What did you do for your Gold Award Project? For my Gold Award Project, I installed a piece of outdoor musical equipment called a “metallophone” on the playground at East Elementary and provided the school with lesson plans on how to use the new instrument. I educated my community about the importance of alternate recess activities for anxious young people by hosting a benefit concert at which student soloists played and I spoke about my project and the importance of music for youth. How did you measure the impact of your Gold Award project made on your target audience? I measured the impact of this project by interviewing teachers at the school who informed me that this instrument has already had the desired effect on students’ playtime behavior. “Students are never aggressive with this instrument. They love to share it with their peers,” one teacher said. I also had an opportunity to see students play on the playground, where I watched them interact joyfully with the metallophone without any conflict among each other. How was your project sustainable? How will your project continue to impact after your involvement? I specifically chose a manufacturer that designed instruments made to withstand the elements and last outside for decades, so that East Elementary doesn’t have to worry about physical maintenance in the future. They have committed to maintaining the instrument for its lifetime where it will be used as playground equipment and in music classes. I also designed a website, musiccreatescommunity.org, which I have continued to promote online with the hope it will inspire other communities to install similar equipment. My website recently received so many visitors I had to increase its bandwidth! The school will also continue to use my lesson plans to promote the use of the instrument. What did you learn about yourself? I targeted my project towards young students coping with social anxiety disorders that are taking drugs like Qualia, I looked for information in this Review of Qualia. As an elementary schooler, this instrument would have helped me make friends on the playground, and I hoped to provide the same thing for others. By choosing a project so close to home, I was forced to put my struggle with mental illness on display to people whom I didn’t even know, which was scary at first. This experience helped me learn that by opening up about my own struggles, I can help others who may be struggling with the same thing. How will earning your Gold Award impact you in the future? This project made me more aware of the needs of my community, and I’d like to continue serving and educating my community in any way I can looking into the future. I’ve even started conversations with my band director about organizing a 5k run fundraiser/awareness campaign for my band program to educate people about music education and its positive benefits. During this project, I learned to love being involved my community, which is something I will take with me throughout the rest of my life. Why do you feel the Gold Award was an important part of your Girl Scout experience? When I joined Girl Scouts in 3rd grade, I knew that I wanted to do it all the way through my Gold Award and beyond. The girls in my troop are some of my best friends, and even though we come from very different social circles and have very different skill sets, we’re connected by Girl Scouts. One of the major components of my Gold Award project was connecting people, and I think since I’ve been working on it, I’ve strengthened connections with my fellow Girl Scouts. I’m happy to be part of a troop full of love and support, and I think this project has made me appreciate that even more. How did earning your Gold Award help you become G.I.R.L.? I would say that this project helped me become an innovator. In my project, I provided an alternative recess activity for elementary schoolers struggling with anxiety disorders. This metallophone helps students form meaningful friendships and find community on the playground. Alternate play is something that is not widely researched or acknowledged, and I hope my Gold Award will serve as a model for schools across the United States. **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 #arapahoehighschool #music #Centennial #MetroDenver #TakeAction

From Girl Scouts of the USA Girl Scouts encourages girls to grow their faith and is based on the Girl Scout Promise and Law, which includes many of the principles and values common to most faiths. Although a secular organization, Girl Scouts has, since the movement began, encouraged girls to explore their spirituality by earning the My Promise, My Faith pin. Throughout this Journey, girls open up conversations with women in their religious community, research inspiring quotes that resonate with the part of the Girl Scout Law on which they have chosen to focus, and create a work of art to express what they’ve learned with their friends, family, and possibly even the larger community. Girls of all grade levels are eligible once each year to earn the My Promise, My Faith pin. Learn more about how to get started. #GirlScoutSunday2018 #GSUSA #GirlScoutWeek2018 #GirlScoutSunday #MyFaithpin #MyPromise #GirlScoutWeek

