Each year, any Girl Scout in Chaffee County who earns a Gold Award is eligible to receive $1,000 from the Johanna Farrar Girl Scout Memorial Scholarship fund at Girl Scouts of Colorado. Started in 2015 by Johanna Farrar’s husband and children, this memorial fund honors Johanna’s Girl Scout legacy and celebrates the tremendous efforts of Gold Award Girl Scouts. Annual gifts from the Farrar family and local Girl Scouts make awards possible. Says Gene Farrar, “Even more than rewarding girls for their work and contributions to the community in achieving their Gold Award, our hope is to aid young women with that kind of initiative and motivation to gain a better education, primarily through formal education.” Read more about Johanna Farrar. In the past five years, three Chaffee County Gold Award Girl Scouts have received funds to further their education and experience and appreciate other cultures through travel. While the family will not be making an award in 2020, if you are a Girl Scout in Chaffee County, now is the time to consider going for Gold! Check out Highest Awards Resources and get started with Go Gold!  Register for upcoming webinar! #GoldAward #HighestAwards #funddevleopment #GoldAwardGirlScouts #ChaffeeCounty #TakeAction #JohannaFarrarGirlScoutMemorialScholarshipfund #mountaincommunities

Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month. Laura Ainsworth of Pueblo in the Pueblo and Southeastern CO region is a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community. GSCO asked Laura 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? Personally, I was not planning to be a Girl Scout volunteer and I was never involved in Girl Scouts growing up. My daughter started the troop because her daughter (my granddaughter) was in two council-ran troops that disbanded and she wanted to continue in Girl Scouts. I used to help my daughter plan the meetings and come up with activities for the girls to do. In the meantime, I got tired of the patches coming off my granddaughter’s vest and fixing them, so I decided to put them on and sew them, so that they did not come off. I offered my services to the other parents in the troop to do this also for their girls, which I continue to do to present. I also do embroidery work, so I make some of the fun patches for the girls to save the troop money. The second year, I became a back up leader, but did not attend much meetings. My daughter left half way through the year, but I continued to help the troop and by the end of the year one of the leaders was moving up with her daughter because no one was trained in Juniors. At that point, the troop was only Daisy and Brownies. I also help balance the checkbook for them and helped them straighten out the cookies and how to put stuff  in eBudde for them. The other leader stopped helping, so I stepped up and helped Laurice and from that point on I have been in the forefront working with the girls as a leader. I have stayed with the troop even though my granddaughter did come back and has left the troop since. Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout. The different roles I have done in Girl Scout is I am a leader, work with the girls on their badges and Journeys; order badges and Journeys; put on the badges on their vests;  plan field trips; manage our troop Facebook account; fall product program manager; troop cookie manager; set up cookie booths; keep track of the bank account; balance the checkbook, which we have an open policy that the girls and parents can look at anytime they want too. I am also a co-signer on the bank account for our service unit bank account and I also balance that checkbook. What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer? I am normally a shy and quiet person, but I have become a more outgoing, vocal person and willing to try new things. What do you hope girls have learned from you? We have a troop with half outspoken girls and half shy and quiet girls. By relating how my experiences were growing up to how I am now, the girls have learned they can accomplish anything they put their minds to. I also hope they have learned to have moral values that they can live by the rest of their lives, which is pretty much the Girl Scout Promise and Law. I also hope they have learned to never stop learning because if you do, you will stop growing into a better person. How has your experience as a volunteer helped you become a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)? Learning to speak up, take chances, try new things, and set an example to let the girls know that I am nervous at trying something new, but if I can do it they can do it also. We learn from each other and grow together. Never be afraid to say you don’t know something. Try to find the answer. Don’t be afraid to listen to the girls because you can learn from them. just as they learn from you. Don’t be afraid to let your hair down and be goofy and silly like them. Have fun! Want to nominate a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado to spotlight? Please email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org. The nomination deadline for 2020 Volunteer Recognition Awards is April 30. GSCO invites members statewide to take this opportunity to 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 nomination and endorsement submissions for you. Learn more. #2020VolunteerSpotlight #VolunteerNews #volunteerspotlight #VolunteerAppreciationMonth #2020NationalVolunteerAppreciationMonth #NationalVolunteerAppreciationMonth #VolunteerAppreciation #Pueblo #PuebloampSoutheasternCO

Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month. Mandy Leyba of Pueblo in the Pueblo and Southeastern CO region is a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community. GSCO asked Mandy 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? My daughter wanted to join Girl Scouts and the troop needed other volunteers, so I signed up. Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout. Leader – Organize the troop Mom – Be there for my daughter, so we can have time together Friend to girls and parents Mentor to the girls, showing them how to do things What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer? Patience to slow down to show all the girls how to do things Leadership to stand up and lead my troop and parents Multi-tasking, not only am I a leader, but I’m parent What do you hope girls have learned from you? Be more independent and speak up Not hide behind their parents Come out of their comfort zone How has your experience as a volunteer helped you become a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)? I’ve always been a G.I.R.L., but being a volunteer has given me the confidence I need to be a G.I.R.L. and the privilege to help girls and other parents to become a G.I.R.L. Want to nominate a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado to spotlight? Please email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org. The nomination deadline for 2020 Volunteer Recognition Awards is April 30. GSCO invites members statewide to take this opportunity to 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 nomination and endorsement submissions for you. Learn more. #NationalVolunteerAppreciation #VolunteerNews #volunteerspotlight #VolunteerSpotlight2020 #2020NationalVolunteerAppreciationMonth #NationalVolunteerAppreciationMonth #VolunteerAppreciation #Pueblo #PuebloampSoutheasternCO

Submitted by Jennifer M. Northern & Northeastern CO We filled out the 2020 Census online and talked about the family pledge. I helped my mom fill out the census and I pressed “submit.” It was fun to try to remember everyone’s middle names and birthdays. We sent out a Facebook post to remind people that the deadline is April 1. We also sent one to my troop band. It would be easy to forget since our daily routines have changed. This was so fun and I will remember it every ten years when a new census comes out. Girl Scouts of Colorado is thrilled to launch our “Stand and Be Counted” patch in honor of the 2020 Census! Learn how to earn yours. We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here. #NorthernampNortheastern #2020Census #GirlScoutingatHome #Longmont #GirlScoutsatHome #StandandBeCountedpatch #censuspatch #patch

Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month. Christie Waldrep of Arvada in the Metro Denver region is a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community. GSCO asked Christie 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? I became a volunteer for Girl Scouts when my daughter’s troop leader quit coming. Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout. I have a multi-level troop ranging from first through eighth graders. I am service unit fall product program manager, as well as the troop product program manager. What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer? I have learned it is hard to keep a troop together and even harder to find volunteers. In the last seven years of being my daughter’s leader, I have had ten co-leaders. What do you hope girls have learned from you? I hope the girls learn skills they didn’t know they are capable of doing, like sewing, climbing, and being a leader. How has your experience as a volunteer helped you become a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)? I feel like I have become a go-getter by just keeping some of my older girls in the troop into middle school and a risk-taker by bringing on new parents almost every year, looking for someone willing to help me lead the next generation. Want to nominate a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado to spotlight? Please email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org. The nomination deadline for 2020 Volunteer Recognition Awards is April 30. GSCO invites members statewide to take this opportunity to 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 nomination and endorsement submissions for you. Learn more. #Arvada #VolunteerNews #volunteerspotlight #VolunteerAppreciationMonth #2020NationalVolunteerAppreciationMonth #NationalVolunteerAppreciationMonth #VolunteerAppreciation #MetroDenver

