Submitted by Tricia Pearson Metro Denver Arvada Some of the girls from Troop 66517 were able to go to the bank and make deposits all on their own. They counted their own money, filled out their deposit slips, and turned it into the tellers. We talked about how important it is to write neat and clear. They were very nervous at first going up to the tellers, and very proud of themselves after. This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments, too. #Arvada #PowerofCookie #cookies #GirlScoutCookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram #5Skills #MetroDenver #2019GirlScoutCookieProgram

What did you do for your Gold Award project? I built eight Mason Bee houses for the Carson Nature Center in Littleton. I also created a website with a map of the locations of the houses, more information onMason Bees, and instructions on how to build aMason Bee house. How did you measure the impact your Gold Award project made on your target audience? With the help of the Carson Nature Center, I created a sustainability plan that includes monthly counting of the holes that are filled in the bee houses, in order to see how many Mason Bees are utilizing them. How is your project sustainable? How will your project continue to impact after your involvement? Mason Bee houses need very little outside maintenance, as the bees clean the holes themselves. The design of the houses are specifically attractive to Mason Bees, so every year they will return to lay their larva and the cycle of population and pollination with continue. The website allows people from all over to learn more about Mason Bees and even build their own houses for their communities, effectively spreading both awareness and population. What is your project’s global and/or national connection? The website is available to anyone who has Internet access, and therefore people from all over the world can become aware of this species of bees and help foster the population. Furthermore, I reached out to several local, national, and international organizations, such as Planet Bee, and told them about my project and its impact on my community in the hopes that they would spread it as well. What did you learn about yourself? I learned that I enjoy challenging myself and stepping out of my comfort zone. I was working with a group of people who were adults, so leading and delegating them was uncomfortable at first, but I learned that I can rise to challenges like these. How will earning your Gold Award impact you in the future? The experiences and skills I have attained are invaluable to me as I move forward in life and I will continue to use what I learned in the school and work environment. Skills like leadership, confidence, and even woodworking will benefit me in any environment and I am grateful I developed them throughout my Gold Award Project. Why do you feel the Gold Award was an important part of your Girl Scout experience? A startlingly small statistic of Girl Scouts reach their Gold Award, so I think it is very  important that I persevered. I learned so much in my experience and I hope that I can inspire  other young Girl Scouts to continue in Girl Scouts. My Gold Award was important to my experience because it tied together everything I have learned and developed over the years and was the final task I needed in order to be ready for the world after high school. How did earning your Gold Award help you become a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)? Earning my Gold Award particularly helped me be a risk-taker. When I first began working with wood and older adults, I was totally out of my element and I wasn’t sure my idea would even be approved. However, I’m so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone and took those risks because it made earning my Gold Award so much more rewarding and satisfying. **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 #HighestAwards #CarsonNatureCenter #RegisJesuitHighSchool #masonbees #MetroDenver #bees #TakeAction #Littleton

From Girl Scouts of the USA Whether you’re a Girl Scout alum, current member, dedicated volunteer, or you simply have an extraordinary Girl Scout in your life, you’re an important part of the Girl Scout family. And you know what families do together? Celebrate! Girl Scout Week is definitely something to celebrate—seven straight days to show off your Girl Scout pride and lift up all that this worldwide sisterhood has given you, your community, and the world. Join us in treating each day from Sunday, March 10, through Saturday, March 16, as a day of action focused on a powerful yet simple way to get involved. Sunday, March 10 Girl Scout Sunday is a special day dedicated to thinking about your beliefs and how they’re reflected in the Girl Scout Law. Think of the things the two have in common and share your thoughts with others. Monday, March 11 Give a big shout-out to your Girl Scout sisters! Whether you tag other Girl Scouts on social media or get creative and make a card or gift for a Girl Scout in your life, don’t be bashful about sharing the love. Tuesday, March 12 It’s Girl Scouts’ 107th birthday! Honor the Girl Scout Movement by sharing on social media an issue you’re passionate about and what you’re doing to make a difference. You’ve got this, Girl Scout! Wednesday, March 13 Get out your green gear—it’s Girl Scout Spirit Day! Whether you sport a Girl Scout tee under a blazer at the office or rock a trefoil sweatshirt at the gym, let everyone know you’re a G.I.R.L. at heart. Thursday, March 14 Perform an act of kindness. Whether you pay for a stranger’s cup of coffee or visit an elderly neighbor, every bit of positivity Girl Scouts put out there helps make the world a better place. Friday, March 15 Kick off the weekend by giving back to your community. Could the local park use a cleanup? Does the food bank need volunteers? As always, the best person for the job is a Girl Scout! Saturday, March 16 Besides reflecting on your beliefs and how they’re echoed in the Girl Scout Law, we urge you to take some time this Girl Scout Sabbath to learn something new about someone else’s faith. Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating Girl Scout Week 2019 by hosting a photo challenge! Just submit your favorite Girl Scout photo and the story behind it using the Share Your Stories form. Winners will be featured in future GSCO marketing materials, on GSCO’s social media networks, and on the GSCO Blog. Questions? Email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org. #GirlScoutWeek #GirlScoutsoftheUSA #GSUSA

