Submitted by Kate Harvie Western Slope Montrose This Cookie Dad isn’t even a dad! He doesn’t just help his soon-to-be stepdaughter and her troop leader mom, this super supportive Cookie Man took the day off work to drive 130 miles round trip just to get 100 cases of Thin Mints for the Montrose Cookie Cupboard! He saved the cookie booth weekend for all Girl Scouts in the area! In the photo above, he is loading 100 cases of cookies into his truck. He was so focused on “properly stacking the cases” he wouldn’t even look up. He’s slightly serious about those Thin Mints. Brian Grasman can also be found delivering cookies to the troop at booths all over town, helping load and unload cookies from vehicles, and he’s even been known to serve as a “mystery shopper” during National Girl Scout Cookie weekend, handing out patches to girls with stellar customer service. Troop 17122 and Service Unit 129 couldn’t have survived the 2018 cookie season without him! This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form and is part of the 2018 contest for Best Cookie Dad. #montrose #cookiesvolunteers #WesternSlope #cookies #GirlScoutCookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram #2018GirlScoutCookieProgram #cookiecontests #BestCookieDadcontest

Submitted byJosie O., Junior Troop 61631 Metro Denver Littleton My dad (people call him Patrick) is the best Cookie Dad because he uses his truck and trailer to pick up our troop’s cookies every year. This is a big deal because our troop picks up 5,000+ packages at the first pick up. He also supports me by eating packages of Tagalongs secretly in the garage (without Mom knowing). He gives me funny phrases to say to my customers, like, “Excuse me? What time is it?….It’s Girl Scout cookie time!” He brings me to the neighborhood where he grew up to sell cookies door-to-door to his old friends and neighbors. He helps me make yard signs, counts my inventory, and then eats more Tagalongs. My dad is my number one customer and my number one sales trainer. He helped me sell 1,031 packages this year. He’s the best Cookie Dad out there! I’m a G.I.R.L. because I’m a risk-taker. This summer I’m moving out of my comfort zone by going to Girl Scout Camp without anyone from my troop. I know I’ll make new friends. I’m a little nervous, but hey, I’m a risk-taker! This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form and is part of the 2018 contest for Best Cookie Dad. #cookiesvolunteers #cookies #GirlScoutCookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram #2018GirlScoutCookieProgram #MetroDenver #Littleton #BestCookieDadcontest

Thank you to all of the Girl Scouts who entered the 2018 #BlingYourBooth Challenge! We received dozens of entries from all across Colorado and are so impressed by your creativity and enthusiasm. Congratulations to the following winners! Third Place: $50 in Cookie Credits Troop 41660 consists of Girl Scout Brownies, Juniors, and Cadettes from Ft. Carson in the Pikes Peak region. Many of the girls have been together for many years. They plan to use the Cookie Credits they won to buy new uniforms for the Girl Scouts bridging to the next level. Third Place: $50 in Cookie Credits Troop 62228 is a fourth grade Junior troop from the Denver Metro region. The girls love any activity or event that deals with food or the outdoors. They plan to use their Cookie Credits on a GSCO council-sponsored event in the future. They plan to choose that activity at their next meeting. Second Place: $100 in Cookie Credits Troop 76180 is made up of Girl Scout Daisies and Brownies. The girls will most likely use their Cookie Credits to purchase badges or visit the Denver Aquarium. First Place: $200 in Cookie Credits Troop 16232 is a new troop from Montrose. These 13 hard-working Girl Scouts surpassed their goals, but didn’t stop there. The girls are really looking forward to some overnight camping trips this summer. #montrose #2018BlingYourBoothChallenge #DenverAquarium #NorthernampNortheasternCO #WesternSlope #Peak #cookies #FtCarson #GirlScoutCookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram #2018GirlScoutCookieProgram #Denvermetro #cookiecontests #BlingYourBoothchallenge