Elementary-aged girls can become a Girl Scout now and join a VIRTUAL troop! Even though traditional troops are unable to meet in-person due to the COVID-19 pandemic, your girl can start learning essential life skills, earning badges, and making new friends! How does it work? Girl Scouts of Colorado staff members will serve as your girl’s troop leader and guide her through six virtual meetings. Each virtual troop will be no more than ten girls and will be girls in her Girl Scout program level. Girls are placed in the appropriate grade level according to what grade they’re in at school. When do the virtual troops meet? We will have two different enrollment periods, either starting the week of April 20, 2020 or the week of May 4. Each will last for six troop meetings or six weeks. Daisies (PreK, K, 1st) will meet on either Tuesdays or Thursdays at either 3:30 p.m. or 4 p.m. Brownies (2nd and 3rd) will meet on either Mondays or Wednesdays at either 3:30 p.m. or 4 p.m. Juniors (4th and 5th) will meet on Fridays at either 3:30 p.m. or 4 p.m. What technology or supplies are needed? Your girl will need to be able to connect to the internet and participate in a Zoom meeting. This could be on a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Any supplies for the troop meeting will be items which are commonly found in your home- no need to go shopping! What is the caregiver’s role? In both traditional troops and our virtual troops, the more a girl’s family is involved, the more successful she is in Girl Scouts. Because your girl will be on the internet, we are asking for an adult to keep a watchful eye on her while she is participating, just to make sure she hasn’t wandered into a different program. We will also be providing outlines of the meetings before she attends, so you can see where you might need to support your girl and continue the discussion after the meeting. If my girl is already a Girl Scout can she join? No. This opportunity is for girls who are eager to get started with Girl Scouts and want to have a taste of what it is like. Don’t worry, we have some exciting things coming in May to engage current Girl Scouts. Keep an eye on your email inbox for more details! Can my girl still join a traditional troop? Yes, and this is encouraged! After the six sessions wrap-up, a Girl Scouts of Colorado placement specialist will contact you about  troop options. If troops are still not able to meet in-person, we will give you some ways your girl can continue to engage with Girl Scouts. Sounds great, what are the next steps? Fill out this interest form (https://gscolorado.formstack.com/forms/girl_interest_virtual_troop) and we will be in contact within two business days to get your girl started! Questions? Email inquiry@gscolorado.org. Be sure to include your name and contact information. SPANISH Translation ¡Niñas que están en la primaria ahora pueden ser Girl Scouts y unirse a una tropa VIRTUAL! Aunque en estos días no Podemos tener tropas tradicionales y juntarnos en persona por la pandemia de COVID-19, su hija puede empezar en aprender habilidades esenciales para la vida, ganarse insignias, ¡y hacer nuevas amigas! ¿Como trabaja? Los empleados de Girl Scouts of Colorado servirán como el líder de las tropas de su hija y la guiarán por seis reuniones virtuales. Cada tropa virtual tendrá menos de 10 niñas y será en el mismo nivel de Girl Scouts. Las niñas son situadas en el nivel apropiado de acuerdo con el grado escolar. ¿Cuándo se juntan las tropas virtuales? Tendremos dos periodos de inscripción, ya sea que empiezan el 20 de abril de 2020 o la semana del 4 de mayo de 2020. Cada periodo abarcara las seis reuniones de la tropa o las seis semanas. Daisies (PreK, Kínder, 1º) se juntarán ya sea en martes o jueves a las 3:30 o las 4 p.m. Brownies (2º y 3º) se juntarán ya sea en lunes o miércoles a las 3:30 o las 4 p.m. Juniors (4º y 5º) se juntaran los viernes a las 3:30 o las 4 p.m. ¿Qué tecnología o materiales se necesitan? Su hija necesitara poder conectarse a la internet y participar en una junta por medio de Zoom. Ella podrá usar una computadora, tableta, o un celular smartphone. Los materiales que necesitara para las reuniones serán cosas que comúnmente se encuentran en la casa, ¡no necesitaran que ir de compras! ¿Cuál es el papel del padre/guardián? En ambas tropas tradicionales y virtuales, lo mas envuelta este la familia de la niña, cuanto más éxito tendrá ella en Girl Scouts. Como su hija estará en la internet, necesitamos que un adulto la observe mientras participa para estar seguros de que no vaya a entrar en otro programa diferente. También proveeremos una agenda de antemano de lo que abarcaremos en las reuniones, para que usted pueda ver en que puede apoyar a su hija y continuar la discusión después de la reunión. ¿Puede unirse mi hija si ya es una Girl Scout? No. Esta oportunidad es para niñas que están ansiosas para empezar con Girl Scouts y quieren tener una idea de como es. No se preocupe, tenemos algo emocionante planeado para mayo para involucrar a las Girl Scouts actuales. ¡Vigile su correo electrónico para más detalles! ¿Puede unirse mi hija a una tropa tradicional? ¡Si, y le animamos hacerlo! Después que las seis sesiones concluyan, un Especialista de Colocación de Girl Scouts de Colorado se comunicara con usted acerca de las opciones de tropas. Si las tropas todavía no se pueden juntar en persona, les daremos algunas formas en que su hija puede continuar su participación en Girl Scouts. Suena genial, ¿cuáles son los siguientes pasos? Llene este formulario (https://gscolorado.formstack.com/forms/girl_interest_virtual_troop) y nos comunicaremos con usted dentro de dos días de negocio para que su hija empiece. ¿Tiene preguntas? Mande un correo electrónico a inquiry@gscolorado.org. Asegure de incluir su nombre e información de contacto. #GirlScoutingatHome #recruitment #GirlScoutsatHome #VIRTUALGirlScouttroop #Coronavirus #COVID19