What did you do for your Gold Award project? I created an educational video explaining how to have an EEG (anelectroencephalogramused) to diagnose epilepsy. It is a step-by-step video explaining exactly what happens in a humorous way, so kids aren’t scared by the process. How did you measure the impact your Gold Award project made on your target audience? I know that I reached the 40 people that came to my launch party, 20 people from my diagnostic community, at least 350 people on Facebook, and the 35 people at the Epilepsy Foundation’s open house. I currently have over 1,000 views on the video. I also have nine comments on the actual video. I have received comments from the epilepsy community such as: “This video is so accurate, I wish there was a video like this when I was a kid.” – An adult at the Epilepsy foundation open house “You covered exactly what happens.”- Katie (living with epilepsy) “This has been so much help.”- Jean (working at the Epilepsy Foundation). “It was just like the EEGs I’ve had.” – Grace (a girl living with epilepsy) How is your project sustainable? How will your project continue to impact after your involvement? This project is very sustainable because it is posted on the Internet via YouTube and everyone knows the Internet is forever.  It is also posted on the Epilepsy Foundation’s website, and Children’s Hospital. People will be able to continue to access it, and my partners will continue to spread the word. In addition, my neurologist Dr. Chapman will continue to direct people to the video, and the Epilepsy Foundation is handing out more than 500 business cards to newly diagnosed kids and adults to spread the word. I am also working with my pediatrician, Dr. Sorenna Kirkegard, at Kaiser Permanente to insure they use it for patient education as well. What is your project’s global and/or national connection? On a global scale, it can impact people all over the world because YouTube has subtitles, so people will know what is happening no matter which language they speak. What did you learn about yourself? I learned that I wanted to ease the fears of children going into a frightening procedure.  As a child I had to have many EEGs and it was scary because the first one was when I was three-years-old.  I knew what others would feel going into have their first EEG and wanted to make sure that they didn’t feel how I felt. By doing this, I learned that I have to pick music that is funny, so even if what is happening isn’t amusing at least the music is. I learned that I wanted to help kids who are worried and so in order to make that happen, I had to show up to meetings with strangers like my advisor and representatives from the Epilepsy Foundation.  I had to be on time and professionally dressed.  I had to make phone calls.  I learned how to get back up when something had to be pushed back or cut out altogether. I gained communication skills that had I not done my Gold Award, I would not know. And one of the most important things I learned was time management, I needed to set deadlines and budget my time to make it possible to reach that deadline. How will earning your Gold Award impact you in the future? Since starting my Gold Award project, I have learned many valuable skills that I can use in the future including time management, good communication, perseverance, and self-confidence.  I can learn on the fly, like downloading a film editing program and watching myself on tape.   I will know what is expected of me in the future because of my Gold Award.  I will know what to do when entering a job interview and how to move on when something doesn’t go according to plan. Why do you feel the Gold Award was an important part of your Girl Scout experience? The decision to try for my Gold Award was an important part of my experience.  It goes above and beyond what the average Girl Scout does, and helps people not only on a community scale, but also on a national or global scale which helps make the world a better place. I wanted to earn it because it pushed me farther than I would have pushed myself. When I posted my video, I had the hope that it would get 100 views and now it’s been viewed over 1,000 times and it continues to grow. I hope that other Girl Scouts get their Gold Award because it introduces new challenges and you learn more about what you are capable of doing. How did earning your Gold Award help you become a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)? I took a big risk earning my Gold Award because I am not very tech savvy and I am an introvert, so being in front of a camera and having to edit what I did to make it look presentable was very challenging. I could have done a project that was better suited to my skill sets, but I saw a problem and wanted to fix it, so I took a risk to help others even though it may not have been easy for me. Deciding to pursue gold makes me a go-getter.  Deciding on an education video was innovative for me.  Delegating tasks to my troop and working with various agencies and CBS4 News definitely look leadership skills that I had to learn as I went along. Earning my Gold Award was a challenge I set for myself and I did not know all the things it would teach me along the way.  I am very happy I was able to rise and complete the goal I set for myself. **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. #Golden #GoldenHighSchool #GoldAward #HighestAwards #GoldAwardGirlScout #MetroDenver

