Submitted by Samantha King Pueblo & Southeastern CO Pueblo West Troop 35159 chose American Medical Response (AMR) to be their Hometown Hero for cookie season. They chose AMR because of what they do for the community, and what they did for the troop. While earning their “First Aid” badge, the troop got the chance to tour an ambulance and speak with first responders. They had such a great time learning that they wanted to say thank you, not only from themselves but the community as well. Way to go Troop 35159! This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments too. #HometownHero #GirlScoutCookies #2017CookieSale #PuebloWest #PuebloampSoutheasternCO #AMR

Submitted by Victoria Gigoux, Membership Connection Committee Member Western Slope Grand Junction As Girl Scout volunteers, we are all aware of the countless hours of time we give to girls in Colorado and if you’ve ever asked “What’s the value of being a volunteer,” the answer just might surprise you! According to Independent Sector, the estimated value of volunteer time, is just under $24.00 per hour. For many devoted volunteers, that could add up to a significant “gift” in a year, and much more sizeable over a lifetime.  Just as monetary donors get recognition for their generosity, so should volunteers who give of their time and talent, as well. Do you have someone you need to thank?  Then, there’s no time like the present.  April is Volunteer Appreciation Month and while there are many options for formally recognizing and showing appreciation for outstanding volunteers who go above and beyond, in most cases, it’s simple peer-to-peer appreciation and genuine gestures that count the most. A volunteer who feels they are doing a worthwhile job and feels appreciated for it, is more likely to continue to help out.  So, how can you express genuine appreciation to your volunteers, such as a co-leader, Service Unit Manager or Cookie Parent?  Although there are countless ways to say thanks, unless you have your own “Volunteer Appreciation Committee” (lucky!), it’s going to fall on you to keep your gratitude fresh and creative. Here are ten ways to recognize, and show gratitude for, volunteers that you can incorporate into your menu of peer-to-peer kudos: Tell your volunteers frequently that they are doing a good job – Although you shouldn’t forget to come up with some creative ways to formally say thanks, don’t overlook the power of a simple THANK YOU!  This can be verbally, or a simple handwritten note. Thank You Box – Set out a box and index cards in a high traffic area. As people come and go, they can write a special message for the volunteer and put it in the box. Empty the box regularly and give these messages to your volunteer. Spread the word – Put message of appreciation and photos on your website, in a troop newsletter and/or post them on your social media. Remember holidays, birthdays and milestones – These are times volunteers will be likely be reflecting/thinking most on what they do and why, so let them know you are also thinking about them. Small Gifts of Gratitude – Who doesn’t like gifts? Even something as small as a $5 Starbucks gift card is appreciated.  It shows effort and lets the volunteer know you were thinking of them at a time outside of Girl Scout time.  Tight on funds….ask parents to donate to your “appreciation” fund or reach out to shops in your community – you never know what you can get at a discount (or FREE!) if you don’t ask. Share a Gift of Love – Ask those served, such as girls and parents, to make personal gifts. Art work, baked goods, poems, the possibilities are endless and a way to get girls and families involved. Go Out Together – Go somewhere together, where you aren’t doing your “job” but have an opportunity to build on your relationships. This can be something as simple as a pot luck or Leader’s Night Out. You know what will work for your group of volunteers,  just pick a date and go! Create a Scrapbook. Have co-leaders, parents, and girls write comments and quotes about the difference volunteers make and put them in a book. Add photos! If you aren’t crafty, there are many online places that can create wonderful keepsakes at reasonable prices.  This is an especially lovely gift for a volunteer who has reached a significant milestone, such as years of service. Send a letter of thanks and recognition to the volunteer’s employer. Do your volunteers work outside of volunteering? This is an excellent to show your volunteer you appreciate them and their time, especially when some of the donated time has been during regular business hours, courtesy of the employer.  It also speaks to the volunteer’s integrity and work ethic. Send a letter of thanks to the volunteer’s family – We all know how giving of our time affects the time we spend with our own families. Don’t ever neglect the family; this group of “forgotten volunteers”!   If a volunteer’s family recognizes the value of the time sacrificed, they are more likely to continue to encourage the volunteer to give of their time. And maybe, just maybe, you build on your volunteer pool! Remember, recognition should be appropriate for the amount of donated time, the duties performed and the recipient’s unique personality.  And, don’t fret, it’s not the cost of the recognition that matters.  Don’t forget, in most cases, girls are who benefit the most from this dedication of time and should be involved in the process of showing appreciation.  So… get your girls (and families) involved, too! Still looking for ways to show appreciation, there are other suggestions, resources and additional formal options too.  These can be found at http://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/for-volunteers/volunteer-appreciation.html Want to know more about how to connect with the MCC?  Check us out on the GSCO website:  http://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/about-girl-scouts/membership-connection-committee.html This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments too. #GrandJunction #MembershipConnectionCommittee #VolunteerAppreciationMonth #WesternSlope

