Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month. Vicki Tussey of Colorado Springs in the Pikes Peak region is a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community. GSCO asked Vicki 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 in 2013 when my youngest daughter was a Daisy. Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout. I started off as a co-leader for the Daisies in Troop 3893. I would plan the meetings and run the activities for the Daisies. I was a co-leader for two years before changing Girl Scout troops. In 2015, I became a co-leader for Troop 4000. My role within Troop 4000 was to help out with the activities and chaperoning on field trips. Then in 2016, my daughters joined Troop 2821. In that troop, I helped out as one of the cookie managers within our troop. In 2017, I became the service unit manager for Service Unit 22. What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer? As a parent of a Girl Scout, I never knew how much the leaders and the co-leaders did for the girls. It wasn’t until I became a co-leader myself did I realize how important the role was. I have learned how important it is to work one-on-one with each of the girls, be there for them, and take the time to listen and answer any questions they have. The hardest role I ever had was being one of the cookie managers. I learned how to be patient with the parents and understanding when financial issues came up. As a service unit manager, I’ve learned it’s important to be available to provide resources and answer any questions a leader or co-leader may have. It’s also important to plan a monthly meeting for our leaders within our service unit. I never realized how important these meetings were until I started to attend them. It gives our leaders the opportunity to talk about experiences they’ve had within their troop and time to ask questions and to request help if a problem arises. What do you hope girls have learned from you? The one thing I hope the girls have learned from me is, it is OK to ask questions. How has your experience as a volunteer helped you become a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)? It all started with volunteering with Girl Scouts for me. I have learned that I can be a leader for our Girl Scouts. That it is fun to try new things like, indoor skydiving or sleeping at a zoo. I can make a difference within my community by volunteering with not only the Girl Scouts but with many other organizations. Want to nominate a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado to spotlight? Please email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org. #VolunteerNews #volunteerspotlight #VolunteerAppreciationMonth #ColoradoSprings #NationalVolunteerAppreciationMonth #VolunteerAppreciation #PikesPeak

Submitted by Kimberly Everhart Pikes Peak Manitou Springs Come join us at Manitou Pool on Sunday, May 5, 2019 for Synchro De Mayo and give synchro a try! This free, fun event is open to all girls ages 6 to 13. Girl Scouts can even earn a fun synchro patch! Register: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090445a4a62fa3f94-synchro Schedule: 1:30 – 2 p.m.: Registration/swim test 2  – 3:15 p.m.: Stretching, skills, and practice 3:30 – 3:45 p.m.: Water show 3:45 – 4 p.m.: Patches, snacks, and goodbyes! Please include your name, age, and add “yes” to confirm you can swim! Date: Sunday, May 5 Time: 1:30 – 4 p.m. Location: 202 Manitou Ave, Manitou Springs 80829 This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments, too. #ManitouSprings #GSCOevents #Communitypartnerships #communitypartners #PikesPeak

Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month. Ayisha Solis of La Junta 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 Ayisha 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 and I really wanted my daughter to experience what I had at her age, but there wasn’t a troop for her age group, so I started one. Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout. I am troop leader for Troop 37153, as well as our troop cookie manager and fall product program manager. What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer? Patience. I have three children of my own and had some degree of patience. Because of the things that our troop has done in our small town and through word of mouth, our troop has more than doubled in a very short time. I am blessed to be able to have so many girls and families, but you definitely have to reinvent yourself, so that you can be the best leader you can be. Patience was an area where I definitely had to step up my game and I’ve been able to carry this with me outside of Girl Scouts. What do you hope girls have learned from you? You can do or be anything as long as you work hard to get there. This was one of the most important things I learned as a Girl Scout and I think it is super important to learn as a child. Society has this cookie cutter image of how a girl should act, talk, and look. While times are advancing, some things aren’t so out of the ordinary anymore. But, these girls shouldn’t even have to think about what is acceptable for society. They need to be thinking about what they are passionate about, who they want to be, and go out and do it! How has your experience as a volunteer helped you become a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)? My girls have so many personalities and there is no stopping them. In order to help then to grow, I am constantly looking for new ways, along with my co-leader, to make their experience the best it can be. I have been able to build relationships in the community and feel as if I have a stronger presence and sense of leadership in all roles I play; mom, employee, supervisor, friend, etc. We have definitely grown as a troop and it is exciting that we all get to learn together in different ways. We all bring something to the table and my adult experience in Girl Scouts has been just as rewarding as it was when I was a child, just a little different. Want to nominate a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado to spotlight? Please email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org. #VolunteerNews #volunteerspotlight #VolunteerAppreciationMonth #NationalVolunteerAppreciationMonth #PuebloampSoutheasternCO #LaJunta

