From Girl Scouts of the USA The 2017 World Thinking Day theme is “Grow”—– inspiring girls to explore, stretch, and take on new challenges. Girls can choose from a wide selection of ways to earn their World Thinking Day badges, from planting a garden to traveling abroad with their Girl Scout troop. The theme for this year’s Global Action award is “Increasing Girls’ Access to Education.” At Girl Scouts, we believe every girl deserves the chance to get an education—– yet in many parts of the world, it’s hard for girls to go to school and finish their education, whether due to poverty, lack of schools, or cultural factors. This year, Girl Scouts at all grade levels can earn their award by addressing this worldwide problem, including by raising awareness about it. #GirlScoutsoftheUSA #WorldThinkingDay

We regret to share that the Summer 2017 H2O & Horseback Day Camp is cancelled. Unfortunately, we were unable to secure the contract with the horse stables to run camp this summer.  We have noticed a trend of local horseback stables expanding their summer programming to offer their own summer camps- making it difficult for the stables to contract with outside organizations like GSCO to camps. We are as disappointed as we know the girls hoping to attend camp will be! We can assure GSCO girls and parents that we will be working tirelessly to find a way to incorporate horseback programming into our day camps for summer 2018. If you are interested in attending one of the day camps offered by the Metro Denver Stables, please see the information below. (Disclaimer:  These programs are not associated with GSCO) Please direct any questions to Anna Danila, Outdoor & Travel Program Manager, anna.danila@gscolorado.org 12 Mile Stables at Cherry Creek Day Camp http://horserentalsdenver.com/day-camps Chatfield Stables Day Camp http://www.chatfieldstables.com/horse-camps.html Bear Creek Lake Park Stables Day Camp (information for 2017 not posted yet) http://www.bearcreekranchcolorado.com/horsedaycamps.htm

Congratulations to Girl Scout Gold Award recipient Emma Albertoni of Arvada! Emma, a senior at Ralston Valley Senior High School, was named one of Colorado’s top youth volunteers of 2017 by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. This is a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism. As a State Honoree, Emma will receive $1,000, an engraved silver medallion, and an all-expense-paid trip in early May to Washington, D.C. She will join top honorees from other states and the District of Columbia for four days of national recognition events. During the trip, 10 students will be named America’s top youth volunteers of 2017. Emma earned the highest honor in Girl Scouting for her work to improve financial literacy education to ensure that students in her school district and ultimately her entire state are prepared to make sound financial decisions when they graduate. The idea hit Emma one summer when she was working at a summer job, shopping for her first car, and looking at college tuitions. “I was dealing with larger sums of money than ever before and I realized I didn’t know anything about using it wisely,” she said. After discussing with her parents such foreign concepts as credit scores, loans, budgeting and taxes, Emma decided she and her peers needed help. She began by researching financial education in Colorado and found large gaps. For example, “In Algebra II, students are taught how to calculate interest; what they are not taught is how interest could affect their credit scores or how to figure interest into the cost of a purchase,” she said. Emma discussed her concerns with her principal, who put her in touch with the teacher of her school’s Family Consumer Science class. Emma offered to develop a unit on financial safety online for the class, and then created presentations, videos, discussion outlines, and quizzes to use in the classroom. Next, she persuaded the local school board to strengthen the teaching of financial literacy throughout the district, and she is now working with state legislators on guidelines for educators across the state to follow in teaching students about financial topics. In 2016, Girl Scout Gold Award recipient Christina Bear of Golden was named a Distinguished Finalist for The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. She received an engraved bronze medallion. The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards represents the United States’ largest youth recognition program based solely on volunteer service. All public and private middle level and high schools in the country, as well as all Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and HandsOn Network affiliates, were eligible to select a student or member for a local Prudential Spirit of Community Award. These Local Honorees were then reviewed by an independent judging panel, which selected State Honorees and Distinguished Finalists based on criteria including personal initiative, effort, impact and personal growth. For information on this year’s Prudential Spirit of Community State Honorees and Distinguished Finalists, visit http://spirit.prudential.com. #GoldAward #Arvada #RalstonValleySeniorHighSchool #Denvermetro #ThePrudentialSpiritofCommunityAwards

