Colorado Girl Scouts can now earn 23 new badges, focusing on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and the outdoors! With the introduction of these new badges, which marks the largest programming rollout in almost a decade, girls can design robots and racecars, go on environmentally conscious camping trips, write code, collect data in the great outdoors, try their hand at engineering, and so much more. Through hands-on and age-appropriate experiences for girls as young as 5, Girl Scouts is both enhancing the important outdoor opportunities we are known for and addressing the lack of exposure many girls have to STEM. In fact, Girl Scouts are almost twice as likely as non–Girl Scouts to participate in STEM (60 percent versus 35 percent) and outdoor activities (76 percent versus 43 percent). This new Girl Scout programming builds girls’ skills and encourages their interest in STEM and environmental conservation from an early age, increasing their confidence in these areas—in an all-girl environment where they feel comfortable trying new things, taking appropriate risks, and learning from failure. Importantly, what girls gain through Girl Scouting positively affects all areas of their lives. For example, Girl Scouts do better than their non–Girl Scout peers in the classroom, earning better grades and aspiring to higher educational attainment, and are more likely to seek careers in STEM, law, and business—industries in which women are underrepresented. And the benefits of Girl Scouting are not exclusive to any particular demographic, which means that no matter where girls live or what their age or background, Girl Scouts can help them develop to their full potential and excel in all aspects of life. At a time when 81 percent of American voters think preparing girls for leadership roles should be a national priority, Girl Scouts of the USA—the preeminent leadership development organization for girls—offers girls even more opportunities to learn skills and empower themselves with the experiences they need to succeed in life. And as the Girl Scout Research Institute releases new findings that confirm the outstanding leadership outcomes that Girl Scouts exhibit compared to their non–Girl Scout peers, there has never been a better time to join. We’re 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. Having trouble accessing this new content in VTK? Contact your volunteer support specialist for help. Don’t know who your VSS is? Email inquiry@gscolorado.org. #GirlScoutsoftheUSA #outdoors #Journey #STEM #Journeys #badge #badges

Submitted by Katie Hill Metro Denver Parker Daisy Troop 65889 dropped cookies off with the Castle Rock Dumb Friends League Buddy Center. While there, we were able to take a tour and learn about all of the amazing efforts the DDFL does on a daily basis. The girls had a great time and the DDFL was delighted to get some summertime Girl Scout Cookies! This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments too. #Parker #GirlScoutCookies #2017CookieSale #HometownHeroes #MetroDenver #CastleRockDumbFriendsLeagueBuddyCenter #CastleRock