Submitted by Shyann S. Pikes Peak Colorado Springs This man has been at various cookie booths with a girl I know. This man, after waking up at 4 in the morning and coming home at 6 on the evening from work, contributes his time to work with Girl Scouts. This man is kind and considerate to others who have complaints and concerns about cookies. He has worked two, four, and eight-hour booths with me even when he is tired or hungry, yet again and again he comes back to help. He fights against the cold weather and horrible conditions of which we work through. The sales don’t benefit him in any shape or form, but there he is, happily helping his daughter. Why, people may ask. And must I respond by saying that this same man has gone to the point of not only supporting one daughter, but all three of his daughters. I’m proud to say I’m one of them. I’m proud to be able to say to other troops and kids that my dad cares. That he contributes and puts in all this effort, and for what? Just to get a reward? No. It’s just to see his daughters become experienced and filled with joy. My dad is amazing. He is a cookie dad! Better yet he is MY cookie dad and I’m thrilled to be able to say that. Because of my dad, I have been able to learn social skills I didn’t have before. It’s because of him that I’m going to be able to reach my goal. He has taken a part of who I was in the past and molded it into who I am now. I just want to say thank you Dad. Even though you may never see this… I still thank you for being a real G.I.R.L.. And to me that means you are a great, inspirational, and responsible leader. This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form and is part of the 2018 contest for Best Cookie Dad.  Is your Cookie Dad the best? Tell us about him and he’ll win a cool prize! #ColoradoSprings #GirlScoutCookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram #2018GirlScoutCookieProgram #cookiecontests #PikesPeak #BestCookieDadcontest

Thank you to all of the Girl Scouts who entered the 2018 Girl Scout S’mores Booth Challenge! We received dozens of entries from all across Colorado and are so impressed by your creativity and enthusiasm. Congratulations to the winners! Girl Scout Brownie Troop 60061 is from Broomfield and their Hometown Hero is Broomfield FISH. The girls are in the second and third grade at Prospect Ridge Academy and Meridian Elementary School. Most of the girls set a goal of at least 150 packages of Girl Scout Cookies. They are hoping to use the money earned to do an overnight at the Denver Aquarium. Girl Scout Brownie Troop 60035 is from Aurora. The girls chose Joshua Station as their Hometown. Their troop goal was 225 packages per selling girl and they surpassed it! At last check, the troop had sold more than 10,000 packages. #smores #cookiesvolunteers #Aurora #Broomfield #cookies #GirlScoutCookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram #2018GirlScoutCookieProgram #GirlScoutSmores #MetroDenver #CookieContest #SmoresBoothChallenge

Submitted by Ivey G. Pikes Peak Colorado Springs Not only does my stepdad like eating Girl Scout Cookies, but he’s pretty good at helping me sell them too! I am grateful to have him in my life. He is always there for me no matter what activity I am doing. He works strange and long shifts because he is in law enforcement, but every cookie season he takes the time to work at least two booths with me. I know that’s not a lot of booths, but I am happy and proud that he makes the time to be there. These are memories I will always have that make being a Girl Scout great. This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form and is part of the 2018 contest for Best Cookie Dad.  Is your Cookie Dad the best? Tell us about him and he’ll win a cool prize! #ColoradoSprings #cookies #GirlScoutCookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram #2018GirlScoutCookieProgram #PikesPeak #cookievolunteers

Adult recognition awards are designed to recognize volunteers who have gone above and beyond the expectations of the volunteer role they hold, and who have deeply impacted Girl Scouts in ways that support and further GSCO’s goals and mission. The prestigious President’s Award recognizes the efforts of a service-delivery team or committee whose exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience surpassed team goals and resulted in significant, measurable, impact toward reaching the council’s overall goals. As girls earn the highest distinction in Girl Scouts, we expect their mentors to help them meet our high standards and expectations of team building, measurability, sustainability, global/national connection, and uniqueness – the foundations of the Gold Award. Gold Award mentors/committee members across the state went above and beyond to support the development and implementation of the Girl Scout Gold Award program in the 2015-16 membership year and continue to do so today. The position asks that each member attend a Gold Award training and stay up to date on changes, review all project proposals, final reports, and presentation, work individually with mentees, observe girls in action, attend 75% of monthly meetings, and participate in celebrations. All members have met each expectation and exceeded expectations. Several members reviewed the Gold Award training design, made improvements, and are now active Gold Award trainers who facilitate in-person trainings across the state. In the 2015-16 membership year, more than 200 girls and 115 adults received Gold Award training across the state. Gold Award brainstorming sessions were offered in Denver, Longmont, and Grand Junction with mentors attending all and helping girls one-on-one explore ideas and establish next steps. Six regional Highest Awards celebrations were held across the state and each one of them was volunteer supported. These events would not have been successful without the participation/support from all the Gold Award mentors/committee members. Sarah Greichen, 2016 Gold Award Girl Scout and National Young Woman of Distinction wrote in her endorsement for this award, “Girl Scouts in pursuit of their Gold Awards are greatly impacted by their Gold Award mentors. Gold Award mentors teach girls vital skills such as organization, public speaking, leadership, business skills, etc. They serve as role models who provide guidance, advice, and critique. All Girl Scouts are positively impacted by their mentors.” Jan Lucas, Gold Award Girl Scout and member of the GSCO Board of Directors, wrote in her endorsement of the award, “The Girl Scouts pursing their Gold Award are motivated, challenged, and supported through their mentor. This is an invaluable and life long relationship that is developed to even help them through other challenging times in their life. This committee is more than just a committee to help with this one project – the mission of this committee has given way to a bigger vision and that is a relationship for a lifetime.” Highlights from 2015-16 include: – Total Highest Awardees statewide = 1,618 – 48 Gold Award recipients (mentored by 17 different mentors) – 393 Silver Award recipients (increase of 10.1% from 2015) – 1,177 Bronze Award recipients (increase of 14.7% from 2015) – Approximate total of girls who RSVP’d for celebrations = 692 – Approximate total girls at celebrations = 637 – Mentor/volunteer lead trainings and brainstorming sessions – Mentor assistance with conflict resolution – Mentor support for staff decisions and implementation – Second annual Gold Award mentor retreat with representation from each region 27 Gold Award mentors were officially given their award spring 2017 and many were presented with their certificate at the 2017 Gold Award Mentor Retreat in November at Hamp Hut. The mentors who received this exciting award are: Alison Clark-Hardesty Alyssa Street Amy Bissell Bonnie Ledet Cara Heist Carey Hofner Cindy Miller Connie Campbell Debbie Haskins Diana Smith Eva Bauer Heidi Ragsdale Jennifer Colosimo Karen Wilson Kathi Reddan Katie Hess Kay Shaw Leslee Randolph Linda Robinson Lorrie Marzulla Maggie Murray Nancy Mucklow Rachael TerLouw Sandy Jackson Shauna Clemmer Sheryl Blish Stephani Vick Since spring 2017, nine new Gold Award mentors have joined and we continue to onboard new members each month. Congratulations GSCO Gold Award mentors! We appreciate all your hard work and dedication to the Gold Award program in Colorado! #VolunteerNews #volunteerspotlight #GirlScoutGoldAwardmentors #GirlScoutGoldAward #CouncilNews

