Submitted by Lauren Johnson Pikes Peak Colorado Springs Troop 43318 brought Hometown Hero Girl Scout Cookies to the volunteers at the Marian House Soup Kitchen in Colorado Springs. The girls worked hard to collect 60 packages for the volunteers. In past years, they have donated to the sheriff’s office, firefighters, and humane society volunteers. I love that the troop came up with idea of the Marian House volunteers on their own. This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments, too. #ColoradoSprings #cookies #GirlScoutCookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram #HometownHeroes #PikesPeak #2019GirlScoutCookieProgram #MarianHouse

Girl Scout Victoria W. of Rifle in the Mountain Communities region is headed to Girl Scouts of Colorado summer camp after receiving the Mary Jo Jacobs, M.D. Memorial Girl Scout Adventure Fund. Victoria will attend “Tri-Wizard,” a three-day camp at Tomahawk Ranch in the summer of 2019.  She wrote in her application for this award, “I would like to go to camp because I love to try new things. And learn them to.” Mary Jo’s four children established the scholarship in December 2014 to honor their mother’s extraordinary legacy. As an 8-year-old girl growing up in 1937, Mary Jo wanted a new pair of roller skates. She wanted them more than anything in world— until she learned her Brownie troop was going to be able to go to summer camp. Mary Jo had to make a choice: spend the $8 she had worked so hard to earn on roller skates or Girl Scout camp? For Mary Jo, the decision was simple. She was going to Girl Scout camp. Mary Jo’s mother walked her to the local Girl Scout office, so she could be the first to register. A reporter for the Artesia Daily Press in New Mexico even wrote a story about Mary Jo and her decision. After returning home from camp, Mary Jo continued to participate in Girl Scout activities, including going to camp. Eventually, she became a doctor and worked tirelessly to serve the people of Eagle and Garfield Counties, Colorado. The Mary Jo Jacobs, M.D. Memorial Girl Scout Adventure Fund provides Girl Scouts from Eagle and Garfield counties in Colorado with a scholarship so they can experience the learning opportunities, joy, and camaraderie of attending Girl Scout Camp. “Our hope is that that many girls will have the same positive experience, education and adventure that mom had through her involvement in Girl Scouting and her opportunity to attend Girl Scout camp,” said Dr. Patricia VanDevander, daughter of Dr. Mary Jo Jacobs. #MaryJoJacobsMDMemorialGirlScoutAdventureFund #Rifle #GirlScoutCamp #TomahawkRanch #camp #mountaincommunities

The 2019 Western Slope Women of Distinction were selected by a committee of their peers led by Selection Chair Jeni Brown, Woman of Distinction ‘18, and chosen based on their contributions to the community, both professionally and personally. They are shining examples of corporate, civic, and philanthropic leadership and serve as role models for our female leaders of tomorrow. Jenn Moore, Executive Director of the EUREKA! McConnell Science Museum Angelina Salazar, CEO, Western Healthcare Alliance Diane Schwenke, President & CEO, Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce Since 2013, including this year’s honorees, Girl Scouts of Colorado has recognized 18 women on the Western Slope as Women of Distinction. The Women of Distinction program brings together a group of women dedicated to raising funds to support Girl Scout leadership programs. Girl Scouts of Colorado will publicly honor these inductees on November 7 at the annual Women of Distinction Breakfast. This year’s event will be held at the Two Rivers Convention Center. The 2019 Event Chair is LeAnn Zetmeir, Woman of Distinction ’18. Event Sponsors: Gold Presenting Sponsor, US Bank; Silver Presenting Sponsor, FCI Constructors and Samoa Sponsor, Family Health West. For information regarding tickets and sponsorships, visit www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/wodgj or contact Cindi Graves at (970) 628 – 8003 or cindi.graves@gscolorado.org. #2019WomenofDistinctionBreakfast #GSCOevents #WomenofDistinctionWesternColorado #GrandJunction #WomenofDistinctionbreakfast #funddevelopment #2019WomenofDistinctionWesternColorado #WesternColorado #WomenofDistinction #alumnaenews #CouncilNews