Submitted by GSCO Membership Connection Committee The crisis and response to COVID-19 is like nothing we’ve ever seen in our lifetimes. Our girls are feeling unsettled and scared. As troop leaders, we have an opportunity to provide some normalcy in their lives by offering the continued presence of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Of course, it will look radically different. Some troop leaders are already offering virtual troop meetings through the Zoom videoconferencing service. If you aren’t familiar with Zoom, you can go here to check it out: https://zoom.us/. You can sign up for a free account that allows you to host meetings for up to 100 participants, up to 40 minutes in length. Although that is shorter than a typical troop meeting, it may be just enough right now. Try one or two activities, and see how it goes. Or, you could use a free Zoom account to host a virtual social gathering. Some troops are trying half-hour lunch socials. In these times of “social distancing,” regular social connections are even more important. Let your girls see each other and talk about whatever is on their mind right now. We also have compiled our top ten recommendations for badges and patches to work on in these unusual times: Now is a great time to work on the Safety Award. Each level’s award focuses on slightly different aspects of emergency preparedness. This resource offers some ideas for how to complete the requirements at each level: https://allthingsgirlscouts.com/2019/07/14/episode-8-safety-awards/. Beginning with Girl Scout Brownies, each level also offers a First Aid badge. You can find suggested Meeting Plans in the Volunteer Toolkit (VTK). With lots of together time at home, girls and their families might enjoy completing a space science badge. These badges are available at all six levels, and the badge requirements can be purchased in digital form from the Girl Scout Shop. Here is where you can find the Junior-level requirements, for example: https://www.girlscoutshop.com/Junior-Space-Science-Investigator-Badge-Requirment-Pamphlet. Each level offers detailed instructions on projects for learning about space, and also includes some nighttime stargazing. Girls and their families may also enjoy completing an outdoor art badge. These are also available for all levels and the badge requirements can be downloaded. For example, here is a link to the Ambassador-level requirements: https://www.girlscoutshop.com/AMBASSADOR-OUTDOOR-ART-MASTER-BADGE-REQUIREMENT-PAMPHLET. Getting outside is important for everyone’s mental health during social distancing or “stay-at-home” orders, but be sure to follow all of the guidelines from the CDC and your local authorities for safeguards to follow. A third badge available at all levels, and accessible through digital download, is the new Trail Adventure series. See the Cadette-level requirements here: https://www.girlscoutshop.com/cadette-trail-adventure-badge-requirements. These badges are extremely flexible in terms of requirements, and can be completed by any girl at any level in any outdoor conditions. Be Prepared, Not Scared” is a patch program that might be appropriate. Several different Girl Scout councils, including Colorado, have offered different “zombie survival” workshops in the past using some of these materials. You can find a comprehensive activity guide developed by Girl Scouts of Central California South here: https://www.girlscoutsccs.org/content/dam/girlscouts-girlscoutsccs/documents/Be%20Prepared,%20Not%20Scared%20Patch%20Series.pdf. The patches can be purchased here: https://www.girlscoutshop.com/search?keywords=zombie The Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame developed a patch program that can be completed entirely online, while learning about important women leaders throughout our state’s history. See the details here: https://www.cogreatwomen.org/girl-scouts-of-colorado/ Census 2020 documents are arriving in mailboxes. Here is a great opportunity to teach girls about the history and importance of the census, and also earn a fun patch: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/content/dam/girlscoutsofcolorado/documents/GSCO%20Stand%20and%20Be%20Counted%20Patch%20Booklet.pdf. Maybe your troop would like to look toward the future – when they can return to their routines – and start planning their next trip locally, regionally, nationally, or internationally! Here’s a great resource to guide you through the planning process: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/content/dam/girlscoutsofcolorado/flyers/anytimeactivities/Girl_Scout_Guide_to_U.S._Travel.pdf. With our “new normal” of doing so much online, it’s a great time to teach or remind our girls about cybersecurity basics. Here are some great simple activities to do with Daisies, Brownies, or Juniors: http://gscoblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/CybersecurityPatch_FacilitatorGuide.pdf. Or you can work on the series of 3 Cybersecurity badges offered for all levels: https://www.girlscoutshop.com/search?keywords=cybersecurity. You can find even more resources on our Council’s “Girl Scouting at Home” webpage here: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/our-program/ways-to-participate/girl-scouting-at-home.html. Our wonderful council staff have also assembled this document, which they are regularly updating, that includes other suggestions for virtual patch activities: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GbqoF8PqGsWIcPfkDzLNl7pI4fg1sFGhsqlHkO6fbos/edit. And you can check out what our Sister Girl Scouts and Girl Guides are doing around the world here: https://www.wagggs.org/en/what-we-do/digitalguiding/. If you don’t have the bandwidth as a leader to take an active role in offering any programming to your girls right now, that’s okay too. (Maybe just forward this message to your troop families?) It’s important that we all prioritize our own mental health in these challenging times. Whatever you do, remember that this is temporary. We will all get through it together, and don’t hesitate to reach out for support when you need it. Stay Well! #VolunteerNews #GirlScoutingatHome #MembershipConnectionCommittee #MCC #GirlScoutsatHome #COVID19

Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month. Monica Monson of Pueblo West in the Pueblo and Southeastern Colorado region is a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community. GSCO asked Monica 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? I became a Girl Scout volunteer because I wanted to be a role model to young girls. I wanted to learn from fellow Girl Scout leaders and pass along what I learned. Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout. As a volunteer, I have many roles. I am one of three leaders, in charge of the bank account fund, and cookie manager. I do a lot of the planning for our weekly meeting and order whatever is needed for our troop from the Girl Scout store. What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer? I have learned lots of things while being a leader. The first thing that comes to mind is boundaries. I have learned to say yes a lot of time, but have also learned saying no is ok and very much necessary at times. I have learned that words mean a lot and how to communicate in a more positive way. What do you hope girls have learned from you? I hope the girls learn from me accountability. Every week there is a meeting and I try really hard to keep that. When I tell them I am going to do something, I do it. I hope they learn to be flexible as well. Life happens and throws us curve balls. I try and show them through my actions that we can just go with the flow. How has your experience as a volunteer helped you become a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)? Becoming volunteer has helped me become a G.I.R.L. in many ways! Every week, I look forward to meeting with my girls and leading. I am not afraid to speak my mind and stand up for each girl. I have done CPR classes and sat through trainings that I never thought I would do. I have gone out and have talked to all kinds of people with confidence. I have taken risks in my personal life and have grown. Overall, I try and live by the Girl Scout Promise and Law and it has been a foundation to lean on. I am excited to see where this journey takes me and what I will learn next. Want to nominate a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado to spotlight? Please email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org. The nomination deadline for 2020 Volunteer Recognition Awards is April 30. GSCO invites members statewide to take this opportunity to 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 nomination and endorsement submissions for you. Learn more. #VolunteerNews #volunteerspotlight #VolunteerAppreciationMonth #2020NationalVolunteerAppreciationMonth #NationalVolunteerAppreciationMonth #VolunteerAppreciation #PuebloWest #PuebloampSoutheasternCO

Share the fun of Girl Scout Camp with your family! Girl Scouts of Colorado Camp Staff has developed a series of activities you can do with your family at home. Or, you can even share them with your Girl Scout sisters virtually. For this week’s activity, gather around the table and solve this riddle. Four is a very magical number, all camp counselors know this to be true. All numbers, no matter how big or small, equal four. Here are a few examples for you: 1: One is three, three is five, five is four, and four is four, so 4 is the magical number! 15: Fifteen is seven, seven is five, five is four, four is four, so 4 is the magical number! 32: Thirty-two is nine, nine is four, four is four, so 4 is the magical number! 100: One hundred is ten, ten is three, three is five, five is four, four is four, so 4 is the magical number! 1000: One thousand is eleven, eleven is six, six is three, three is five, five is four, four is four, so 4 is the magical number! Can you figure out with your loved ones why four is the magic number? #SkyHighRanch #GirlScoutingatHome #GirlScoutsatHome #GirlScoutCamp #TomahawkRanch #familyfun #camp

