Cassidy, a Girl Scout from Highlands Ranch, is working hard to spread the news about her Gold Award project, which is called “Imagination Station.” On Tuesday, July 7, 2015, Cassidy appeared on the television show “Colorado and Company” on Channel 9 in Denver to talk about her project and the impact she hopes to make. Girl Scouts of Colorado President and CEO Stephanie Foote was also there to explain the significance of the Gold Award and the Stephanie Foote Leadership Prize for Gold Award Excellence. You can watch the interview here: In addition to this interview, Cassidy has also been interviewed by a reporter for the Highlands Ranch Herald (http://highlandsranchherald.net/stories/Girl-Scout-helps-those-in-transition,192001?) and written two blogs for GSCO: http://gscoblog.org/2015/05/girl-scout-works-to-earn-gold-award-with-imagination-station/ http://gscoblog.org/2015/06/part-two-girl-scout-works-to-earn-gold-award-with-imagination-station/ #GoldAward #HighestAwards #HighlandsRanch #mediacoverage #Denvermetro

Submitted by Juli Monahan Cheyenne, WY Hello Colorado Leaders! I am a leader and service unit manager in Cheyenne, WY and am part of a Facebook page called Girl Scout Post Card Exchange (https://www.facebook.com/groups/girlscoutpostcardexchange/). Some of the troops that take part in this page do it for Thinking Day but others do it as part of earning the Brownie World of Girls Journey. This group is desperately seeking Colorado participants of which there have been none for several months. This is a great opportunity for girls of all ages to hear from their sister scouts all over the US and even others around the world. Since I am so close to CO, I picked up some CO postcards in Fort Collins last weekend to send to some of these girls that have been waiting for months. I am looking to put CO council information on the cards for them to see what your council has to offer, but it would certainly be better for Colorado girls to be taking part themselves going forward. My own troop sent and received over 200 cards from various Girl Scouts and Girl Guides all around the world (see picture). It may seem like an expense to your troop but I was able to get postcards donated by one of our tourist locations (great experience for girls that will help with higher awards’ projects) and when those ran out, ours were only $.16/each at Walmart. Some troops even made their own! Please consider participating in this Facebook group with your troop – I promise you will find it rewarding to connect with sister scouts everywhere! This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments too. #Cheyenne #Wyoming

Submitted by Patty Lowe Northern Colorado Does this sound familiar to you? You sign your daughter up for Daisies.  The leaders are friends and have saved a space for your daughter.  Then, a couple weeks before everything is supposed to start you get a call from another friend saying, “They’re not going to do it.  If you’ll do it with me, I’ll do it.” That was me 28 years ago.  Even though I had been a Girl Scout into 7th grade and my mother was my Brownie leader, I never had any intentions of volunteering.  I had enough on my plate.  But, I couldn’t leave those little girls without a leader. For someone who was never planning on getting back into Girl Scouts, my involvement has probably surprised me more than anyone.  I realized immediately how much I didn’t know about scouting even after five years in Brownies and less than a year as a Girl Scout.  My memory struggled as to what we did.  I remember “Twist me and turn me and show me an elf” and having to do a “good turn” before I could turn my pin right-side up.  I remember “flying up.”  I remember resenting having to tie our yellow scarves with a square knot while the Boy Scouts used sliders on theirs.  And, I remember badges for things like sewing and cooking, and areas I wasn’t interested in.  Badges!  Badges!  Badges!  I couldn’t understand why we had to do them accept that was what Girl Scouts did.  No wonder I found other interests. That first year as a leader not only taught me the basics of Girl Scouts, but it also made me realize how much freshman leaders don’t know.  Because of that I volunteered to be the Daisy coordinator for the service unit the next year and started an orientation program for new Daisy leaders.  I have got to admit it worked well.  The leaders were more confident because they understood what Thinking Day was; the why and how a court of awards; and the importance of attending service unit meetings.  To my pleasure the service unit decided that an orientation was needed at all levels.  And, that is how I started training for Girl Scouts. I do have to admit that the training program for Daisy leaders was not some type of inspiration or revelation.  Truth is for a period of time in my previous life before children I was a corporate trainer.  That orientation was more innate, but it allowed me to utilize skills I filed away.  And, the response the leaders gave me a different kind of feeling of worth.  To me, that made it a win-win situation. I was surprised at the little fire that was burning in me.  I liked training.  I liked sharing what I knew and had learned with others.  With our move here to Colorado, I became very involved with the Louisville service unit, attended trainings, and generally developed a lot of experience in Girl Scouts.  Finally, I felt I had the time to volunteer as a trainer.  Initially, I was turned away because Mile Hi Council at that time required their trainers to go where the need was.  I couldn’t do that.  I had two children and a husband that traveled quite a bit.  That requirement eventually changed and I volunteered again. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is actually the beginning of the “Ann & Patty Show.”  Ann Palius, my service unit leader, friend, and co-coordinator for service unit’s events and I decided to go to Train The Trainer together and, hopefully, team train together.  We have a lot of fun training.  Why?  Because we enjoy meeting the leaders, learning about their Girl Scout experiences, and sharing the knowledge we have developed over the years.  We’re called “The Ann & Patty Show” because we try to be entertaining.  In many ways, we consider training performance art.  We want the leaders to understand they are not alone, Girl Scouts has benefits way beyond the awards received, and that we are their latest resource.  We hope for all the very serious conversations we have we also leave leaders with smiles on their faces and an excitement for Girl Scouts because we believe it is fun and exciting. But, being a trainer isn’t only talking to a group.  For both Ann and I it has been beyond that.  We have been lucky enough to work with a great number of women in Colorado who have the same passion for sharing and education as we do.  We had the opportunity to work through many of the training adjustments that came with the merging of the Colorado councils into Girl Scouts of Colorado, work as a team to develop level specific trainings, expand and enhance programs in place, brainstorm with trainers both statewide and regionally,  and even develop programs for GSCO. Had it not been for that one call, that one moment in time, that simple statement— “If you’ll do it with me, I’ll do it” —I never would have rekindled that fire in me.  Training is so much fun.  It is work, but it is satisfying.  You can’t help but feeling good when you know people in your class have learned something.  It is also fun when you talk with someone who has been in your class and used what you’ve taught them. Curious? Is there a little fire burning in you?  Got questions, but not sure where to get the answers?  You can email me at troop1424@gmail.com   I’ll answer anything I can or find the person who can help you. *** Girl Scouts of Colorado is currently seeking energetic volunteers to join the trainer ranks.  Experience in education and/or adult learning is a plus but NOT required.  The first step to becoming a trainer is to attend Train the Trainer. The next Train the Trainer class is: August 8th: Arvada Click here for details and to register #Denveradultlearning #trainthetrainer #trainer #trainers

