Submitted by Digistars Make-a-Movie Workshop Ltd. Denver Denver Metro Cadettes and their troops now have a great opportunity to earn Digital Movie Maker and Screenwriter badges with the Digistars Make-a-Movie Workshop! Choose a stop motion animation (Claymation!) program, or make a live action movie using green screen technology – both fulfill the requirements for both badges. Digistars offers after-school enrichment programs at many metro-Denver schools as well as at the studio in central Denver. Single-day vacation camps that run during school holidays as well as weekend workshops and summer camps provide more opportunities to fit making a movie into your schedule. Even more, troops can book private sessions and Digistars instructors can even run the program at your location! Programs cover all aspects of movie production including storyboards, set building, scriptwriting, acting, directing, filming, and editing. Our trained instructors are professional filmmakers who have a passion for helping kids bring their stories to life on film. Every instructor has passed a fingerprint background check as well. Visit http://digistarsworkshop.com/ to learn more and see some of the fantastic films Digistars kids have made in our programs. Register online or call 888-611-5090 for more information. See you in the movies! #Cadettes

Submitted by  Bella, Ashlyn, and Carolyn of Troop 62851 Parker Denver Metro For our Silver Award, we decided to make fidget mats for senior citizens with Alzheimer’s and Dementia in nursing homes. We finished our project at the end of our last Cadette year. We’ve made it sustainable by creating a website and giving flyers to our schools and the nursing homes for teens and other people to get volunteer hours. The flyers included information on how to make the mats and how we got them to the senior centers. We had to do a lot of preparation and sewing to get the mats done, but once we figured it out, it was much easier to make the different patterns and accessories. We put little things like ribbons and buttons on the mats as fidgets to improve their memories. Our goal, ultimately, was to make the mats to help the elderly so that they may be more attentive and engaged. The idea originated from one of the girls’ in our groups moms and because two of the three of us have grandmothers diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. We want to help people connect with an older generation and make a difference in their lives. Our website is volunteerideascommunityservice.weebly.com Please check it out if you’d like to know more about our project or want to use it for volunteer hours. Our project was very important to us, we hope you take interest in it! #Parker #SilverAward #Alzheimers #Dementia #Denvermetro

Kay is one of our Gold Award Mentors who is strongly committed to successfully guiding girls through the Gold Award in our Denver Metro region. Learn more about Kay below and stay tuned for more “Meet Our Mentor” blog posts over the next few months! Go Gold! Region 6 – Metro Denver Denver, CO 4 Years as a Girl Scout volunteer 4 Years as a Gold Award Mentor Curved Bar Recipient Why did you become a Gold Award Mentor? I see Seniors and Ambassadors as the “leaders of the future” and I wanted to do all I could to help them gain the courage, confidence and character to be successful in their world! What words of advice do you have for girls about the Gold Award? The Gold Award is a challenging experience BUT you will be amazed at all you can accomplish–the strength is inside you! About Kay: Mentoring has been a life time focus for me. My role is to help you succeed! Hello, my name is Kay Shaw. During my professional career I taught school for 10 years, worked for the Colorado Department of Education for four years, supervised Elementary Principals for five years and I was the Director of Staff Development for the Aurora Public Schools for over 15 years. During my time in Aurora, I developed a Mentor Program that helped over 100 new principals and 2,000 new teachers. I like to say that I believe you have what you need to be successful, I will just help you find use of your own personal skills. I was active in Girl Scouts from 2nd grade through 12th grade. While in High School I completed my Gold Award, which in my day was called the Curved Bar. In addition to this, I received the Five Point Pin, achieved my God and Country Award and attended the National Convention, as a Student Delegate. As a result of these experiences, I wanted to help other girls attain this outstanding award. I began by serving as a Community Project Advisor for a girl who received her Gold Award, for developing a shadow program for other girls, and then decided that I would attend the Gold Award Training to learn more about ways I could support additional girls. Most recently I have served on the Gold Award Committee for three years and have been both a Kick Start Mentor and a regular Mentor. My interest is in assisting any girl who has a passion and wants to earn her Gold Award. #Denvermetro #GoldAward #MeetourMentors

Outdoor Adventure Club had it’s first monthly event at Meadow Mountain Ranch! The girls built a solid  support with each other while completing challenges together on our low ropes course. The girls focused on building a foundation of outdoor cooking, fire building and campsite setup skills. This weekend, we have two more rounds of girls coming through the September program. We encourage girls who are in this program to “share their stories” on our blog. Because of such high demand for this program, we have split weekends up into multiple events, and offered multiple weekend dates. This is a very exciting pilot program and we are thrilled at the response and feedback we will receive from girls and their families in order to work on future programs like this for older girls. #OutdoorAdventureClub #seniors #Cadettes #MeadowMountainRanch #campingskills #ambassadors

