[slideshow] Submitted by Julia Anhalt Roxborough I’ve done a lot of service projects and volunteering but Sweet Dream In A Bag is my favorite. My mom is signed up with Volunteers Of America, which is how she first heard about Sweet Dream. My first time volunteering for them was at a Treasure Time. Sweet Dream is a program that makes bedding for kids that don’t have a lot of their own, maybe for kids who can’t have their own because they can’t afford it. In each Sweet Dream bag is: a sheet set, a comforter, a fleece blanket, a stuffed animal, and a toothbrush and toothpaste. At Pack And Prays, we pack these bags nicely for the kids. At Treasure Times, we help kids pick out which bag they want. I loved Sweet Dream In A Bag so much I decided that I wanted to do my Silver Award on it. I met up with Susie Fox, who founded and runs Sweet Dream with her husband Wayne, at Wendy’s and we talked for about an hour about what I could do for my project to help her. She told me that she had a project coming up with I Am Academy, a school in Denver. She told me that I Am Academy had a Builders Club that did an activity with some of the kids there every Thursday at the end of the day. Mary, who ran the Builders Club at I Am Academy, was interested in Sweet Dream. Mary wanted the kids to help build bags for Sweet Dream. Susie asked me if I wanted to help her with this project and obviously I jumped for joy and said yes. 🙂 Susie gave me the outline of what needed to be done and then let me do it all. She gave me the supplies at the next Treasure Time and I started working. I had to cut all the ribbon that the blankets would be tied with, laminate cards with encouraging words on them, and I had to sow soft tags that read, “God loves me” onto the blankets. That was a lot of work! There were over 150 cards and blankets, it took forever to get all of that done! Still, there was the actual event at I am Academy. In March, Susie, Wayne, my mom, and I took all the supplies I had gotten ready up to the school. I met Mary and then she let me take charge and I taught the kids how to build the bags. These bags were a little bit different than normal bags, they were smaller, and were specifically meant for Domestic Violence Centers. During the hour time period I went around and helped kids build bags; those kids made over 180 Sweet Dream bags! It was a lot of hard work as well as fun. Some of the kids were my age (8th grade, now 9th :)) and were a little hard to work with. They were sometimes rude and would talk in Spanish, look at me, then burst out into laughter. They purposely tried to make me feel uncomfortable, and I had to have humility and let it go. I also tried very hard when they didn’t know how to build they bags correctly because they weren’t listening when I was explaining it to the group. Although the older kids were harder to work with, the younger kids were really sweet. Susie told me afterwards that one little boy wanted to take a blanket home and she told him that they were meant for kids going through a really tough time. The little girl next to her, who hadn’t said a word the whole time we were there, said, “Well I think that might be me. We’re practically living on the streets.” It’s really hard not to break down in tears when you hear a little girl say something like that. After the hour with the kids, Mary invited me to come and talk to the Kiwanis Club and just give a five minute speech about everything I learned. At that breakfast I got to meet a nice man who’s running for Governor, a former Ms. Colorado, and I got to miss school. 🙂 I’ve learned that I’m very privileged, and when I think I’m not being treated fairly or I want something that I can’t have, that I have a lot more than some of those kids do. And I should be focused on being grateful for what I do have instead of being ungrateful for what I don’t have. Lastly I’ve learned that I’ve been raised in a place where I can feel safe, and those kids haven’t. The older kids have that sassy attitude as a defense mechanism. You have to recognize that it’s even more important to treat their unkindness with kindness. I’m proud to say that I’ve learned a lot, worked hard, and had fun. I’m glad that I’ve had the chance to meet Susie and Wayne Fox, as my life would not be the same without them or Sweet Dream In A Bag. This story was submitted via the Share Your Stories form. http://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/share You can share your Girl Scout moments too. #SilverAward #SweetDream