Girl Scouts of Colorado received the following thank you from one of our members, Carmen, about how Girl Scouting changed her life: My current position in life finds me in the service industry- somewhere with a lot of hard work and not a lot of thanks. It is therefore important for me to take the time to share with you my unparalleled gratitude for your organization. Girl Scouts of Colorado changed my life, and here is how:I joined Girl Scouts in 1st grade, at the age of 6. I had no idea it would take me on the whirlwind 15 year journey it became. Through scouting I was able to explore Colorado, learn about culture and heritage, travel to Washington DC (on cookie money) and many, many more things. I learned many valuable skills in my time in the troop and even earned my Gold Award my senior year of high school. A considerable amount of my thanks for GSCO, however, must be applied to Tomahawk Ranch, and the amazing Monica Gray, who remains a friend and a mentor to this day. To explain the impact of camp is impossible. Life as a girl, while in many ways incredible, tends to lead to some measure of self-doubt. We can argue whether or not this is our culture or the pressure of the hegemony, but in the end, for me, it was overcome… because of camp. Camp gave me the courage and discipline to go for what I wanted, to go on new adventures, and to put my friends, my family, my colleagues, before myself. And what an adventure it has been! I attended my dream school for college, was hired immediately by Disney, a dream for me for many years, and remained there for 3 years before being hired by a major sports team of my favorite sport. The field I am in is largely male dominated, and I strongly believe that GSCO is responsible for my glass ceiling shattering, and strong will.So thank you. Thanks to your staff and your troop moms, to your camp directors and your counselors, and to the incredible community of girls and women you have cultivated.I will be forever grateful.Warmest Regards,Carmen Van Wert PS- you have the most wonderful outreach manager ever, Ariel Kay also remains a role model to me today. Thank you for sharing this with us, Carmen! We strive to change girls’ lives every day and are thrilled to hear when we’ve been successful.

Silver Award Recipients June 2015 Troop40923 Katherine  Chartier Troop43701 Aurora  Miller Brooke  Eshbach Rilea  Eddins Troop40713 Jessica  Bennett TROOP63260 Arianna  Wells Troop84074 -Eckley Heather  Vance Troop84074 Katlyn  Chapman TROOP70487 Alexa  Rath Autumn  Bunch Kathryn  Worrell Troop22619 Labrea  Matteson #HighestAwards #SilverAward #TakeAction