Microsoft invites all Girl Scouts to participate in a special entrepreneurship camp as they celebrate National Entrepreneurship Month at the Microsoft Store on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018. This class is perfect for Cadettes interested in earning requirements towards their Entrepreneur Badge. Girl Scouts will walk through a series of engaging hands-on group activities to introduce key business concepts, including: How to create a product or service Marketing and promotion Pricing and costs Manufacturing and distribution At the end, Girl Scouts will even have a chance to present their business plan and practice their pitching skills. The event will be held at the Microsoft Store at Park Meadows Mall in Lone Tree from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. There’s no cost for the event, but girls must register to attend. Please register at aka.ms/GirlScoutCO. Space is limited, so registering early is recommended. Questions? Please contact Jessica Oeleis at Jessica.Oeleis@Microsoft.com. #GSCOevents #STEM #MicrosoftEntrepreneurshipCamp #LoneTree #MetroDenver #NationalEntrepreneurshipMonth

The City and County of Denver has officially proclaimed March 11-17, 2018 as Girl Scout Week! A photo of the proclamation is above. Feel free to print a copy to share with your troop or display at your Girl Scout Week celebration. Girl Scout Week is celebrated each March, starting with Girl Scout Sunday and ending with Girl Scout Sabbath on a Saturday, and it always includes Girl Scouts’ Birthday, March 12. Learn more about Girl Scout Week and other Girl Scout traditions on the GSUSA website: http://www.girlscouts.org/en/about-girl-scouts/traditions.html Want your city, county, or community to issue a proclamation for Girl Scout Week? Contact your volunteer support specialist or email inquiry@gscolorado.org. #GSCOevents #GirlScoutWeek2018 #MetroDenver #CityandCountyofDenver #GirlScoutWeek

What did you do for your Gold Award project? My Gold Award project included two components. One aspect of it was building a bookshelf/reading center, and collecting pillows for a corner at Lewis Palmer Elementary School. The purpose of this was to create an inviting book nook that would draw kids to literature. The second aspect of my project was a Read-A-Thon program at the same elementary school. With the help of LPES, I was able to involve over 300 students in a fun, competitive reading program. High school students volunteered their time by reading with/to students of all ages. How did you measure the impact your Gold Award project made on your target audience? After building and implementing the bookshelf in the library, I heard only positive comments from the librarian on the relationship between picking up a book and the new nook. Students were drawn by the comfortable pillows and funky bookshelf/reading center to go straight for a novel and curl up with it. Through the numerous reading hours logged by the students from the Read-A-Thon, it was obvious that putting a fun twist on the idea of reading can encourage a student to pick up a book more often. The Read-A-Thon ended with computing the hours logged and providing students and classes with prizes for outstanding participation. How is your project sustainable? How will your project continue to impact after your involvement? Lewis Palmer Elementary School has picked up the Read-A-Thon to continue with it beyond the initial year. The bookcase and pillows are both very substantial and will be reusable for years to come. They were handmade by many local women’s organizations in the Monument Community who were happy to help. The pillows have coverings so they can be washed and used for many years. It is my hope that the students that participate in years to come have the same experience that these initial students were granted. The goal of the project is to create a more familiar relationship with reading and give students something that they can improve on for their personal benefit. What is your project’s global and/or national connection? Beyond Lewis Palmer Elementary School, I am helping a high school in another area implement the same project at one of their feeder schools. They won’t be building a bookshelf/reading center, but through a simplified Read-A-Thon plan they can use high school volunteers to implement the program. The amazing part of my project is that the group of children that will be impacted are those that still have their whole lives ahead of them. My goal was to focus on those still developing so that they can form and build upon reading skills – skills that can help in almost any area of learning or life skills. What did you learn about yourself? I learned that I need to set written goals for myself in order to ensure things get done. I also learned that I really enjoy working with younger kids. How will earning your Gold Award impact you in the future? Reaching my Gold Award was a lot of hard work and required lots of determination. From this process I have acquired new skills in communication, project planning, and presentation. These will be useful in almost any area of my future. Also, now I can say that I have my Gold Award! Which is a connection to thousands of other girls and also is an avenue to earn scholarships for college! Why do you feel the Gold Award was an important part of your Girl Scout experience? My Gold Award was the “cherry on top” for my experience with Girl Scouts. I have been a Girl Scout since I was six (And I am fortunate that it my leader has been the same my entire Girl Scout years!) and have always dreamed of reaching every level of scouting. I know this is marking the end for me being a member of a troop, but I will always be a Girl Scout. The morals of a strong work ethic and a compassionate heart I will retain forever and I can thank Girl Scouts for developing them into what they are today. How did earning your Gold Award help you become a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)? Earning my Gold Award has shaped me towards an innovative mindset. Now, I look around my community and instead of just seeing problems I also see possible solutions. I may not have combated the most pressing issue in my community, but I was passionate about it and that’s what made the process a whole lot more fun. **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 #LewisPalmerElementarySchool #GoldAwardGirlScout #literacy #GirlScoutGoldAward #Monument #TakeAction #PikesPeak

