What did you do for your Gold Award project? The issue my project addressed was cancer patients not having any entertainment while receiving their treatments. Typically, the cancer center treats 14 patients per day, and out of those 14, about 1/4 bring something with them. This could be because either cancer patients forget to bring something or they can’t afford anything like an iPad to bring with them. With cancer patients already paying for treatments, they may not be able to afford something like that. They can sit for as short as 30 minutes to as long as 8 hours. In that time, it can be physically and mentally exhausting sitting in a chair while they receive anything from chemotherapy to radiation to infusion therapy. I hoped that cancer patients would finally have something to entertain themselves, so they are distracted from their treatment. How did you measure the impact your Gold Award project made on your target audience? I think the reactions from people are the greatest examples that I made a difference. Considering I haven’t seen the impact of my media center yet from the patients, I won’t really know how they feel about it. However, I know the nurses are very happy about the center, so I can only imagine how the patients will react. I was able to donate three DVD players, two CD players, three pairs virtual reality goggles, five pairs headphones, 257 DVDs, and 11 books on tape. How is your project sustainable? How will your project continue to impact after your involvement? The Parker Adventist Hospital Foundation will continue my project. That means any further donations that come in will go to the foundation, and they will give it to the cancer and infusion center. Also, the foundation will upkeep the electronics used. This means if a movie player were to break, the foundation will either fix it or replace it. I didn’t just want to stop there, I also reached out to Grandview High School’s Key Club to see if they wanted to be involved. However, Parker Adventist Hospital already has a media center, so I will be reaching out to either Castle Rock Adventist Hospital, Littleton Adventist Hospital, or Rocky Mountain Cancer Center to see if they would like a media center for their patients. If so, Key Club will be creating their own in order to continue my project. What is your project’s global and/or national connection? Over the summer, I traveled to Europe with my troop and went to Pax Lodge. During the trip, I met a couple of volunteers there and befriended them. We met Andi, a Girl Guide from Mexico, and Kat, a Girl Guide from Canada. When I first started up my project, I created a Facebook page, so people could be updated on the progress of my Gold Award project. My mom shared it on her Facebook, and from there people were able to pick it up and share the link themselves. Two of those people who picked it up were Andi and Kat which meant my page was shared in Mexico and Canada. In addition, my project and Facebook page was shared on the Parker Adventist Hospital website and employee newsletter which is also shared with Adventist Hospitals nationally as well as in South America and Asia. What did you learn about yourself? Something I learned about myself is that I can do a lot more than I give myself credit for. To be frank, I didn’t think my project was going to have such a great turn out with all the donations I received. However, the response was great because of all the hard work I had put in. I drove countless hours to visit stores to see if they would donate and went to local Starbucks and libraries to hang up my flyers. On top of that, I spent extra time at Parker Adventist Hospital informing all the employees about my project. I didn’t expect myself to put in so much effort and work, but once I became really passionate about getting more donations for patients, all I could do is work. How will earning your Gold Award impact you in the future? I think earning my Gold Award will help me with opportunities not only in school, but in the workforce as well. Recently, I applied for an internship that has to do with leadership and managing your own team. It was because of my Gold Award that allowed me to be accepted into the internship because of the role I took on with this project. Earning my Gold Award has proven that I can lead a team to success on my own and that I’m actually capable of taking on big, important projects. I think my Gold Award will also impact me to think of more ways I can help the world. After completing a project that benefits my community, I would like to continue helping people possibly beyond. Especially after recent events, such as Vegas, Harvey, Irma, etc., there’s plenty of opportunities to help. I can’t wait to give my time and energy into aiding others that need support the most. And because of my Gold Award project, I know there’s nothing stopping me. Why do you feel the Gold Award was an important part of your Girl Scout experience? I think the Gold Award is an important part of my Girl Scout experience because my whole Girl Scout career was leading up to this. Not only do many girls not complete or attempt to earn their Gold Award, but many girls also don’t stay in Girl Scouts this long in order to get to this point. It is a huge honor to earn my Gold Award to be able to join the many inspiring Girl Scouts ahead of me. We are a small part of the majority that actually stayed in Girl Scouts and put in the effort to benefit inside and outside of our communities by OURSELVES. That’s amazing, if you ask me. Not to mention that not many people realize what the Gold Award is and what it can do. I honestly think the Gold Award was the single most important part as my time being a Girl Scout because it required to the most work and was definitely the most rewarding. People don’t realize the benefits of the Gold Award for not only the people affected by it, but the girl herself. I feel I have gained a sense of accomplishment, leadership, and confidence because of my Gold Award. And I can only imagine other recipients feel the same as I do. How did earning your Gold Award help you become a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)? I think earning my Gold Award definitely made me into a go-getter the most out of all the qualities of being a G.I.R.L. If I’m being honest, my Gold Award pushed me way out of my comfort zone. I would definitely describe myself as a shy introvert. When completing my project, I had to talk… a lot. Not only did I have to talk more than I would have liked to, but I had to talk to a great deal to strangers. Whether it was presenting my project or asking for donations, I was forced into situations that I wasn’t necessarily comfortable with. However, I would say my project turned me into a go-getter because I everything I did, everywhere I went, everyone I talked to, it wasn’t for me. My project was for the cancer patients at Parker Adventist Hospital. Acknowledging this,  I knew I had to push outside of my comfort zone because I wanted to get my project completed and completed well. I went to stores such as Target, Costco, Best Buy, and Walmart to ask for donations and went to Starbucks and libraries to hang my flyers. It was a lot of driving, hours, and advocating, but I knew what I wanted; I wanted to make a great media center for these cancer patients. **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 #ParkerAdventistHospitalFoundation #MetroDenver #TakeAction #GrandviewHighSchool