Join us for Girl Scout Night with the Colorado Mammoth, Sunday, March 12, 2017! Come cheer on the Mammoth as they take on the Vancouver Stealth for a great night of Lacrosse. All Girl Scouts, friends, and family are invited. The game starts at 7 p.m. Come early and watch the court change from an ice rink from the Colorado Avalanche’s game earlier in the day to the Mammoth’s Lacrosse field. Cost is $22/person for an upper level ticket at the Pepsi Center. Each Girl Scout attending will get an event patch. Tickets can be purchased here:  http://www.mammothtix.com/girlscoutsofcolorado. A portion of ticket sales will be donated back to GSCO. Questions? Please contact Ryan Hannegan at ryan.hannegan@TeamKSE.com Hope to see you there! #Communitypartnerships #Denver #communitypartners #MetroDenver #ColoradoMammoth #events

Junior Girl Scout Mya D. of Eagle is headed to Girl Scouts of Colorado summer camp after receiving the Mary Jo Jacobs, M.D. Memorial Girl Scout Adventure Fund. Mya is excited to attend “Penthalon” at Sky High Ranch in July 2017. While she has been on many camping adventures with her troop, this will be Mya’s first time away from home to attend a week-long camp. Read a portion of Mya’s scholarship essay: “Girl Scouts is important to me because it teaches me stuff that I wouldn’t normally get taught at school. Dr. Mary Jo Jacobs’ story was inspiring to me for many reasons. I like that she never stopped learning and that she helped people and that she always tried to do her best. Dr. Jacobs was a true leader herself and I think that Girl scouts help her with that too. What I really like about Dr. Jacobs is that she kept going to school to get more knowledge. I like that because she is trying new things and that is courageous. It also takes strength and that is part of the Girl Scout Law. Another thing that I like about her is that she helped make Eagle a better place by becoming one of the first doctors here. I live in Eagle so that means a lot to me to know that she helped a lot of people here. Girl Scouts has taught me to be a leader and to trust each other. It teaches us to be kind, caring, loyal and responsible. It means to be a sister to every Girl scout. Some of my favorite memories are of rifle shooting and sleeping in teepees and a “cat eye” hike we did as a troop last year. I love to be outdoors just like Dr. Jacobs.” Mary Jo’s four children established the scholarship in December 2014 to honor their mother’s extraordinary legacy. As an 8-year-old girl growing up in 1937, Mary Jo wanted a new pair of roller skates. She wanted them more than anything in world— until she learned her Brownie troop was going to be able to go to summer camp. Mary Jo had to make a choice: spend the $8 she had worked so hard to earn on roller skates or Girl Scout camp? For Mary Jo, the decision was simple. She was going to Girl Scout camp. Mary Jo’s mother walked her to the local Girl Scout office, so she could be the first to register. A reporter for the Artesia Daily Press in New Mexico even wrote a story about Mary Jo and her decision. After returning home from camp, Mary Jo continued to participate in Girl Scout activities, including going to camp. Eventually, she became a doctor and worked tirelessly to serve the people of Eagle and Garfield Counties, Colorado. The Mary Jo Jacobs, M.D. Memorial Girl Scout Adventure Fund provides Girl Scouts from Eagle and Garfield counties in Colorado with a scholarship so they can experience the learning opportunities, joy, and camaraderie of attending Girl Scout Camp. “Our hope is that that many girls will have the same positive experience, education and adventure that mom had through her involvement in Girl Scouting and her opportunity to attend Girl Scout camp,” said Dr. Patricia VanDevander, daughter of Dr. Mary Jo Jacobs. Registration for Girl Scout Camp is now underway on the Girl Scouts of Colorado website at girlscoutsofcolorado.org. For summer 2017, girls can attend overnight camp sessions at Sky High Ranch near Manitou Lake and Woodland Park or perennial favorite Tomahawk Ranch near Bailey, southwest of Denver. Activities include archery, backpacking, photography, and rock climbing. Overnight camp runs from 3 to 12 days for girls ages 6 and up.  Girl Scouts of Colorado will continue to offer day camping adventures throughout the state. The summer camp schedule is live on the Girl Scouts of Colorado website (girlscoutsofcolorado.org). Girl Scout summer camp programs are open to all girls throughout Colorado, whether they’re in a troop or not, and new campers get a 10-percent discount. Girl Scouts has been helping girls shine for more than 100 years. Girl Scouts of Colorado is proud to serve more than 20,000 girls across the state with the help and support of 10,000 adult volunteers! Learn more how you can be part of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience by visiting girlscoutsofcolorado.org, calling 1-877-404-5708, or emailing inquiry@gscolorado.org. #Eagle #SkyHighRanch #MaryJoJacobsMDMemorialGirlScoutAdventureFund #camp #mountaincommunities