Submitted by Desiree McBride Pueblo and Southeastern CO Pueblo Region 3 volunteers were celebrated April 17, 2019 with a spa day! Girl Scout volunteers were invited to experience a mini-mediation yoga session lead by Nova Stella Yoga and a mini-massage by Majestic Wellness and Massages. They were also invited to create their own bath bombs and face scrubs, something they were all excited to take back to their troops! The event started with the investiture of 12 new volunteers and ended with lots of relaxed volunteers who were ready for bed! One of the volunteers, Sam King, expressed her thanks in an email sent that night, “Thank you so much for tonight! [We] enjoyed ourselves and totally felt appreciated.” Region 3 staff wants to thank every single volunteer for the hard work and dedication they have shown this year and every year! This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments, too. #VolunteerNews #PuebloandSoutheasternCO #VolunteerAppreciationMonth #NationalVolunteerAppreciationMonth #VolunteerAppreciation #Pueblo

Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month. Melissa Deal of Aurora 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 Melissa 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 originally because my daughter’s troop needed a  troop cookie manager. When the girls were in third grade, their leader decided to step down and I accepted the role of troop leader. The reason why I have continued to be a Girl Scout volunteer is to spend time with my daughter. Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout. I have several volunteer roles within Girl Scouts. I have been a troop leader for five years and currently have 12 wonderful Cadettes. I wear several hats when it comes to Product Program. I am an area cookie manager (two years), service unit cookie manager (seven years, I think), and troop cookie manager (nine years). I also participate in the Fall Product Program as a service unit fall product program manager (five years, I think) and a troop fall product program manager (five years). What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer? I have learned a ton from my girls. They teach me something new all the time. I have definitely learned to fine tune my organizational skills, as well as my event planning skills. Last year, I planned a trip to South Dakota for a week with all of the girls and their families. I have learned compassion, understanding, and self confidence from being a Girl Scout volunteer. What do you hope girls have learned from you? Through all of my years being a Girl Scout volunteer, I hope that my girls have learned that anything is possible if you just put your mind to it.  My girls have watched me go through breast cancer treatment and continue to persevere through it all. My hope is that they have learned that nothing can hold you back if you want to succeed. I also hope that they have learned compassion and empathy for everyone. How has your experience as a volunteer helped you become a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)? My experience as a volunteer has helped me become a G.I.R.L. in several different ways. Together as a troop, the girls and I have planned several trips and outings. We have come up with ideas, and ways to make those ideas come to life while the girls worked on their various Silver Award projects. I have definitely taken many risks every cookie season! I have become a successful leader of getting 12 middle school girls to agree and work together as a team. Want to nominate a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado to spotlight? Please email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org. #VolunteerNews #volunteerspotlight #VolunteerAppreciationMonth #Aurora #NationalVolunteerAppreciationMonth #MetroDenver

Submitted by Denine Dains Metro Denver Twisted Pine Troop 3972 is excited to lead Girl Scout Cadettes/Seniors in a one-of-a-kind leadership experience! Join us at Twisted Pine, a cozy cabin, 20 minutes from Denver. Oct. 19, 2019: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeYQoy4AcMus8Bi6aI982flfxqrLzeZE5N0cDJrlJAX9Rp-Sg/viewform Oct. 20, 2019: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSegZpKDJ23n6wZuDO3TVL-499-E8O0j0F9QmkIBfTG8HpnEvQ/viewform Learn valuable skills such as assisting younger Girl Scouts in a troop or small group setting. You will also specialize in leading larger groups in a camp setting. You will learn how to: Lead large groups of girl scouts in camp songs Assist young girls in a flag ceremony Assist young Girl Scouts with chopping food at camp while using a knife Set up a propane stove Make traditional camp foods, such as walking tacos and a foil wrapped dessert! Follow the rules regarding fire and cooking with a dutch oven Create a safe cleaning station for dishes Lead yourself in a professional, safe manner while working with younger girls Be a good role model to younger Girl Scouts May PA Training Flier.docx Troop 3972 is a dynamic group of go-getters, innovators, risk-takers and leaders. Many of the girls have been together since kindergarten and help lead a day camp in the Denver metro-area for more than 100 campers. By leading their Girl Scout sisters in leadership opportunities, they are reaching their own fundraising goals to fund a scuba diving trip to the Bahamas. We are excited to meet your Girl Scouts and the future leaders in our community! This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments, too. #GSCOevents #PATraining #oldergirls #TwistedPine #MetroDenver #camp