The 2019 Denver Metro Women of Distinction honorees were selected by a committee of their peers led by Selection Chair Kim Bimestefer, Woman of Distinction ‘15, and chosen based on their contributions to the community, both professionally and personally. They are shining examples of corporate, civic, and philanthropic leadership and serve as role models for our female leaders of tomorrow. The Women of Distinction program brings together a group of women dedicated to raising support for Girl Scout leadership programs. Marti J. Awad, Founding Partner, Cardan Capital Partners The Honorable Dianne L. Briscoe Elycia Cook, President & CEO, FRIENDS FIRST, Inc. Helen Drexler, President & CEO, Delta Dental of Colorado Verónica Figoli, President & CEO, Denver Public Schools Foundation Helen Young Hayes, Founder & CEO, Activate Workforce Solutions Vanecia B. Kerr, Regional Executive Director, College Track Colorado Theresa Szczurek, Chief Information Officer and Executive Director, Colorado Governor’s Office of Information Technology Sarah Winbourn, Medical Director, Kids First Health Care Robin D. Wittenstein, CEO, Denver Health Girl Scouts of Colorado will welcome the Class of 2019 honorees with a private reception on June 20 at the Colorado Auto Dealers Association from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. The celebration concludes with the Thin Mint Dinner on October 30 at Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. The event includes Thin Mint Cocktails and dessert made with Thin Mints, three-course meal, and event program. Event co-chairs are Tasha Jones, Senior Director of Marketing, Community Relations, Stapleton Denver, Mixed-use Development, Woman of Distinction ’15; and Michelle Lucero, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Woman of Distinction ’15. For information regarding tickets and sponsorships, visit http://girlscoutsofcolorado.org/woddenver or contact Heidi Books at (303) 607 – 4833 or at heidi.books@gscolorado.org. #GSCOevents #funddevelopment #2019WomenofDistinction #WomenofDistinction #WomenofDistinctionDenver #alumnaenews #ThinMint #CouncilNews #2019WomenofDistinctionDenver

Girl Scouts of Colorado recently received a beautiful thank you letter (see below) from Operation Gratitude, thanking Colorado Girl Scouts for donating more than 600 nut/chocolate items to military personnel around the world. These items were purchased as part of the Care to Share program during the 2018 Fall Product Program, in which more than 4,000 Colorado Girl Scouts participated. Care to Share is similar to the Hometown Heroes program during the Girl Scout Cookie Program. Customers purchase virtual nut/chocolate items – a perfect solution for those who pass on the tempting treats! Those items are then delivered to non-profit organizations, food banks, military, and other uniformed personnel who are so important to the community. Operation Gratitude – Fall Program Donation #cookies #OperationGratitude #2018FallProductProgram #FallProductProgram #CaretoShare

