Submitted by Hailey Southwestern CO Cortez My dad is a spectacular cookie dad because he helps me with my cookie booths. He is even there with me through the cold and wind. He’s right there by my side when I’m selling door-to-door, helping me with the money, and hauling my cookies. My dad has been helping me with cookies since I started as a Daisy. He’s a wonderful dad because he doesn’t have to do it, but he offers to anyway. He is a spectacular dad and I love him. I am a G.I.R.L in many ways because I am a free spirit. I face this world head on. I take of myself and others around me. I respect my leaders, friends, family, and other adults. I have many friends whom I care for and take care of. When I grow up I want to be a teacher because I want to teach children how to respect themselves and others around them. I am a G.I.R.L because of many things, but my main reason I am a G.I.R.L is because I love the Girl Scout experience! 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! #VolunteerNews #cookiesvolunteers #cookies #SouthwesternCO #GirlScoutCookieProgram #2018GirlScoutCookieProgram #cookiecontests #Cortez #BestCookieDadcontest

Submitted by Callie Frey, Fearless Motion Dance Center Northern & Northeastern CO Louisville Dancer Badge for Brownies- Jazz Class When: Sunday, March 18, 2018 Time: 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Where: Louisville Rec. Center – Crown Room 900 West Via Appia Way Louisville, CO 80027 Cost: $15 Jazz Class Description: Jazz class will focus on learning isolations of the body, turns, leaps, and improving performance quality. Class will consist of proper warm-up, stretches, isolations, across-the-floor progressions, and a final combination presented at the end of class. Overall, jazz is an upbeat, energetic class leaving the dancer wanting more! **Athletic clothes, leggings/tank tops would be suggested for “dress code” and jazz shoes or bare-feet work great** Register: Head to www.fearlessmotiondance.com and click on GIRL SCOUTS to reserve your spot today or follow this link https://www.fearlessmotiondance.com/girl-scouts/ Any questions please call 303-204-6597 or email info@fearlessmotiondance.com! Girl Scout Jazz Class Flyer- Final This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments, too. #FearlessMotionDanceCenter #GSCOevents #NorthernampNortheasternCO #MetroDenver #Louisville

Submitted by Nina Schulze Metro Denver Northglenn Troop 60114 and The Woods service unit invite you to join us for Cirque Des Filles on Saturday, April 21, 2018 from 6 – 9 p.m. at the Waymire Dome, Adams County Fairgrounds. Moms, grandmas, aunts, and Girl Scouts of all ages will enjoy a night of dancing, fortunes, games, and more! Come dressed as the ringmaster of your troop, in your best circus attire, or regular, everyday clothes! Have a troop theme! Anything goes at the Circus of the Girls dance! Tickets are on sale now at squareup.com/store/Thewoods646. Advance prices are $17 per couple, $8.50 each additional girl and END Wednesday, April 18. Door price is $10 per person. Fun patches are included with the price. This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments, too. #GSCOevents #MetroDenver #Northglenn

Submitted by Marti Shuster Metro Denver Westminster Our service unit , Sunset Hills, is responsible for maintaining a section of 104th Avenue in Thornton. Recently, two troops went out to do some trash removal, and remove it they did. Two Daisies, two Juniors, and two brothers collected five very full trash bags of litter from along the side of the street. Some interesting items were a doll’s shoe, four hubcaps, and best of all, a completely untouched hamburger from McDonalds! What a find. This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments, too. #Westminster #SunsetHills #Thornton #MetroDenver #GIRLstories

Celebrate National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend, Feb. 23-25, 2018, with GSCO’s new Girl Scout S’mores contest. Together with Little Brownie Bakers, Girl Scouts of Colorado is announcing two new ways for girls and troops to win big when promoting Girl Scout S’mores cookies! Decorate your booth with a s’mores theme for a chance to win a Girl Scout Cookie costume and a jumbo cookie box filled with Girl Scout S’mores for you to enjoy. You are welcome to enter your booth into both the #BlingYourBooth contest and S’mores Booth contest as long as it has a s’mores theme. Two booths will be selected by an independent panel to receive the prize. The booth can take place at any time, but entries must be received between Feb. 23-25. To enter, just email a photo of your s’mores-themed booth to GSCO Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper, being sure to include a little information about your troop, your cookie sales strategy, and Hometown Hero. The winners will be announced on Tuesday, Feb. 27. For troops, every two cases of Girl Scout S’mores taken from the cupboard or received via troop-to-troop transfer through the end of the cookie program will earn you an entry into a contest. Two troops will be chosen at random from the entries to receive a cookie costume and a jumbo cookie box filled with Girl Scout S’mores for their troop to enjoy. S’mores selling tips Be sure to lead with Girl Scout S’mores! Instead of asking customers “Would you like to buy Girl Scout Cookies?”, start the conversation with “I’ve got Girl Scout S’mores, would you like to try them? These cookies were so popular last year we sold out quickly.” #GirlScoutSmorescontest #GirlScoutCookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram #2018GirlScoutCookieProgram #GirlScoutSmores #NationalGirlScoutCookieWeekend #cookiecontests

