Thank you so much to the more than 160 donors who supported Girl Scouts of Colorado on Colorado Gives Day 2019! More than $20,000 was raised for Girl Scout programs statewide! #ColoradoGivesDay #ColoradoGivesDay2019 #funddevelopment

Submitted by Ariella Wells Northern & Northeastern CO Fort Collins The girls from Troop 70720 used one of their recent meetings to go and shoot archery. Several have their own bows. But, it was a great way to have fun and build and keep some of their skills! This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments, too. #archery #FortCollins #NorthernampNortheasternCO

Submitted by Meredith Locke Northern & Northeastern CO Lafayette Come join Troop 2235 at the YMCA Ice Rink! Meet the cookies, learn about this year’s program, do some fun activities, and get ready for a great cookie season! Date: January 20, 2020 Time: 1:15 – 2:45 p.m. Place: Carlston Ice Arena, YMCA of Boulder Valley 2800 Dagny Way Lafayette 80026 The cost is $8 and includes skate rental and a cool patch. To register, click https://cookie-rally-59345.cheddarup.com. 40963104_cookie_rally_2020 This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments, too. #GSCOevents #CookieRally #NorthernampNortheasternCO #2020GirlScoutCookieProgram #cookies #GirlScoutCookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram #lafayette

Did you know that Girl Scout troops are Daisy’s Circle members too? Troop 61631 joined Daisy’s Circle in March 2018 and they made a video about it!   Watch their video! Why did you join Daisy’s Circle? The troop decided to join Daisy’s Circle because they value their Girl Scout experiences and the friendships they have made. They wanted to do something to help other girls that might not have the same resources. What is the best thing about monthly giving? It is easy because you don’t have to remember to write checks. Why do you like being a Daisy’s Circle member? “We are thankful for our community and the support we get to do Girl Scouts. It feels good to be able to give back and help others have the same experiences.”  – Ava D. “It makes me feel good (to give to Daisy’s Circle). I feel like I’m doing something good for the sisterhood of Girl Scouts” – Liliene A. “We are proud to help Daisy’s Circle because it lets us know there is good in the world!”  – Josie O.If you or your troop are looking for a way to give back this holiday season, consider joining Daisy’s Circle! Join Daisy’s Circle between now and December 31, 2019 and receive a coupon for a 40% discount and free shipping on your entire purchase in the Girl Scouts of Colorado Shop! * Offer good for troops or individuals restrictions apply Join as a troop Join as an individual * New members only who join between 12/1/2019-12/31/2019. Discount applies to transactions completed in-person at Girl Scout Shop in Denver, via phone at 1-855-472-7026, or email Retail@gscolorado.org. Coupon cannot be combined with other offers, used on prior purchases, transferred, copied, or used online or through Girl Scouts of the USA.  Offer limited to in-stock merchandise only based on availability. Expires 3/31/2020. #DaisysCirclesupporterspotlight #HighlandsRanch #funddevelopment #MetroDenver #DaisysCircle

Thank you to all of the Girl Scouts who attended a Trail Adventure meet up with Girl Scouts of Colorado in September! To encourage Girl Scouts to complete a Trail Adventure Badge, GSCO teamed up with The North Face to offer Girl Scouts who attended any Trail Adventure meet-up the opportunity to receive a FREE* badge. If you did, don’t forget to complete your requirements and the online notification form by January 7, 2020. Registered Girl Scouts must have attended a Girl Scouts of Colorado-sponsored Trail Adventure meet-up in September 2019 and must complete all of the requirements to earn her Trail Adventure Badge by January 1, 2020 to be eligible*.  A parent/guardian or troop leader must fill out this online notification form. This form will close on January 7, 2020. Badges will be mailed in January to the address provided. Badges are earned by Girl Scouts and must be completed according to the appropriate program level. Check out the online Badge Explorer for specific badge requirements for each program level. With a shared purpose of encouraging exploration, Girl Scouts and The North Face understand the importance of providing the next generation of girls, regardless of socioeconomic status, with outdoor adventure experiences. By giving girls the opportunity to experience the outdoors, Girl Scouts and The North Face hope to enhance leadership skills and confidence in young girls, while encouraging them to seek new challenges through outdoor adventure. If you have any questions, please reach out to inquiry@gscolorado.org. * This opportunity is made possible by a generous grant from The North Face. Only registered Girl Scouts ages 5-18 may receive a free badge upon participation in a Girl Scouts of Colorado-sponsored Trail Adventure meet-up in September 2019 and completion of all program level-appropriate badge-earning requirements by January 7, 2020.  Troops may complete badgework together or Girl Scouts may earn individually. #OutdoorBadges #TrailAdventurebadge #Communitypartnerships #funddevelopment #communitypartners #badge #TrailAdventure #TheNorthFace #badges