Girl Scouts Samantha and Rebecca W. of Rifle in the Mountain Communities region are headed to Girl Scouts of Colorado summer camp after receiving the Mary Jo Jacobs, M.D. Memorial Girl Scout Adventure Fund. Samantha will attend “Warriors.” Rebecca will attend “Mermaids.” Both are five-day camps at Tomahawk Ranch in the summer of 2019.  To be chosen for this award, the girls wrote essays. “Dr. Jacobs followed her dreams even when it was tough for her. This is a really great character trait. I want to encourage others just like she did.  Her story encourages me to do whatever it takes to achieve your goals,” Samantha wrote. “The most important thing I’ve learned from Girl Scouts is to be kind, loyal, friendly, and have fun! Dr. Jacobs was an example all of these things because she was a Girl Scout. I love being a Girl Scout, and think Dr. Mary Jo Jacobs was a good role model because she was always learning,” Rebecca wrote. Mary Jo’s four children established the scholarship in December 2014 to honor their mother’s extraordinary legacy. As an 8-year-old girl growing up in 1937, Mary Jo wanted a new pair of roller skates. She wanted them more than anything in world— until she learned her Brownie troop was going to be able to go to summer camp. Mary Jo had to make a choice: spend the $8 she had worked so hard to earn on roller skates or Girl Scout camp? For Mary Jo, the decision was simple. She was going to Girl Scout camp. Mary Jo’s mother walked her to the local Girl Scout office, so she could be the first to register. A reporter for the Artesia Daily Press in New Mexico even wrote a story about Mary Jo and her decision. After returning home from camp, Mary Jo continued to participate in Girl Scout activities, including going to camp. Eventually, she became a doctor and worked tirelessly to serve the people of Eagle and Garfield Counties, Colorado. The Mary Jo Jacobs, M.D. Memorial Girl Scout Adventure Fund provides Girl Scouts from Eagle and Garfield counties in Colorado with a scholarship so they can experience the learning opportunities, joy, and camaraderie of attending Girl Scout Camp. “Our hope is that that many girls will have the same positive experience, education and adventure that mom had through her involvement in Girl Scouting and her opportunity to attend Girl Scout camp,” said Dr. Patricia VanDevander, daughter of Dr. Mary Jo Jacobs. #MaryJoJacobsMDMemorialGirlScoutAdventureFund #Rifle #GirlScoutCamp #TomahawkRanch #camp #mountaincommunities

Attention Girl Scouts in 6th through 12th grade: Now is when Girl Scouts gets really exciting! Join the GSCO Outdoor Adventure Club. The Outdoor Adventure Club (OAC) is a staff-led program offering adventures around the state that provide older Girl Scouts with exciting activities and skills beyond what they might do with their troop. They also get a chance to make new friends from around the state! Activities include: Ice climbing Boating: paddling and sailing Camping trips Trail running Outdoor survival skills Outdoor badges Check our fall and winter event details, including pricing here! OAC Explorers events — open to Girl Scouts in 6th grade OAC Trailblazers events — open to Girl Scouts in 7th-12th grade Registration is still open for the last events of our 2018 -2019 season including: Explorers Summer Campout Trailblazers 14er Hike & Campout Option 1 and Option 2 Trailblazers Canoe Trip Option 1 and  Option 2 Registration opens two months prior to an event and closes two weeks prior to an event. Grants are available and Cookie Credits are accepted! Discounts available: 10% off your first time OAC event Attend four OAC events and receive $25 off the cost of your fifth event! Sign up for the 2019-2020 Interest List to be notified as event registration opens for each event: OAC Explorers OAC Trailblazers If you have questions or are interested in volunteering with the Outdoor Adventure Club, please email us at inquiry@gscolorado.org. Read our Outdoor Adventure Club FAQs Registration FAQs #20192020OutdoorAdventureClub #OutdoorAdventureClub #GSCOevents #OAC #20192020OAC #gsoutdoors #CouncilNews

