Submitted by Stacy Oaks Metro Denver Roxborough This was our first time selling Girl Scout Cookies as a troop. The girls each met and exceeded their goals! The girls chose to donate their Hometown Hero cookies to the West Metro Fire District at station 15, and also toured the fire station and learned about what to do if there is a fire in their home. We then went to Murdoch’s to purchase food and other items for the animals at the South Platte Humane Society. We plan to deliver them at a later time. This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments too. #MetroDever #HometownHero #GirlScoutCookies #2017CookieSale #Roxborough

From Girl Scouts of the USA Some skills come naturally to us, but for many Americans, learning to be savvy with money takes a lot of work. To help people improve their command of currency, the U.S. Senate in 2004 designated April as Financial Literacy Month. In the spirit of this theme, we’re reflecting on the unique Girl Scout programs that prepare girls to take charge of their financial educations and futures. According to the Girl Scout Research Institute study Having It All: Girls and Financial Literacy, girls know they need a solid financial foundation, but few feel confident about their skills. To help build girls’ confidence, Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) has developed 11 Financial Literacy badges that girls can earn in addition to the badges for Cookie Business. Based on real-life situations, such as budgeting and philanthropy, the badges give young women a deeper understanding of financial literacy, empowering them for future life success. For girls in underserved communities, we’re proud to continue the “Driving My Financial Future” program, a partnership with Toyota Financial Services (TFS). The program’s goal is to help more than 40,000 girls become financially proficient leaders, learn real-life and age-appropriate financial skills, and develop tools that inspire positive change in their communities. GSUSA interim CEO Sylvia Acevedo expressed, “It’s always gratifying to collaborate with partners such as Toyota Financial Services that understand the importance of instilling financial empowerment in girls and young women, and share the Girl Scout mission of investment in leadership development for our future trailblazers.” Since 2007, TFS has also sponsored the Making Life Easier program, which to date has awarded college scholarships to 1,000 students affiliated with nonprofits, including Girl Scouts. From coast to coast, the girls who participate in the TFS “Driving My Financial Future”  program receive their own copy of The Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting (which helps them earn their Financial Literacy badges) and a TFS participant patch. Girl Scout Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors also take part in financial planning activities to grow their finance skills by practicing how they’d handle real-life scenarios, such as saving for college or starting to build good credit. Learn more about the program, which communities participate, and our partnership with Toyota Financial Services. #financialliteracy #FinancialLiteracyMonth #GirlScoutsoftheUSA