[slideshow] The girls in Troop 61133 decided to spend their first meeting of the school year in service to others. On Sunday, Sept. 11, the troop spent their day serving a midday meal to the homeless. We contacted the Volunteers of America to schedule a time to serve lunch at The Mission in downtown Denver, the last VoA homeless day shelter open in the entire U.S. This day shelter provides people in need with a host of services including spiritual support, mental health, education, access to support organizations and daily meals. More than 100 people came through the line to receive the meal. The girls helped plate the meals, served the plates, sanitized the center, cleaned the grounds and also cleaned up after the meal. We were so lucky to be able to spend a few hours giving back to people who truly need it. The Cadette troop has been together since 1st grade and the girls are now in 6th grade at Campus and West middle schools. #Cadettes #communityservice #VolunteersofAmerica

Submitted by Rebecca Lankford Broomfield Metro Denver Looking for an outdoor activity to do with your troop this Fall? Join us at Meadow Mountain Ranch in Allenspark, CO! Date: Fri Nov 04, 6:00 PM – Sat Nov 05, 4:00 PM Location: Meadow Mountain Ranch Category: Girl Scout Events Level: Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, Ambassadors More information: http://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/content/girlscoutsofcolorado/en/events-repository/2016/archery_days.html Spend the night on Friday or just come up for the fun on Saturday. Everyone will have a chance to try their skills at archery and we will also play some outdoor games, do a craft or service project and go on a hike. Overnight option: There are a limited number of spaces for girls and adults on Friday night. Saturday only: Saturday activities run from 9am – 4pm. Lunch and snacks are provided for all on Saturday. Cadettes will earn their Archery badge and other levels will receive an archery fun patch. Contact: camplikeagirlscout@gmail.com with questions and dietary restrictions. This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments too. #archery #MeadowMountainRanch #MMR

Sarah Greichen from Centennial, Front Range Christian School, has been named a National Young Woman of Distinction by Girl Scouts of the USA. Sarah is among just 10 Girl Scouts nationwide chosen for this prestigious award after earning the Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouting. Inspired by her twin brother who has an autism spectrum disorder, Sarah started a non-profit organization, Score A Friend, to promote and support youth to lead school-based unified clubs for students of all abilities. Today, there are Score A Friend clubs in schools and universities across the country. Sarah will be publicly honored at Girl Scouts of the USA’s national conference of CEOs and receive a $5,000 scholarship from Kappa Delta. Earlier this year, Girl Scouts of Colorado awarded Sarah the Stephanie A. Foote Leadership Prize for Gold Award Excellence. Of Sarah’s project, prize committee members said, “We are delighted at the quality of Gold Award projects we reviewed this year and are thrilled to award the Stephanie A. Foote Leadership Prize to Sarah Greichen whose project exemplifies sustainable community impact through leadership.” The Stephanie A. Foote Leadership Prize is made possible through a generous endowment gift from Girl Scouts of Colorado President & CEO Stephanie A. Foote. “Sarah’s project is an exceptional example of Girl Scouts ‘Discover, Connect and Take Action Model’ She recognized a community need, collaborated with industry leaders and community partners and founded a non-profit that will provide lasting opportunities to children and their families. ongoing impact through leadership. I am proud to present this prize to her and recognize Girl Scouts whose Gold Award projects have made a lasting impact,” Foote said. 2016 marks the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts’ highest award. 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 to identify and research a community issue she is passionate about, develop a plan to address it in cooperation with her team and community members, establish a global connection with others and provide 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. Girl Scouts is open to all girls from kindergarten through grade 12. Anyone over the age of 18 can apply to be a Girl Scout volunteer. Girls cannot experience the positive impact of Girl Scouts without adult volunteers, and each adult who volunteer has the opportunity to make a real difference in the life of a girl. Girl Scout volunteers come from all walks of life. They are men, women, young professionals, retirees, college students, and more. Both girls and adult volunteers can join at any time of the year. To join Girl Scouts or learn more about volunteering, please visit: www.girlscouts.org/join. Learn more about 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. #GirlScoutsoftheUSA #GoldAward #nationalyoungwomenofdistinction

Submittedy by Cindy Held Denver Metro Denver Due to high demand, Cadette troop 64272 has added another date for the Harry Potter Crafting event! Survey responses have shown the attendees had a great time and loved the crafts they made. Brownies (2-3), Juniors (4-5) and non-scout friends are invited to spend an afternoon enjoying Harry Potter themed crafts, food, and games. Wear your wizard robe if you like! Make magical crafts including wands, dragon snot/slime, a bottle charm necklace, and a charm bookmark. Enjoy some delicious Butterbeer, Hagrid’s rock cakes, cockroach clusters, and Butterbeer krispie bites. Visit the event page. DATE: 9/17/16 1:30-4:00 WHERE: Schlessman Library, 100 Poplar St., Denver 80220 COST: $18 without patch/$23 with patch (may decrease to $20-please see flyer). REGISTRATION: E-mail Cindy Held at cindy.held@q.com or text to 303-507-6966. Please include the child’s name and whether or not he/she would like a patch. This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments too. #Denver #HarryPotter