Submitted by Virginia Rodman Metro Denver Parker Junior Troop 4286 in Parker is pictured in the March 2017 IREA newsletter. Susan Kroll of IREA helped us do an energy audit of the fire station where we meet to complete one of the requirements for the “Get Moving” journey. This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments too. #IREANewsletter #JuniorGirlScouts #MetroDenver #Parker

Submitted by Kristina Graham Metro Denver Castle Rock Our Daisy troop delivered half of their Hometown Heroes Girl Scout Cookies to the Castle Rock Police Department. The department gave the girls a tours of the police station. This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments too. #CastleRockPoliceDepartment #GirlScoutCookies #2017CookieSale #HometownHeroes #MetroDenver #CastleRock

In honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month, Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state. Heather Gardner, leader of Troop 675 in the Mountaineers Service Unit,  was nominated as a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community! For the last three years, Heather has led her high school troop to plan a girl empowerment event, Perfectly Imperfect, Perfectly You!, with a great guest speaker. Last year, it was 9News Traffic Reporter and pilot Amelia Earhart. This year, it will be celebrity mountain climber Meghan Martin. Heather is described as “articulate and passionate about giving 5th-8th grade girls the tools for self esteem, confidence building, and more as they either enter or are in the middle school years.” We asked Heather to answer a few questions about her experiences as a Girl Scout volunteer. We hope you find her story as inspiring as we did! How long have you been a Girl Scout? This is my 10th year being a Girl Scout leader/volunteer. Why did you become a Girl Scout volunteer? I became a Girl Scout volunteer to allow my daughter the opportunity to be in Girl Scouts. When I was 6-years-old, I tried to join Girl Scouts, but there were no troops or volunteers in my area. When my daughter was in first grade, we went to an orientation meeting and they did not have any available troops or volunteers for our area. I did not want her to miss out on Girl Scouts as I did, so I started a troop. Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout. Girl Scouts allows so many different volunteer roles and growth as a leader. Just a few of the roles I have had the privilege to fill are leader, cookie manager, troop secretary, finance advisor, volunteer coordinator, community outreach, overnight troop camping, CPR/First aid training, event planner, website designer, a second mom, friend, etc. There are so many ways to contribute as an individual, your strengths can always be utilized. What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer? What do you hope girls have learned from you? The sky’s the limit! Don’t be afraid to think big, and never be afraid to ask. I truly try to set the example that everything is possible. When I first started to suggest ideas to the troop for events and/or guest speakers, I think my girls thought I was crazy. They never thought we could get so much support from our community, celebrity role models, other troops, etc. I believe I have inspired the girls to think big and that anything is possible. What is your favorite Girl Scout memory? There are so many Girl Scout memories to choose from! Three of my favorite and most memorable moments were: 1.) Our troop was planning for our next girl empowerment event, and I had just flown in from a week-long business trip the day prior and was super tired. We were brainstorming for our event’s activities and completely got off topic. Some of the silliest things were said and laughed about that night. I truly believe you have to have those moments with your girls! If you ask any of them about it, they will know exactly what I’m talking about. 2.) One of the proudest moments of being a volunteer, was at our very first troop hosted the girl empowerment event. I remember that one of the younger attendees was having some anxiety issues, and one of my older girls took her under her wing and spent time just talking to her. I can’t tell you how proud I was of that moment, and how I felt that everything I did as a volunteer completely paid off then. 3.) Our troop went to Magic Sky Ranch for our annual family camping trip. This was the first time we had been to MSR, and we were in awe when we watched a lightning storm from our cabin window. We all sat there for about an hour in complete darkness, just enjoying the spectacle and each other’s company. What words of advice do you have for other volunteers? Ask for help! I am somewhat controlling, and have really had a tough time listening to my own advice. Over the last couple of years, I have asked for more help than ever – from my co-leader, parents, community, and girls. Surprisingly, people really do want to help, you just have to be specific with what you need. It can be as simple as asking to host a troop sleepover, picking up cookies and running cookie booths, helping with sewing on patches, sending out meeting reminders, going to monthly leader meetings, coming up with volunteer ideas, etc. If you try to do everything yourself, it no longer feels like a troop and you will tire fast. Ask for help and everyone feels involved and has a happier troop. Want to nominate a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado to spotlight? Please email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org. #MountaineersServiceUnit #volunteerspotlight #MagicSkyRanch #VolunteerAppreciationMonth #Broomfield #girlscoutvolunteer #GirlScoutTroopleader