It started with MMR enthusiasts trying to support their beloved Meadow Mountain Ranch. Three former camp counselors from MMR from long years passed have embarked on an ambitious project to collect and compile a comprehensive a history of MMR, and we invite you to help us. Using this blog medium we can expand our search to as many former staff members, CITs, campers, parents, leaders, and friends as possible. This project is being conducted with the support and encouragement of the GSCO History Collection volunteers out of the Loveland History Center. Penny Boustead (“Pippin’”), Linda Ray (“Echo”) and Penny Roberts (“Pan”) are the ring-leaders of this daunting task. E-mail addresses follow: Penny Boustead penluone@bresnan.net; Linda Ray echog@kc.rr.com; Penny Roberts proberts@larimer.org. The project keeps growing, including current names and contact information, dates of contact with MMR, positions of former staff, dates and information about building projects – – – even including “camp kids” (children of staff members) and “camp pets.” Information is being gleaned from staff books, e-mail listings, MMR alumnae data bases, personal contacts, and FaceBook contacts. Pan recently made a trip to the History Center in Loveland to scan the ephemera collected there about MMR and the original purchase data, a few gems of information about previous development plans and projects, and lots of additional names and dates of what happened when. Much more in-depth research will be required to get through all the documents, files and books about the property and its history. If you would like to join us, please send whatever information you wish to provide. You can send written information, to any one of us via e-mail. You can scan and send documents to any of us. If you are ready to actually pass on your own personal collection of photos, slides, t-shirts, books, memorabilia, documents, plaques, awards – – – anything at all pertaining to MMR – – – please mail them to Penny Roberts at PO Box 211, Estes Park, Co. 80517. We will see they are directed to the right place. Please help us out by including approximate dates of their use/issue, as well as other details that you might like to share. The who, what, when, where and how are always important in history pursuits. Please pass the word. Find us everyone and everything of note about MMR. Fifty three years is a lot of history, but our connections and involvements reach all over the country, and indeed, all around the world. Let us sort it all out – – – no detail is too small, and don’t assume that we already have that information, because it’s possible that we don’t. A display cabinet will be installed and filled with memorabilia and information about MMR in the Homestead House during the Women’s Week at MMR on Saturday, August 2nd this summer. The displays can be added to and changed as time goes along, and this cabinet and display are being provided by History Group and Promise Partners members to help out this History Project. Also, the time capsule at MMR, originally installed in 1987 and opened in 2012 will be re-filled and sealed for the next 25 years on August 2. We will keep you updated. It’s an exciting time to be involved in a new history project, and MMR holds such a precious place in many of our hearts that it is a joy to work on it. #historyproject #MeadowMountainRanch