Julianna “Cosmic” Desiato is a part-time Girl Scouts of Colorado staff member who works with the Outdoor Adventure Club. She is also  a senior at Colorado School of Mines in Golden. For her final in a “science communication” class, she wrote a paper about the OAC, why women are discouraged from entering STEM fields,  the outdoor industry, and how creating programs that combine the two can do a whole lot of good for girls. Read it here:  Science_Communication_Final___Desiato.pdf #Golden #OutdoorAdventureClub #STEM #OutdoorProrgam #OAC #MetroDenver #OACOutdoorAdventureClub #SchoolofMines

Date: Sunday, December 15, 2019 Time: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Location: The North Face 322 S. Main Street Breckenridge 80424 Registration End Date: Friday, December 13, 2019 (at 5 p.m.) Program Levels: Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadette, Senior, Ambassador, Adult/Volunteers Cost: Free Link to register: https://gscolorado.formstack.com/forms/girl_scout_high_adventure_badge_event_presented_by_the_north_face_mc_12_15_2019 Try activities inspired by Girl Scouts’ brand new Outdoor High-Adventure badges and meet climber and photographer Savannah Cummins (www.thenorthface.com/about-us/athletes/savannah-cummins.html). A way to inspire you, to earn one of the BRAND-NEW Snow, Climbing Adventure or Trail Adventure badges! Lots of fun activities and giveaways! Hands-on and age-appropriate activity stations spark curiosity and challenge girls to push their boundaries: Hike station Snow station Climb station Run station Leave No Trace station Meet The North Face athlete Savannah Cummins! Important Notes: The event is FREE for Girl Scouts, but registration is REQUIRED! Please view the event flyer here. Girls must be accompanied by an adult or troop leader. This is NOT a drop-off event. Girls MUST bring event waiver to participate. Please click here to download and print the waiver. All attendees must have a current Girl Scout membership. Girls attending without their parent must be with an approved volunteer. If you have any questions about this event or have trouble completing registration, please contact inquiry@gscolorado.org or 877-404-5708. #Breckenridge #OutdoorBadges #GSCOevents #HighAdventurebadge #TheNorthFace #mountaincommunities

December is a busy time of year for all and preparations for the 2020 Girl Scout Cookie Program are well underway! For new troops and for those of you who are new to being troop cookie managers, you might be wondering what can do in December and January to get ready to support the girls in your troop through cookie season. The checklist below will guide you through the steps to take to be prepared. You will receive additional information and resources when you attend training. Also, know that you will have the support of peers – the service unit cookie manager (SUCM) and other key volunteers in your area, as well as GSCO staff. Your volunteer support specialist and product program specialist can answer your questions and guide you through the responsibilities of the TCM role. Attend TCM training. Go to our events page to register for classes in your area or go to the TCM training blog article to see the list of trainings with registration links. Submit your ACH authorization form and TCM agreement form for this new membership year (ACH and TCM forms are submitted annually.) TCM’s who have completed their ACH form and TCM agreement form, will gain access to eBudde on/after December 16, 2019. Make sure that everything is current with your troop bank account and that all signers on the account are updated. Once you have access to eBudde, verify bank account information. Check the troop roster before January 10, 2020 to ensure that all girls who are active in your troop have a current membership. Girls must have a current membership to participate in the Cookie Program. If there are girls listed on your roster who are not active in your troop, contact your volunteer support specialist to have your roster updated. Girls cannot transfer between troops after January 10, 2020. Submit your initial order of cookie inventory by January 13, 2020 8 p.m. MST. Reach out to your service unit cookie manager (SUCM) for assistance. Check with your SUCM to see if there is a cookie rally happening in your area and plan for your troop to attend! It’s a great way for girls to meet other Girl Scouts and get ready for cookie season! Collaborate with the troop leadership team to coach the girls to discuss their goals and what they want to do with their troop Have a family meeting in January. Present the Cookie Program training. Have caregivers sign permission slips. Have girls talk about their goals. Ask for family support during cookie season. Create a group agreement so that everyone is clear on what’s expected and how they can contribute. February 1 – Delivery Day! TCM’s plan for cookie inventory pick-up and distribution to girls and caregivers. Have questions or need assistance? Please call GSCO Customer Care at 877-404-5708 or email inquiry@gscolorado.org. #troopcookiemanager #VolunteerNews #2020GirlScoutCookieProgram #cookiesvolunteers #TCM #cookies #GirlScoutCookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram

Girl Scouts of Colorado service units will receive an incentive of $.01 (penny) per package of Girl Scout Cookies sold, if the number of packages sold in 2020 are 3% over the number of packages sold in 2019. If the number of packages sold in 2020 is 6% (or more) over the number of packages sold in 2019, service units will receive $.02 per package. These incentives are not cumulative. Incentives earned could help provide special events and activities for the Girl Scouts and volunteers in your community! Service Units need to submit a current ACH form for the service unit bank account in order to receive the incentive deposit. Click on the link to complete an ACH form: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/for-volunteers/forms-and-resources/ACH.html There are some great new girl rewards too! Want to have a sneak peek? Click here to look at the girl incentives. #VolunteerNews #serviceunit #2020GirlScoutCookieProgram #cookiesvolunteers #cookies #GirlScoutCookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram

Twenty-seven Girl Scouts from across Colorado have earned the distinction of Gold Award Girl Scout, the highest honor in Girl Scouting, after completing Take Action projects benefiting their local communities and those around the world. Lakin Altman from Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs Christian School, created “Baby Bundles,” a program to provide low-resource families with clothes and necessities for their babies. She also designed a resource guide for new mothers, so they could know where to go if they need help. Kate Bleyle from Highlands Ranch, Kent Denver School, designed a creative writing curriculum for students K-12. It is available for students of any background (e.g. homeschooled, low-income, the average student). Kate also taught her curriculum with Boys and Girls Clubs. Christine Bolt from Steamboat Springs, Steamboat Springs High School, organized an annual summer camp for children with autism. Each day focused on an aspect of camping and outdoor skills, including building a fire, setting up a tent, and wildlife awareness. Bianca Bryant from Woodland Park, Woodland Park High School, worked with city leaders to build the community’s first dog park, which is now maintained by the city and a volunteer group. Devyn Dhieux from Evergreen made dozens of reusable grocery bags out of animal feed bags. She also taught others how to prepare the bags to be sewn and even created a “How-To Manual” with instructions on how to make this type of reusable bag. Emma Downing from Colorado Springs, Rampart High School, remodeled the children’s space for a non-profit that helps women, children, and other victims escaping abuse. Emma also provided inventory boxes for the residents that can be used to store and catalog their personal belongings. Hanna Ellis from Wray, Wray High School, worked with city leaders to increase the number of pet waste dispensers around the town. She also educated others throughout the community about the adverse health effects related to pet waste. Heather Fleming from Englewood, Cherry Creek High School, knows first-hand how children of alcoholics can feel lost and alone, so she developed a series of materials to help families affected by alcoholism. These resources are being distributed by the Colorado Mental Wellness Network and at rehabilitation centers here in Colorado and across the country. Renee Gangwish from Boulder, Fairview High School, led a group of volunteers to restore fences at the historic Walker Ranch Homestead in Boulder County. She also created a curriculum to educate others about the importance of Colorado’s open spaces. Emma Gibbs from Longmont, Silver Creek High School, brought together different organizations at her high school to create an ongoing incentive program as part of an effort to increase school spirit and boost attendance at school-sponsored events and activities. Inspired by her own struggle with celiac disease, a serious autoimmune disorder, Emma Graziano from Arvada, Ralston Valley High School, started a support group for teens living with celiac disease for the Denver Celiac Support Group, a local chapter of the National Celiac Association (NCA). Joslyn Hays from Gunnison, Gunnison High School, promoted the game of Ringer within the community of Gunnison and with tourists. She also built a kiosk by the Gunnison Marble Rings explaining the game