Girl Scouts of Colorado has heard from many of our members regarding a recent email (see above) from JOANN Fabric & Crafts, one of GSUSA’s many partners. Many of you were confused and concerned by JOANN’s statement regarding Booth Sales at local stores during the upcoming Girl Scout Cookie Program. Members of GSCO’s Product Program team have spoken with representatives of both JOANN and GSUSA to try to clear up any confusion and correct any bad information, which you may have received. GSUSA tells GSCO that JOANN sent emails to GSCO members without clearance from GSUSA and the information in the email was incorrect. After speaking with JOANN representatives in Colorado, GSCO has decided to run booth selections for all JOANN stores as council sites. We have received a list from JOANN of locations that are participating and we will enter those in to eBudde as council sites. As with our other corporate partners (King Soopers, Safeway, Walmart, etc.), leaders, troops, and parents should not contact JOANN locations directly to arrange booths. Each location has also been instructed to not accept booth reservations from leaders, troops, or parents, but instead to look for a list from GSCO once the selection rounds wrap up at the end of January. Questions? Contact your SUCM or a member of GSCO’s Product Program team by emailing inquiry@gscolorado.org. #JOANNFabricampCrafts #cookies #CookiesVolunteeers #GirlScoutCookieProgram #2018GirlScoutCookieProgram #BoothSales

DMNS Sleepover at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science on Saturday July 9, 2016. (photo by Chris Schneider) Submitted by Brian Hostetler Metro Denver Denver Pack your sleeping bag and your imagination! On February 16, 2018 the Denver Museum of Nature and Science will be hosting a Girl Scout-only camp in for groups of Brownies or Juniors. In these magical and memorable overnight programs, explore the Museum at night, experiment and learn about space, health, and animals, and see a Planetarium show or IMAX movie. And best of all, sleep in the wildlife diorama halls! Go to www.dmns.org for more information! This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments, too #GSCOevents #Brownies #DenverMuseumofNatureandScience #GirlScoutJuniors #Denver #GirlScoutBrownies #Juniors #MetroDenver

There are so many ways for you to win BIG during the 2018 Girl Scout Cookie Program. This year, we’re hosting a variety of contests. Each one is listed below along with a brief description. *** Note: These contests are for Girl Scouts of Colorado girl members only. Best Cookie Video Selling Girl Scout Cookies online? Make sure you’re taking advantage of all the tools, which Digital Cookie gives you to be creative and customize your website, like creating and uploading a video. In addition to attracting more customers and increasing sales, your video could earn you $200 in Cookie Credits! To enter this year’s “Best Cookie Video Contest,” just submit your video, along with a brief story, through the Share Your Stories form on the Girl Scouts of Colorado blog. Don’t forget to include your cookie goal. All entries must be received by February 12, 2018. Afterwards, they will be uploaded to the Girl Scouts of Colorado YouTube account. The video that receives the most “thumbs up” by February 27 at 9 a.m. wins! *** Note: You must send the original file for your video to be included. Links to videos hosted on YouTube sites other than GSCO will not be accepted. First Prize: $200 in Cookie Credits Second Prize: $100 in Cookie Credits Third Prize: $50 in Cookie Credits Girl Scouts 12-years-old and younger can have a parent help them make their video. Videos submitted by Girl Scouts 13-years-old and older must be girl-done. VIDEOS CANNOT CONTAIN ANY COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL. Having trouble uploading your video? Email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org. Colorado Girl Scouts: #BlingYourBooth 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. Best Cookie Dad Dads are an important part of the Girl Scouts of Colorado Cookie Team. That’s why we honor dads, who help cookie bosses all across Colorado meet their goals. If your Cookie Dad is the best, write a short essay about what he does that is so awesome and submit it through the Share Your Stories form on the Girl Scouts of Colorado blog. Be sure to include a photo of him, preferably involved in a Girl Scout Cookies-related activity. However, any photo will do. You may also submit a link to a YouTube or Vimeo video. All submissions must be received by March 11, 2018. The best stories will be shared on the Girl Scouts of Colorado blog and social media networks. We also have a special prize for the best submissions to show dad just how much we appreciate him for being part of the Girl Scouts of Colorado Cookie Team. If you have questions, please email Girl Scouts of Colorado Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper. #BestCookieVideo #bestcookiedad #cookiesvolunteers #cookievideocontest #cookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram #2018GirlScoutCookieProgram #BlingYourBooth #cookiecontests