What did you do for your Gold Award project? My Gold Award is about home fire safety and smoke alarm awareness.  My main point is to educate the public that smoke alarms expire and may not work even with working batteries inside. This is true for hard-wired smoke detectors too.  I made  “Smoke Detector 101” (both in Spanish and English) pamphlets and hosted informational booths at multiple community events. My pamphlets have been part of the October 2018 Fire Prevention Month displays at two local Home Depot stores. I also made magnets that users can write their smoke alarm expiration dates on and when to change their smoke alarm batteries. I want to make a change in my community and my Gold Award enables me to do that. How did you measure the impact your Gold Award project made on your target audience? I feel like I’ve made an impact on my community. I was present at four community events like the HRCA Home Improvement Show, HRCA Classic Car Show, The Fire Muster, and HRCA Farmers Market. The more people that I spoke to, the larger the impact. Towards the end of my project, I went to my local Home Depot and talked with the Manager, Mike, and Assistant Manager, Melissa, about their number of smoke alarm sales from this year (2018) compared to last year (2017). Due to corporate policy, I was not able to be given the exact numbers. However, they said there was an almost 5% increase in total sales that numbered in the “thousands!” I think homeowners in my community benefited a lot. I was able to talk to hundreds of parents and I was also able to inform the younger kids that came up to my booth as well. I loved talking to the people in my community. How is your project sustainable? How will your project continue to impact after your involvement? Knowledge about any new information is sustainable. I have put my pamphlet information (both English and Spanish) on to flash drives that I have given to my local fire stations and community fire educators. I have created a website and Instagram blog that anyone on the web can have access to, as well.  Finally, I’ve made magnets that help remind people when to change their smoke alarm batteries or replace their devices. This is sustainable because if the user places the magnet on their refrigerator or wall, hopefully the magnets will serve as a constant reminder to be safe in one’s own home. What is your project’s global and/or national connection? I decided to make a Spanish pamphlet! In Colorado, approximately 1 in 8 families lives in a Spanish speaking household. I’m in my fifth year of Spanish instruction and I wanted to incorporate that aspect into my project. Anybody on the web can find my Spanish pamphlet and I’ve attached it to my website and blog. Regardless the language someone speaks, everyone should have access to home safety information. I have also shared my Spanish and English pamphlets to Mexico. What did you learn about yourself? Before my Gold Award, I never really tried new things. I knew what I liked and what I thought I disliked. However, the Gold Award has helped me grow as a leader because it has taught me to get out of my comfort zone. I disliked doing phone calls. I would always prefer texting or emailing. However, phone calls give you a way faster response than any email or text message. It’s critical to directly hear the other person’s tone and opinion. Now, I like calling other people and hearing their ideas. Once you learn a skill and get used to it, it becomes a valuable asset. I also learned the value of meeting face to face. I brought my pamphlet information to Office Depot and worked with one of their “techies.” He helped me put it on the right format and I think I got a really good deal for printing my pamphlets! How will earning your Gold Award impact you in the future? Girl Scouts and my Gold Award have molded me into the confident and strong young woman that I am today. I believe the Gold Award has given me a huge future edge compared to my peers. From this project, I’ve learned about leadership, teamwork, and managing change. The Gold Award has given me a strong base and the confidence to make even more change in my community. I’ve gained valuable contacts and an insightful experience.  Girl Scouts and my Gold Award project have helped to reinforce and grow my strengths, challenged me to overcome my weaknesses, and opened up a creative side. Why do you feel the Gold Award was an important part of your Girl Scout experience? I have been a Girl Scout since kindergarten! I am passionate about Girl Scouts because it has given me so many amazing opportunities that no other youth organization could give to a girl. From being on TV six times to be selected to attend the Triennial National Convention, my Girl Scout memories will always stay in my heart. The Gold Award is the highest honor in Girl Scouts, and I have known ever since elementary school that I wanted to incorporate it into my Girl Scout experience. I am truly honored to be a part of this elite group of women and I plan to be a lifetime Girl Scout member. How did earning your Gold Award help you become a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)? Everyday, I try to be the best person that I can be. If I say I will do something, I plan on finishing it. I feel empowered when I set a hard goal and eventually achieve it. I’ve learned how to be a leader and a risk-taker. Whenever I am in a group setting, I try to do what it is best for the team and for myself. By utilizing values like respect and responsibility, I am able to be a strong individual and a strong team member. Most people just follow by example; it’s the leader of the team that helps create the team’s attitude.  In both an individual or a group environment, a leader has to be brave enough to take on new challenges. If we keep on doing the same thing day after day, how can anybody make a change in our community? A risk-taker can’t be afraid to do something different. If we never accept a difficult situation, we will never improve as individuals. **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 #HighestAwards #HighlandsRanch #MetroDenver #TakeAction #smokedetectors