The task force spent a year diligently evaluating each Girl Scout property, including holding town hall meetings, conducting surveys with our membership and analyzing the financial costs and revenues. GSCO aims to stay relevant and listen to what our girls say they want in a camp experience. Girls have said they prefer a more rustic, outdoor-based camp program, like that available at Sky High Ranch. It’s also critical that the council maintain a strong financial balance to keep our organization strong and thriving; and we are currently operating at a half a million dollar deficit at Magic Sky Ranch. Operating resident camp out of Sky High will be more popular with our number one customers – our girls — as well as a smarter use of financial resources. We have the highest regard for the beautiful property at Magic Sky Ranch with its great facilities and wonderful staff; and they will have the opportunity to apply for new opportunities with GSCO’s outdoor program team. We appreciate the Magic Sky staff’s commitment to continuing to provide outstanding programs to girls and finishing out the final season of resident camp at Magic Sky Ranch on a high note. No final decisions have been made about the future of the property at Magic Sky Ranch. Outdoor program planning for 2015 (for troops and volunteers leading programs): We know that our members will be very excited about the return to resident camp at Sky High Ranch, where generations of girls have experienced magical Girl Scout outdoor adventures. The girl capacity for resident camp will remain consistent with the transition from Magic Sky to Sky High. At Magic Sky, our members and supporters will be able to rent and enjoy  the new cabins as well as the older facilities on the front end of the property (Old Lodge, seasonal units and tent sites). The Dining Hall and Activity Center will be closed as a cost saving measure.  Groups will be able to reserve space at the Old Lodge year-round, and in the new cabins, stays will be limited to 2-nights. In addition to Magic Sky, next summer our members will have the opportunity to troop camp at Meadow Mountain Ranch, where we’re pleased to announce that we’ve reopened the lodge and the Pinecrest Unit. Troops can book the lodge for day, overnight, and for cooking their meals. Lazy Acres will remain open during the same season as our other ranch properties and will offer individual troop camp and volunteer-led outdoor program experiences for girls. Summer resident camp and year-round programs will continue as they have at Tomahawk Ranch. Additionally, we encourage individual troop and service unit camping and troop usage at our lodge properties: Twisted Pine, Pawnee Lodge, and Hamp Hut. This major change will increase options for troops at GSCO properties. We have extended the season for rental by two weeks at Lazy Acres, Meadow Mountain Ranch, and Magic Sky Ranch’s newer cabins. The season will be May 16 through September 30 — this adds two weeks of use to each property. When reserving space or planning any outdoor program, troops can reserve equipment and activities through the GSCO Equipment/Activities Page on the Girl Scouts of Colorado website. We still have space available at several sessions at Magic Sky Ranch during this final summer of resident camp, so get your girl in for a last chance at a Magic Sky resident camp experience! Registration deadlines have passed, but we can still get you in. Call 877-404-5708 for assistance.  https://girlscoutsco.campintouch.com/ui/forms/application/camper/App Want to get involved? The Outdoor Programs Advisory Committee is seeking new members. If you want to work on projects involving non-resident camp outdoor programs, this is the committee for you. This is a committee of action. Members can apply here: https://adobeformscentral.com/?f=tn22MbMtgiS23ZUyGu9HgQ In addition, we are currently recruiting volunteers who would like to lead outdoor programs such as day camps and 3-day overnight troop camps for summer of 2015. Please contact haley.peel@gscolorado.org to be put on the interest list. We will send out information by mid-July regarding processes, deadlines, and  how to get into GSCO’s summer camp promotional mix. We would like to hear your thoughts as we prepare for this outdoor program transition. #residentcamp #SkyHighRanch #MagicSkyRanch #2015 #properties

[slideshow] The state’s top cookie sellers arrived in style to dinner at the home of Girl Scouts of Colorado’s President and CEO Stephanie Foote on Saturday, July 12. The guests of honor arrived at Stephanie’s house by limo and spent the evening celebrating and sharing their success. “My friends didn’t believe that I was going to a Girl Scout dinner in a limo,” said Caitlin Lorch, 18, of Dillon. So she Instagramed the proof. The girls enjoyed a taco bar and fancy bundt cakes for dessert. These special girls came from as far away as Durango and Silt to attend this private dinner party. Congrats, girls! Each girl shared their secret to their cookie selling success, and you can hear their tips here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_G9n00uaXA&feature=youtu.be. GSCO Board Chair Connie Campbell attended the dinner as well and remarked their their advice would help them to succeed in all areas of their life, now and in the future. Incoming Board Chair Michelle Rose-Hughes and Board Member Jennifer Colosimo attended as well. Top 14 of 14 Paige Phelps, Thornton — 5157 packages Madison Walker, Arvada — 3663 packages Caitlin Lorch, Dillon –3520 packages Jacquelyne Orozco-Egan, Aurora — 3502 packages Joanna Steger, Lochbuie — 2793 packages Ciara Leal, Lakewood — 2712 packages Olivia Gomez-Cruz, Durango — 2590 packages Erica Dorgan, Arvada — 2586 packages Brittany Blish, Arvada — 2572 packages Charlotte Blish, Arvada — 2571 packages Rhaya Carmichael, Silt — 2501 packages Lorinda Bargas, Englewood — 2444 packages Emma Harris, Castle Rock — 2229 packages Alycia Vigil, Lakewood — 2165 packages See all of the photos from the special evening https://www.flickr.com/photos/gscolorado/sets/72157645676942314/ #2014 #cookies #topsellerevents