Submitted by Stephanie Rosauer Metro Denver Parker Our troop of Daisy Girl Scouts delivered more than 100 packages (105 to be exact) of Girl Scout Cookies to Parker Task Force, a local food bank. The girls got to learn why, how, for whom, and what Parker Task Force does.  All volunteers, just like in Girl Scouts, give their time varying from hours to months out of a year. Donations, in addition to foods, are items such as blankets, pet food and supplies, diapers, and school supplies for children. Parker Task Force helps in our community, on average, 220 people a week! Parker Task Force provides a monthly “Needs Request List” for items that are needed, to help accommodate those that are unable to purchase on their own. These requests have been fulfilled each month by the generous members of this community. The girls were touched by the story and kindness that they elected Parker Task Force for their food donation recipient, for the month of April!  Nice job young ladies! This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments too. #Parker #Daisy #ParkerTaskForce #GirlScoutCookies #2017CookieSale #HometownHeroes

What did you do for your Gold Award project? My project built a sensory trail on the property of Front Range Hippotherapy (FRH). FRH is a nonprofit therapy center which uses the movements of a horse to address various social, behavioral, and cognitive disabilities.  The sensory trail includes a winding trail through the upper pasture with three permanent stations, each highlighting a different sense, including a mailbox, textile pole, and chimes. While steering the horse though the trail, kids will be required to maintain balance thereby strengthening core muscles that are not normally used. They will also stop at the stations and, while on horseback, perform the tasks required by each station. How did you measure the impact your Gold Award project made on your target audience? Because the issue I addressed takes time to see improvement, I have not been able to measure it concretely. But, I have provided the therapists with another tool which they can use to help the children progress to more concrete examples. How is your project sustainable? How will your project continue to impact after your involvement? Front Range Hippotherapy has promised to maintain and add to the trail I’ve created. The materials the stations are made out of are durable and replaceable, and the trail is long enough that if the therapist wants to add more stations she can. This will allow the trail to be used long after my involvement. What is your project’s global and/or national connection? My project serves to show people the importance of nonprofit therapy centers. With recent threats to availability of health insurance, nonprofit therapy organizations are becoming more important for all people. By establishing something for FRH that they were already wanting, free of charge, I am not only helping kids have a more enjoyable and effective experience at hippotherapy, I am also helping them financially and showing the world the importance of healthcare not only to people who are sick, but also to small businesses making a difference. What did you learn about yourself? My project inspired confidence in myself and gave me the knowledge that I can lead when I have to. I also learned the limits of independence. I couldn’t do it all on my own and was required to ask for help, but asking for help is not a sign of weakness in leadership. My project could never have been accomplished if I didn’t have the help of many people. I’ve also realized that helping people brings me great joy, especially people that cause me to value what I have been given in life. How will earning your Gold Award impact you in the future? I am more confident in my skills as a leader. I know I can lead, and I understand how to delegate tasks to accomplish a larger goal. That being said, I still understand the importance of not being a leader all the time. If everyone in my project had tried to lead, I would have had no one to work the augur or collect rocks or take pictures. I understand all the components of a team. Leader is just one part. Why do you feel the Gold Award was an important part of your Girl Scout experience? I remember the bridging ceremony from Daisy to Brownie and there was one point you have to look in the mirror and see who you see. I think the Gold Award solidifies how much I have grown since then and shows the epitome of who I want to be. It brings the Girl Scout experience full circle. **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 #LongmontHighSchool #NorthernampNortheasternCO #horse #FrontRangeHippotherapy #Hippotherapy

Submitted by Tiffany Stone Metro Denver Englewood There are only a few spaces left for the Urban Trails Service Unit’s “Me & My Gal” strength weekend! REGISTRATION CLOSES ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 2017! Where: Tomahawk Ranch Girl Scout Camp When: Friday, May 12, 2017 – Sunday, May 14, 2017 Arrival time: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Friday Departure: 10 a.m. on Sunday Cost: $150 per woman-girl couple $60 per additional girl, (No additional adults please, one per every three daughters) Bring your girl(s) along for a weekend of bonding and strengthening. Mountain Berry Catering will provide meals, with a special Mother’s Day Brunch on Sunday morning. Activities will be provided all weekend, including archery, building, a dance, and more! This camp is geared for mothers and daughters, but aunts, grandmas, or mother figures are welcome, along with girls (K-12). Attendance is only confirmed upon payment. Register at: https://squareup.com/store/urban-trails-su-644 Volunteers are always welcome! Please email: urbantrailsdenver@gmail.com to volunteer! This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments too. #UrbanTrailsServiceUnit #MeampMyGal #TomahawkRanch #MetroDenver #englewood