From Girl Scouts of the USA When Girl Scout Juniors (grades 4–5) take part in the Girl Scout Cookie Program, they’re helping lead the largest entrepreneurial program for girls in the world. How? By learning essential life skills, setting (and crushing!) impressive goals, and using their cookie earnings to go on epic adventures and make the world a better place—wow! Many of these incredible skills start with a Girl Scout badge, and we’re exploring all of them! Meet the Junior badges Girl Scouts can earn during cookie season. After earning the Business Owner badge, Juniors will know the basic steps to plan and create a new business and how to turn their passions into a successful business venture. Once girls decide which type of business they’d like to run, they’ll explore the ins and outs by talking with local business owners to spark ideas and get answers to questions. A new business needs support to get off the ground! So, girls will learn all the ways a new business is financially supported, whether through bank loans or government assistance. Last, to get to know their customers, girls will dive into customer research to see how their new business will reach their community and provide it with a service it needs. Earn the Business Owner badge. When Juniors earn the Savvy Shopper badge, they’ll know the difference between what they need and want to buy—and how to save for both. In a world of advertisers, social media influencers, and fast-moving trends, it can be hard to determine if that item on display is what you really want to spend your money on or if there is something better to invest in. Through this badge, Juniors will evaluate these important decisions and learn how to make smart spending choices that will benefit them for years to come. Earn the Savvy Shopper badge. Through the Cookie CEO badge, Juniors will know how to run all aspects of their cookie business—because they’re cookie bosses, of course! Through this badge, girls are challenged to break their cookie goal into smaller ones (like weekly sales goals) to make sure their troop is on the right track to reach the ultimate goal (like a summer at Girl Scout camp, perhaps?). The troop will work together by dividing up tasks among girls based on their individual skills. They will then put those skills into action when communicating with their customers, making a good impression and building community relationships at the same time. Earn the Cookie CEO badge. It’s key to get to know your customers, and through the Customer Insights badge, Juniors will have a better understanding what their cookie customers want, making business even stronger! First, girls will seek out the experts—maybe a local businesswoman who just happens to be a Girl Scout alum? Girls can ask her questions and get some pro tips. Then they’ll dig into research to figure out how to market their Girl Scout Cookies. Girls will create their own surveys and ask customers questions. And if customers still say, “no thanks” to Girl Scout Cookies? No worries! This badge will help girls turn a “no” into a useful business lesson so they improve and gain more confidence. Earn the Customer Insights badge. Has your Junior earned one of these awesome badges, but you don’t know where to place it on her vest or sash? Our new visual guide to Girl Scout Junior uniforms can help! And this cookie season, have your Junior put her new skills to the test by entering Girl Scout Cookie Pro Contest 2018. Six winners (one per Girl Scout grade level) will be selected to win a trip to New York City for the ultimate Cookie Entrepreneur Experience and a spot on the iconic Girl Scout Cookie box! WHOA. Enter today. Check out the other badges Girl Scouts can earn during cookie season by grade level: Daisy | Brownies | Cadettes | Juniors | Seniors | Ambassadors #GUSA #cookiepro #GirlScoutbadges #Junior #GirlScoutCookieProgram #2018GirlScoutCookieProgram #Juniorbadges #cookiebadges #badges

Submitted by Elizabeth Moore Metro Denver Evergreen Girl Scouts are invited to earn their My Promise, My Faith pin with Congregation Beth Evergreen on Girl Scout Shabbat! We’ll walk you through the five steps of My Promise, My Faith with relation to Judaism, but you don’t have to be Jewish to participate or even earn the pin. You’re invited to join us for dinner beforehand and at our concert-like musical Shabbat experience afterward, but neither are necessary to earn the award. All participants will receive a special Girl Scout Shabbat patch. We look forward to having you! The event is on Friday, March 16, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. Space is limited. Please RSVP at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e4ea8a729abfb6-mypromise. Congregation Beth Evergreen is located at 2981 Bergen Peak Drive in Evergreen. This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments, too. #GirlScoutShabbat #GSCOevents #evergreen #MetroDenver #GirlScoutWeek