Submitted by Sam Fleming Broomfield For our Silver Award, my troop and I decided that bullying was an issue that we cared about and started planning a power-up sleepover for girl scout juniors. During our sleepover, we discussed issues with bullying and the effects it has on people and how to deal with and stop it. Our event also had a guest speaker, Cathy Millon, who talked to the girls about specific types of bullying. We ended up having around 30 girls who had tons of fun playing games and learning new things. Our Silver Award event was a great success! #SilverAward

Top 14 of 14 Paige Phelps, Thornton — 5157 packages Madison Walker, Arvada — 3663 packages Caitlin Lorch, Dillon –3520 packages Jacquelyne Orozco-Egan, Aurora — 3502 packages Joanna Steger, Lochbuie — 2793 packages Ciara Leal, Lakewood — 2712 packages Olivia Gomez-Cruz, Durango — 2590 packages Erica Dorgan, Arvada — 2586 packages Brittany Blish, Arvada — 2572 packages Charlotte Blish, Arvada — 2571 packages Rhaya Carmichael, Silt — 2501 packages Lorinda Bargas, Englewood — 2444 packages Emma Harris, Castle Rock — 2229 packages Alycia Vigil, Lakewood — 2165 packages #2014 #cookies #PresidentandCEO #topsellers

Submitted by Melissa Hinton Monument To earn Bronze Award, the highest award a Junior Girl Scout can earn, Haley Henderson, an incoming 5th grade Junior from Troop 43107 in Monument planned and implemented the Girl Scout float in the Monument 4th of July parade. Haley is from a military family and knew she would be moving to Arkansas this summer but she really wanted to earn Bronze Award with her beloved Colorado troop so she volunteered to do the 4th of July float. Haley’s father serves in the Air Force and after Haley volunteered he got his final transfer orders; he had to report to his new job 7/7/14. Haley’s family lived in their camper for over a month and left town shortly after the parade ended for the long trip to Arkansas. Haley approached local businesses for the use of a trailer for the float. She designed and made the decorations, shopped for supplies, came up with a craft for the girls to do while waiting, filled out the parade application form and sent multiple emails to our local service unit to ask for volunteers to walk in the parade. We had 22 Daisy, Brownie, Junior and Cadette Girl Scouts participate in the 2014 parade, all singing camp songs and handing out candy and little bears. A fun time was had by all! Haley (and her family) earned Bronze Award with courage, confidence, and character by stepping up to represent Girl Scouts in the community while making personal sacrifices along the way. –Melissa Hinton, Troop Leader (Troop 3107) #BronzeAward #FourthofJulyparade #Monument

Submitted by Danica Lucker Highlands Ranch We wanted to help homeless families and contacted Sacred Heart House in Denver, which provides temporary housing to women and women with children and helps them get into new homes. We contacted them and found out they badly needed cleaning kits to give to residents when they moved into their new homes. Our troop had booths at local stores and raised funds and supplies for 25 cleaning kits, approximately $1000 of supplies. We delivered it to them and also did a second part to our project, delivering a meal to the residents. #BronzeAward #SacredHeartHouse

Submitted by Destyny Bartel Aurora For our Silver Award, my troop spent the last two years or so spreading awareness about foster kids. A lot of kids are given five minutes to pack what they can and leave their home forever. They often forget something, so my troop has been working to create go-bags for these kids. They contain toothbrushes, toothpaste, crayons, coloring books, tissues,stuffed animals, and of course, Girl Scout cookies. We also did drives for school supplies( especially backpacks) and books. I then built a bookshelf. We have also put flyers up in local businesses to spread awareness about foster kids and their needs. This is really important to me because my family had considered adopting and the other girl in my troop has two foster sisters. I also have a couple friends who have been through the system. Also, they aren’t as known as a lot of other charities, so they rarely get donations. I really feel like I am making a difference and impacting my community. We really hope these items help bring comfort to children as they’re finding their way in the foster care system. This story was submitted via the Share Your Stories form. http://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/share You can share your Girl Scout moments too. #SilverAward