From Girl Scouts of the USA Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA), the BEST leadership development organization for girls—is offering Girl Scouts even more opportunities to learn skills and prepare them to empower themselves with the experiences they need to succeed in life. GSUSA introduced 23 new badges in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and the outdoors—our largest programming rollout in almost a decade!Girl Scouts will be able to design robots and racecars, go on environmentally conscious camping trips, create algorithms, collect data in the great outdoors, try their hand at engineering, and so much more. And the best part? These new badges are girl-tested and girl-approved! The new Girl Scout programming builds girls’ skills and encourages their interest in STEM and environmental conservation from an early age—areas girls are not typically encouraged to explore outside Girl Scouting—increasing their confidence in an all-girl, girl-led environment where they feel comfortable to try new things, take appropriate risks, and learn from failure. GSUSA created select badges with contributions from notable organizations in the STEM and outdoor industries, such as GoldieBlox, WGBH/Design Squad, the Society of Women Engineers, the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, Code.org, and SciStarter. These awesome badges have debuted on Girl Scouts’ first digital platform for volunteers, the Volunteer Toolkit, making it more accessible than ever to unleash the power of every G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™. The Volunteer Toolkit helps parents and volunteers easily plan meetings and activities; keep track of important information; and, ultimately, make it easier to support amazing experiences for girls! In the toolkit, most programming for girls in grades K–5 is autopopulated so troop leaders can view activity plans and necessary materials, customize meetings, and track troop finances all in one place. Plus, the instructions included throughout make subjects that might otherwise intimidate some volunteers—like STEM—accessible and understandable, so they can confidently carry out troop activities. Which means helping girls take the lead in their adventures just got a whole lot easier! Need even more reasons to join the Girl Scout Movement? The Girl Scout Research Institute recently released new findings that show how participation in Girl Scouts helps girls develop key leadership skills proven to help them achieve bright, successful futures. Compared to their non–Girl Scout peers, Girl Scouts are more likely to be leaders because they: Have confidence in themselves and their abilities (80 percent vs. 68 percent) Act ethically and responsibly, and show concern for others (75 percent vs. 59 percent) Seek challenges and learn from setbacks (62 percent vs. 42 percent) Develop and maintain healthy relationships (60 percent vs. 43 percent) Identify and solve problems in their communities (57 percent vs. 28 percent) Take an active role in decision making (80 percent vs. 51 percent) The most powerful part is that no matter where girls live or what their age or background is, Girl Scouts can help them develop to their full potential and excel in all aspects of life. So, at a time when 81 percent of U.S. voters think preparing girls for leadership roles should be a national priority*, there has never been a better time to stand with girls. And Girl Scouts is the best place to do it. If you believe there is power in every G.I.R.L., join Girl Scouts today and unleash it! #badges #GirlScoutsoftheUSA #Journeys #STEM

The S’mores Club will return for the 2017-18 membership year! The S’mores Club is exclusively for Girl Scouts of Colorado girl members and adult volunteers who rock BOTH the 2017 Fall Sale and 2018 Girl Scout Cookie Sale Programs. Girls and adult volunteers (troop product sales managers – one per person who qualifies) can earn a beautiful PANDORA sterling-silver bracelet with charms. Girls can also earn a special personalized patch. Qualifying troops can earn an exclusive booth selection opportunity during the 2018 Girl Scout Cookie Sale Program. To join the S’mores Club and earn the reward, a girl must: Create an Avatar and sell 15 nut, candy items, and/or magazines online during the 2017 Fall Sale Program AND sell at least 300 packages of Girl Scout Cookies during the 2018 Cookie Sale Program An adult (troop product sales managers – one per person who qualifies) can earn the reward: If the troop reaches $350 or more in online sales during 2017 Fall Sale Program AND during the 2018 Girl Scout Cookie Sale Program, the troop achieves a per girl selling average of 300 or more packages. (The per girl average is calculated based on the total number of packages a troop sells, divided by the number of selling girls in that troop.) Note: The reward for adults is for a troop participation only. Juliettes can still qualify for the club and receive her personalized patch and bracelet. However, parents of Juliettes can NOT receive the bracelet or booth sale opportunity. All members of the S’mores Club must meet the requirements for BOTH sales to qualify. For more information, check the FAQs. https://girlscoutsofcolorado.desk.com/customer/portal/articles/2453663-s-mores-club #2017FallSaleProgram #2018GirlScoutCookieSaleProgram #ProductSales #SmoresClub