Submitted by GSCO Highest Awards Manager Aimee Artzer Some of the VFW’s earliest ties to the community involve youth groups and perhaps none are stronger or more lasting than the relationship between the VFW and America’s scouting organizations. In fact, their partnership with the Boy Scouts of America dates back to 1915 when VFW Post 2100 helped to establish Troop 1 in Everett, Washington. The Scout of the Year program provides members of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts who display standout citizenship, patriotism and love of country with the opportunity to be rewarded with college scholarships of up to $5,000. WHO CAN ENTER Scouts who are registered, active members of a Boy or Girl Scout Troop, Venturing Crew, or a Sea Scout Ship who have received the Eagle Scout Award, Girl Scout Gold Award, Venture Summit Award or Sea Scout Quartermaster Award. Scouts must be 15 years of age and have demonstrated practical citizenship in school, scouting and the community. Scouts must be enrolled in high school at the time of selection. Note: All applicants still in high school who reach their 18th birthday during the nomination year remain eligible if otherwise qualified. HOW TO ENTER Scouts should download and submit a completed VFW Scouting Scholarship form, resume of high school activities, scouting record, community service record and letters of recommendation to a local VFW Post no later than March 1. Locate your local Post here. Note: A Scout can enter through ONE VFW Post only. HOW IT WORKS Local VFW Posts submit all candidates with full entry criteria to their respective VFW Department (state) by April 1. From there, the Department selects a winner and forwards the entry to the VFW National Headquarters by May 1 for national-level judging. APPLICATION DEADLINE: MARCH 1, 2018 ACCESS APPLICATION HERE: https://vfw-cdn.azureedge.net/-/media/VFWSite/Files/Community/Youth-and-Education/Scout-of-the-Year/ScoutoftheYearBrochureandEntryForm.pdf?la=en 2016/2017 WINNERS: https://www.vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/scout-of-the-year #GoldAward #GoldAwardGirlScout #oldergirls #VFW

Submitted by Claire and Stella Metro Denver Evergreen Eight Girl Scout Cookies can be found this season – Discover them all, here are a few great reasons. Thin Mints are certainly our most popular every year, They are vegan, crisp,  and chocolatey to make you cheer! Are you a gigantic peanut butter fan? Then, the crunchy Do-Si-Dos is definitely your brand. If rich caramel and coconut flavors fill you with delight, The striped Samoas will satisfy you with each chewy bite. Perhaps, you prefer something that is classic and simple instead? Trefoils are the cookies that taste like traditional shortbread. How about a peanut butter layer with rich chocolate too? Then, the popular Tagalong is the one for you. If sipping afternoon tea describes your style Pair it with a lemony Savannah Smile. Are you outdoorsy and a marshmallow-roasting lover? Then, the new S’mores cookie is one you must discover! If gluten is really not your thing, These Toffee-tastics will make you sing. Most of these cost $4 a box; $20 gets you FIVE – and that really rocks! If you don’t want cookies or are watching your weight- Donate to our Hometown Heroes to participate. Girl Scouts have been selling cookies for a hundred years plus- Thank you for supporting our program and adventurous girls like us! This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments, too. #2018GirlScoutCookie #evergreen #GirlScoutCookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram #HometownHeroes #MetroDenver

Submitted by Gina A. Metro Denver Commerce City My name is Gina. This is my first year in Girl Scouts and I am a Brownie. I am so excited about all the cool stuff we are doing. I am most excited to go camping! My daddy is so amazing. He volunteers his time to help with my troop’s cookie sales. He loaded his truck with our cookies to help get our sales started. He helps with our sales booths and brings lunch and hot cocoa to us when it’s cold. I love my daddy because he is so amazing! 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 #CommerceCity #cookies #GirlScoutCookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram #2018GirlScoutCookieProgram #MetroDenver #cookiecontests #BestCookieDadcontest

Submitted by Bianca M. Metro Denver My dad is always there to encourage me, help me, and congratulate me, and that’s why I think he’s the Best Cookie Dad. When I told him I wanted to be a Girl Scout, he said, “I think you’d be an amazing Girl Scout!” When I told him I wanted to sleep over at the Girl Scout Pajama Jam, he said, “Sounds like fun, let’s all do it!” And, when I told him I wanted to be the cookie top seller in my troop, he said, “Of course! I know you can do it.” The first weekend of Girl Scout cookie season, my mom, who is a troop leader, was out of town. My dad drove an hour away to borrow a truck to help pick up our troop’s cookies from Elitch Gardens, and then he spent almost the whole day helping our cookie mom sort and hand out cookies. The next day was Super Bowl Sunday, one of his favorite days of the year. But, we got up early to be the first ones in line at Sweet Cow Ice Cream, and I sold two cases of Samoas to them! Then, he helped me carry all the cookies in to sell at the Super Bowl party later that day, too. When I told him I wanted to sell cookies at a booth, he stayed up late to help me paint and assemble a cookie booth out of crates. I know I’m going to be the top seller in my troop thanks to my dad. 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 #Denver #cookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram #2018GirlScoutCookieProgram #MetroDenver #CookieContest #BestCookieDadcontest

Submitted by Riley S. Northern & Northeastern CO Fort Collins My name is Riley and I am in third grade. This is my second year as a Brownie and I love Girl Scouts. My dad rocks! He is always there to help me out. This cookie season he has been taking me door-to-door – even though it was only 14-degrees! Last weekend, he did a booth with my troop and got so many people to stop by dancing and acting silly with us. I love that he is so helpful. 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! #NorthernampNortheastern #GirlScoutCookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram #2018GirlScoutCookieProgram #FortCollins #BestCookieDadcontest