[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNLqtut_RFs] Submitted by Elizabeth Stroup Denver Denver Metro We are three sisters amoung the over 1000 girls and boys who make up Westernaires, a volunteer, non-profit youth organization in Jefferson County. Westernaires promotes self-respect, responsibility and leadership through horsemanship and family participation. For 66 years, Westernaires has proudly trained young people to use their talents and skills in the best traditions of the West. Every Summer the Westernaires precision mounted drill teams travel the western states to perform shows at rodeos, parades, and fairgrounds as well as performing dozens of acts at the National Western Stockshow each January. We all especially look forward the last weekend in October when we get put on our Annual Horsecapes Show right here in Denver where we can showcase our riding abilities and all our great acts. These shows include Precision Drill at speed, Trick Riders, Steppes Riders, Bullwhips, Chariots, Flaming Baton Twillers, Roman Riders, and many other great acts. The shows are 2 hours with over 200 horses. If you love the west or love horses, this is the show for you. The shows are Saturday Oct 24th at 10am, 2pm, and 7pm and Sunday Oct 25th at 2pm at the National Western Stockshow Complex. The cost is just $10! As a special offer for girl scouts, we are giving a behind the scenes tour through the barns to meet the riders and their horses after the 10am Saturday show. This is great family fun and all proceeds from the shows go to support the organization and to feed and care for our 200 horses and ponies. For tickets, please contact us at: westernairestickets or (303) 333-8723 We hope to see you all at the show! Katherine, Josephine, and Elizabeth This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments too. #Denver #horses #Westernaires

Submitted by Rebecca Lankford Broomfield Denver Metro Are you looking to take your girls on a high adventure? How about Iceland? There is a wonderful looking camp at the Ulkljotsvatn Scout Center that has packages just for Girl Scouts. I am helping to gather information on this trip in order to gauge interest. I would like to have some numbers for interest by the beginning of November. Number of travelers: 25 (includes adults) Dates: Tentatively June 11-18, 2017 Cost: Airfare from Denver looks to be about $800-900, and the camp itself is $1525 (current price, 2017 prices not yet available) so anticipate a pricing about $2,500 – $2,700 each. I may also ask about having girls do the BSA-style camp, which is longer and cheaper, but you sleep in a rented tent. http://campiceland.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/BSA-camp-experience-2016.pdf Here is the link to the GSUSA flyer: http://campiceland.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/GSUSA-camp-experience-2016.pdf Check out the website: www.campiceland.com Once we know who is interested we can proceed with working together to go on this awesome adventure. Please contact me at camplikeagirlscout if you are interested. This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments too. #Iceland #UlkljotsvatnScoutCenter

The Gold Award is the highest achievement in Girl Scouting and is no easy project to complete! We know how difficult it can be to come up with an idea, explore your community, and write up a Gold Award project proposal. If you are experiencing any of these difficulties come on out to one of our “Jump Start Your Gold Award” sessions on Saturday, October 24th. “Jump Start Your Gold” is being offered in Denver, Colorado Springs, and Grand Junction on October 24th from 9:00 am – 11:00 am. Our Gold Award Mentors will be available to help you sort through your ideas, explore areas of interest, and decide on next steps. Each session is at a different location, so check out the registration form here to pick which one you’d like to attend and register. We ask that anyone planning to attend registers in advance so we can be well prepared. This is not a Gold Award training, please come prepared to explore areas of interest. Additionally, if you’d like to brainstorm your Gold Award project with someone and are unable to attend one of these sessions you can email highestawards and we will help you out. Earning your Gold Award is an awesome accomplishment that you will benefit from the rest of your life! Girl Scouts of Colorado wants to ensure that any girl interested in earning her Gold has the necessary support and guidance to successfully #GoGold! #ColoradoSprings #Denver #GoldAward #GrandJunction