of Ringer and its history in her community. Abby Kennedy from Lakewood, Lakewood High School, created a music tutoring program for elementary school students. Students not only improved their performance, but their interest in continuing their music education was increased as well. Lauren Kettler from Thornton, Horizon High School, developed “Popsicles of Positivity” to teach middle school-aged students about the need for kindness and perspective. The program is designed to be a short activity that can be integrated into other programs, such as a class period or club/group meeting. Samantha Kucera from Steamboat Springs, Steamboat Springs High School, created a wilderness skills program for children. Through this program, she ran numerous educational events for more than 230 children, created an online skills guide, and has a booklet available as a Wilderness Junior Ranger Program at Steamboat Lake State Park and as a patch program with Girl Scouts of Colorado. Audrey Pass from Thornton, Eagle Ridge Academy, partnered with detectives and victims’ advocates to create a video and website with accurate and sensitive information regarding sexual assault. Taylor Sich from Lakewood, Lakewood Senior High School, created “H.O.P.E” (Hold On, Pain Ends) a program for teenagers to help identify and reach out to their peers when they are in need of mental health support . She also established many peer-facilitated groups at school, as well as created a website for parents and children to find resources and read about the stories of others who are going through the same thing as they are. Cassandra Sterns from Arvada, Ralston Valley High School, developed and taught ongoing technology classes through her local library for independently living seniors to help them learn how to use their Android smartphone. Each class taught the attendees how to use different apps on smartphones such as messages, camera, email, and Internet. Jessica Sweeney from Highlands Ranch, Highlands Ranch High School, addressed the issue of deforestation through her ongoing tree planting initiative. She gathered 31 community members to plant 40 trees and shrubs, as well as two flats of sedges at CALF’s Lowell Ranch in Douglas County. After experimenting with container gardeningherself, Kyra TerLouw from Grand Junction, Grand Junction High School, partnered with Community Food Bank to create vegetable container garden kits that are available to members of her community. They included soil, seeds, nutritional information, and a bilingual “how-to” brochure. Amy Tomshack from Northglenn, Northglenn High School, addressed the topic of emergency preparedness in schools. She did this by organizing and running a Hands-Only CPR and Stop the Bleed first-aid class, as well as organizing and running an ongoing supply drive to collect supplies to expand her school’s first-aid kits. Bri Wolle from Arvada, Ralston Valley High School, partnered with SCOPE International to share her love of music with children in Kenya. She bought and shipped 60 recorders, 15 to four schools, in addition to recorder books. Nine months later, she visited the schools and learned that her hope to spark a passion for music into the lives of the children half a world away was achieved. The Girl Scout Gold Award is the mark of the truly remarkable—earned only by a high school Girl Scout who works to address an issue she’s passionate about in a way that produces meaningful and lasting change. Whether it’s on a local, national, or global level, Gold Award Girl Scouts provide innovative solutions to significant challenges. Of the skills learned through Girl Scouts’ Highest Awards, leadership, organization, and critical thinking are the fundamentals of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award Girl Scouts, and girls are entitled to enlist at a higher pay grade if they join the military. “Gold Award Girl Scouts don’t just change the world for the better, they change it for good—and these Girl Scouts embody everything this achievement stands for,” said Stephanie Foote, President and Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of Colorado. “Each of these young women addressed an issue that’s important to her in order to earn her Gold Award, and we congratulate each of these Gold Award Girl Scouts on this momentous accomplishment.” #GoldAward #HighestAwards #GoldAwardGirlScouts #GirlScoutGoldAward #TakeAction