Girl Scout Isabella P. of Glenwood Springs in the Mountain Communities region is headed to Girl Scouts of Colorado summer camp after receiving the Mary Jo Jacobs, M.D. Memorial Girl Scout Adventure Fund. Isabella will attend “Barn Livin’,” a ten-day camp at Tomahawk Ranch in the summer of 2019.  She wrote in her application for this award, “Mary Jo Jacobs inspires me because she was a courageous person and lives following the Girl Scout Law, not just saying it. I get enjoyment out of helping my community much like Ms. Jacobs did. I think that she was an awesome and helpful person to her community and the country. Ms. Jacobs was very persuasive.  She was a courageous person and contributed to our world in many ways.” Mary Jo’s four children established the scholarship in December 2014 to honor their mother’s extraordinary legacy. As an 8-year-old girl growing up in 1937, Mary Jo wanted a new pair of roller skates. She wanted them more than anything in world— until she learned her Brownie troop was going to be able to go to summer camp. Mary Jo had to make a choice: spend the $8 she had worked so hard to earn on roller skates or Girl Scout camp? For Mary Jo, the decision was simple. She was going to Girl Scout camp. Mary Jo’s mother walked her to the local Girl Scout office, so she could be the first to register. A reporter for the Artesia Daily Press in New Mexico even wrote a story about Mary Jo and her decision. After returning home from camp, Mary Jo continued to participate in Girl Scout activities, including going to camp. Eventually, she became a doctor and worked tirelessly to serve the people of Eagle and Garfield Counties, Colorado. The Mary Jo Jacobs, M.D. Memorial Girl Scout Adventure Fund provides Girl Scouts from Eagle and Garfield counties in Colorado with a scholarship so they can experience the learning opportunities, joy, and camaraderie of attending Girl Scout Camp. “Our hope is that that many girls will have the same positive experience, education and adventure that mom had through her involvement in Girl Scouting and her opportunity to attend Girl Scout camp,” said Dr. Patricia VanDevander, daughter of Dr. Mary Jo Jacobs. #MaryJoJacobsMDMemorialGirlScoutAdventureFund #GirlScoutCamp #TomahawkRanch #GlenwoodSprings #camp #mountaincommunities