Bronze Award Recipients September 2015 Troop12214 Elena Gigoux Catherine Shirley Elisa Elsberry Olivia Shear Troop53895 Jaymie Overton Troop62077 Alison Pluemer Dru Boggs Grace Finke Makaylee Harris Reagan Sprinkle Sophia Snider Troop60993 Akayla Swanson Amelia Husbands Elizabeth Tayane Elowyn Fahnestock Emma Heidrick Eva Marques Louise Carter Sydney Hassell Tayler Barker Troop50237 Aleah Urbine Calla Schiefelbein Jennah Case Kaili Turner TROOP60859 Abby Johnson Annika Ross Ella Sutton Julianna Stair Kelly Cargo Meaghan Swack Sierra Duval Taelyn Voss Troop44140 Alexandra Cole Aspen Stieglitz Ciera Hale Elleana Pruett Izabella Vigil Tailynn Patterson Aurora Toland Cady Sandifer Kianna Gray Troop12613 Celeste Fullerton Troop 70274 Clare Bolon Beth Bolon Troop44523 Katherine Gassman Dorothea Peloso Emma Czohara Troop31747 Bethany Taullie Kamryn Fisher Mariana Marquez Troop10672 Katalena Lott Katherine Strickland Lanie Allred Sarah Friemel TROOP61079 Adeline Hirsch Jasmin Sparks Kaylee Weide TROOP61079 Isis Burgess Kylie Martin Meredith Alexander Whitney Mitchell Troop19132 Aurora Kattnig Troop40250 Calista Brown Troop70178 Aria Brooks Bryn Rodgers Katelyn Love Lauren Gould Peyton Gomez Sarah Bach Troop53895 Caylee Cisneros Jaymie Overton Troop53870 Chessa St. Clergy Troop43592 Leah Hasstedt Troop 45197 Olivia Hunter Bailey Kindt Mia Nickelsburg Gabrielle Santoro Ashley Thornton Troop 50885 Victoria Auger Annaleise Rowley Amelia Rowley Ashley Fuhrman Isabella Armenta Rane McCloskey Isabella Thompson Troop 62220 Lilyann Dominick Leah Muniz Bella Houck Dagan Ellis Aria Peters Emma Texel Cielo Acua Breia Warsop Troop 40797 Ava Lukasavige Alisha Ritchie Kyra Kidd Madison Swank Reagan Kuhn Sarah Kuhn Skye Peterson Indira Yantorno Shealan Waters Michaela Boring Alexa Boring Kaci Hereau #BronzeAward #HighestAwards #TakeAction

Silver Award Recipients September 2015 Troop41547 Blake Paxton Hannah Abendschan Mackenzie Block Natalie Misleh Savannah Sparks Troop50256 Hayley Free Kathryn Lichlyter Troop51369 Desiree Sandoval Paige Steffens Troop53979 Catherine Rampacek Elizabeth Duncan Grace Rampacek Isabella Lucero Kaitlyn Duncan Veronique Andrade Troop60008 Heather Fleming Madeline Ford Maya Hedge Troop62804 Abbigale Taylor Jordan Ramsay Mahayla Griggs Tara Takacs Troop69639 Grace Petroff Troop34111 Jessica Burns Troop53516 Emma Graziano Kaiya Vierra Kate Giblin Peyton Roeder TROOP52510 Julia Rohner Julia Trujillo TROOP70274 Beth Bolon Troop53979 Julia Cornelsen Troop10107 Amanda Green Danika Edwards Emilee Demann Helana Gilstrap Jean Neiderkorn Kaitlyn Delage MaRinda Jacobs Riley Clark Stephany Gilstrap TROOP42821 Makayla Peruzzi TROOP60008 Lauren Guthrie Marissa Moreland Sarah Dormer TROOP60383 Molly Lyons Troop51369 Bailey McCool Troop41547 Danielle Leach TROOP52569 Kayla Erickson Madelene Kleinhans Troop 54313 Sarah Heckel Amie Cooke Ava Thiel Grace Harrell Samantha Kucera Emmy Ayad Jessica Diehl Sophia Diehl TROOP 62546 Marly Estrada Haley Jockman Glenwood Springs Victoria Madden Troop 52596 Ania Ladow Christina Crane Troop 53895 Bailey McCool Desiree Sandoval Paige Steffens Troop 62201 Alexandra Stark Mia Aguon Sydney Stark #HighestAwards #SilverAward #TakeAction