The following is a guest post from one of our volunteer Camp Directors, Penny Roberts. If you are interested in volunteering as a Camp Director and making a difference in the lives of young women through outdoor programs contact anna.danila@gscolorado.org WHAT CAMP MEANS TO ME By: Penny Roberts, CORE camp “For the last 60+ years, camp has meant the world to me.  I stayed in Girl Scouting during my difficult junior high years because I was able to earn my way to camp every summer by selling Girl Scout Cookies!  My goal and my dream was to work at camp as a counselor and later on to take troops and family to camp to share in the experience. So what’s so special about camp, particularly Girl Scout camp?  Hard to wrap it up quickly, but here are a few visuals – – – fresh air and sunshine, hot and cold and wet and dry, the smell of pine, flowers and grasses, horses to ride and pet, packs to carry over the peaks, water to play in and sit next to, peace and quiet beyond compare at night, sunrises and sunsets to take your breath away, stars beyond imagining, happy voices ringing out over the meadows, critters and birds and bugs to watch, fires to build and meals to cook, songs to sing all day every day, things to learn about growing up and getting along with others.  I could go on and on and on. MOSTLY, it’s making new friends that may last a lifetime, cultivating a person-hood of confidence and patience and leadership and sharing.  Even MORE THAN THAT is having FUN !  To be an older girl and then a woman with the ability to take others into the woods and on the trails and then into the wilderness to continue to live and grow outdoors.  Truly, our individual and collective mental, social and spiritual health depends on this time away from the pressures and confines of buildings and cities and jobs.  Except, of course, if you are lucky enough to have a real job working at camp!  Let’s DO IT, OK?!! COME TO CAMP! “

We are working hard to finalize all our dates and programming for the 2017-2018 Outdoor Adventure Club season for both our OAC Explorers (6th graders) and OAC Trailblazers (7th- 10th graders)! Since many of our programs use outside vendor we are just waiting on the final confirmation from a couple vendors to release ALL of our dates and locations for next year. Thanks for your patience and we will have the dates out as soon as possible and before the April 17th registration opening date. All date and a detailed FAQ page are available at the OAC website at the link below: http://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/our-program/older-girls/outdoor-adventure-club.html Please direct any questions to Anna Danila at anna.danila@gscolorado.org

From CO Moms Know Best The Girl Scouts of Colorado and Colorado Moms Know Best are excited to announce a new Girl Scout patch – The Climate Change patch. Remember that little adrenaline rush you got when you earned a new Girl Scout patch? We think of these like diplomas that show the world what a girl has strived for, learned and accomplished. In fact, patches are sometimes even handed to recipients in a graduation-esque ceremony; and that’s exactly what will happen in the Colorado Statehouse in April when the first group of girls will earn and receive their patch. The Girl Scouts of Colorado and Colorado Moms Know Best want the Climate Change patch to be a fun and engaging way for girls to learn more about climate change while building useful skills to last a lifetime.  The current generation of children is the one that will bear the greatest burden of climate change and have the most to gain by preventing its impacts. Hopefully, Scouts will be motivated to take a leadership role on this vital issue and take part in improving their own future. Many of us are noticing the effects of climate change around us. We’re constantly setting new records for warmer temperatures and hearing about crazy changes in our seasons like a January and February with no snow — in Chicago!   We’re seeing more devastating extreme weather events.  The bad news is that human-made toxic pollutants are added to the atmosphere by burning dirty fossil fuels — creating these conditions. But the good news? We have the power to change that. Girls will calculate their own carbon footprint, understand the impacts of climate change at a local level, and be inspired to make a difference. They’ll acquire skills to affect policy on other issues that interest them as well.  They can learn how to research and present their findings. They’ll also learn about how government works and how to make sure their voices can be heard on the key issues of their generation. Girls earn the patch by finishing one age-appropriate activity in each of the three categories – Discover, Connect, Take Action. They can choose from things like researching clean energy jobs, examining climate change in their towns, and talking to decision makers. The Climate Change patch is now available.  Find out more details and read about the ways you can get the patch here. #ClimateChangePatch #Communitypartnerships #communitypartners #COMomsKnowBest #patch #climatechange

Submitted by Michelle Lucero Metro Denver Arvada Our troop more than quadrupled last year’s Hometown Hero numbers and delivered 665 packages of Girl Scout Cookies to the backpack program at the Arvada Food Bank. One of our Girl Scouts (Marlee L.) sold 434 packages of Hometown Heroes cookies for the backpack program. The backpack program at the Arvada Food Bank sends food home over the weekend for in need kiddos from area elementary schools. This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments too. #Arvada #GirlScoutCookies #2017CookieSale #HometownHeroes #Denvermetro #ArvadaFoodBank