Just in time for day camp and resident camp to begin, Girl Scouts of the USA have just published some amazing research that backs up what our dedicated and caring camp counselors already know! According to a new study by the Girl Scout Research Institute (GSRI), More Than S’mores (2014), girls benefit immensely from time spent outdoors. Girls who regularly spend time outdoors eclipse their peers who spend less time outdoors in environmental stewardship, more readily seek challenges, and are better problem solvers—all important traits in twenty-first century leadership. Outdoor experiences are also particularly beneficial to girls of comparatively low socioeconomic status (SES). More Than S’mores finds that lower-SES girls who have regular outdoor exposure through Girl Scouts are likely to credit Girl Scouts with helping them become leaders. Read the full article. Now the question is, is your Girl Scout ready to spend time outdoors this summer? Girl Scouts of Colorado’s camps are amazing opportunities that get your girl outdoors and connecting with nature. You can also visit our GSCO properties to get your family or girl outdoors! NOTE: This research is based on outdoor experiences for girls in ALL shapes and forms. It is not limited to programs that happen solely on Girl Scout owned properties. #campresearch #daycamp #summercamp #residentcamp #outdoorbenefits #gscoproperties

Submitted by Madison Enney Broomfield Troop 675 had a Power Up sleepover to help prevent bullying in Colorado. We had 35 Juniors attend (3rd, 4th and 5th graders). We did numerous activities to have the girls participate in all of the problems of bullying. We did a script to show how different ways of bullying can affect different people, especially stereotyping. We gave ourselves personalities so those are great stereotyping but what other people put on you is not. We had so much fun at this anti-bullying sleepover we didn’t want it to end. I learned a lot at this event because it took planning and organization and it also taught me how to handle 6th grade bullying. This story was submitted via the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments too. #Juniors #PowerUp #sleepover #StandStrongScouts