Submitted by Penny Roberts Estes Park Northern & Northeastern Colorado Three young women were presented with the “Volunteer of Excellence” award at this summer’s Core Camp at Meadow Mountain Ranch.  This newly-instituted national-level award is given for outstanding service while working directly with girls. Jennifer Hayes (“Wally), Jenny Schmitz (“Coon”), and Wendy Roberts (“Zoot”) were surprised with a plaque and pin by Savanna Inman and Peyton Buhler who, with other Ft. Collins girls in Susan Baker’s troop, wanted to recognize these “awesome Girl Scout volunteers.” Jennifer Hayes was recognized “for being an awesome Camp Director, and for bringing so many girls to Meadow Mountain Ranch. We love your enthusiasm and patience, and thank you for teaching us new skills.” Jenny Schmitz was recognized “for organizing all of the schedules and activities, and for teaching us so many new crafts.  We love your dedication to the mission, and thank you for helping us have so much fun at camp.” Wendy Roberts was also recognized for “being an awesome Camp Director, and for giving new life to Meadow Mountain Ranch.  We love your energy and knowledge, and thank you for helping us grow in Girl Scouts.” These quotes were from the Court of Awards ceremony which highlighted letters of endorsement from individuals and several nominations.  The Girl Scouts of Colorado Recognition Committee and the Board of Directors approved these awards. It is fitting and proper that these young adults be honored, recognized and encouraged in their life-long continuing efforts to portray the best character traits that make Girl Scouting the special and wonderful organization for girls and women possible.  It’s also testimony to the fact that after you are 18 years of age, continued hard work and dedication can pay off as an adult Girl Scout, by encouraging younger girls to continue with the mission. #MeadowMountainRanch #MMRCoreCamp #NorthernampNortheasternCO #VolunteerofExcellenceawards

Submitted by Katie H., Media Star Thornton Metro Denver The Girl Scouts of Colorado Fall Product Sale Program is a great money-earning activity for Girl Scouts, because it’s also a warm-up for the Girl Scout cookie sale.  I do the Fall Sale because I really like to sell things.  Also, I’m a natural business woman so I find selling stuff extremely gratifying.  I also really love the challenge, because if it wasn’t challenging, it would be boring.  Another reason is that I like the super cool prizes.  My personal favorite animal representing the Fall Sale was the flamingo.  My mom says it’s also a warm-up for the cookie mom. Business is my greatest talent, and the Fall Sale is a really fun business.  It raises money for Girl Scouts, and they use that money to do good things, like planning fun activities for troops to do.  I really like the items up for sale, too.  And it’s been a great chance for me to meet my neighbors.  I have made some amazing friends. The fantastic Fall Sale has allowed me to break out of my shell and not be shy.  I also learned how to sell stuff without doing booth sales.  Thank-you notes have also helped me bring back customers from last year.  I personally think girls should do thank-you notes for sales more often.  I also learned how to talk to strangers, and I’m not so shy anymore.  The Fall Sale is great for all of these reasons and more. #denvermetro #2016FallSale #FallSale #Thornton #MediaStar

The Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards are the highest achievements in Girl Scouting. Girl Scouts of Colorado offers two awesome trainings to help girls, parents, and troop leaders through the highest awards. Highest Awards & Take Action is for parents and leaders who are interested in learning the basics of the Bronze, Silver, and Gold and how to get their girls on a path to a successful Award project. Gold Award Training is required for any girl who is interested in pursuing her Gold Award. Girls, parents, and troop leaders are all encouraged to attend Gold Award Training. I am thrilled that we are offering both Highest Awards & Take Action and Gold Award Training at the Leadership Summit in Northern CO on Saturday, September 17th. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn the ins and outs of the highest awards and get your girls ready to learn new leadership skills! Read more about the event: http://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/events-repository/2016/leadership_summit_no.html Register now: https://gscolorado.formstack.com/forms/leadershipsummit091716 Questions? Email aimee.bianca@gscolorado.org #GoldAward #HighestAwards #Longmont #training

Each year, Girl Scouts of Colorado summer camps host several programs for troops and families. One of those is called a Rendezvous. A Rendezvous is a weekend troop camp at one of our overnight camps (Sky High Ranch or Tomahawk Ranch) where an older troop learns valuable leadership skills while leading camp activities for younger troops. This Rendezvous is your next Troop Camp opportunity: Sky High Ranch Fall Olympics September 30 6pm through October 2 11am (Friday dinner through Sunday  brunch) “Welcome to the Sky High Ranch Fall Olympics Rendezvous! Girls and adults will be divided into 5 countries representing each of the 5 Olympic rings. There will be opening and closing ceremonies, an Olympic torch, medals and other Olympic traditions. The activities will include various summer and winter Olympic sports, often modified in silly and unusual ways. Because this Rendezvous is in late September, the weather is difficult to predict. SHR is a rustic facility so please be prepared to share a cabin with another troop and dress for the weather!” Register now for this exciting event! All troops in attendance must have two unrelated adult Girl Scout volunteer approved chaperones. One adult must have attended Overnight Training, and one must have current CPR and First Aid certifications. #overnightcamp #rendezvous #SkyHighRanch #troopcamp