Submitted by Elizabeth Moore Metro Denver Conifer There has been so much new content released for Girl Scouts this year that it can be a little overwhelming, but Cadette Troop 62064 has got your back! Your Brownies will dive into computer programming as we lead them through the brand new “Think Like A Programmer” Journey. Girls can sign up at http://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/events-repository/2017/programming_journey_.html Our troop got special permission to guide Brownies through this new Journey for a LIA award and prerequisite to the Program Aide award! We are excited to innovate and lead at this event! This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments too. #Journey #Conifer #ProgramAide #GSCOevents #STEM #computerprogramming #ThinkLikeAProgrammerJourney #MetroDenver #LIAaward

What did you do for your Gold Award project? I developed and implemented a program to teach computer science to 4th grade girls. I ran my program (one day a week for four weeks) at Willow Creek Elementary School in the spring of 2017.  Nine girls attended my program and I taught them Processing (a basic programming language) along with the general foundational concepts of computer science.  Statistics show that there are very few women as compared to men in STEM careers, but this imbalance is especially evident in computer science. Survey data from 2011 indicates that only 18% of bachelor’s degrees in computer science were earned by women compared to 42% in mathematics and statistics. (https://www.ncwit.org/infographic/3435 ). In order to combat this issue, I wanted to introduce elementary school girls to computer science early, show them that computer science can be fun, and encourage them to pursue it in the future. How did you measure the impact your Gold Award project made on your target audience? The most important goal for my project was to make sure that the girls had fun. I know that I succeeded in this goal because all of the girls were asking me to come back and teach them again next year.  In addition, I received emails from parents who thanked me for running the program, wished they had been able to participate in a similar program when they were younger, and let me know that they really thought that this workshop was meaningful.  Next year, I will help in implementing the program again with the Cherry Creek High School Tech Club.  Since Willow Creek Elementary feeds into Cherry Creek High School, the Tech Club will also keep track of the number of girls in the various computer classes at Cherry Creek High School to track the lasting impact of the project. How is your project sustainable? How will your project continue to impact after your involvement? I was happy to have received a letter of commitment from the Cherry Creek High School Tech Club and club’s advisor, which stated that the Tech Club will continue to teach this program to elementary school girls at Willow Creek in the future. The club as also been given copies of all of the materials I created, in addition to a teacher’s manual that I wrote, in order to continue the project. Next spring, the Tech Club will run the program and though I will not be leading the project again, I will be involved to help keep the project running. I reached out to other high schools about getting this project running at their local elementary schools. This year, students at Grandview High School are running my program at Liberty Middle School, which is a big step in getting more girls involved in computer science especially within the district. What is your project’s global and/or national connection? I created a webpage, hosted by the Cherry Creek High School Tech Club, which describes my project and hosts all of my materials. The webpage provides information on how to run the project so that anyone can start up this program with their local elementary school. The materials are shared under the Project Blastoff tab at http://www.cchs.tech/project-blastoff/.  I also posted this information in the NCWIT (National Center for Women in Information Technology) Aspirations in Computing Facebook group. NCWIT is a national organization for women in computer science. Members of the group include high school winners of the Aspirations in Computing Award. Their Facebook page is the perfect place to share this information with other girls who can make a difference and run this program at their local school. I have contacted local high schools and encouraged them to get their individual technology related clubs interested in running my program at their feeder elementary or middle schools. This year, Grandview High School will be hosting my program at Liberty Middle School, which was exciting news! What did you learn about yourself? One important realization I came to after participating in this project is that I really I enjoy teaching.  I want to study cybersecurity in college, but I have also been thinking about eventually working in computer science education. Right now, I am not planning on becoming a teacher immediately after college, but now I know that I enjoy teaching and I may decide to teach in the future. In addition to discovering a fondness for teaching, I have also developed my presentation skills during this project. I am a more confident and I have become a better public speaker as a result of completing my Gold Award.  I learned that when I practice my presentations over and over again out loud, I get better and I do not trip over my own words as frequently. Most importantly, I learned that anyone can make a difference, no matter how small the action may appear at the time. Even though I only taught computer science to nine girls, I feel that I made a difference in their lives. I have introduced them to computer science, encouraged them to continue studying it, and helped them visualize it as possibility for their future. How will earning your Gold Award impact you in the future? This project gave me a huge opportunity to pursue my passions and develop my leadership skills. I had more fun than I anticipated in developing the materials and presenting them to the students. The project also put me in a position to lead other Tech Club members in the delivery of the classes. I had to convey my vision to them and keep them working toward that vision. This experience will give me confidence whenever I am in the position of leading peers in the future. Why do you feel the Gold Award was an important part of your Girl Scout experience? My Gold Award was the most important part of Girl Scouting for me because it pushed me do something bigger. Nowhere else in Girl Scouts can you do something that has such a big an impact on the community. Being able to complete a project on my own that had an impact on others made my project one of the most important things I have done in Girl Scouting. With my Gold Award, I was able to teach something I really care about and get these girls excited about computer science. How did earning your Gold Award help you become a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)? Earning my Gold Award helped me become an innovator. To run my workshops, I wrote all of my own course materials and created my own webpage. None of the materials I needed existed already so I had to create them. I think this was a really important experience because it allowed me to design a project that I was really interested in. The work was really worth it because I was able to make my project exactly what I envisioned. Being an innovator during your Gold Award is important because it gives you the freedom to make your Gold Award your own. **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 #STEM #Centennial #CherryCreekHighSchool #MetroDenver #TakeAction #WillowCreekElementarySchool