This spring 28 Colorado Girl Scouts will receive the Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouts. These young women have demonstrated exceptional commitment to taking action to make the world a better place through their community service. The accomplishments of Gold Award recipients reflect extraordinary leadership and citizenship skills that mark them as valuable contributors to their communities and world. This year’s Colorado Gold Award projects benefited communities across the state. Topics varied from addressing the lack of financial literacy among teens to educating the public about the importance of bees. Emma Albertoni from Arvada wrote a financial literacy curriculum that was implemented in her school and considered by the Jefferson County School Board. Kathleen Otto from Fort Collins worked to increase awareness for dyslexia. Angela Smith of Colorado Springs partnered with The Catamount Institute to implement an educational program to teach children about bees and their importance as a cornerstone species. Sydney Marchando from Highlands Ranch organized a 5K run and one-mile walk to raise awareness for Fresh Harvest Food Bank. The following Colorado Girl Scouts are among the 28 statewide who will be receiving the prestigious Gold Award for the 2016-17 Girl Scout awards year: Emma Albertoni from Arvada, Ralston Valley High School, took action after noticing that many of her peers lacked financial literacy. She wrote a curriculum that will be implemented in her school and proposed to the Jefferson County School Board to add a required Financial Literacy class. Megan Beaudoin from Monument, St. Mary’s High School, created a 10-minute video for middle school students to help ease the transition to high school. Topics covered included: academics, social interactions, and self-esteem. Megan Burnett from Colorado Springs, James Irwin Charter High School,worked with community leaders and businesses to build a softball field at the school. The project would have cost the school $25,000. Kelsey Collins from Aurora, Grandview High School, created a curriculum to teach preschool and elementary school children about park safety and Colorado history. Emma Curran from Colorado Springs, The Classical Academy, created “the Girl’s Life of Colorado” online magazine, or e-zine, as a source of positive and encouraging media for middle and high school students. Taryn Eveland of Longmont, Longmont High School, built a sensory trail on the property of Front Range Hippotherapy, 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. Victoria Fedorco of Aurora, Eaglecrest High School, manufactured and provided raised pet beds to help senior pets be more comfortable as they await adoption in shelters. Carissa Flores from Westminster, Broomfield High School, shared her knowledge and passion for Taekwondo by creating, coordinating, and leading self-defense seminars for children, teens, and adults. She also started the Women’s Self Defense Club at her school. Kelsey Harry from Littleton, Heritage High School, created a new high school club, Operation Eagle, to address the issue of the U.S. military’s need of supplies that give them some comfort while away from home and also address the lack of military knowledge in our community. Rebecca Hefty from Castle Rock, Castle View High School, improved a local dog park by installing a 10’x 16′ Trex pergola to provide shade and two picnic benches, giving visitors a place to sit. Baily Holsinger from Larkspur, Castle View High School, worked with volunteers to crochet beanies for newborn babies at Denver Health Medical Center and Baby Haven in Fort Collins. She also held classes to teach volunteers of all ages how to make the beanies and why they are important. Lindsay Iannone from Castle Rock, Castle View High School, improved the library at Faith Lutheran Church by removing unwanted books and adding new materials, including a computer. Rebecca Kopacz of Colorado Springs, Palmer Ridge High School, hosted a weekly workshop for six weeks for 5th and 6th grade girls. She worked to prevent low self-esteem and teach girls they can be accepted for who they are. Sydney Marchando from Highlands Ranch, Rock Canyon High School, planned and hosted the Miles for Meals 5K run and one-mile walk to raise awareness and collect donations for Fresh Harvest Food Bank. Molly McPherson from Boulder, Fairview High School, promoted the use of reusable water bottles, as well as educated the public about the harmful effects of bottled water. Julie Monington from Aurora, Grandview High School, created a butterfly garden at a horse sanctuary to educate others on the importance of protecting the Monarch Butterfly population. Clementine Morisette from Fort Collins, Poudre High School, worked with community members and visitors at FoCo Cafe to create a visual representation about how food and culture connects us. Kathleen Otto from Fort Collins, Fossil Ridge High School, worked to increase awareness for dyslexia by hosting a viewing of “The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia” and leading a panel discussion afterwards. Additionally, she installed a little free library in her community. Emma Pond from Morrison, Conifer High School, worked to make hospital visits easier by providing patients and their families care packages with a few comforts from home and activities to help occupy their time at the hospital. Daniell Plomodon from Erie, Niwot High School, organized several “Disability for a Day” presentations to educate others about living with a disability. Activities included: trying to button a shirt while wearing mittens, playing patty cake while wearing Vaseline covered glasses, and using person first language. Anastasia Rosen from Fort Collins, Rocky Mountain High School, created a workshop to educate others about human trafficking, tactics recruiters use, and how to prevent it. Angela Smith from Colorado Springs, William J. Palmer High School, implemented an educational program about bees and installed a new beehive at a local environmental center, The Catamount Institute. Juliet Spitz from Boulder, Boulder High School, recently switched to a vegan diet and wanted to educate young adults about it. She created a lesson to inform them of the conditions of animals in factory farms, entertainment industries, and testing laboratories. Allyson Story from Highlands Ranch, Mountain Vista High School, led a team of volunteers to make more than 200 pillowcase dresses for young girls and taught sewing classes for women in Juarez, Mexico. Jordan Wilson from Colorado Springs, Liberty High School, created a website and print resources to teach senior citizens about technology in a safe, easy, fun, and cost-efficient manner. Debra Zerr from Arvada addressed the problem of the lack of connection between the military and public. Through a series of events, she educated others about the importance of the military and the men and women who serve. The Gold Award culminates with a project led by one young woman between 9th and 12th grades who builds a purpose-based team to work with the larger community to meet a need. The focus of a Gold Award project is identifying and researching a community issue she is passionate about, developing a plan to address it in cooperation with her team and community members, establishing a global connection with others, and providing sustainability for the project. Of the skills learned through Girl Scouts’ Highest Awards, leadership, organization, and critical thinking are the fundamentals of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Some universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award recipients, and girls who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements. “Earning the Girl Scout Gold Award designation is truly a remarkable achievement, and these young women exemplify leadership in all its forms,” said Stephanie Foote, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of Colorado. “They saw a need and took ownership of helping to develop a solution and took action to make it happen. Their extraordinary dedication, perseverance and leadership are making the world a better place.” Girl Scouts of Colorado will honor this year’s Gold Award recipients as well as recipients of Girl Scouts other two Highest Awards, the Silver (the Highest Award a Girl Scout Cadette can earn) and Bronze (the Highest Award a Girl Scout Junior can earn), at upcoming ceremonies around the state. These events include: April 21 at 6 p.m. at Center for American Values, 101 S. Main St. #100, Pueblo April 23 at 2 p.m. Embassy Suites by Hilton, 4705 Clydesdale Pkwy, Loveland April 30 at 2 p.m. Colorado Mesa University, 1100 North Ave., Grand Junction May 5 at 6 p.m. at the Penrose House Garden Pavilion 1661 Mesa Ave., Colorado Springs May 7 at 2 p.m. at the Denver Marriott Tech Center, 4900 S. Syracuse St., Denver