Submitted by Karli Anderson Metro Denver Denver Troop 66712 spent an evening at Evolve Krav Maga to learn some basic self defense and situational awareness techniques as part of earning their “Independence” badge. The instructor made it fun, and many parents attended and commented that it was a fun way to help our girls prepare to go out into the world with confidence. This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments, too. #KravMaga #Independencebadge #Denver #badge #MetroDenver #EvolveKravMaga #selfdefense

What did you do for your Gold Award Project? For my Girl Scout Gold Award Project, I completed an historic and environmental restoration project. My project was to restore the fences around Walker Ranch Homestead. It was mainly to bring out a group of volunteers to restore rotted out and broken down fences for the good of the community, as well as increase public awareness on a wide scale of the need for environmental restoration not only for current use, but for future generations. How did you measure the impact your Gold Award project made on your target audience? I increased public awareness on a wide scale by using my curriculum to reach about 150 people at my dance team, 40 at the Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee meeting, and 30 girls and parents from my troop. I hope to increase the visitation percentage to Walker Ranch, but unfortunately I do not have any data to illustrate if this was accomplished as it will take more time for the data to be collected. I was the first Girl Scout to work with Boulder County, and have opened the door for many more to do the same. How is your project sustainable? The fencing will be sustained for many years after my project due to the new and stronger material we will be using, but also by others who have the same passion as me and will continue to restore these fences. The sustainability mission of Boulder County and Walker Ranch is to “maintain a high quality of life, without compromising the ability of future residents to do the same.” My curriculum will be sustained because I have a signed letter from the owner of my dance studio, Artistic Fusion, promising to allow me to continue on teaching and sharing my curriculum to inspire kids and their families from across all of Colorado. As well, my website will stay up and continue to be viewed by people, as well as promoted by Boulder County through a flyer of mine which will be put up at their offices to direct people to my website. This will allow my message to continue to be spread through the Internet and all of those who see it. What is your projects global and/or national connection? My project was shared in the local newspaper, as well as being aired on CBS4 News in Colorado. My website is able to be seen both globally and nationally. I sent my website to WAGGGS, Piper Jaffray, National Parks and Service’s Office of Public Relations, the State of Colorado Office of Public Relations, International Affairs Department of the University of Colorado, Boulder, as well as to Boulder County Parks and Open Space. What did you learn about yourself? I learned that I can interact and manage working with several organizations at the same time, although often challenging. I learned that I can recruit, organize, and lead a team of my friends and fellow students to accomplish a project of this magnitude. I learned that if I am passionate, hard working and persistent, it is possible to achieve great things. How will earning your Gold Award impact you in the future? I believe that earning my Gold Award will make me more prepared and confident in my actions in the future. Whether it be in school or in a job, I feel that this experience will be one a keep with me and use it to better myself in the future. Why do you feel the Gold Award was an important part of your Girl Scout experience? The Gold Award, though isn’t the complete end of my experience, was a summation of everything I have learned through Girl Scouts, as well as how Girl Scouts has changed my view on the world. The passion and care I have for the environment was curated through Girl Scouts, which is what lead me to create and spend a lot of my time on my Gold Award. How did earning your Gold Award help you become a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)? Earning my Gold Award helped me become both a leader and go-getter. I had to coordinate with many different people and companies in order to get everything accomplished for my project, causing me to become a “go-getter” and take action to ensure everything got done. I also became a leader through taking charge of my project and everyone who helped me during the process. **IMPORTANT NOTE: This blog represents only a small fraction of the hard work, dedication, and requirements that go into earning a Girl Scout Gold Award. It is simply a brief summary, which is meant to inspire Girl Scouts to Go Gold in the future. For more information on earning your Gold Award, please email highestawards@gscolorado.org. #GoldAward #FairviewHighSchool #HighestAwards #BoulderCounty #WalkerRanchHomestead #NorthernampNortheasternCO #GoldAwardGirlScout #GirlScoutGoldAward #boulder #somemediacoverageofGSCO #CBSDenver #TakeAction