Submitted by Genia Babyak Northern & Northeastern CO Berthoud Troop 71126 has seven girls (high school freshmen and sophomores) and was busy this past year with the Fall Product and Girl Scout Cookie programs. Our girls worked very hard and earned enough money to fund their own trip to Washington, D.C. That trip was a great cultural, educational, financial, travel, and bonding experience. After hosting the “Mission Sisterhood” and “Cadette Amaze!” Journeys on October 29, 2017, the girls of Troop 71126 will each be focusing on their Gold Awards and building up their travel funds. Most of the girls are passionate about performing and are involved in their upcoming high school musical, “The Wiz,” and the Berthoud High School Bridge Between Show Choir. Two girls are members of the Berthoud Youth Advisory Commission and all are actively involved in sports and community service projects. This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments too. #NorthernampNortheasternCO #travel #GirlScoutCookieProgram #FallProductProgram #Berthoud #GIRLstories

I joined Girl Scouts as a snaggle-toothed second grade Brownie (which was the age at which Girl Scouting began, back in the olden days of the early ‘60’s).  I’m not aware of any burning desire to be a Girl Scout.  At the time, there were few after-school activities and perhaps, my mother was glad to have me participate in one of them.  But, oh what a difference it made in my life!  Girl Scouting provided consistency and a safe place from a chaotic home life.  We moved a fair amount and I could always count on Girl Scouts to provide me an opportunity for new friends and adventures.  And soon after I relocated to Colorado with my husband and children, signing up as a Girl Scout allowed me to make friends quickly.  After nearly 30 years in Colorado, my friends are mostly Girl Scouts, with whom I gather, meet and greet, and travel.  Retiring from the staff of the former Mile Hi Legacy Council ten years ago, I continue to lunch with my former colleagues.  Now, who else can claim such a long-lived, inspiring network of former co-workers as friends? I was retired, however, not willing to be left out of the loop of Girl Scout doings, hence my interest in the Membership Connection Committee (MCC).  What’s kept me involved with the MCC for the last 10 years?  Kept in the loop, indeed, with an understanding of the current direction and efforts of Girl Scouts in Colorado.  Able to make a small contribution on matters of governance and membership.  Meeting other Girl Scouts, girls and adults, with a responsibility to inspire, educate, and support.  My term will soon come to an end and I hope I’ll be welcomed back after the required hiatus. I’ve served as a troop leader, trainer, service unit manager, event organizer, and now board member in my nearly 50 years of Girl Scouting.  I’m a Lifetime Member of GSUSA.  I currently support two troops and continue to train in leadership and outdoor skills.  Serving as an MCC member gives me a great deal of satisfaction since it allows me to share my skills and opinions in ways that influence the future of our organization and our members.  I have two sons [“huge, handsome and handy”, former Boy Scouts and “Girl Scout boys (until they became too distracting at Girl Scout events)”] and had, at one time, 26,000 ‘daughters’.  A terrific experience that enriched my world, provided me with adventures (around the state, the USA and the world) and made me a better person, trying to live by the Promise and Law.  Through my mentoring of young Girl Scouts, I know I’ve made a difference and that feels good. Girl Scouts of Colorado is lucky to have a unique governance system with the Membership Connection Committee as the centerpiece of our democratic process and a way to give our members a strong voice in the issues they care most about. Would you like to be a voice for Girl Scouts of Colorado? Speak up and contribute our success together! To reach the MCC, e-mail GSCO.MCC@gscolorado.org #VolunteerNews #volunteerspotlight #Lakewood #MembershipConnectionCommittee #MCC #MetroDenver