Girl Scout Destinations are the ultimate adventure for individual girls ages 11 and older! With different trips every year, there’s always something amazing for you to experience. Make friends from all over the country as you travel with Girl Scouts from different states; see and learn new things; and pack your bags full of inspiring,  life-changing experiences and memories. For a look at 2016 trips, use this link: http://forgirls.girlscouts.org/travel/take-a-trip/destinations/ Be sure to click on the “gstravel” logo to see important application dates. If you have your heart set on a particular trip, make sure to apply by November 1, 2015! Here are three reasons why you should you apply for Girl Scout Destinations: DO SOMETHING YOU NEVER THOUGHT YOU WOULD DO. On Destinations trips, you get to try things you’ve always wanted to do—and do things you never imagined you would! There are so many different Destinations to explore that will offer the challenge you’ve been waiting for! EXPERIENCE A NEW CULTURE.                                                                 Girl Scouts really ARE global. We love to get out there and connect with new people; try new food; and take in new sights, sounds, and stories.  Destinations trips also offer you a chance to use what you’ve been learning in school, too! You can immerse yourself in a new culture—and learn about yourself and your own culture in the process. MAKE NEW FRIENDS FROM NEAR AND FAR!                           You’ll arrive at the airport as girls from different states and countries, but you’ll end your trip as lifelong members of the Destinations Crew. Destinations trips are unique Girl Scout experiences because you travel with Girl Scouts from all over the country, and even with Girl Scouts from overseas. In short, the Destinations program is an awesome way to connect with your national and international Girl Scout sisters! You don’t have to currently be a Girl Scout to take part in Destinations—you can become one when you apply! And if you have a friend who is interested in Destinations, tell her she, too, can register for Girl Scouts and apply for a trip! #InternationalTravel #GirlScoutDestinations #Cadettes #travel #GirlScouttravel

Submitted by Rebecca Lankford Broomfield Denver Metro Pictured is Junior Girl Scout Julianne from Troop 74447. She was the winner of the Golden Arrow award at the October 4th Archery Day! Friday – Saturday November 6-7 has been added for Archery Day at Meadow Mountain Ranch, with an overnight option available. Scouts can spend the night or come out on Saturday only. This event is suitable for Juniors and up. For more information and to register please visit: http://www.planetreg.com/E923201147181394 This event is hosted by Troop 3572 RETROS. This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments too. #archery #MeadowMountainRanch

Submitted by Aimee Bianca Denver Denver Metro Need a daily dose of inspiration? Look no further than Girl Scout Gold Award recipients! The Girl Scout Gold Award, which turns 100 in 2016, represents the highest achievement in Girl Scouting. And GSUSA’s ten 2015 National Young Women of Distinction represent the best of the best—their Gold Award projects demonstrated extraordinary leadership, have had measureable impact (and are sustainable), and addressed a local, national, and/or global issue. Also, GSUSA is excited to announce the participation of Robin McGraw as master of ceremonies, Jessica Minhas as moderator, and Frances Hesselbein as special guests. Girl Scouts will be hosting the ceremony tomorrow, October 7, at 4:30pm MDT via Live Stream and will be presenting a moderated in-depth discussion with each 2015 National Young Women of Distinction. Click here to join the National Young Women of Distinction livestream event: http://www.captureandreleasemedia.com/nywod15/. Share your thoughts and support during the livestream on social media using the hashtag #NYWOD15. Click here to learn more about all about this year’s National Young Women of Distinction and their Gold Award projects. http://www.girlscouts.org/en/press-room/press-room/news-releases/2015-NYWOD.html?utm_campaign=NewsFromGS_20150830&utm_medium=email&utm_source=NYWODtext&spMailingID=8026152&spUserID=MTUwOTA0MjU4MTYS1&spJobID=743400774&spReportId=NzQzNDAwNzc0S0 This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments too. #GoldAward #GSUSA #nationalyoungwomenofdistinction

Submitted by Meredith Greer Golden Denver Metro Hi, my name is Meredith and I am excited to begin working on my Gold Award! I spoke at a Lakewood H.S. Key Club meeting Friday morning and the room was packed and overflowing. We are hoping to collect more than a hundred donated items to create personal hygiene kits for the JeffCo Action Center. These kits are intended to help both families and individuals maintain their physical health and make a good first impression, which is especially important for job interviews. Looking to donate travel size shampoo, conditioner, bars of soap, or any other hygiene supplies?  Donations can be dropped off at Lakewood H.S. for the month of October or directly to the Action Center at any time. I am working with both organizations to help create sustainable solutions. #Golden #GoldAward #HighestAwards #GoldAwardCentennial #Denvermetro