Submitted by Carly Hull Metro Denver Lone Tree My dad is amazing! He wants me to reach my goals and is proud of how hard I work. He helped our troop by driving to three different cookie cupboards to pick up Thin Mints and Samoas. He dropped them off at the booths to make sure we didn’t run out. After all this, he worked with me at my third booth of the day! This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form and is part of the 2018 contest for Best Cookie Dad.  Is your Cookie Dad the best? Tell us about him and he’ll win a cool prize! #cookiesvolunteers #cookies #GirlScoutCookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram #LoneTree #2018GirlScoutCookieProgram #MetroDenver #cookiecontests #BestCookieDadcontest

What did you do for your Gold Award project? I made a video and presented to doctors to raise awareness for Turner Syndrome. I shared the video around so that girls who are newly diagnosed with Turner Syndrome can see the video and realize they are not alone. How did you measure the impact your Gold Award project made on your target audience? I measured the impact by the number of views of my video, and by the comments the doctors gave me. Currently, the video has around 1,200 views. The doctors learned a lot about respecting the girl with Ts and not just talking and explaining everything to the parents. How is your project sustainable? How will your project continue to impact after your involvement? My project will stay up on YouTube for whoever wants to watch it, and I have connections with many Turner Syndrome organizations that have promised to shared it each February, which is Turner Syndrome, and Rare Disease, Awareness Month. What is your project’s global and/or national connection? I filmed the video at the USA’s national conference, and from Facebook, I am able to tell that my video got shared across the world to Canada, Bulgaria, Egypt, and the UK, which is exciting and exactly what I wanted to happen. What did you learn about yourself? I learned that I need to be an assertive leader when I am trying to be persuasive, but I also need to be kind and gentle. I learned that I am not super proactive when the topic doesn’t interest me as much as I thought it would. However, the biggest thing I learned about myself is that I am able to make a difference in the world, even at such a young age. How will earning your Gold Award impact you in the future? It will help my leadership skills and my confidence in myself. I will have knowledge of how to make videos, albeit not high quality, but that’s ok. My project allowed me to learn how to share videos, thoughts, or ideas across the world in a quick timely fashion. Why do you feel the Gold Award was an important part of your Girl Scout experience? The Gold Award is a great way to wrap up your high school and Girl Scout careers. It combines everything you learned into one project, which the shows how much you have learned and grown over the years. How did earning your Gold Award help you become a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)? My project forced me to speak up, be a bit forceful, and creative in different ways to figure out how to get people involved. Essentially, my Gold Award pushed my boundaries in each of these categories by forcing me to lead the project, be involved in the Ts community, and by having to be creative in the video making process. It also made me a go getter because it made me ask people if I could do certain things. **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 #Westminster #GoldAwardGirlScout #JeffersonCountyOpenSchool #TurnerSyndrome #MetroDenver #TakeAction