Bronze Award Recipients June 2015 Troop53724 Ava  Symanski Emily  Hinchliffe Grace  Symanski Hailey  Gentilini Kassie  Karas Natalie  Winstead Troop60640 Emma  Browning Sophia  Powell TROOP63260 Meagan  McNeal Troop52273 Elizabeth  Falgout Emma  Langowski Emma  Todd Faye  Gordon Jenessa  Trujillo Jordan  Riley Kylie  Grimes Manon  Dempsey Samantha  Scott Stella  Steffen Julia  Swezy Troop22619 Alison  Freeman Troop64502 Analisa  Amat-Cooley Deven  Flagg Kayla  Dela Cruz Molly  Cloutier Tacey  Olanie Taya  Archuleta Britney  Berlin Grace  Hickman Hailey  Cercone Sumapriya  Mudapalli Troop64502 -Lonetree Jenni  Burroughs Katherine  Bair Troop53941 Ella  Thomas Ellyse  McKissack Haley  Norris #BronzeAward #TakeAction

Submitted by Heidi Books Denver Denver Metro Girl Scout alumnae gathered at the Denver Bicycle Café to decorate special birthday cards for Project Angel Heart! Project Angel Heart delivers meals to community members with life-threatening illnesses and includes birthday wishes to their clients with special hand decorated birthday cards. We had a great time catching up with friends, chatting about the new things going on at Girl Scouts, and using our creative craft skills to make 50 handmade cards! This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments too. #alumnaestories #GirlScoutalumnae

To help increase awareness about the need for adult volunteer trainers, Girl Scouts of Colorado is featuring blogs by volunteer trainers. Marlene Logan, a volunteer adult learning trainer in Metro Denver, answered the following questions: Why did you become a trainer? I realized I had taken a lot of trainings—and it was time for me to give back. Why do you like being a trainer? The wonderful people I have met over the years.  When I used to do a lot of different trainings, I enjoyed the enthusiasm that new leaders generate.  Later, I became more specific with Extended Trips, a course where I encourage girls to also attend. I enjoy that inter-generational input and watching leaders and girls make plans and realize they can do this together. How has being a trainer impacted you—personally, professionally, etc.? I always enjoy meeting new people—and then seeing them again, later.  I learn a lot from the girls and adults who attend my classes. It really keeps me on my toes.  Being a trainer has opened a lot of doors for me with travel—and I am willing to go almost anywhere! Many of the pieces I use for training Extended Trips began with information I got from the trip training in Savannah, Georgia at the birthplace of our Founder Juliette Gordon Low and at a trainers’ conference in Houston.  Materials that I used for years with troops, service units, and my classroom came from the session I attended at Our Cabaña. Why are trainings so important? Leaders should be able to enjoy what they are doing—and if they have confidence in the program and what they are doing, they can enjoy Girl Scouts as much as the girls. Do you have any favorite stories of Girl Scouts whom you have trained? Most recently, seeing a leader and her girls, whom I had trained in Denver, at Pax Lodge, our world center in London.  What I enjoy about being a trainer is meeting leaders, whom I have trained years ago, who are still involved in Girl Scouts and they share their enthusiasm. What would you say to other Girl Scouts to encourage them to be a trainer? At some point you need to give back what was given to you.  I had a lot of really great trainers and I reached a point that I realized I had a lot to give new leaders.   It has also helped me keep current with the Girl Scout program and what is going on at the council level.  I am one of those adults who have been through changes in the promise and the law three times—and countless handbooks and programs.  Girl Scouts has been an ever changing organization and that keeps me on my toes! Girl Scouts of Colorado is currently seeking energetic volunteers to join the trainer ranks.  Experience in education and/or adult learning is a plus but NOT required.  The first step to becoming a trainer is to attend Train the Trainer. The next Train the Trainer class is: August 8th: Arvada Click here for details and to register #Denver #Denvermetro #trainthetrainer #trainer

Submitted by Jess Moore Volunteer counselor JuneBug and her daughter are attending camp at Sky High Ranch this week. Growing up in Massachusetts JuneBug attended Girl Scout camp in the hills between Fall River and Boston. Before camp, she had never realized that there were forests. It was the first time that she had been camping and she was hooked. In her teenage years she was also a camp counselor here in Colorado and the counselor mentality has followed her through life. JuneBug, when not at camp, is a clinical psychologist and works at a high school in Colorado. Following the time honored tradition of “Once a Girl Scout, always a Girl Scout,” when JuneBug had kids of her own, she enrolled her son in Boy Scouts and daughter into Girl Scouts, and also became her daughter’s troop leader. As the troop leader, she organized plenty of camping trips for the girls, but recently wanted her daughter to experience the magic of Girl Scout camp, fully believing that the courage, exploration, acceptance that Girl Scouts provides is invaluable. “Life is about transformation and change, and you can get stuck.” JuneBug says that you may ask yourself “why doesn’t change happen?” When you step outside of your daily habits, that’s when you can change. This, to her is a cornerstone of the magic that surrounds Girl Scout camp. Character building is something you can’t always get in schools and camp life supplements a child’s growth. A lot of kids don’t have a space in which to change, because they can’t get out of their daily habits to change. JuneBug still thinks of herself as a camp counselor at heart and would love to take the kids in high school out to do ropes courses or experience the outdoors so that their transformations can happen. “Magic happens because you are stepping your foot outside of your comfort zone; you see things in a new way; and you are in a special place that is harder to get to in your normal day-to-day life. Camp makes you a better person for the world!” As she and her daughter, who is in 8th grade, attend camp this year; they are in different units here at Sky High. JuneBug is excited to give her daughter the camp experience; she is hoping that her daughter will one day be a PA, CIT, and eventually a counselor because it is a magical experience in a persons’ life – not just for girls, but magical for staff and everyone involved. “I wish that every girl (and every boy) could experience the camp magic in their lives.” #adultvolunteers #camp #campvolunteers #SkyHighRanchCamp