Be an Early Bird What’s next for your girls in Girl Scouts? Reserve your spot for the 2019-20 membership year today! Girls and adults renewed by June 26, 2019, are eligible to earn an Early Bird Patch. Troops with at least two Troop Leadership Team members and three girls renewed and an Annual Troop Report submitted by June 26, 2019, are eligible to earn a $25 shop credit. Also, invite new girls to join your troop with the Extended Year Membership. For $35, girls get to participate for the remainder of this membership year (summer fun, anyone?) and enjoy a full year of troop activities for the 2019-20 membership year. These girls will also receive an Early Bird Patch. Learn more Outdoor Adventure Club for 2019-2020 Attention girls going into 6th grade and up, now is when Girl Scouts gets really exciting! Step your adventure up a level and get your adrenaline pumping at an Outdoor Adventure Club event. Troop leaders for Cadettes and up: Tell your girls about this awesome opportunity. Girls in 6th grade can participate in the Explorers events and girls in 7th and up go to Trailblazer events. Outdoor Adventure Club is a great way to give girls an added dose of outdoor adventure and keep girls engaged in Girl Scouting! Sample activities include: Ice climbing Boating, paddling, and sailing Camping trips Trail running and more Check the website for the full details on fall and winter events. Volunteer Training New eLearning platform launches in July In July, Girl Scouts of Colorado will have a new, interactive online learning site that will host a variety of required and enrichment training to support your Girl Scout volunteer experience. In the meantime, Nuts and Bolts, Overnight Trips and Extended Trips are on our interim eLearning site. Each class page also has links to forms and additional resources. All classes are mobile-friendly and are an hour or less in length. Volunteers can access the site by going to the Volunteer page -Training and Online Support, and clicking on “Visit Our eLearning Site.” Volunteers will receive credit for taking the class by completing a survey on the class page. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Emily Speck, mission delivery manager, at (303) 607-4811 or email her at Emily.Speck@gscolorado.org. Outdoor Programs Girl Scout Camp Camp registration is still open! Visit our camp website for more information and to find available sessions. Equipment Reservations We have outdoor gear you can reserve for a very small fee! Check our website for more information. Reservations must be made 15 days prior to when you need equipment (or the system won’t let you reserve it). Please make reservations starting on the day you need to pick and return your equipment, not just the days you are using it. Equipment charges are priced per item not per day. Girl Scouts Love State Parks: July 13 and 14 GSCO is joining Girl Scout councils across the country in partnering with our local state parks to encourage Girl Scouts, troops, and families to get outside and visit their local state park on July 13 or 14. We encourage Girl Scouts to visit state parks in each of their regions where there will be opportunities for hiking, environmental education, ranger programs, and special activities unique to each park. Park entrance fees of $8 per car apply, and a national “GS Love State Parks” patch will be available for purchase. Check out the GSCO event calendar for more information coming soon! Questions? Contact Anna Danila atAnna.danila@gscolorado.org Upcoming Events Junior Designing Robots Badge Workshop with Arrow Electronics June 1, Centennial Girl Scout Juniors are invited to earn their Designing Robots badge with Arrow Electronics. Arrow Electronics is an American Fortune 500 company headquartered in Centennial. The company specializes in distribution and value-added services relating to electronic components and computer products. Civics Education: Preparing the Next Generation of Informed and Engaged Citizens June 3 Girl Scouts of the USA is proud to join bipartisan leaders, including Chelsea Clinton, to discuss the importance of educating and engaging today’s youth in civics to preserve and strengthen our country’s democracy. This nonpartisan event is an opportunity community leaders, public officials and education experts to discuss how out-of-school civics programs can prepare the next generation to be involved citizens with a deeper understanding of their government-both now and for the rest of their lives. Register for the livestream of this special event.   A recording will be available for those unable to participate the livestream. A discussion guide will also be provided for girls and troops to engage in the conversation. World Environment Day June 16, Meadow Mountain Ranch, Allenspark In partnership with the Colorado State Forest Service, Girl Scouts of Colorado is excited to offer members a way to focus on and celebrate the environment. Girl Scouts of all ages, families, and friends invited to this free, exciting event. This event is hosted by the GSCO Global Action Committee. Girl Scout Days at Water World June 17 – 30, Federal Heights Girl Scouts of all ages, friends, and family are invited to take advantage of special discounted pricing for Water World June 17-30, 2019. World’s Largest Swim Lesson at Water World June 20, Federal Heights Girl Scouts of all ages are invited to Water World to celebrate the World’s Largest Swim Lesson! Swim lesson 8 –10 a.m., park opens to all at 10 a.m. Women’s Week at MMR July 15-18, Meadow Mountain Ranch, Allenspark Women 18 years of age or older are welcome at Women’s Week. You don’t have to be a current or past Girl Scout, you just have to want to come and play in the outdoors with other like-minded friends. Some of the best experiences were had by a few women who had never been to camp before. Mom and daughter and granddaughter groups have had great family experiences and come back every year to be sure they don’t forget what it’s all about. Girl Scout Days at Elitch Gardens July 19, 20, & 21, Denver Join us for our annual Girl Scout Days at Elitch Gardens on July 19, 20, and 21! Girl Scouts of all ages, family and friends are invited to take advantage of discounted tickets. Each Girl Scout participating in our special Girl Scout days will receive an event patch. We are looking for creative Girl Scouts to submit their best design  by May 31 for the 2019 patch. Colorado Rockies – Girl Scout Day August 4, Coors Field, Denver All Girl Scouts, family, and friends are invited. Cheer on the Rockies as they take on the San Francisco Giants. All Girl Scouts attending are invited to participate in pre-game parade and will receive a special event patch. Save the Date: Cyber Challenge October 19, Littleton Brought to you by Raytheon, Girl Scouts in 6-12 grade are invited to detect, decode, and defend! They will test their cybersecurity skills, team up with other girls, and meet with cybersecurity professionals! All day event at Arapahoe Community College. Email aimee.artzer@gscolorado.org to be added to the email interest list. Save the Date: Secrets to Success November 9, Colorado Springs What is your Secret to Success? Girls will have the unique opportunity to ask that question and many more of top local women leaders at the 2019 Secrets to Success event. Girl Scouts of Colorado believes every girl has the power to become what she dreams to be. We are helping today’s girls overcome the challenges they face, and giving them the tools they need to become successful leaders. All girls in grades 6 – 12 are invited to Secrets to Success. Email aimee.artzer@gscolorado.org to be added to the email interest list. #VolunteerNews #volunteerview