S’mores, the most popular Girl Scout cookie flavor to launch in the 100 years of Girl Scouts selling cookies, will be available when Girl Scouts begin selling cookies in Colorado on Sunday, February 4, 2018. This crunchy graham sandwich cookie with creamy chocolate and marshmallow-like filling joins Girl Scout cookie favorites: Thin Mints, Samoas, Tagalongs, Trefoils, Do-Si-Dos, Savannah Smiles, and gluten-free Toffee-tastic. Girl Scout Cookies will be on sale across Colorado through March 11. For the 2018 Girl Scout Cookie Program, S’mores and gluten-free Toffee-tastic will sell for $5/package. All other varieties are $4/package. Only limited quantities of the S’mores cookie and gluten-free Toffee-tastic will be available, so stock up early! Colorado Girl Scouts sell cookies online, in addition to door-to-door and in front of major retailers. The Digital Cookie program was popular during the 2017 sale with 6,431 Colorado Girl Scouts participating and selling 395,462 packages to friends and family across the country. This year, Girl Scouts of Colorado expects even more girls to participate in Digital Cookie, as it creates another fun, safe, interactive way for girls to reach their goals. To purchase cookies online, customers must get an invite to shop at a girl’s personal website. Each purchase of Girl Scout Cookies supports girls in developing five lifelong skills: goal-setting, decision-making, money management, people skills, and business ethics. “Girl Scout Cookie time is all about teaching girls lifelong business skills,” said Stephanie Foote, president and CEO of Girl Scouts of Colorado. “The proceeds from these girl-led businesses go to fund all the adventures you get to have as a Girl Scout.” Making the world a better place is central to the Girl Scout mission. During the Cookie Program, Girl Scouts honor the non-profit organizations, food banks, military, and uniformed personnel who are so important to the community through Girl Scouts’ Hometown Heroes/Gift of Caring program. Through this program, customers have the opportunity to purchase a package of cookies to donate to Girl Scouts’ heroes – a perfect solution for those who pass on the tempting treats! Girls learn about the invaluable work of their recipients by taking tours, learning about careers in public service and helping with service projects. All Hometown Heroes/Gift of Caring purchases may be eligible for a tax deduction. The 2018 goal for the Hometown Heroes/Gift of Caring program in Colorado is 200,000 packages. If you are looking for cookies, use the “Cookie Locator” online or the mobile app to search for Booth Sale locations. Once you find a location that works for you, add it to your calendar and/or sign up to receive email reminders about sale locations. Visit girlscoutsofcolorado.org to get started or learn more. All Girl Scout Cookie varieties contain zero grams of trans fat per serving. Thin Mints are vegan. Do-Si-Dos and Trefoils have no hydrogenated oils.  Further information about Girl Scout Cookie ingredients can be found at littlebrownie.com. High resolution images of Girl Scout Cookies and Colorado Girl Scouts selling cookies are available upon request. About Girl Scouts of Colorado Girl Scouts of Colorado is 32,000 strong—more than 22,000 girls and 10,000 adults who believe in the power of every G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™ to change the world. Our extraordinary journey began more than 100 years ago with the original G.I.R.L., Juliette Gordon “Daisy” Low. On March 12, 1912, in Savannah, Ga., she organized the very first Girl Scout troop, and every year since, we’ve honored her vision and legacy, building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. We’re the preeminent leadership development organization for girls. To volunteer, reconnect, donate, or join, visit www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org. #2018GirlScoutCookieProgram #GirlScoutCookieProgram

