see your artwork on a patch this summer! The winning design will be made into the special patch to be distributed during the event and the winning designer will receive two free tickets, two VIP Rapid Rides passes, and two Attraction Passes (XLR8R or Sling Shot)! Each Girl Scout participating in Girl Scout Days will receive an event patch!LEARN MORE
Build Like a Girl is back and better than ever!
Saturday, June 4 Girl Scouts can explore the wide variety of jobs in the trades at this hands-on Girl Scout event. Girls will roll up their sleeves and experience what it is like to be a pipe fitter, a plumber, or a welder and explore the trades while being inspired by the female professionals in those roles.REGISTER
Climb Up to CadettesBridging Event for 5th grade Girl Scouts Sunday, June 12 In this full day event in Castle Rock, Girl Scouts will discover more about themselves and their boundaries on the Epic Sky Trek ropes course, connect with older Girl Scouts to learn more about being a Girl Scout in middle school, and then take action by learning how to be an upstander in bullying situations.Caregivers and troop leaders, don’t worry, we didn’t forget about you! We will have an adult-only morning session so you can learn how to support your Girl Scout as they plan their “go, see, do” year.LEARN MORE
We want to hear from you!
The 2022 Girl Scout Voices Count survey opened April 4 for Girl Scouts, parents or caregivers, and troop leaders (service unit volunteers will be surveyed in May). The feedback you provide is so important as it helps us improve Girl Scout programs and services. Be sure to check your email for an invitation to participate. As a thank you, everyone who completes the survey will have a chance to win one of 20 $50 gift cards. We’re looking forward to hearing what you have to say!
If you have any questions, please email GSVoicesCount@girlscouts.org.
Update on travel restrictionsGirl Scouts of Colorado is allowing troops to travel internationally again, however Girl Scouts are not permitted to travel to international locations rated “Level 4: Do Not Travel” by the United States Department of State. This is in alignment with GSUSA’s travel rules adopted in 2018 to keep girls safe while they explore the world.
Any troops planning travel for summer 2022 should submit a Trip Notification Form, an out of state travel waiver, and expect a check-in call with GSCO at 90-days, 60-days, and 30-days prior to their departure date. Please check the State Department levels and be aware that many countries are currently listed as Level 4 and plans may need to change.
Check the FAQs regarding international travel for more information.
Outdoor Program News
Looking to get your Girl Scouts outdoors?Check out all the resources on the GSCO Camp and Outdoors page including the GSCO Get Outdoors Challenge Patch and the Outdoor Skills Patch.
Troop Adventure Days + Book your own cabin overnight Join us for a full day of troop adventures and then book an overnight on your own! Troop Adventure Days are held at Meadow Mountain Ranch in Allenspark ($35/Girl Scout), and at Lazy Acres in Rye ($65/Girl Scout). When troops register for a full day program, they may choose to extend their stay by booking a cabin at the camp property the night before or after the program. Visit the GSCO events calendar and learn more about Troop Adventure Days.
Outdoor Adventure Club Calling all 6th – 12th graders! Spring and summer 2022 Outdoor Adventure Club event details are now available! Join us for our annual April service projects, a boating campout, and a 14er hike. We hope to see you at an event!
Upcoming Camp Events
Tomahawk Ranch Open House Sunday, May 22, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Take a drive to the mountains and visit Tomahawk Ranch for a self-guided tour and a chance to meet the staff ask all the questions your heart desires! Bring family, friends, and your walking shoes. This is a great opportunity for your camper(s) to help them prepare for a fun experience this summer. No registration required for this free event. Learn more about the event.
Sky High Ranch Virtual Open House Monday May 30, 9-10 a.m. Join the Sky High team for a virtual tour and staff Q&A session! This is a great opportunity to see videos of the property and ask all your questions about summer camp. Click here for more information about this event.
Reach for the Peak- Tickler at Sky High Ranch Saturday May 14, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. $5 per girl and adults, Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors only A day-long mini workshop highlighting points of the outdoor skills competition. The Reach for the Peak Tickler is an opportunity to learn what skills will be useful in the Reach for the Peak competition (held in August). Participants will visit mock stations, meet other girls who are competing, and spend the day at Sky High Ranch. This is a great introduction for girls who are new to the competition. This is your chance to learn more about this fun and fabulous outdoor skills challenge! We’ll brush up on outdoor skills including: emergency shelters, first aid, fire building, tool craft, map and compass reading, camp cooking, knots, lashing, and site set up. To register, download and complete the registration form and send payment. Contact Donna Johannsen with questions (719) 244-4279 or RftP-Tickler@outlook.com.
Product Program updatesThank you to everyone who guided girls towards success during the 2022 Cookie Program! Your positive, can-do spirit and perseverance were appreciated as we all worked through the challenges brought on by labor shortages and supply chain issues at our bakery. Don’t forget to take a moment to reflect on everything your Girl Scouts have accomplished.
Important Dates
April 30 – Cookie Credits applied to GSCO camp registrations deadline
May – Cookie Credits mailed out
May – Rewards ship to service units
2022-23 Product Program Volunteer Agreements
If you were a troop fall product manager (TFPM) or troop cookie manager (TCM) last year and you will continue in this the role, please complete the volunteer agreement when you renew your membership. Make sure your troop or service unit submits a 2022-2023 ACH form too!