Submitted by Peg Goodwin Merrill Metro Denver Denver When one enters their 70’s it is common to do a lot of reflecting back on the life you have lived thus far. For me the seven years I spent as part of Denver Troop 362 were definitely ones that taught me a lot and contributed to the woman I became. I was privileged to have had Edna “Skipper” Hollis as a troop leader during those years. As I prepare to come to Denver for her final “Scouts Own” I have been reflecting a lot about my experiences with that troop and the things I learned from Girl Scouting. My love of the outdoors and camping began with our troop’s many trips to Lake Eldora. Winter or summer the lake called us. There wasn’t a ski area in the late fifties and early sixties, so we had to hike up the hill. I remember one time when we went winter camping and had to climb thru very deep drifts of snow. Our leader “Skipper” forged ahead and made a tow rope for us to pull ourselves up the mountain through the deep snow carrying our gear and sleeping bags. Once we reached the cabin, it was quite a task to get it warm, so we created a rotation system to take turns staying awake and feeding the fire all night. Most likely it was experiences like this in my youth that taught me perseverance. Skipper was great at getting our mothers involved too, and many of them taught us a variety of merit badges, so there was always something to work on and no one was ever bored. Troop 362 was also where I learned to knit under the tutelage of Mrs. Crockett (whom we nicknamed “Davy”). Perhaps, one of my fondest memories was the trip we took to Seattle, Washington for the World’s Fair in 1962. We spent a few years raising money for the trip by putting on plays, hosting spaghetti dinners, babysitting, etc. In addition to funds that the troop raised, each girl had to earn some of the money for the trip herself. So, we learned about planning, budgeting, and having a goal to look forward to. Our fathers even got involved and built large wooden boxes for each patrol to hold all of our cooking supplies. Each box was painted a different color. We chartered a big bus and camped out along the way, so again there was a lot of planning and preparing involved, as each patrol had to have all the food they needed to prepare meals. That same summer I was fortunate enough to have been chosen as a delegate from Denver to the Girl Scout International Round-up in Button Bay, Vermont. It was Skipper’s encouragement that got me to apply – don’t think I would have had the courage to do that without her help. Going to Round-up was a wonderful experience and it saddens me that that opportunity no longer exists for girls today. Another thing I learned in Scouting that I still use to this day is my love of music and all the songs we learned both at summer Girl Scout Camp and with my troop. Many of those songs I would sing to my children as lullabies, and just recently I was singing to a new grandbaby and my son came in and joined me in a duet singing “Mountains High” to his new baby, as he remembered me singing it to him. Skipper also taught us about the stars and the wildflowers. She encouraged us all to earn the “Curved Bar” award, and many of us achieved this. I am really looking forward to our annual troop reunion on July 29, 2017 and seeing old friends. It will be hard to say “good-bye” to Skipper, but I know her memory and the memories of Troop 362 will live on in each of us whose life she touched. Girl Scouts of Colorado is proud to celebrate the legacy of one of our most cherished alumnae, Edna “Skipper” Hollis. In 2016, Skipper passed away at the age of 104, leaving a 94-year history of Girl Scouting as a girl and an adult volunteer.  Skipper touched the lives of hundreds of girls, families, and volunteers and will be remembered for her love of the outdoors and the annual troop gathering she hosted at her Colorado cabin for more than six decades. To make a gift in honor of Skipper, which will support opportunity grants to ensure any girl is able to attend camp, or  to honor an alum who has made a difference in your life, go to the Girl Scouts of Colorado website: http://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/support-us/alumnae.html This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments too. #EdnaSkipperHollis #Denver #MetroDenver #GirlScoutalumnae #Endowment

Calling all travel experts! We are seeking girls, adult leaders, or troops to be GSCO “travel ambassadors” and share their knowledge, expertise, and lessons learned through Girl Scout travel. If you are an expert in money-earning ideas for travel, World Centers, girl-led travel planning and logistics, destinations, or anything else related to Girl Scout travel- we want to hear from you! If you have traveled through Girl Scouts and are interested in being a resource to other girls and leaders, or helping to promote Girl Scout travel in general, please sign up through the link below. We will then reach out to you with upcoming travel ambassador opportunities. https://gscolorado.formstack.com/forms/gscotravelambassadorsignup Questions? Contact Anna Danila Outdoor & Travel Program Manager at http://anna.danila@gscolorado.org #GirlScouttravel #InternationalTravel #travel