From Girl Scouts of the USA We know it, you know it, but do they realize it? Our extraordinary volunteers are what make the adventurous Girl Scout world go round. And during April, we’re ensuring they hear how much girls and parents appreciate that. Here are five fun ways to show your favorite volunteer your love and gratitude during National Volunteer Appreciation Month (and beyond!): 1. Make something. Who doesn’t love a handmade gift from the heart? Show the one-of-a-kind Girl Scout volunteer in your life just how much they mean to you by breaking out those arts and crafts supplies and getting creative. They’ll love it! 2. Shout ‘em out on social media. What better way to make your favorite Girl Scout volunteer feel special than to broadcast your thanks far and wide? They’re the best, and you’ll shout it loud and clear: I love my Girl Scout volunteer! Be sure to include a line about why this volunteer (or volunteers!) is so special to you, and include the hashtag #NVW2017 to call out National Volunteer Week, which runs April 23–29. 3. Write them a love letter. Imagine their surprise when they open their mailbox and find a love letter from you. Need a little inspiration? Check out the letter Girl Scouts put together for these amazing volunteers! 4. Send an eCard. Is your Girl Scout volunteer a digital genius? Get innovative and send them a personalized eCard! It’s easy; pick your favorite G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™ design, type their name, and share the card on social media or through email. Get started today! 5. Have your girl decide. Girl Scouts is girl-led, after all! The relationships between a Girl Scout and her volunteers are precious, so her thank you can be, too! Ask your girl how she would like to give back to volunteers this month. Does she want to sing a song, cook a delicious meal, or save up to buy flowers? Get those creative juices flowing, and help her take the lead! #GirlScoutsoftheUSA #VolunteerAppreciationMonth #VolunteerNews

Seniors and Ambassadors, are you tired of the same old routine? Is the thought of another boring summer getting you down?  Tomahawk Ranch has the answer –  this summer take a walk on the wild side…Expedition Wild that is! This summer campers have the chance to get out and experience varying landscapes that make up beautiful southwest Colorado.  Challenge yourself by climbing granite rock formations, raft through pristine white water on the Lower Animas River, or discover your inner cowgirl while riding horses at the famous Rapp Corral. In addition to the fun and challenging adventures, there will be time for hiking and exploring historic Mesa Verde National Park and Canyon of the Ancients National Monument.  Can you unravel the secrets of the Anasazi? Or maybe try your hand at some amateur archaeology, all this and more await! Camp in the gorgeous San Juan National Forest, a stone’s throw from Durango for part of your expedition.  The next leg of your adventure leads you to the amazing scenery of Great Sand Dunes National Park.  Explore the tallest sand dunes in North America, wade through cooling streams, and try your hand at the fun sport of Snow Sledding. When your muscles are sore and feet tired, we will make our way to the healing waters of Pagosa Springs Hot Springs, for a rejuvenating swim and soak.  These healing waters have been soothing weary travelers for hundreds of years, come claim your place in the history of famous soakers. After refreshing our bodies, we travel north to Eleven Mile Reservoir, where we will learn to fish and catch our dinner.  Tomahawk Ranch’s chef will be on hand to help cook meals, while camping out under the stars.  When you need a break from fishing from the shore, take a step onto a pontoon boat and relax as we cruise the reservoir.  All this and more await. Don’t let summer be boring, make it a wild time, with memories that last forever.  Join our epic expedition, and take a walk on the Expedition Wild (TR41 Expedition Wild) side with Tomahawk Ranch. Register now for Girl Scout Camp! Review our options and expanded session listings online. This entry was written by Kevin “Flint” Igo, Flint is the Outdoor Director at Tomahawk Ranch and oversees trip and outdoor adventure skill programs. He is also a year-round staff member at Tomahawk Ranch Camp. #graduatingseniors #RappCorral #seniors #Ambassador #LowerAnimasRiver

Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Girl Scouts are invited to join the GSCO Outdoor Adventure Club in April 2017 for mountain biking and rappelling in Red Rocks Canyon, just south of Colorado Springs!  All gear will be provided, but girls will be responsible for coming prepared with appropriate clothing and bringing a bag lunch. A full event information letter will be sent out to families when registration closes two weeks before the event. The Outdoor Adventure Club will be split into two groups for this event. Please choose between one of the following sessions: Saturday, April 22 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday, April 23 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The Outdoor Adventure Club is set up as an individual girl experience, and will work on fostering new relationships between all participants in the program, as well as expanding boundaries and learning new skills. Due to this, the Outdoor Adventure Club will not be excepting buddy requests for any of our events, and cannot guarantee that troops will be able to participate together. Register now via the GSCO Events Calendar:  http://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/events-repository/2017/outdoor_adventure_cl_354273101.html For more information regarding programming, please contact Anna Danila by email at anna.danila@gscolorado.org, or by phone at (303) 681-6079. For assistance with completing your registration, please contact Annie Pierce by email at annie.pierce@gscolorado.org or by phone at (303) 607-4882. #GirlScoutevents #oldergirls #OutdoorAdventureClub

Submitted by Nichelle McKinney Metro Denver Denver Troop 65644 delivered Girl Scout Cookies to our Hometown Heroes at Denver Fire Station #16. They have been there several times for one of our girls and what a treat to get a tour of the fire station! This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments too. #HometownHeroCookies #HometownHero #Denver #GirlScoutCookies #2017CookieSale #MetroDenver

What did you do for your Gold Award project? For my project, I engineered a community story and sharing board centered around the concepts of food and how it connects us. This was greatly assisted by my mentor, Sierra Tamkun, as well as the management and staff of FoCo cafe. How did you measure the impact your Gold Award project made on your target audience? I measured the impact in that I was able to see a lot of people add input to the boards as well as share their individual stories. Also, I saw impact in the fact that people will be able to come back and see their stories still up at the permanent display. Some specific note examples include one in which different recipes and their backgrounds were shared, all by a women who felt that these foods were important to her expression of identity. Although her name is not on the notes, you can still see her effect in her input. How is your project sustainable? How will your project continue to impact after your involvement? Once my part in the project is over, there will be a lasting impact in the community in the form of the finished final display, as well as the impact that the connection and story sharing had on those involved. The final display is up at Foco cafe, where the boards gathered a huge amount of input from patrons. What is your project’s global and/or national connection? There was a global connection in this project as there were many  displays of in terms of  national heritage and influence throughout the project. What did you learn about yourself? Through the course of the project, I learned that there is still a lot to learn; I was able to grow as a leader and this experience has shaped me and my future pathway choices. How will earning your Gold Award impact you in the future? This will impact me because of the changes in my personality and my newfound acknowledgements of strengths and weaknesses that I had over the course of this project. Why do you feel the Gold Award was an important part of your Girl Scout experience? This was an important part of my Girl Scout experience because I was able to see it shaping my decisions in the future, as this organization has shaped my personality and ways in the past. My involvement with the Girl Scouts has been a constant feature in my life since I was quite young. The culmination of my Girl Scout experience being the Gold Award project was meaningful and therefore an important part of my experience in Girl Scouting. **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 #FortCollins #GoldAward #NorthernampNortheasternCO #PoudreHighSchool