What did you do for your Gold Award project? For my Gold Award project, I partnered with my school’s chapter of National Honor Society to create dental care packets for kids in need. It included collecting recycled materials to make the actual bags, receiving donations containing toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash from the students of Prospect Ridge Academy, teaching the members of National Honor Society sewing skills, creating an instruction graphic, and presenting the project’s result in front of the entire student body for my school. How did you measure the impact your Gold Award project made on your target audience? We will soon see how much impact this project made once we repeat the project. The main goal of the project was to create awareness, so if more people assist National Honor Society to repeat the project (which we have already had a lot of interest), it will show that more people were influenced and inspired by the project. Excitement for the project is already growing, because the day after I presented my project to my school, a girl I didn’t even know came up to me to tell me her excitement. She told me how she was willing to help, and her father was even a dentist willing to assist and donate more materials and spread more awareness. How is your project sustainable? How will your project continue to impact after your involvement? The project is sustainable because National Honor Society at Prospect Ridge Academy will repeat the project annually. In addition to that, other interested parties outside of PRA could replicate or improve the project at https://sites.google.com/view/spreading-smiles What is your project’s global and/or national connection? The website I created for this project links the community in Colorado to other inspired people across the country and around the world. What did you learn about yourself? This project was a wonderful experience and  journey of self-discovery. At the beginning of the project, I was nervous presenting projects to a small group of people. By the end, I presented my project in front of the entire student body of Prospect Ridge Academy during an assembly. My leadership skills improved immensely. I learned how to work with a large team, coordinate logistical information across different organizations, and how to not stress about things as much as I did. How will earning your Gold Award impact you in the future? Earning my Gold Award has changed my life. I am a more confident, caring, and strong girl. This also showed me I reached a goal I set for myself 12 years ago, and if I can do that, I can do anything. Why do you feel the Gold Award was an important part of your Girl Scout experience? The Gold Award was an important part of my Girl Scout experience because it showed me how I could change the world. A lot of times people don’t contribute or help other people because they figure someone else will do it. The Gold Award allowed me to not only become the “someone” to do it, but to inspire others to do the same. How did earning your Gold Award help you become a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)? I am a go-getter because, despite the many barriers both mentally and physically, I reached my goal after hours of hard work and determination. I am an innovator because, even though my completed project was a different version of the one I initially planned on doing, I “rolled with the punches” and improved my project, so I could finish it to help kids in need. I am a risk-taker because I did things I never thought I could do before, like presenting in front of hundreds of peers about something I am truly passionate about. I am a leader because I have learned how to be confident, courageous, caring, kind, smart, honest, fair, friendly, helpful, and all of the qualities of a Girl Scout. Being a Girl Scout has given me all of the resources I need to be the best leader I can be. **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 #dentist #dentalcarepackets #NationalHonorSociety #GoldAwardGirlScout #Broomfield #teeth #ProspectRidgeAcademy #MetroDenver