Girl Scouts of Colorado’s Outreach Program team has created a series of materials, including videos, to help Girl Scout Brownies earn their Pets badge at home! Step One was to find out what care different pets need. Step Two involved learning about keeping pets comfortable. Step Three focused on keeping a pet healthy and safe. Now, let’s move on to Step Four, which is to make your pet feel loved by creating a custom toy for them. Make a dog toy/puzzle. Check out our videos on how to make different kinds of treat puzzles or a toy for a dog. YouTube Video 1 YouTube Video 2 YouTube Video 3 Don’t have a dog? Make a DIY toy for other types of pets. See ideas linked below: Cat https://kittyclysm.com/sock-fish-cat-toy-diy/ https://hubpages.com/animals/pipe-cleaner-cat-toy Bunny https://www.thesprucepets.com/toys-for-pet-rabbits-1237198 https://bunnyapproved.com/diy-rabbit-toy-ideas/ Hamster https://squeaksandnibbles.com/diy-hamster-toys/ Lizard https://reptile.guide/bearded-dragon-toys-activities/ We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here. #GirlScoutingatHome #GirlScoutBrownie #GirlScoutBrowniebadge #BrowniePetsbadge #Petsbadge #GirlScoutsatHome #GirlScoutBrownies #GirlScoutBrowniebadges

Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month. Jaime Ayala of Arvada in the Metro Denver region is a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community. GSCO asked Jaime 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? I was a Girl Scout when I was young and had the best experience because my leader was amazing. I wanted the same thing for my younger daughter and decided to start a troop because there were none in our area for her to join. Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout. We started when my daughter was in second grade, so I was just hoping to get enough girls to form a troop. The first year we ended up with 18 Brownies. When half of the troop bridged at the end of that year, I decided that if we were going to have two levels, we might as well open to any Daisies that were interested as well. Our troop has continued to grow and this year, we are currently at 67 registered girls in K-8th. I have supported the troop as the main leader. I have also taken on a couple levels and this year, I am lucky enough to have a dedicated leader at each level, so I get to support all of the girls as needed. I have served as our TCM for all five years as well. What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer? I have learned to use the project management skills that I use at work every day to help manage our large troop. I have also learned that I love helping girls find their inner strength and grow into amazing young ladies. What do you hope girls have learned from you? I hope they have learned that they are strong and can do anything they put their minds to. I hope they have learned leadership skills and have gained the confidence to know that their opinions matter and that they should never be afraid to voice their opinions. I hope they have learned that they can make ANY impact on the world around them, no matter how big or small, through their actions. I hope each girl looks back on her time with Girl Scouts with fondness and has great memories, like I did, and maybe decides to be a part of this organization and be a leader to future girls. How has your experience as a volunteer helped you become a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)? Being a leader has given me the opportunity to develop relationships with girls and parents that I would have never have had the opportunity to meet.  Being a part of this amazing troop has allowed me to do so many fun activities such as hiking and camping, but I really appreciate that we have focused on supporting our community. We’ve done a stuffed animal drive, multiple warm clothing drives, etc. Want to nominate a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado to spotlight? Please email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org. The nomination deadline for 2020 Volunteer Recognition Awards is April 30. GSCO invites members statewide to take this opportunity to 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 nomination and endorsement submissions for you. Learn more. #Arvada #VolunteerNews #volunteerspotlight #VolunteerAppreciationMonth #2020NationalVolunteerAppreciationMonth #NationalVolunteerAppreciationMonth #VolunteerAppreciation #MetroDenver

Submitted by Christine Redman Mountain Communities Walden My daughter is a Junior! We live in a small community in Walden where we have a multi-level troop of 19 girls. Since everything is shut down, we have been unable to see our girls and we have encouraged them to continue working on badges from home. We are communicating with the families through our private Facebook page and I share posts daily. My daughter started a writing project in January with her class. Part of the requirement was to build a diorama. We used resources from our local Family Dollar, ordered items through Amazon, and found whatever household items we had, including acrylic paints and an empty Girl Scout Cookie case. Her animal habitat project looks amazing! While completing her required school project through remote learning, she also completed a requirement for her Animal Habitats badge! To complete this project, she definitely used her resources wisely and thought like a Girl Scout! We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here. #Walden #GirlScoutingatHome #GirlScoutJunior #Junior #GirlScoutsatHome #AnimalHabitatsbadge #badge #Juniorbadge #mountaincommunities