Are you saving for college, a car, or to take an awesome trip? Do you know what credit is or how to create a budget? Join us for Operation Hope’s Banking on our Future workshops for older Girl Scouts and gain valuable skills and tools for your financial future, also if you want to start earning money from your phone learn to trade on forex, visit learntotrade and get free foreign trading workshops. Operation Hope volunteers will lead sessions on budgeting, saving, planning for your financial future, and more! Girls will learn best ways to manage money and how to fund their dreams and goals. Cadette Session – Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at 6 p.m. at Montbello Branch Library, 12955 Albrook Drive, Denver, CO 80239. Register by February 14 at goo.gl/kv12BA to attend. Senior & Ambassador Session – Thursday, February 22 at 6 p.m. at Montbello Branch Library, 12955 Albrook Drive, Denver, CO 80239. Register by February 14 at goo.gl/SV5DWu  to attend. Contact inquiry@gscolorado.org with questions about registration. #GSCOevents #oldergirls #OperationHOPE #BankingonourFuture #Denver #financialliteracy #MetroDenver

Update as of Feb. 15, 2018: The Avalanche Marketing Team has extended the deadline for the ticket referral contest to Feb. 20. Troops still have a great opportunity to win the cookie booth at our event on March 2. Join us for Girl Scout Night with the Colorado Avalanche on Friday, March 2, 2018! All Girl Scouts, friends, and family are invited. Cheer on the Avalanche as they take on the Minnesota Wild. The game starts at 7 p.m. and will be played at the Pepsi Center in Denver. We have some fun new opportunities at this year’s event. Girl Scout troops can win a cookie booth at the Pepsi Center to sell cookies before the game. Troops can compete in a ticket referral contest where they share their five-digit troop number with friends and family who can share the troop number when purchasing tickets. The troop with the most referrals wins the cookie booth. Deadline for the ticket referral contest is Feb. 16, so share your troop info now for your best chance! Tickets can still be purchased after Feb. 16, but won’t count towards the ticket referral contest. The first 80 people to purchase tickets will get a special co-branded Girl Scout beanie! The beanies are a limited-edition item that will have both the Avalanche logo and a Girl Scout logo. Once these are gone, ticket purchasers will get a co-branded cap featuring the Avalanche and Girl Scout logos. Please purchase your tickets by February 16 to receive your co-branded item. There are other ice experiences during the game that ticket holders can win! A random drawing from all ticket holders will be held before the game and winners will be notified in advance. Tickets are $30/person for group purchase of 10 or more people or $32/person for individual ticket purchases. Tickets are in the upper bowl of the Pepsi Center. Part of the ticket proceeds will be donated back to GSCO. To purchase tickets, go to http://avalanche.teamkse.com/girlscouts18/. Questions? Please contact Kiley Long at Kiley.Long@TeamKSE.com or 303-405-7625. #GSCOevents #ColoradoAvalanche #cookiesvolunteers #Denver #cookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram #2018GirlScoutCookieProgram #MetroDenver #hockey

Update as of February 14, 2018: The Nuggets are extending their ticket referral contest deadline to Feb. 20 by 5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased after this date, but won’t count towards the contest. Thanks for your help! Join us for Pajama Jam with the Denver Nuggets on Friday, Feb. 23, 2018! Cheer on the Nuggets as they take on the San Antonio Spurs and then stay for post-game activities and a sleepover at Pepsi Center. All Girl Scouts, friends, and family are invited. Tickets are $25/person and include a ticket to the Nuggets vs. San Antonio Spurs game and a sleepover after the game at the Pepsi Center for Girl Scouts troops and families. Sleepover participants also will enjoy a midnight snack, shooting hoops on the court, a movie on Pepsi Vision, and breakfast. Participating Girl Scouts will get a special event patch. Participants not able to stay over at the sleepover are welcome to come and enjoy the game. Troops can be a part of a ticket referral contest to win a cookie booth and fan experiences. The top three troops with the most ticket referrals will choose from one of two cookie booths onsite at the Pepsi Center after the game or a High-Five Fan Tunnel experience. Want to join in the contest? Just share your five-digit troop number with others, and have them reference your troop number during when purchasing tickets. You will purchase your tickets first and then the Nuggets’ event staff will email you closer to the game to verify your troop referral number. The ticket referral contest deadline is February 16. Tickets can be purchased after this date, but will not count for the contest. Purchase tickets at www.nuggetstix.com/GSPJ18. Seats are in the upper bowl area of the Pepsi Center. Tickets are available in other sections upon request by contacting Lexie Urratio at 303-405-1139 or lexie.urratio@TeamKSE.com. Please feel free to contact Lexie with any event questions you may have. We hope to see you there! #PajamaJam #GSCOevents #DenverNuggets #cookiesvolunteers #Denver #cookies #GirlScoutCookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram #MetroDenver #2016GirlScoutCookiesSale