The Fall Sale is here! This year, Girl Scouts have a lot to be excited about, including new fun/interactive tools to help girls to reach their goals. Girls can choose to sell in-person or online only and girls can choose to participate online, even if their troop is not. When: Girls and parents/guardians should have received an email with a link to the Fall Sale system on Saturday, October 3, 2015 to set up their personalized storefronts. If a parent/guardian did not receive an email to sign in to the system they can go to www.girlscoutmagazines.com/gsco and follow the prompts to participate. If there are any questions, please contact your troop leader or M2 Media Group’s Customer Care at question@girlscoutmagazines.com or (800) 372-8520. In-person order taking ends October 25, 2015. Girls will be able to sell online until November 13, 2015. Girls, who make any sales through that date, will earn rewards and proceeds. Why should your girl/troop participate in the Fall Sale? Girls can earn start-up money for their troop and rewards for themselves. This year, participation in the Fall Sale is even easier for girls, parents/guardians, and volunteers! Troops and girls can participate by selling in-person and online. Or, if they choose, they can sell only online. Most importantly, they start practicing the 5 Skills. Goal Setting –Girls learn to set and reach goals Decision Making –Girls learn to make their own choices People Skills –Girls learn how to communicate with others and work as a team Money Management –Girls learn to budget and handle money Business Ethics –Girls learn to be honest and fair What’s new for the 2015 Fall Sale? Those customers who prefer not to purchase nut products for themselves can make donations as part of “Project Thank You/Care to Share”.  Each $6 donation will send a can of nuts to our men and women in the military overseas. This year’s Fall Sale includes a variety of magazines and nut and chocolate products including: Mint Trefoils in a Limited Edition Girl Scout “Branch Out” tin! Peppermint Bark in a decorative snowman tin; a perfect gift for the holidays! The Giant Nut Mix that comes in a special Bow Box, perfect for business/corporate gift giving! Two new Snack Packs, perfect for lunches or snacks on the go! And, of course, chocolate choices, such as the Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels and Peanut Butter Monkeys! As part of their personal storefronts, girls can build their own avatars! They can also participate in online learning activities and earn virtual rewards. Once your girl reaches $175 in online sales, she will get a personalized patch with her name and avatar on it. As soon as the goal is reached an email is sent to the parents/guardians to order the patch. Once ordered, the patch will be mailed directly to your girl. Girls can also post pictures and videos to their online storefronts, send emails to prospective customers, and share their storefronts on Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus. Online customers can pay online and then choose to have their merchandise shipped or delivered in-person. For any questions regarding participating in the Fall Sale, troop leaders should contact their Service Unit Fall Sale Manager. #2015FallSale #FallSale #GirlScoutsProductSales #ProductSales

Submitted by Aurora Kattnig Gunnison Southwestern Colorado On Saturday June 21st a group of scouts painted a mural on the west wall of the Napa Auto / Feed Store, Gunnison Colorado. This mural is titled “A year of our river” and is the culmination of Aurora Kattnig’s Girl Scout Bronze Award, the highest honor a Junior Girl Scout can earn. The mural was designed by Aurora and younger Girl Scouts to depict the Gunnison River from the head waters to Blue Mesa through the four seasons of the year. This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments too. #Gunnison #SouthwesternCO

What did you do for your Gold Award project? I beautified a courtyard on the northwestern corner of the Progressive Care Center nursing home in order to give the residents in the adjacent wings a more uplifting view of the outside world. How did you measure the impact your Gold Award project made on your target audience? Through interviews with the residents, as well as before and after pictures of the courtyard. How is your project sustainable? How will your project continue to impact after your involvement? I created a website to promote awareness of my project at ktbuggles626.wix.com/goldaward2015 as well as creating a leaflet for the local library to file in their archives for anyone wanting to know more about doing a project like mine. There were also articles in the Daily Record and Pueblo Chieftain about my project. The Progressive Care Center has also agreed to continue maintenance on the courtyard, so their residents may continue to enjoy it for years to come. What is your project’s global and/or national connection? My website. What did you learn about yourself? I learned that I have very good people skills in not being afraid to ask for what I need to get done and I am also very good at delegating. How will earning your Gold Award impact you in the future? It is a point of pride that I have completed such a difficult challenge. I wear it as a badge of honor that I have joined the ranks of so many, yet so few, girls who have surmounted such a daunting obstacle. It also gave me an immense sense of closure to finish this project, and in essence my Girl Scout career, just before I left for college. It was like getting to graduate all over again. The experience has given me confidence in my abilities to take an idea of mine and see it become a reality. Why do you feel the Gold Award was an important part of your Girl Scout experience? For all of the reasons listed above and also because it was a goal, a reason to stay in Girl Scouts until I was finally old enough to do it. **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 #HighestAwards #GoldAwardee #GoldAwardCentennial #PuebloandSoutheasternColorado #CanonCity