Join GSCO for Girl Scout Day with DU Gymnastics, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017! Come cheer on the Pioneers as they take on Illinois/Illinois State. Stay for a special post-game meet and greet with the team. The Pioneers have had a great season, so this should be a fun gymnastics meet! Date: Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017  2 p.m. Cost: $5/person + $2/ticket online processing fee. Purchase tickets at https://goo.gl/Rch9vQ and enter promo code GIRLSCOUTS17. Part of the ticket proceeds will be donated back to GSCO. Questions? Please contact Ryan Simmons at ryan.simmons@du.edu. We hope to see you there! #UniversityofDenver #Denver #DUGymnastics #MetroDenver #events

Register now for Girl Scouts of Colorado’s Centennial Campfires, featuring property tours, s’mores, sing-a-longs, history displays, camp merchandise, fun patch activities, and more!  All attendees will also receive a special 2017 Centennial patch. Sky High Ranch March 12, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Woodland Park Registration link: https://gscolorado.formstack.com/forms/skyhighranchcentennialcampfire03122017 Tomahawk Ranch March 19, Noon – 2 p.m. Bailey Registration link: https://gscolorado.formstack.com/forms/tomahawkranchcentennialcampfire03192017 Grand Junction Service Center April 29-30 580 24 1/2 Rd, Grand Junction *Meet the CEO, mobile shop, activity stations, Highest Awards celebration Link to register: https://gscolorado.formstack.com/forms/grandjunctioncentennialcelebration04292017 Meadow Mountain Ranch May 21, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. Allenspark Registration link: https://gscolorado.formstack.com/forms/meadowmountainranchcentennialcampfire05212017 Limited accommodations may be available at camp properties: http://girlscoutsofcolorado.checkfront.com/reserve/. #SkyHighRanch #CentennialCampfires #MeadowMountainRanch #TomahawkRanch #GSCOCentennial

Submitted by Trisha Allen Pueblo & Southeastern Colorado Pueblo West In honor of Valentine’s Day, this Brownie from Service Unit 338 wanted to share her love of the Girl Scout Thin Mint with people that may not be able to try them. So, she came up with a plan to donate them to a local nursing home. In addition to the boxes of Thin Mints, she also donated puzzles, games, and word search books. The office staff thanked her for her kindness. She was very proud to do a charitable deed for the nice people at the nursing home. This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments too. #Brownie #PuebloampSoutheasternColorado #2017CookiesSale #GirlScoutCookies #PuebloWest #ValentinesDay

From Girl Scouts of the USA As we shared last month, the next Girls’ Choice badge will be Troop Camping—after all, camp life is the best life! Now it’s time to vote on the badge design, because remember, it’s her world. Starting today, until February 17, girls can vote on their favorite design  for the Troop Camping badges. After choosing their grade level, they’ll see two designs for the badge they’ll be able to earn this coming fall. That means Junior girls currently in fifth grade will vote on designs for the Cadette badge. And, although girls in 12 grade will not technically be able to earn a badge this fall, we want to hear their voices, too! They can still join the fun and vote on the Ambassador badge. Remember, Girls’ Choice is all about giving girls a chance to shape their experiences and build their world. So adults can vote for fun, but only girl votes will count toward the winner. We want to hear from her and her and her! Please go out and encourage every Girl Scout you know to make her voice heard by voting today . #GirlScoutsoftheUSA #GirlsChoiceOutdoorBadges #GirlsChoice