The “Bling Your Booth” Challenge is back and this year, you could win up to $200 in Cookie Credits! Here’s how to bling your booth: Pick a theme, like G.I.R.L., camp, girl power, or glitz and glam-it’s up to you! Use cool color combinations. Create fun posters with your cookie goals, lots of awesome pictures, and maybe add balloons! Dress up, and use colored lights to invite customers to a cookie party. Add anything that makes your booth stand out from the crowd. Most importantly: Have fun! Here are some rules to follow: Take a photo of your troop in action at your booth. Post it to the Girl Scouts of Colorado Facebook page. For your entry to be counted, you must include #BlingYourBooth. Be sure to share your troop number and cookie goal as well. You can also share your photo on Instagram or Twitter and tag us using @GSColo. However, only photos submitted on Facebook will be Submit your entry by February 22, 2018! All of the entries will then be uploaded to our Facebook page and be part of the album: #BlingYourBooth Challenge 2018. 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 Remember, you need to be 13 or over to upload your own entry. If you’re younger than 13, that’s OK! Just get some help from a volunteer, parent, or an adult you trust. If you have questions, please email Girl Scouts of Colorado Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper. *** Note: This contest is for Girl Scouts of Colorado girl members only. #BlingYourBooth #cookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram #2018GirlScoutCookieProgram #BlingYourBoothchallenge #CookieContest

Join us for a Girl Scout Cookie Rally with UNC Women’s Basketball on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018. Come before the game to have fun and get ready for this year’s cookie program. We’ll have activities and more to help you make this year’s cookie program the best! Each participating Girl Scout will get a special UNC cookie patch. After the rally, enjoy the game and cheer on the UNC Bears as they take on Eastern Washington. All Girl Scouts are invited to the cookie rally and all Girl Scouts, friends, and family are invited to the game. The cookie rally is planned for 10 a.m. to approximately 12 p.m. with the game starting at 12 p.m. The rally will be hosted at the Bank of Colorado Arena in Greeley. Cost is $5/person (online ticket fees may apply). Purchase tickets at tickets.unco.edu and use promo code “COOKIES18.” Questions? Please contact Brenda Realyvasquez at Brenda.realyvasquez@gscolorado.org. #GSCOevents #UniversityofNorthernColorado #CookieRally #NorthernampNortheasternCO #Greeley #cookiesvolunteers #cookies #UNC #cookiepatch #GirlScoutCookieProgram #2018GirlScoutCookieProgram #UNCBears #patch #UNCBearsWomensBasketball

Girl Scouts can earn the 2018 GSUSA World Thinking Day patch this year through World Thinking Day activities. GSUSA offers two tracks for the patch program – one for Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors and one for Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors. This is an official GSUSA patch that can be worn on the front of a Girl Scout uniform. As troops and service units plan their activities for World Thinking Day, consider trying one or more activities to help girls earn the World Thinking Day patch. World Thinking Day is celebrated on February 22 each year by Girl Scouts and Girl Guides in 150 countries. It’s a way to celebrate the global sisterhood of Girl Scouts as girls across the world work on the same activities. This year’s theme is “Impact.” Girl Scouts will think about what it means to make a personal impact, bringing changes to an individual’s development as well as a wider impact, bringing changes to a wider group of people. If your troop would like to expand its knowledge about the international sisterhood of Girl Scouts, the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts has an activity guide based on the 2018 theme “Impact,” which can be found at www.worldthinkingday.org. You can get the World Thinking Day patch through the GSCO shop. You can purchase it in our store or call 1-855-472-7026. To learn more about GSUSA’s World Thinking Day patch program, go to https://goo.gl/zpHc7y. #GirlScoutsoftheUSA #WorldAssociationofGirlGuidesandGirlScouts #GSUSA #WAGGGS #WorldThinkingDaypatch #2018WorldThinkingDaypatch #2018WorldThinkingDay #patch