Submitted by Christina Bartholomew Metro Denver Denver One Smart Cookie is a day-long badge workshop on January 28, 2018 to help Girl Scouts earn badges relating to business and the Girl Scout Cookie Program. Alpha Phi Omega (a national service fraternity) is teaming up with Alpha Kappa Psi (a business fraternity) to teach two two-hour sessions offering the following badges: – Cadettes: Marketing (9 – 11 a.m.) and Business Plan (Noon – 2 p.m.) – Juniors: Customer Insights (9 – 11 a.m. )and Cookie CEO            (Noon – 2 p.m.) Cost: $12/Girl Scout for both morning and afternoon sessions $6/Girl Scout for one session (morning or afternoon) (Physical badges will be given out at the end of the event and are included in the cost.) All payment will be taken via cash or check the day of the event Registration: Please contact service@apo-alphaetaiota.org to sign-up. Registration deadline is tentatively January 14, 2018 or when capacity is reached. When registering please include; troop #, scout’s name, scout’s level, which sessions attending and emergency contact information. Misc: Girl Scouts staying for both sessions should bring a sack lunch, we will provide water bottles from https://customwater.com/. All instruction will be provided by volunteers. Girl Scout volunteers and parents will be needed to maintain safety ratios. A space will be available for parents to hang out during the event if needed. Questions? Email Christina Bartholomew at service@apo-alphaetaiota.org. 40963114_join_alpha_phi_omega_alpha_kappa_psi_1 This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments, too. #GSCOevents #cookiesvolunteers #AlphaPhiOmega #Denver #cookies #2018cookieprogram #GirlScoutCookieProgram #AlphaKappaPsi #MetroDenver

Join us for Girl Scout Day with DU Gymnastics on Jan. 14. 2018! Come cheer on the Pioneers as they take on the Air Force Falcons. Meet the gymnastics team at a special post-game meet and greet with the team coaches. Each Girl Scout attending will get a special event patch. All Girl Scouts, friends, and family are invited. Cost: $7/person ($5 ticket +online fees). Purchase tickets at this link – http://www.denverpioneers.com/tickets/ with promo code GIRLSCOUT. A portion of ticket sales will be donated back to GSCO. Questions? Please contact Lohren Stitt at lorhen.stitt@du.edu #AirForceAcademy #GSCOevents #Denver #communitypartners #DUGymnastics #MetroDenver #Gymnastics

Join us for Girl Scout Day with DU Gymnastics! Come cheer on the Pioneers as they take on the Air Force Falcons on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018. Meet the gymnastics coaches at a special post-game meet and greet. Each Girl Scout attending will get a special event patch. The match begins at 2 p.m. at Magness Arena in Denver. All Girl Scouts, friends, and family are invited. Cost: $7/person ($5 ticket +online fees). Purchase tickets at this link – http://www.denverpioneers.com/tickets/ with promo code GIRLSCOUT. A portion of ticket sales will be donated back to GSCO. Questions? Please contact Lohren Stitt at lorhen.stitt@du.edu #UniversityofDenver #Denver #DUGymnastics #MetroDenver #Gymnastics

All Girl Scouts, friends, and family are invited to Girl Scout Night with the DU Pioneers on Friday, Jan. 19, 2018! Cheer on the Pioneers as they take on the Nebraska Omaha Mavericks. The game starts at 7:05 p.m. at Magness Arena in Denver. Cost is $17/person ($10 ticket + online fees). To purchase tickets, go to http://www.denverpioneers.com/tickets/ and enter the promo code GIRLSCOUT. The Denver Pioneers are the 2017 NCAA Division I Hockey champs and have had an exciting season defending their title again this year. Be prepared to see some of the best hockey players in the league. Questions? Please contact Lohren Stitt at lorhen.stitt@du.edu #UniversityofDenver #GSCOevents #Denver #MetroDenver #hockey #DUHockey

Submitted by Aimee Artzer, GSCO Highest Awards Manager We are thrilled to announce the dates for the spring 2018 Highest Awards Celebrations! Friday, April 20, 6 p.m. Center for American Values Pueblo, CO Sunday, April 22, 2 p.m. Embassy Suites by Hilton Loveland Loveland, CO Sunday, April 29, 2 p.m. Denver Marriott Tech Center Denver, CO Friday, May 4, 6 p.m. Penrose House Garden Pavilion Colorado Springs, CO Sunday, May 6, 2 p.m. Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction, CO Friday, May 11, 6 p.m. Silverthorne Pavilion Silverthorne, CO These celebrations are an opportunity to recognize the outstanding Bronze, Silver and Gold Award Girl Scouts who have earned their distinction in the last year. All troops and/or girls who have earned their Bronze, Silver, or Gold since March 2017 are invited to participate in a celebration of their choice. Anyone planning to attend must RSVP online, the RSVP form will be made available on our events page in March 2018. Gold Award Girl Scouts across the state will also be recognized at the “Gold Award Day at the Capitol” on Monday, April 9. Each Gold Award Girl Scout is encouraged to participate in both regional celebrations as well as the “Day at the Capitol.” Please note that the deadline to notify GSCO that you have earned your Bronze or Silver Award and participate in celebrations is March 1, 2018. Notify us now that your girls have earned their Bronze or Silver: http://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/for-volunteers/forms-and-resources/bronze-and-silver-notification.html Questions? Email Aimee Artzer at highestawards@gscolorado.org #GoldAward #HighestAwards #SilverAward #BronzeAward #2018highestawardscelebrations #HighestAwardscelebrations