Submitted by Margaret Clark Metro Denver Pine Troop 3353 of Pine selected the rangers, staff, and volunteers of Staunton State Park as one of our Hometown Heroes. We presented Ranger Andrea and volunteer Amy with Girl Scout Cookies and got a sneak peek of the brand new visitor center opening in May. Andrea told us all about how to become a ranger and we had a great discussion about all the different animals, plants, and trees in the park. It was a great visit! This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments, too. #StauntonStatePark #HometownHero #cookies #Pine #GirlScoutCookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram #HometownHeroes #MetroDenver #2019GirlScoutCookieProgram

Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month. Megan Block of Colorado Springs in the Pikes Peak region is a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community. GSCO asked Megan 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 really enjoyed my Girl Scout years ( 7-8 grade and 10 grade) in northern Maine and Belgium and I wanted to provide others girls with cool opportunities. Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout. I began my Girl Scout leadership roles as a resident counselor at Camp Tanasi (Norris Lake in Tennessee) in 1991. I was a commissioned Lieutenant in the Air Force and I was waiting to go on active duty. At my first assignment at Wright-Patterson in Ohio, a fellow Lieutenant and I started a Brownie troop in Fairborn, Ohio and we led together for four years. I met and married my husband and we got stationed in Incirlik AB in Turkey in 1995. I got to lead a Daisy troop for 1.5 years while there. In 1998, we moved to Colorado Springs and we had our first child, Madison. When she entered kindergarten in 2003, I started her Girl Scout troop. After having my fourth child in 2004, my friend led the troop and I took a year off. I returned to leadership for her troop in 2005.  When my second daughter, Mackenzie started kindergarten in 2007, I started her troop as well. During this time, I have also held the nut and cookie mom positions every year, as well as serving as the SU 20 treasurer for two years and the SU 20 manager for six years.  Both of my girls have also earned their Gold Awards. I am also a BS volunteer and I also have an Eagle Scout and future Eagle Scout. What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer? I have learned that you need to put the needs of the girls first and Girl Scouts is only as good as you make it. Try not to complain unless you are willing to step up and make things better. What do you hope girls have learned from you? I hope they have learned to be curious and explore the world around them. I want them to try new things and challenge themselves. The only limits you have are the ones you put on yourself! How has your experience as a volunteer helped you become a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)? As a leader, I have overcome many fears (dealing with mice and fears of the dark as a camp counselor; taking on a troop with a fellow 22-year-old and doing all sorts of overnights in Ohio; traveling with girls to MN, SD, CO, KS, MO and this summer CA) and planned countless troop and service unit events (Reach for the Peak, SU encampments, skate nights, thinking days, leader/daughter dinners, swim nights, trampoline events, paint parties, pottery days, etc). I have helped plan many badge weekends and “Journey in a weekend”— fully utilizing Girl Scout properties such as the Pueblo Loft, Hamp Hut, Twisted Pine, Sky High, Meadow Mountain Ranch, and Tomahawk. I always try to lead by example… going first off the 20-foot high dive at Norris Lake, taking the first leap of faith in Buena Vista, holding Rosie the Tarantula first at the Butterfly Pavillion, and leading countless flashlight-free night hikes.  While I love the idea of doing an EF Tour, we pride ourselves with doing summer trips that cost between $250 and $450 each summer. By utilizing Girl Scout and church properties and making our own meals, we still have a great time and make awesome memories! Want to nominate a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado to spotlight? Please email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org. #VolunteerNews #volunteerspotlight #VolunteerAppreciationMonth #ColoradoSprings #NationalVolunteerAppreciationMonth #VolunteerAppreciation #PikesPeak