What did you do for your Gold Award project? My Gold Award project was created to address the high amount of stress seen in the student body at my high school, Eaglecrest High School. I held art sessions after school in the art rooms in order to help kids at my school be able to relieve stress. I worked with the National Art Honor Society and Art Club, along with the teachers that sponsor both of those clubs, in order to hold the art sessions. At the end, I had held 23 sessions. How did you measure the impact your Gold Award project made on your target audience? I measured my impact by giving students a survey I had made and asking them if they were feeling stressed and if they thought that the session helped to relieve their stress. In the surveys, 100% of the people surveyed answered that they were feeling stressed, with the reasons why being “family,” “schoolwork,” “work,” “sleep or the lack thereof,” and “expectations for the future.” Along with that, 100% of the survey takers said that the session did help them feel less stressed. What is your project’s global and/or national connection? My global/national connection is made through the access to free downloads of a manual for the sessions, and some project examples, on the website teacherspayteachers.com. I’ve also created an Instagram account that is dedicated to examples of project ideas and step-by-step instructions for how to do the projects. What did you learn about yourself? I’ve learned that I’m a lot more adaptable to situations that I wasn’t expecting and that I’m more capable of being a leader than what I was expecting. How will earning your Gold Award impact you in the future? I think earning my Gold Award will help show others that I am a hard worker and very dedicated. It has also taught me better ways to deal with stress around me and to help others around me deal with their stress in a healthier way. Why do you feel the Gold Award was an important part of your Girl Scout experience? I think the Gold Award was an important part of my Girl Scout experience because it allowed me to use all of the skills that I have gained through my years of being a Girl Scout, along with helping me gain new ones, to make a lasting difference in the world. It helped me draw on all of my past experiences and really make the most out of everything that Girl Scouts has taught me. How did earning your Gold Award help you become a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)? My Gold Award helped me become a -G (Go-getter): by forcing me to do what I needed to do right now and not allowing me time to procrastinate or not try and do something that was needed. -I (Innovator): by making me come up with ways to describe every step of an artistic process so that even someone who might think he or she isn’t artistic is able to do the same project as everyone else. -R (Risk Taker): by causing me to step out of my comfort zone with talking to large groups and teachers, even though I knew that there was a chance that no one would want to help me. I also took a risk with doing an art-centered project because many people aren’t interested in the arts or don’t believe that they could do any projects, so I was taking a risk in the possibility that no one would even come to my sessions. -L (Leader): by making me step into a leadership position and have to become a kind of teacher to the other students in the sessions along with having to come up with all of the projects and getting ready all of the materials that might be needed to do each of the projects. **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 #art #NationalArtHonorSociety #Centennial #TakeAction #Denvermetro #EaglecrestHighSchool

Submitted by Melissa H. Pikes Peak Monument For Zoe’s Silver Award project, she hand-sewed and filled 60 bags of basic necessities for homeless people in the Colorado Springs/Monument area. Each bag contained a toothbrush, tube of toothpaste, dental floss, deodorant, bar of soap, washcloth, lip balm, granola bar, bottle of water, shampoo, and sunscreen. Zoe solicited local businesses like cesspool pumping huntington ny, family, and friends for donations of all materials. After sewing and filling the bags, Zoe and her friends and family kept the bags in their cars to hand out to people in need they see along their way. click to investigate more about their cars. Everyone associated with this project thought a lot about the many struggles of living out on the streets. There are so many things that we take for granted, but for someone who doesn’t have such basic necessities, they can seem like extravagant luxuries. Even a simple bar of soap can be extremely helpful. This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments too. #HighestAwards #SilverAward #ColoradoSprings #Homeless #Monument #TakeAction #PikesPeak