When you renew your membership, volunteer role, and ensure that a current ACH form is completed, you meet all requirements for getting approved as a Fall Product or Girl Scout Cookie Program volunteer. You’ll gain access to M2 and eBudde as soon as it opens and be included in key volunteer communications right from the start!
Have questions or need assistance? Please contact GSCO customer care at inquiry@gscolorado.org or call 1-877-404-5708.
Author – Rachele Alpine Apr. 25, 5-5:45 p.m., DBJ Apr. 25, 6:30-7:30 p.m., CSA What’s it like to be an author? And, how do books get published? Join us as Rachele Alpine, author of 11 books, takes us through a writing prompt that will provide endless story ideas!Inspiring Futures presented by CollegeInvestDetective May 4, 5 – 5:45 p.m., DBJ May 4, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., CSA Dive into the science of detecting with Criminal Investigator, Shannon Daly of Colorado’s 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. In her 19 years in Law Enforcement, she has been a K9 handler, Narcotics Detective, Rapid Response Team Member (SWAT), Defensive Tactics Instructor, and a Force Science Analyst! What does all this mean? We’ll find this out and about her education pathway into Law Enforcement.
Pilot May 11, 5 – 5:45 p.m., DBJ May 11, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., CSA Join Southwest Airlines First Officer and retired U.S. Air Force aviator Pamela as she introduces you to the high-flying path to life as a career pilot!
Colorado Parks & Wildlife School Programs Coordinator May 23, 5 – 5:45 p.m., DBJ May 23, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., CSA Colorado Parks & Wildlife School Programs Coordinator, Erin Kendall will share information about her education, career and why she loves working for CPW! Erin will also speak to Girl Scouts about other job opportunities within Colorado Parks & Wildlife and see a short interactive example of what an environmental educator might do!LEARN MORE
Upcoming EventsGirl Scouts on the Rails April 16, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Girl Scout Brownies and Juniors are invited to join the Colorado Railroad Museum for a fun-filled day that will enhance their First Aid, Simple and Compound Machines, Engineering, Career Exploration, and Animal Habitat Badge experiences. Not only will participants get to make a First Aid Kit to take home, but they will also learn about the Colorado Railroad connection to First Aid Kits. Girl Scouts will also get to ride the Galloping Goose and learn about its connection to the Girl Scouts experience in the early 20th century!Denver Botanic Gardens – Girl Scout Exploration Days Numbers and Art in Nature – Daisies Saturday, April 23, 9:15 a.m., 10:45 a.m. or 1 p.m. Girl Scout Daisies search for patterns, colors, and sounds in the Gardens as they use math to create art. Daisies learn to use nature as a measuring too, explore shadows and create art inspired by nature to take home. This Exploration Day is designed to meet the requirements for both the Daisy Outdoor Art Maker and the Daisy Math in Nature 2 badges. Badge not included.
Catamount Institute Earn Your Badge Day April 23, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Join the Catamount Institutes naturalist for their spring Earn a Badge program! Brownies and Juniors will get to engage and explore in Sondermann park as they earn the requirements for specific badges. The day promises to be hands-on, all outside, and tons of fun.
Girl Scout Cooking on the Homestead at Plains Conservation Center April 23, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Girl Scout Brownie and Juniors will chop, squeeze, measure, and bake to create a tasty spread of homemade foods. Expand your kitchen skills by cooking on an old-fashioned wood burning stove and explore our heirloom garden to learn about growing your own produce. This program meets some of the requirements for the Brownie Snacks and Juniors Simple Meals Badges.
Girl Scout Hydro Heros at Chatfield Farms April 30, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors are invited to explore water at Chatfield Farms through the lens of important ecosystems of Colorado! Girl Scouts will use STEM techniques to discover how ecologists examine water quality, learn how Coloradans get and use water, and create hydro art. Spring Outdoor Skills Days April 30, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Good Shepherd United Methodist, Thornton Join Troop 70007 for an outdoor skills learning day this spring to earn outdoor skills badges and get ready for summer camping! Girl Scouts will learn skills in knife craft, compass, outdoor cooking, fire building, campsite set up, first aid and more. Register as a troop or Juliette with a parent chaperone, cost is $22/ girl. Questions? girlscouttroop70007@gmail.com.
Fairy Gardens STEAM Patch At this event, Girl Scouts will flex both their STEM and artistic muscles by creating a fairy garden to add to their outdoor space. Let’s hope their creations “attract” fairies to their own gardens! Registration includes a fun patch.
Denver Botanic Gardens – Girl Scout Exploration Days Create a Garden – Juniors Saturday, May 14, 9:15 a.m., 10:45 a.m. or 1 p.m. Girl Scout Juniors explore the basics of garden design as they learn how to plan for a successful garden. Girl Scotus design, plant and decorate a miniature indoor garden to take home with them. This program is designed to meet the needs of the Gardener Junior Girl Scout Badge requirements.
Statewide Bridging at Royal Gorge Bridge May 21, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Join your Girl Scout sisters as we celebrate accomplishments, reflect on the fun times, and bridge to the next level of Girl Scouts at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. We’ll have a Girl Scout bridging ceremony and symbolize this moment by walking together as a sisterhood across the highest suspension bridge in the United States! Then we’ll enjoy a celebration on the other side at Juniper Junction.