Submitted by Penny Edwards Metro Denver Commerce City Well, we were almost snowed in! We were at a King Soopers doing a cookie booth in Brighton, when we invited an Adams County Sheriff’s officer to take a picture with us! Invite uniformed personnel, such as law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, etc., to visit you at your cookie booth as part of Uniform to Uniform! The first 100 Colorado Girl Scouts to earn the “Uniform to Uniform” patch before the 2019 Girl Scout Cookie Program ends on March 10 will receive this FREE patch. Learn how on the GSCO Blog: https://bit.ly/2VaYX1a #UniformtoUniformpatch #UniformtoUniform #CommerceCity #GirlScoutCookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram #MetroDenver #patch #2019GirlScoutCookieProgram

Submitted by Beth Haggerty Metro Denver Aurora Since we live in Aurora, a great military town, we run into our brave service members all the time. This booth was no exception. Several walked in and out past us, but this one gentleman stopped, took a picture with our girls, and got some amazing S’mores. Such a fantastic service member that our girls were honored to run into! Invite uniformed personnel, such as law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, etc., to visit you at your cookie booth as part of Uniform to Uniform! The first 100 Colorado Girl Scouts to earn the “Uniform to Uniform” patch before the 2019 Girl Scout Cookie Program ends on March 10 will receive this FREE patch. Learn how on the GSCO Blog: https://bit.ly/2VaYX1a #UniformtoUniformpatch #UniformtoUniform #cookies #GirlScoutCookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram #2019GirlScoutCookieProgram

Thank you to all the Girl Scouts who entered this year’s contest for Best Cookie Video. We received nearly two dozen entries from across Colorado and are so impressed by your creativity and enthusiasm. Third Place- $50 in Cookie Credits Girl Scout Ashla is selling Girl Scout Cookies, so she can go Girl Scout Camp. Second Place- $100 in Cookie Credits Girl Scout Junior Vivienne of Colorado Springs is working to sell 2,000 packages of Girl Scout Cookies, so she can go to space camp in Alabama. First Place- $200 in Cookie Credits Girl Scout Daisy Maible Grace is a member of Troop 77904 in Longmont. She loves Girl Scouts because, “We do it all, from crafts, robotics, and tea parties to day hikes and weekend campouts.” Maible and her troop plan to use their cookie money for new adventures, including more campouts and an overnight at the Denver Zoo! #ColoradoSprings #NorthernampNortheasternCO #BestCookieVideo #Longmont #BestCookieVideocontest #2019BestCookieVideocontest #GirlScoutCookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram #PikesPeak #2019GirlScoutCookieProgram

The Air Force Academy’s women’s basketball team invites children ages 5-12 to attend their National Girls and Women in Sports Day Game on Saturday, March 2, 2019. Prior to the game against Wyoming, Air Force women’s athletics teams will host a free clinic in which participants will rotate through stations with various teams. All instruction will come from Cadet Athletes. The clinic will run from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. with Air Force tipping off against Wyoming at 2 p.m. The clinic is free of charge and youth participants will receive a free ticket to the game. Accompanying adults will need to purchase tickets for the 2 p.m. game at aftickets.com. Questions? Contact Piper Juiller at (719) 333 – 4553 or piper.juiller@airforceathletics.org #AirForceAcademy #GSCOevents #ColoradoSprings #Communitypartnerships #communitypartners #NationalGirlsandWomeninSportsDay #USAFA #PikesPeak