Submitted by Tricia Pearson Metro Denver Arvada Troop 66517 worked together with two elementary schools over three weeks to collect school supplies to take to schools effected by Hurricane Harvey. This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments too. #Arvada #HurricaneHarvey #MetroDenver

From Girl Scouts of the USA: Girl Scouts is the best girl leadership organization in the world, created with and for girls. We believe strongly in the importance of the all-girl, girl-led, and girl-friendly environment that Girl Scouts provides, which creates a free space for girls to learn and thrive. The benefit of the single-gender environment has been well-documented by educators, scholars, other girl- and youth-serving organizations, and Girl Scouts and their families. Girl Scouts offers a one-of-a-kind experience for girls with a program tailored specifically to their unique developmental needs. At Girl Scouts, we are the girl experts, and for more than a century we have provided millions of girls opportunities for adventure, inspiration, and valuable mentoring. Offering hands-on, girl-centered learning in STEM, the outdoors, and entrepreneurship, and abundant opportunities to develop invaluable life skills, Girl Scouts helps all girls take the lead early and often. The Girl Scout Leadership Experience pairs girls with strong, caring female role models and mentors who prepare them to take the lead from age 5 to 18 and into adulthood. And we’re backed by more than 100 years of experience and expertise in the field. As the premier leadership organization for girls, we are unmatched in delivering proven outcomes: Our Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest achievement in Girl Scouting, is a top-tier credential for girls as they enter their post–high school lives, enabling them to distinguish themselves in the college admissions process, earn college scholarships, and enter the military one rank higher. No one does girl leadership better than we do. Compared to women who weren’t Girl Scouts in their youth, Girl Scout alumnae: Are better educated and have more success in their careers Enjoy higher household and personal income Are more active as mentors and community volunteers Have more confidence in themselves and their abilities In the U.S., 90 percent of female astronauts, 80 percent of female tech leaders, 75 percent of current senators, and all U.S. Secretaries of State are Girl Scout alumnae. At Girl Scouts, girls learn the skills, have the experiences, and cultivate the relationships that enable them to soar in life. From taking a night time hike under the stars to accepting a mission on the International Space Station; from lobbying the city council with her troop to holding a seat in Congress; from running her own cookie business today to tackling cybersecurity tomorrow—a Girl Scout is ready to change the world right now and accomplish big things in the future. The need for female leadership has never been clearer or more urgent than it is today—and only Girl Scouts has the expertise to give girls and young women the tools they need for success. Girl Scouts works. We’re committed to preparing the next generation of women leaders, and we’re here to stay. Click here to find troops and other opportunities near you! #GSUSA #leadership