In December 2014 and January 2015, Girl Scouts of Colorado featured stories from volunteer trainers about their Girl Scout experiences and why they chose to become a trainer. The first was by Jan Philpy, a volunteer adult learning trainer in Metro Denver. I was a Girl Scout from Brownies through Seniors, so when I “retired” from full time work to start a family, I turned to Girl Scouts to occupy my time.  What fun it was to lead a troop!  We camped, completed badges, and took field trips. I had a wonderful experience.  This would be great preparation to work with my daughters, right?  Meantime, the council was looking for trainers and I thought I would enjoy that, so off I went to take Train the Trainer.  I loved training!  So, I added that to leading a troop and helping with the service unit.  First child arrived—a boy!  Oh well, he’ll tag-along.  My Girl Scout volunteering continued and I became service unit manager.  Child number two arrived—another boy!  Hmmm… Soon parenting, Cub Scouts (how could I not?!) and life meant that Girl Scouting commitments had to be reduced.  What stayed?  Training!  Even during a stint on the council board of directors when I had to give up my leader training, I continued to train board members.   The end of that, a family move, and an empty nest led me to reconsider my Girl Scout involvement.  What was it I really wanted to do?  Training again!  That’s the way it has been for a very long time.  I love designing sessions, learning from my trainees, sharing ideas with them, and watching the “ah-ha” moments that occur at nearly every session.  Girl Scouts was and is an important part of who I am, and I want that legacy to continue to today’s girls (although not yet, maybe a granddaughter?).  So, I continue to train their leaders. Girl Scouts of Colorado is currently seeking energetic volunteers to join the trainer ranks.  Experience in education and/or adult learning is a plus but NOT required.  The first step to becoming a trainer is to attend Train the Trainer.  The next Train the Trainer class is: August 8th: Arvada Click here for details and to register #adult #Denveradultlearning #trainthetrainer #trainers

Join Girl Scouts of Colorado for a family and friends night at Pirates Cove! When: Sunday, August 2, 2015, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Where: 1225 W. Belleview Ave., Littleton, CO 80120 (303) 762-2683 Cost: $5.00 per person.  Payment must be by credit card in advance of event. No walkups will be permitted to attend. Preregister by July 23, 2015 at: https://gscolorado.formstack.com/forms/piratescovereg Every person entering the doors must pay in advance, even if they do not swim. Children under two are free. You may bring sunscreen, towels and your own food and drink (no concessions provided). No alcohol or glass containers are permitted. Questions? Email Keile Stewart at Keile.Stewart@gscolorado.org Please put “Pirates Cove”  in the subject line! Pirates Cove Flyer #Denver #Denvermetro #PiratesCove

Submitted by Kara Posso Broomfield Denver Metro The girls in Cadette Troop 52627 held a food drive last weekend (6/13) for our local Broomfield food bank (FISH). They stood outside King Soopers (with manager approval of course!) for three hours, asking if people would like to donate to the local food bank. They had fliers with 5-6 different items on them to pass out to interested customers. Customers, who didn’t want to purchase food, were welcome to donate money. The money collected was used to purchase fresh meat and eggs for the food bank. After three hours, the girls collected 384 pounds of non-perishable food and $237 to spend on meat and eggs. With an additional $50 from our troop, the girls purchased 134 pounds of fresh meat and eggs from King Soopers. The girls delivered the food (518 pounds total!) and were given a tour of the facility. During the tour, the girls discussed other ways they could help the food bank; such as volunteering their time to help sort food or adopting a shelf with a promise to keep it as full as they can. My co-leader and I feel very blessed to be able to spend time with these generous girls, who are certainly showing Girl Scout Spirit! This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments too. #Broomfield #Cadette #communityservice #Denvermetro