Join GSCO for “Me & My Guy” Hockey with the DU Pioneers on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017. All Girl Scouts, friends, and family are invited. Cheer on the DU Pioneers as they take on the St. Cloud Huskies. DU has had a great season and is currently ranked #2 in Division 1 Hockey. This game is Senior Night, the final home game of the season, and will celebrate their great season and achievements of their Senior players. Date: Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017 7 p.m. Cost: $15/ticket + $2 online ticket fee To purchase tickets, go to https://goo.gl/Rch9vQ and enter promo code GIRLSCOUTS17.  Part of the ticket proceeds will be donated back to GSCO. Questions? Please contact Ryan Simmons at ryan.simmons@du.edu We hope to see you there! #UniversityofDenver #Communitypartnerships #MeampMyGuy #Denver #communitypartners #DUPioneers #MetroDenver #hockey

Submitted by Stella Metro Denver Denver Hello! I am Stella, and I am pleased to announce that I have just finished my Silver Award project! What I did for my Silver Award project is winterize the rabbit hutches at the Urban Farm at Stapleton. First, we assessed what needed to be done, then made the necessary purchases, which consisted of insulating foam and plexiglass. Then, we attached the foam to the sides of the cage with screws and a drill. Upon realizing that some sheets of plexiglass were either too large or too small, we returned them. We made a lot of returns! What I learned from this is: how to handle a drill safely, communicate effectively, and make plans. This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments too. #SilverAwardHonorees #HighestAwards #SilverAward #UrbanFarmatStapleton #Denver #MetroDenver #TakeAction

From Sylvia Acevedo, Interim CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA At Girl Scouts of the USA, a commitment to inclusivity is part of our DNA. Founded by a daring and courageous woman who wasn’t afraid to break the mold, Juliette Gordon Low plainly stated that Girl Scouts was to be a Movement “for the girls of Savannah, and all of America, and all the world.” For more than 100 years, we have lived up to these words and carried forward the legacy of openness, inclusion, and unity that Juliette Low handed down to us. We have actively embraced all girls and are reflective of American society. Through turbulent and troubled times, through wars and economic depressions, and through periods of peace and prosperity, we have always served girls in every walk of life, without regard to their race, ethnicity, religious affiliation, economic standing, orientation, country of birth, or family history. Girl Scouts has truly been, and will always be, a Movement for ALL girls—a place where girls can, must, and will feel safe to explore their potential, learn new skills, make lifelong friends, and tap into their potential for the leadership that our world so desperately needs. In today’s environment, some of our girls may be experiencing certain pressures and anxieties; they may feel unsure, confused, or even threatened. So let me be perfectly clear: Girl Scouts of the USA is here for them. Our role is to support and encourage every girl, not insert ourselves into her spirituality, question her birthplace or family’s country of origin, or concern ourselves with her economic status. We’re not interested in her family’s political beliefs. No matter who she is, she has a home and a safe place at Girl Scouts. What matters is that she is a girl living in our community; a girl with hopes and dreams, ideals, and ambitions that we seek to nurture. Girl Scouts is about the girl she is and the woman and leader she has the potential to become. In today’s hyper-partisan, super-charged world, it’s easy to lose sight of what we stand for as Girl Scouts and what we exist to do. We stand for inclusivity. We stand for unity, patriotism, and a commitment to the country we all share. We stand for the skills and resources that girls need to discover their talents and gain the courage, confidence, and character they need to be leaders. We stand for being honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, and courageous and strong. We stand for sisterhood. And we stand for making the world a better place, one girl at a time. Girl Scouts continues to be a home for girls from all walks of life. The world can be frightening and confusing. We continually rededicate ourselves to the values of our promise and law and work day in and day out to make sure every girl feels included and welcome. We are aligned to make our world a reflection of Juliette Gordon Low’s dream from so long ago—one where we come together, celebrate our common bonds, champion our unique heritage and shared history, and make the world a better place. #GirlScoutsoftheUSA #inclusivity #SylviaAcevedo