Submitted by Julie Fischer Metro Denver Denver During the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo  (March 8-11, 2018), Richard Shrake would like to find Girl Scouts who want to learn to ride, but have never had the chance to do so. He has done this at other events and people seem to really like it. Anyone that is interested can email us at CHC@coloradohorsecouncil.com or hersheysheavenlyhorses@earthlink.net.  You can also call us directly at (719) 440-4979. This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments, too. #GSCOevents #Denver #NationalWesternComplex #MetroDenver #RockyMountainHorseExpo

Hi, my name is Bianca! I am a Brownie from Troop 65698.  I love being a Girl Scout!  It motivates me to take risks, inspire others, and be creative. Girl Scouts helps me unlock my inner G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, and leader). I am a go-getter because I attend many Girl Scout events on my own. I made new friends at the cookie rally and pool party, and I learned to ice skate better.  I passed out fliers at school for the Nuggets Pajama Jam and Avalanche games, and I’m excited to go even if no one from my troop does.  I am lucky to be part of the Girl Scout community. I am an innovator because I use creative ways to encourage customers to buy cookies.   I suggest they put Thin Mints in the freezer to taste even better and melt S’mores in the microwave for 20 seconds to be campfire gooey. I am a risk-taker because I held my first cookie booth on a cold, snowy day at my uncle’s tire store. I wasn’t sure many people would be out in the snow, but I’m glad I took the risk because I sold more than sixty packages! I am a leader because I inspire my troop to participate more, because of all the fun patches I have earned as a Brownie.  Recently at a meeting, everyone said, “Wow, Bianca!  How did you get so many patches?”  I couldn’t help but smile, and at the next meeting, one girl had several new patches. #Denver #cookies #GirlScoutCookies #2018GirlScoutCookieProgram #GirlScoutCookieProrgram #MetroDenver #GIRLstories #MediaStar

From Girl Scouts of the USA Although we celebrate important moments all year long, Girl Scout Week is a particularly special time! That’s because Girl Scouts across the United States (and even abroad) have the chance to connect with one another, show the world everything they do, and celebrate what it means to have that one-of-a-kind G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™ grit. This year, we’re challenging Girl Scouts everywhere to commit to seven goals and accompanying activities—whether girls have time for them this week or want to take them on in the months to come. After all, being a Girl Scout isn’t just for special occasions! Sunday, March 11: celebrate inclusivity! Girl Scout Week starts with Girl Scout Sunday. Whether you’re Catholic, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, or not religious, take some time today to connect with your beliefs and values and learn about someone else’s. And take a moment to perform an act of kindness—that’s something everyone believes in! Monday, March 12: be a go-getter! Kick off the school week by taking action and getting involved civically. Check out these resources and tips from the G.I.R.L. Agenda to feel inspired and prepared to make the world a better place—the possibilities are endless. You may even become motivated to work toward earning the Global Action award while you’re at it. Tuesday, March 13: be an innovator! Explore science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).  The different badges you can earn while at it will give you so many reasons to be proud, and the possibilities of STEM are endless—try your hand at robotics, botany, coding, or kitchen chemistry! If you’ve already got stellar STEM skills, reach out to a younger troop to see if you can share what you know. Wednesday, March 14: be a risk-taker! Think about what makes you uncomfortable and how you can tackle your fears, then take risks by trying something new. Taking part in outdoor adventures with friends or family is the ultimate Girl Scout way. You could even find a way to volunteer with a group at school. Think about what you could accomplish if you joined an after-school environmental club, or better yet, start one. Your Ranger patch awaits! Thursday, March 15: take the lead! Raise your hand. Stand up against bullying. Seize opportunities to help those in need.  When you’re a leader, you’re confident, responsible, and committed to changing the world. Friday, March 16: revel in some Friday FUN! Work with your Girl Scout sisters to come up with a new way to celebrate being a Girl Scout. There are so many great Girl Scout traditions and ceremonies you can partake in—you can always come up with fun and meaningful activities on your own. Saturday, March 17: observe Girl Scout Sabbath!This is the perfect day to reread and contemplate the Girl Scout Promise and Law. Find out more about the My Promise, My Faith pin and start taking steps to earn it, no matter what your beliefs. Show us how you’re celebrating all week long by sharing your activities on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the hashtag #GirlScoutWeek. #GirlScoutsoftheUSA #GirlScoutWeek #GIRL #GSUSA #GirlScoutSunday #GirlScoutBirthday #GSCOEvent #GirlScoutSabbath #GirlScoutWeek