Girl Scout Juniors are invited to earn their “Designing Robots” badge with Arrow Electronics. When: Saturday, June 1, 2019 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Where: Arrow Electronics Centennial Register online now: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/content/girlscoutsofcolorado/en/events-repository/2019/junior_designing_rob.html 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. Light breakfast will be provided during check-in and girls will receive their “Designing Robots” badge at the end of the workshop. All girls should have earned their “Programming Robots” badge prior to attending the workshop. This is not a drop-off event. All girls must attend with a parent, guardian, or troop leader. Adult-to-girl ratios must be met. Girls attending with a troop leader should bring a completed parent permission form for a Girl Scout activity, which her troop leader should retain in case of emergency. Registration closes on May 23 OR when capacity has been met. Questions? Email aimee.artzer@gscolorado.org 40963104_designing_robots_arrow_flier #DesigningRobotsBadge #GSCOevents #STEM #Centennial #Communitypartnerships #ArrowElectronics #GirlScoutJunior #GirlScoutJuniors #Junior #communitypartners #badge #Juniors #MetroDenver

Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month. Carolyn Decker of Longmont in the Northern & Northeastern CO region is a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community. GSCO asked Carolyn 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? Girl Scouting was a huge part of my life growing up with my mom, my three sisters, and I all all being involved. I had such great experiences as a Girl Scout, camping, backpacking, sailing, traveling, going to a spectacular art camp, being a camp counselor that I wanted to make sure my daughter also had a chance to experience Girl Scouts, so I volunteered to lead a troop when she was old enough. Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout. While we lived in Arizona, I led a group of girls from when they Brownies through Cadettes. When we moved to Colorado, I became involved in a huge multi-level troop where I helped lead Daisies through Seniors. I am currently leading an Ambassador troop, or should I say I am guiding an Ambassador troop since the young women are the leaders now. I am also a Girl Scout trainer leading different level 101 classes and Cooking and Camping training. What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer? That Girl Scouting is just as fun as an adult as a girl! I am amazed by the passion and dedication that all the adult volunteers I have met have for making Girl Scouting happen for girls. I have also learned that Girl Scouting is the most fun when girls are making the decisions. What do you hope girls have learned from you? That they are each in their own unique way powerful people that can make things happen. How has your experience as a volunteer helped you become a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)? I am naturally a solitary “go-getter,” but I have learned through Girl Scouting that working as a team toward a goal is really inspiring. I also have learned that you have incredible experiences when you are a risk-taker. I would never ever have considered learning to scuba dive without my girls and now they want to go on another traveling adventure to explore the world and scuba dive again! Want to nominate a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado to spotlight? Please email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org. #VolunteerNews #volunteerspotlight #VolunteerAppreciationMonth #NorthernampNortheasternCO #Longmont #NationalVolunteerAppreciationMonth #VolunteerAppreciation

Submitted by Janice Houston Northern & Northeastern CO Boulder As part of their requirements to earn the Girl Scout Gold Award, Troop 2255 learned about food and food waste as part of their “SOW What?” Journey. Community Food Share is an organization based in Louisville which works to fight hunger and food waste in our communities. They provide fresh, nutritious food to those in need, while also increasing the environmental health of the community by working to redistribute food instead of throwing it out. You can help them by donating food (any amount helps) or volunteering, either individually or with a group. Volunteering is a very fun experience for ages five and up. Girl Scout Troop 2255 recently volunteered at Community Food Share and enjoyed it immensely. They highly recommend it to others. Info: https://communityfoodshare.org/about-us/how-we-work/ Volunteer sign-up: https://communityfoodshare.org/volunteer/individuals-families/ Girl Scout Troop 2255 has three Fairview freshman members: Lizzy N., Trinity P., and Claire T. Freshman Abbi S. of New Vista completes the troop. Cheryl Paulson is the troop leader and Janice Houston is the co-leader. This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments, too. #GoldAward #CommunityFoodShare #NorthernampNortheasternCO #boulder #SowWhatJourney #olderGirlScouts #Journeys #TakeAction

Submitted by Liss Gruen, MD Metro Denver Denver Girl Scout Troop 1737 is partnering with the Kol Nashim women’s choir to help the Jerusalem Shelter for Battered Women.  Only girls and women will be performing and only girls and women are invited to attend. When: Thursday, May 23, 2019 at 7 p.m. Where: Temple Sinai, 3509 S Glencoe St., Denver 80237 Suggested ticket price is $18. To buy a ticket, go to www.ColoradoHebrewChorale.org. More Concert info: KNinfo@ColoradoHebrewChorale.org For Girl Scouts who would like to sing in the concert with us, please contact GirlScoutLeaderDenver@gmail.com. This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments, too. #Denver #GSCOevents #JerusalemShelterforBatteredWomen #MetroDenver