Join us for Girl Scout Day with Air Force Women’s Basketball on  Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018. Cheer on the Falcons as they take on San Diego State. The game starts at 1 p.m. and is at Clune Arena at the Air Force Academy. All Girl Scouts, friends, and family are invited. Cost is $3/person. Tickets can be purchased through at the arena’s box office or by calling 719-472-1895. Please mention the promo code, “Scout Day,” to receive our Girl Scout discount. All participating Girl Scouts will receive a special event patch. Questions? Please contact the Air Force Athletics Ticket Office at 719-472-1895. #AirForceAcademy #AirForceWomensBasketball #ColoradoSprings #PikesPeak

From Girl Scouts of the USA It’s the New Year’s resolution to end all New Year’s resolutions, and it’s so, so Girl Scouts! This year, do things a little differently, and resolve to give back to yourself by giving back to others. That’s right. We’re calling for a resolution of service! Because when you help others, you just can’t begin to imagine how much good it actually does for your own soul. It’s really the best kind of win-win. And it doesn’t have to be anything big. In fact, it’s really the accumulation of all the small ways we can be of service to others every day that can make our lives significantly brighter and more meaningful, while helping us feel more connected within our communities. In 2018, what do you say we all resolve to make the world a better place, together, by committing to practice these powerful and simple acts of service to others as often as possible? Be kind, particularly to those who are not exactly your cup of tea, so to speak. It might be hard, but it will be meaningful. Be gentle with the environment. Avoid littering, recycle, and regularly sign up for community cleanups. The more we do to keep the outdoors in good shape, the more we can all enjoy it! Show compassion. Sometimes that’s the greatest gift we can offer someone. Practice good manners. “Please” and “thank you” go a long way in making others feel appreciated and respected. Be helpful as much and as often as possible. Help create a sense of community wherever you go. Listen more. Sometimes all people truly want is to be heard, and to know they matter. Volunteer once a month—or more if you can. Learn about volunteering with us—it’s important work and so much fun! Give out lots of compliments, just because. Make someone’s day with the simplest acknowledgement of a great smile, a fun outfit, or an inspiring talent. Speaking of smiling, do it more often. It makes everyone feel good—even you! Leave notes of encouragement for family, friends, and coworkers. The right words can always make a day brighter. Forgive someone who has slighted you, even if you don’t feel they deserve it. It might move them to show the same compassion to someone else. Hold the door open for someone and give them the gift of feeling special, even if just for a few seconds. Strike up a conversation with a shy person and help them come out of their shell a little. Just because they’re not one to initiate conversation doesn’t mean they don’t have a story they’d like to share. Reach out to a friend you know is going through something hard and offer to spend time with them, or just listen. People won’t always reach out for help, but they will often accept it with open arms when it’s offered. Bake some goodies for an elderly neighbor, and hand-deliver them. Sit and chat a while. Let them share stories and feel the joy of friendship. #GirlScoutsoftheUSA #VolunteerNews #GSUSA #communityservice #volunteer

Submitted by Staci Calderon Pikes Peak Colorado Springs Troop 4636 ventured out to Natural Grocers and learned how to shop healthy and prepare lunches to maintain healthy bodies and even use good supplements for this as ultra omega burn that burn fat faster. Great experience!Thank you to Natural Grocers for taking the time with our girls. This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments, too. #ColoradoSprings #HealthyLiving #NaturalGrocers #PikesPeak