Submitted by Mike Werner Northern & Northeastern CO GSCO History Center in Loveland Girl Scout Troop 01410 from F. E. Warren AFB, WY recently held a Girl Scout fashion show using vintage Girl Scout uniforms provided by the Girl Scouts of Colorado History Center. These Girl Scout Daisies thru Cadettes learned about uniforms over the past 107 years and what Girl Scouts did during those periods and shared what they learned with their families and community. Your troop or service unit can also check out parade or fashion show tubs from the GSCO History Center by e-mailing  gscohistory@gmail.com. For more information, contact troop leader Amy Jo Martinson at starletajm@gmail.com or Mike Werner, GSCO History Center, at wernermj@comcast.net. This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments, too. #Loveland #NorthernampNortheasternCO #GSCOHistoryCenter #GSCOHistoryCommittee #alumnaenews

Girl Scout Allie A. of Glenwood Springs in the Mountain Communities region is headed to Girl Scouts of Colorado summer camp after receiving the Mary Jo Jacobs, M.D. Memorial Girl Scout Adventure Fund. Allie will attend “Intro to Cowgirl Mountain,” a five-day camp at Sky High Ranch in the summer of 2019.  She wrote in her application for this award, “Next year, I will start middle school. I am scared and nervous. I am excited, but I do not feel like I have the confidence I need. I feel going to an overnight camp by myself, without my family, to be around other girls who are already in middle school will get my confidence up.” Mary Jo’s four children established the scholarship in December 2014 to honor their mother’s extraordinary legacy. As an 8-year-old girl growing up in 1937, Mary Jo wanted a new pair of roller skates. She wanted them more than anything in world— until she learned her Brownie troop was going to be able to go to summer camp. Mary Jo had to make a choice: spend the $8 she had worked so hard to earn on roller skates or Girl Scout camp? For Mary Jo, the decision was simple. She was going to Girl Scout camp. Mary Jo’s mother walked her to the local Girl Scout office, so she could be the first to register. A reporter for the Artesia Daily Press in New Mexico even wrote a story about Mary Jo and her decision. After returning home from camp, Mary Jo continued to participate in Girl Scout activities, including going to camp. Eventually, she became a doctor and worked tirelessly to serve the people of Eagle and Garfield Counties, Colorado. The Mary Jo Jacobs, M.D. Memorial Girl Scout Adventure Fund provides Girl Scouts from Eagle and Garfield counties in Colorado with a scholarship so they can experience the learning opportunities, joy, and camaraderie of attending Girl Scout Camp. “Our hope is that that many girls will have the same positive experience, education and adventure that mom had through her involvement in Girl Scouting and her opportunity to attend Girl Scout camp,” said Dr. Patricia VanDevander, daughter of Dr. Mary Jo Jacobs. #summercamp #SkyHighRanch #MaryJoJacobsMDMemorialGirlScoutAdventureFund #GirlScoutCamp #GlenwoodSprings #camp #mountaincommunities

Submitted by Judy C. Metro Denver Arvada Maria C. is a Girl Scout who has organized and facilitated a 5K fun run for the last four years and is graduating this year. She is not able to facilitate this event anymore, and it has been a benefit to a local elementary school through Community Table in Arvada to provide birthday cake, frosting, and candles for every kid in the school on their birthday. This elementary school is a low-resource school and has backpacks they give away on the weekend with food and the cake is to ensure that every kid gets a cake on his/her birthday! The event was called Run for Cake and ran on Van Bibber Creek sidewalk open space for the last four years. Are there any Girl Scouts or troops out there interested in continuing to organize this fun run, which could help benefit this elementary school, so they can continue to receive cakes from the Arvada Food Bank? Contact Judy, assistant Girl Scout leader of Troop 3301, at             (303) 524 – 5838. This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments, too. #5krun #Arvada #MetroDenver