Girl Scouts of Colorado is thrilled to offer both Gold Award and Highest Awards & Take Action trainings at the Leadership Summits across the state this summer and fall! You may be asking, “What is a Leadership Summit?” Girl Scouts of Colorado’s Leadership Summits are learning conferences that offer volunteers (and girls!) the opportunity to get energized for the new membership year and check required trainings off the “to-do” list. In addition to offering trainings for new and experienced volunteers, we are offering Gold Award training for girls who are getting ready to “Go Gold”. Gold Award training is required for any girl interested in pursuing her Gold Award. Parents and troop leaders are encouraged to attend as well. Highest Awards & Take Action is the perfect opportunity to connect with other troop leaders about successful service projects and learn how to let girls take the lead in making a difference in their community with “Take Action” projects that girls will complete in their Journeys, Bronze, Silver, and Gold Award projects. August 26, Colorado Springs September 16, Denver Metro September 23, Northern Colorado September 30, Grand Junction October 14, Pueblo (Gold Award and Highest Awards Training TBD) The full schedule for each event will be posted soon along with links for registration. Questions about Highest Awards? Email highestawards@gscolorado.org 40963104_leadership_summit_2017_save_the_date_digital #GoldAward #HighestAwardsampTakeAction #LeadershipSummit #training

Submitted by Nancy Riddle Metro Denver Jackson Edna “Skipper” Hollis. What an amazing woman, and I am so very proud and lucky to have had her as a Girl Scout leader. She taught valuable life lessons and remains an inspiration. My fondest memory was of a 17-day, 4,000 mile bus trip in 1962 with 27 Girl Scouts, four leaders, and an intrepid bus driver, “Daddy Jim”. We camped through five states and Canada with a four-day stopover at the World’s Fair in Seattle. What adult in their right mind takes this on? Skipper Hollis! With four patrols responsible for daily cooking, clean-up, log keeping, photography, programs, and other tasks, we learned more that summer than can be imparted in this simple missive. Skipper always hand-wrote annual messages to me through her 103rd year. I especially cherish a note she wrote at the end of the afore-mentioned trip: “…but-in in my way- if I’ve helped you to know personally the true values that Scouting should unveil, then I’m happy to have been an interpreter of its realness. Scouting is a very fine guide to living. May it always be an enrichment to you…” May Skipper’s legacy live on as it has for members of Troop 362 and may Girl Scouts continue to inspire young women. Girl Scouts of Colorado is proud to celebrate the legacy of one of our most cherished alumnae, Edna “Skipper” Hollis. In 2016, Skipper passed away at the age of 104, leaving a 94-year history of Girl Scouting as a girl and an adult volunteer.  Skipper touched the lives of hundreds of girls, families, and volunteers and will be remembered for her love of the outdoors and the annual troop gathering she hosted at her Colorado cabin for more than six decades. To make a gift in honor of Skipper, which will support opportunity grants to ensure any girl is able to attend camp, or  to honor an alum who has made a difference in your life, go to the Girl Scouts of Colorado website: http://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/support-us/alumnae.html This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments too. #alumnae #EdnaSkipperHollis #Jackson #MetroDenver

Submitted by Hailey Groo Northern & Northeastern CO Fort Collins Girl Scouts of Colorado has partnered with the Poudre Heritage Alliance of the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area to bring a new activity opportunity! Through the Poudre Heritage Alliance’s Community Wellness Program, Girl Scouts can visit the Cache la Poudre River and participate in a super-fun heritage hunt! The available routes stretch from Bellvue to Greeley, and fulfills requirements towards the Brownie Hiker badge! Find out more about the program and sign up your Girl Scout troop at poudreheritage.org/wellness-program. This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments too. #BrownieHikerbadge #BrownieGirlScouts #PoudreHeritageAllianceoftheCachelaPoudreRiverNationalHeritageArea #communitypartners #NorthernampNortheasternColorado #FortCollins

Submitted by Amy Caperton Metro Denver Littleton Come join us at Tomahawk Ranch for a weekend of Quidditch, wand making, potion making, games, and crafts. August 25- 27, 2017 Juniors and Cadettes $100 per girl. $35 for Safety Wise adults. (Extra adults can join for full price IF there is room) Visit http://troop2904.ksibusinesssolutions.com Questions: Please e-mail us at troop62904@gmail.com A $25 deposit per person is required to hold your spot. Please send one check for all participants. Deadline for registration is July 15 Sponsored by Troop 2904 This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments too. #HarryPotter #Littleton #MetroDenver #TomahawkRanch