Submitted by Genia Babyak Northern & Northeastern Co Berthoud Berthoud Senior Girl Scout Troop 71126 is hosting Senior “Mission Sisterhood” and Cadette “Amaze!” Journeys! Earn your Journey and badge in an easy, fast, and fun way with your sister Girl Scouts! The Senior “Mission Sisterhood” Journey will focus on personal wellness for every girl and how to achieve your goals. The Cadette “Amaze!” Journey will focus on the twists and turns of getting along. Both Journeys will be FUN! This event will be held on October 29, 2017 from 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Berthoud Elementary School. The address is 560 Bunyan Avenue, Berthoud, CO. Cost is $40 per participant and payment must be made in advance. Make check out to Girl Scout Troop 71126 and mail it to Megan Courtright, 108 Hummingbird Place, Berthoud, CO 80513. Please specify which Journey you will be taking. The deadline is October 25. Participants should bring a lunch and snack for this day-long activity. If you have any questions, please contact Megan at 970-980-7261 or courtrighttm@gmail.com. This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments too. #Journey #GSCOevents #oldergirls #Cadettes #NorthernampNortheasternCO #MissionSisterhood #GirlScoutCadettes #amaze #Berthoud

Submitted by Alex Demopoulos Metro Denver Englewood Woodshop Wizards would like to announce the grand opening of our new workshop at 4389 S. Federal Blvd. Englewood, CO 80110. Woodshop Wizards is an afterschool enrichment program and in-house classroom currently teaching woodworking skills to elementary age students throughout the Denver Metro area. The Grand Opening celebration will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free workshops for kids will be held all day, as well as tours of our shop and facilities. Woodshop Wizards offers beginner’s classes for young students in schools as well as offering basic skills classes to woodworkers of all ages. School vacation and summer workshops are also planned and day time class hours are available for home schoolers beginning immediately. Girl and Boy Scout troop classes for the woodworking merit badge are also available. Corporate and group events are available as well as birthday parties. More information can be obtained by calling 817-739-0805 or by emailing info@woodshopwizards.com. Check in at www.WoodshopWizards.com and follow @woodshopwizards on Instagram, twitter and facebook for updates. Come see what we do and join in the fun! This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments too.

Submitted by Kristin Coulter Metro Denver Denver You’re invited to a “Girl Scout Way” badge workshop for Girl Scout Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors led by Senior Girl Scout Troop 3573. Daisys will earn the Vi petal. Brownies and Juniors will earn the “Girl Scout Way” badge. Juliette Low’s birthday is October 31st, so let’s use the Halloween theme to learn more about her and Girl Scout traditions while earning a badge. Where: Montview Blvd. Presbyterian Church, Fellowship Hall 1980 Dahlia St., Denver, CO 80220 When: Thursday, October 19, 2017 Time: 4:30 – 6 p.m. Cost: $10/girl, includes badge How: Email the number of attending and Girl Scout level to troop3573@yahoo.com by October 12. This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments too. #Daisy #GirlScoutWaybadge #GSCOevents #Brownie #Denver #Junior #MetroDenver #badgeworkshop #badges