Individual or combined Service Units are encouraged to plan celebrations honoring the highest awards recipients. Please contact your local Program Support Specialist for additional support. Bronze Award Recipients May 2014 Troop11429 – Granby Angelina Butler Bianca Teter Emma Lane Kate McCauley Lane Bjerken Mia Rimmer Troop13542 – Glenwood Springs Anna Cole Avery Cole Bridget Placek Caroline Waldmann Chloe Hollenbaugh Frenna White Isabella Nevin Kate Malloy Kiah Larson Kyley Fishman Lyla Harvey Macy Dehm Nicole Peirson Olivia Sanford Sage Beebe Tessa Porter Troop13821 – Dillon Alexis Vaille Ava Ballinger Brynn Kennedy Deanna Davidson Elena Francis Grace Rogers Kassidy Smierciak Lily Hess Roxanne Patnode Spriha Thapa Troop30961 – Pueblo Alina Bartosz Brianna Simpson Erika Maes Jynessa Hopkins Kaitlyn De Rossett Kayla Winkle Sydney Lessar Symphony McComas Troop31807 – Pueblo Alexandria Shrum Charlotte Novosad Danielle Allen Erin McConnel Kylie Leffler Maria Alvarez Rylie Leffler Troop40607 – Colorado Springs Anikah Cardenas Briana Ruiz Ellissa Ellsworth Emma Schunke Grace Wotta Julia Lancaster Julie Donohoue Kaela France Kathleen Ellenberger Larissa Rodriguez Lauren Suiter Makayla Bailor Mariona Westerfield Megan Burns Sarah Pomeroy Zoe Leavey Troop42386 – Colorado Springs Aaliyanna Codrington Alexis Martinez Elsa Wright Emma Bufkin Emma Dunlap Graceanne Hanson Kiely Thompson Margo Simon Marni Lane Sofia Dawoud Vanessa Zuckerman Victoria Davis Troop42393 – Colorado Springs Breanna Lewis Haley Gardner Julianna Glover Kimberly Jones Lakin Altman Troop43023 – Colorado Springs Paige Cameron Troop44353 – Colorado Springs Alexis White Madison Zakrajsek McKenzie Bourn Vanessa Beitle Victoria Hughes Troop53281 – Broomfield April Heien Avery Coates Emily Nunemaker Evelyn Nunemaker Halina Halbeisen Kathryn Lampo Madison Hansen Makayla Davis Mary Powell Riley Crisler Sidney Wickham Zoe Dilts Troop53329 – Evergreen Katie McCabe Macy McCaffrey Maya Skurski Rachel Horneck Sydney Kasperbauer Zoe Allen Troop53347 – Arvada Fatima Bahraini Taylor Mullins Ziah Madsen Troop53560 – Littleton Ella Widmann Isabella Tschuor Jamie Marketos Laura Kollar Maria Seybert Rachel Tennant Troop53636 – Westminster Chelsie Emmerson Farah Hagerman Gianna Niccolai Kaiya Vierra Kate Giblin Kylie Hughes Sarah Hesser Sonya Strauss Sydney Scarboro Tia Schmitz Troop54547 – Golden Abigail Lundeen Ava Hines Emma Torgersen Grace Bruce-Brown Jessica Foster Kate Svuba Maddie Pope Natalie Lundeen Rachel Gallardo Rachel Montoya Saige Pierson Sarah Hoskins Sarah Minor Shaylah Duff Troop62040 – Highlands Ranch Angelina Veliz Ava Veliz Brooke Warnock Claire Kennedy Jacqueline Ocken Kailey Rogers Olivia Gonzalez Troop62707 – Centennial Ashleigh Huntley Kyra Hatton Nicola Highsmith Shia Coughlin Troop63195 – Centennial Emily Burns Evelyn Sumner Hannah Poole Hope Jones Kaelen Mederos Lucy Smith Troop63371 – Centennial Abigail O’Malley Addison Smaldone Alyssa Alles Chea Ryan Iley Ryan Julia Morrison Kelly Koch Madeleine Gross Peyton Russell Sarah Grimm Troop63436 – Aurora Alleigh Jackson Breeya Coooper Brooke Abeyta Emma Ackerman Haley Thompson Heidi Mattson Jane Goldy Jessica Short Lanie Smith Rachael Hanis Troop63492 – Aurora Abby Sendef Alexis Davidson Arianne Correa Avanlee Flaig Coraleigh Quattlebaum Hannah Toulouse Jasmine Nicolau Lily Haugan Lydia Sendef Taylor Altman Trudi Paetzold Troop63766 – Castle Rock Camille Whetten Dasha Eudaley Isabella Kindrick Katelyn Miller Lauren Scott Olivia Digiacinto Troop70552 – Frederick Aileen Arroyo Ashley DonRussello Kaylee Congdon Trinity Allen Troop73222 – Louisville Alana Kihn Alexandra Hart Amanda Dombek Brittany Lilja Courtney Lilja Haley Welch Hayley Morgan Karena Vue Lindsey Hughes Melissa Glenn Sara Victor Troop73520 – Frederick Alyse Lofquist Amy Bechtel Bethany Koehler Coral West Emily Allen Emily Congdon Evelyn Arroyo Hannah Zink Kaylyn Cartellone Kyla Mares Melanie Paul Troop73645 – Loveland Elizabeth Sundheim Emily Franks Erika Marshall Kylie Jacobson Marilyn Harber Marissa Castaneda Shelby Lewis Skye Luce Troop73864 – Boulder Emily Fernandez Eve Wolvington Lily Rose #BronzeAward #HighestAwards #TakeAction