Update: As of Wednesday, February 27, all Uniform to Uniform patches available for giveaway during the 2019 Girl Scout Cookie Program have been claimed. Girl Scouts can purchase a Uniform to Uniform patch at the GSCO Retail Shop for $1.50/each. Uniform to Uniform is a new patch program for the 2019 Girl Scout Cookie Program. Colorado Girl Scouts are encouraged to invite uniformed personnel, such as law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, etc., to visit them at their cookie booths. This is an opportunity for Girl Scouts and the public to learn more about the work these amazing women and men do for our communities. Colorado Girl Scouts can earn the “Uniform to Uniform” patch by doing the following: Invite local uniformed personnel, such as law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, etc., to visit them during their My Sale or council booth sale. What a great opportunity to spread the word about your Hometown Hero or the Gift of Caring program! Take a group photo. Upload your photo(s) and story using the Share Your Stories form on the GSCO Blog: gscoblog.org/share. The best photos and stories will be shared on the GSCO Blog and social media networks. Once Girl Scouts of Colorado receives your photo(s) and story via the Share Your Stories form, we will contact you to find out the number of patches needed and where to mail them. The first 200 Girl Scouts to earn the “Uniform to Uniform” patch before the 2019 Girl Scout Cookie Program ends on March 10 will receive a FREE patch. After that, Girl Scouts can purchase the “Uniform to Uniform” patch at the GSCO Retail Shop. Questions? Email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org or the GSCO Retail Shop at retail@gscolorado.org. #GirlScoutsoftheUSA #GSUSA #UniformtoUniformpatch #UniformtoUniform #GirlScoutCookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram #patch #2019GirlScoutCookieProgram

John Silver of Metro Denver is proud to be an adult volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado. As the brother and son of Girl Scouts, John is now an adult seeing Girl Scouts through new eyes. John will be reporting on things he learns– that you might not know either! He will also be researching badge earning and other opportunities for Girl Scouts today. Hello! My name is John Silver.  My three older sisters were Girl Scouts, and for many years my mother was a troop leader in Brighton. I recently retired, and I’ve become a part-time volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado. I’ve just started to learn about this great organization, and I can’t wait to learn more!  Here are three things that have surprised me: Men can become troop leaders and Cookie Dads. I’ve heard that many of them proudly wear t-shirts that say: “Man Enough to be a Girl Scout!” Girl Scouts of Colorado has many procedures in place to protect the safety of the girls. For example, before Girl Scouts of Colorado partners with another organization or even posts information on the Activities Calendar, the organization is checked out to be sure it fits the Girl Scout Mission and will provide a safe place for the girls. The Girl Scout Cookie Program is a huge deal. When I was young and my mother was the service unit cookie manager for troops in Brighton, it seemed to me that cases of cookies magically appeared at our house.  Who knew how many people worked so hard to make that happen! I know now that there is so much more to it and it starts months before anyone sees a single cookie. The logistics of receiving and moving more than 4 MILLION packages of cookies around the state and ultimately getting them in the hands of individual Girl Scouts is amazing, not to mention the paperwork, the ordering, the training, and so many other behind the scenes activities! I’m proud to be a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado. #MetroDenver #VolunteerNews

Thank you to everyone who entered this year’s #BlingYourBooth Challenge! We received dozens of entries and are so impressed by the creativity and enthusiasm of all of these cookie-bosses. Now, it is time to rally your friends and family to vote! All of the entries have been uploaded to the Girl Scouts of Colorado Facebook page and are part of the album: #BlingYourBooth Challenge 2019. Tell your friends and family to vote for your entry by simply clicking “like” or reacting to it. The photo that receives the most likes and reactions by February 28 at 9 a.m. wins! First Prize: $200 in Cookie Credits Second Prize: $100 in Cookie Credits Third Prize: $50 in Cookie Credits If you have questions, please email Girl Scouts of Colorado Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper. #GirlScoutCookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram #BlingYourBoothChallenge2019 #BlingYourBoothchallenge #CookieContest #2019GirlScoutCookieProgram