Date: Friday April 7, 2017  from 7 – 8 p.m. Location: Euclid Middle School Cafeteria, Littleton Level: Cadettes, Ambassadors, Seniors, Adults Ambassador Girl Scout Sarah Greichen will describe her experience earning her Gold Award! Learn about her journey and participate in a Q & A session. From Sarah: I am so excited to present my Gold Award project to area Girl Scouts to encourage and inspire girls to take on a Gold Award project and change the world! For my Girl Scout Gold Award project, I created a non-profit organization, called Score A Friend, that supports unified clubs for children building inclusion in schools and communities throughout the world. I will be presenting the details of my three-year long project, including community connections and awards earned (Stephanie A. Foote Leadership Prize, National Young Women of Distinction Award, Colorado Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy). I will also talk about how I turned my Gold Award project into a nonprofit organization, as well as how it impacted my choice of college programs and future career aspirations. I will be discussing lessons learned and give advice to other girls who are interested in or are in the process of earning their gold awards. I am excited to have a Q&A at the end along with the GSCO Highest Awards Manager Aimee Bianca. *Note: A film crew from The Foundation for a Better Life also plans to attend this event. The pictures and video could be used in printed materials, internet videos, TV commercials, etc. While Sarah is the focus of their project, anyone who attends the event may also be on camera or may be asked to participate in an interview. If you have questions or concerns, please contact GSCO Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org. #GoldAward #GirlScoutevents #Centennial #SarahGreichen #MetroDenver #Littleton #events

The 2017 Cookie Sale Program was a huge success! As we close out this year’s sale, please take the time to let us know your thoughts regarding the program, as well as any changes you would like to suggest and/or comments you would like to make. The survey is open to all volunteers and parents. It will close end of day on Monday, April 17, 2017. Thank you so much for taking the time to let us know your thoughts! Survey Link:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2017CookieActivityEvaluation #2017CookiesSale #cookiesaleprogram #GirlScoutCookies