Girl Scouts of Colorado and Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) today launches the G.I.R.L. Agenda Powered by Girl Scouts,* a nonpartisan initiative to inspire, prepare, and mobilize girls and those who care about them to lead positive change through civic action. The multiyear effort celebrates the Girl Scout legacy of civic engagement, and for the first time ever, GSUSA is sharing free, expert-curated civic engagement resources beyond its 2.6 million members. The resources are derived from Girl Scout programming that has driven generations of girls over the past century to become leaders. Introduced at G.I.R.L. 2017, a gathering of girls and women from around the world, the G.I.R.L. Agenda makes it simple to access civic engagement resources that are tailored to prepare every G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™ to stand up for what they believe in. The tools provide a roadmap for how people can take action in ways such as challenging unfair policies, mobilizing communities to support important causes, and meeting with public officials and community leaders to educate them about key issues. By making age-appropriate resources based on GSUSA’s proven programming accessible to all, and by providing actionable steps people can take through Girl Scouts’ advocacy network to help people influence policy issues that affect girls, the G.I.R.L. Agenda will give hundreds of thousands of girls and adults tangible ways to take civic action on topics of their choosing. The G.I.R.L. Agenda makes it simple and rewarding to access free civic engagement resources derived from Girl Scout programming to prepare all G.I.R.L.s to do the below and more: • Advocate for positive change in their communities. Cassandra, a 17-year-old Ambassador, has been fighting to end child marriage in New Hampshire. • Stand up against everyday injustices. Muslim Girl Scouts in California educate their community by holding an annual Open Mosque Day to combat Islamophobia. • Challenge unfair policies and champion causes. Oregon Brownies spoke up to help pass a law that protects good Samaritans who rescue kids and animals left in hot cars. • Mobilize communities to donate or volunteer for causes. In Ohio, a multi-level troop advocated for firefighters, prompting a local store to donate new furniture to the firehouse. • Engage in letter-writing campaigns to advocate for change. A Junior troop’s letter-writing campaign led to improved safety measures for kids who walk to school. • Create and support petitions. Troop 30245’s petition helped pass a law banning tobacco use in its town parks, playgrounds, and athletic fields. • Call or meet with public officials and community leaders to educate them about important issues. Girl Scouts from across Connecticut came to the state capitol to meet with their legislators and discuss their disappointment about the lack of pay equity. • Participate in parades and marches. Girl Scouts placed flags at more than 5,000 grave sites at the East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery prior to marching in their local Memorial Day parade. • Support businesses with shared beliefs. Linnea, a Gold Award Girl Scout, set up a shop in her small town featuring fair-trade products from companies that donate profits to causes like improved healthcare, clean water, and better education. There has been increased attention around civic engagement in the United States since the 2016 presidential election: according to a study by the Pew Research Center, more than half of Americans are paying more attention to politics since the election, including nearly six in ten women (58 percent). However, research also shows that the public education system is not creating an adequate civic education foundation for all youth, and a Girl Scout Research Institute poll found that just 38 percent of girls say their teachers have encouraged them to pursue politics and community leadership. Since its founding in 1912, Girl Scouts has emphasized the importance of being civically engaged, by teaching and encouraging girls to create positive change in their communities through advocacy and action. Girl Scouts learn to stand up for what they believe in, identify issues they care about, and take the lead like a G.I.R.L. to make the world a better place. The G.I.R.L. Agenda is for all those who support girls in standing up for issues and causes that are important to them. Also part of the initiative, Girl Scouts announces its new Good Neighbor badge for Daisies (girls in grades K–1). It joins the organization’s existing Citizen badges—Celebrating Community, Inside Government, Finding Common Ground, Behind the Ballot, and Public Policy—which engage girls in age-appropriate activities involving community service, public policy, government, voting, and more. These badges are designed to foster girls’ interest in civic engagement and show them that their voices can be heard. And by exploring the themes in an all-girl environment, girls build the confidence they need to become the civic-minded leaders our world needs. “Many people, including girls, want to become active in public policy and learn how to advocate for positive change, but they don’t know where to start,” said GSUSA CEO Sylvia Acevedo. “Through the G.I.R.L. Agenda and our proven civic-engagement programming, Girl Scouts serves as a nonpartisan resource for girls—and those who care about them―to learn concrete steps they can take to stand up for what they believe in. For more than a century, Girl Scouts has supported girls by offering tools that prepare them to lead, lift their voices, champion their views, and be advocates for the issues and ideas important to them. We’re excited to share resources on www.GIRLagenda.org, so people can learn how to take action for the cause of good in their communities. Because when we take small, yet meaningful steps together—across generations—we ignite a larger, lasting impact on our world.” Throughout the coming months, GSCO and GSUSA will share stories from G.I.R.L. Agenda supporters who are advocating for girls and the issues they care about. This will include the experiences of past and present National Young Women of Distinction, the top Gold Award Girl Scouts recognized nationally for transforming an idea and vision for change into an actionable plan with sustainable and far-reaching impact. If the public wishes to share such stories on social media, they should include #GIRLagenda. To advance the G.I.R.L. Agenda and for tips on leading positive change through civic action, visit www.GIRLagenda.org.* #GIRLAgenda #GirlScoutsoftheUSA

Submitted by Dorothy Morris Metro Denver Golden Girl Scout Junior Troop 63915 earned our “Animal Habitats” badge at Crown Hill Park. Ranger Chris and Ranger Kelly taught us about the many animal habitats in JeffCo’s oldest open space park. Wetlands, tall grasses, trees, water, and marshlands are the homes to many wild animals- right in the middle of the city! We explored the animal sanctuary and saw a coyote den (no coyotes, though. They must have been out hunting for food), a fallen tree that was the habitat to many insect species, and just when we least expected it- a family of deer! We stood behind a blind and watched them. We tried to be very quiet, but once we made a noise the deers’ large ears perked up and honed in on our location. However, they must have felt so safe in the sanctuary because they didn’t run away. It was a very special experience to be able to observe them so closely. This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments too. #Golden #JeffersonCounty #GirlScoutJuniors #AnimalHabitatsbadge #Juniors #MetroDenver