What did you do for your Gold Award project? In today’s day and age, media tends to present harsh, unrealistic, poor, and has false images and messages, especially to girls; therefore, “the Girl’s Life of Colorado” was designed originally and foremost as a source of positive and encouraging media for young women in middle to high school. This eZine is secondly a place for girls and women to synergize ideas, value and display girls’ talents, bring to light and discuss girls’ opinions, and provide a way for girls to share their experiences and other worldviews. I hoped to create a positive and shared ground for women and girls to interact, give each other advice, and discuss ideas. I desire my project to call girls and women together and reach out to all the girls in my community. My project is intended to benefit and build up girls’ confidence and shows them new ideas, places, and possibilities during the trying time from middle to high school. How did you measure the impact your Gold Award project made on your target audience? My school, local libraries, and girls in my community have all invested in my project and found an interest in participating in and reading my eZine. The high school I attend posts hard copies of my eZine every two months for students to read and my writers each receive a copy of the eZine that they likewise share with others. Readers have expressed their interest and love for the encouraging atmosphere of the eZine and its messages. Teenage girls have directly expressed their ideas, views, and values through my project to other girls just like them. Through these intangible pathways, I have gauged the impact of my project on my target audience, although I desire to procure other sources and examples of impact my project has made in my community. How is your project sustainable? How will your project continue to impact after your involvement? My Gold Award project will be carried on by an individual/organization who will continue to produce “the Girl’s Life of Colorado” and share the ideas and talents of girls and women after I have completed my project. Through new and old posted editions, my project will continue to impact girls in my community and beyond. What is your project’s global and/or national connection? In partnering with the teen branch of a local research public library (21st Century Library), I have created a relationship with the teen leaders who have committed to posting each new edition to my eZines on their Teen Library Facebook page. Through the use of the Internet and social media, my project reaches out nationally and internationally. But the part of my project I find most unique in globalization, is that not only does my project reach out beyond my immediate community, but also brings the “outside world” into my project. Through a host of international travelers and writers who live/have traveled to countries like China, Brazil, Papua New Guinea, Central America, Europe, and other countries, my readers get to see whole new worlds, cultures, people, and experiences. I think this “inversed” global link is a distinctive and important aspect of my Gold Award project. What did you learn about yourself? I can list an abundance of skills I have learned and/or developed over the course of this Girl Scout Gold Award project; from communication and adhering to personally set deadlines to self- motivation and what I call balancing versus the pendulum. In all these traits, I have learned about myself. I struggle with self-motivation, but using calendars, setting goals, deadlines, and due dates that involve other people, I can improve my work ethic and focus. In participating in extra curricular activities that demand massive time stamps, such as school, college and scholarship research/applications, family events, and Girl Scouts, I have had to learn to balance my work and where I spread my time. Even now and especially at the beginning of my project, I followed a pendulum effect of working hard and for hours at a time one week to spending the next several weeks/month doing nothing related to my project. Striving to complete my project and facing demanding challenges like repeatedly foiled sustainability plans, I am developing skills to balance my activities rather than work on a pendulum schedule. Again, I can list new skills I have had to develop: planning/scheduling, salesmanship (finding writers, sustainability interviews, etcetera), networking, persistence, patience, editorial skills, adaptability/flexibility, and new software/email abilities. The skills that have required the most honing have been adaptability, communication and networking. Of course, my project has required a high use of communication- face-to-face, email, phone calls, I have improved social skills, public speaking, and working with my peers and adults. Networking was a bit more challenging, requiring me to step out of my comfort zones of people I know and enlist the aide of new people and organizations, then reach through those contacts to others. This skill has played a huge role in my sustainability search. But, adaptability has been the key to my project. My Gold Award has been ever changing; originally I wanted to do a “Power Down Day” public park event, but my project changed drastically to a printed girls’ magazine, then an electronic-printed magazine/pamphlet, and finally has ended as an eZine (electronic magazine) posted on social media. Other aspects of my project have demanded adaptability; mid-project I had a change in Girl Scout mentors, my project advisor grew busy and was unable to support me often, writers/photographers would commit to submissions and never provide work or provide it two months after the date, different sustainability directions have necessitated different approaches and handling. In all the multiplicity and morphing of my project’s forms, I have learned to adapt, flex new muscles, and change for a better outcome. The ample volume of new and old skills has taught me I can always improve and learn from good and bad examples I meet in my work. It is up to me what examples I use as my compass and what examples are the misadventures to avoid on my map. How will earning your Gold Award impact you in the future? My Girl Scout Gold Award has set a foundation of basic leadership, project management, and intra- personal skills that will form a solid baseline for future group activities in college projects/research, career actions, and sports leadership. I feel more comfortable learning new skills and requesting help from others, but not before giving a strong effort first. This project has certainly developed strengths and confidence in myself, especially in these last few months of working closely with my writers and my Girl Scout mentor. Why do you feel the Gold Award was an important part of your Girl Scout experience? I guess I should start at the beginning. So my family has a general goofy and crazy sense of humor in all things, be it dinner conversation, dating rules, or just singing songs in the car. For example, my parents made the joke I had to have a black belt in some martial art to date, I took them seriously almost eight years ago and low and behold, I have my second degree black belt. Equally, my parents made a deal with my brother and I, we had to earn our Eagle and Gold Awards, respectively to drive. Although the seriousness of their first joke did not coincide exactly to my award, but I did in all honesty begin my award for the sake of driving and finishing Girl Scouts, not the journey I was having in Scouts. I suppose that perspective is a rough and rather sad reason to even invest in accomplishing my Gold Award, but that was my little high school self. Yet, retrospect has developed a paradigm shattering and changing new view, I believe, for how this (very long) milestone has become important in my experience as a Girl Scout. Initially, I was the kid who wanted to sell the most cookies and travel to Wyoming for a science camp and half way around the world to feed pandas, and I did; Girl Scouts was a means to seeing new places, having fun experiences, and meeting new people, not necessarily building life important skills. But through this journey of rebuilding my little block tower and asking others for different tools and blocks I have gained skills I never expected Girl Scouts to help me learn. The Gold Award has taught me skills school, my sport and even work in general has not helped me to learn. Not only has this award been a game changer in how I view Girl Scouts, but also an eye opener to the goodness and kindness the woman who work in my local Scout council and community and Girl Scouts truly gives one strong and solid tools for life, not just paper cut outs. **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 #ColoradoSprings #GoldAward #PikesPeak

Submitted by Bob Sturtevant Northern & Northeastern CO Fort Collins The Society of American Foresters, Colorado State University, and Colorado State Forest Service will host a forestry field day at Ben Delatour Scout Ranch near Red Feather Lakes, Colorado on Saturday, April 22, 2017. Spend the day learning about the native tree species, how foresters help protect the forest, what are some of the issues our forests are facing, what are some of the many products that come from our forests, and much more. You will see forest management in action as the CSU forestry students cut and having a damaged tree removed from a crowded forest area. Earn your “Tree” Naturalist Legacy badge. See this attached flyer for more details: 40963104_scout_day_flyer2017-2 This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments too. #SocietyofAmericanForesters #ColoradoStateUniversity #NorthernampNortheasternCO #ColoradoStateForestService #FortCollins #events