Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state. Sue Sullivan in the Western Slope region is a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community. GSCO asked Sue to answer a few quick questions about her volunteer experience. We hope you find her as inspiring as we did. Why did you become a Girl Scout volunteer? My granddaughter came to me in kindergarten and wanted to join Girl Scouts.  As a Girl Scout myself and growing up in a scout (boy) scout family, I knew what a great opportunity this would be for her.  While attending her meetings I saw the leader could use an extra hand, so I volunteered to do her paperwork, I remember telling her “I didn’t want to get into planning a meeting every week”.  After a year my granddaughter and a few of my neighbors and their friends wanted to start a troop, so I started planning weekly meetings and I never looked back. Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout. I have been a leader, service unit manager, a member of the President’s Cabinet (western slope), a trainer, a mentor for new leaders and a National Delegate for the 2020 National Convention. I and 4 others started the Western Slope Outdoor Explorers, we offered outdoor activities and camps for several years, and for the last 3 years I was the cookie cupboard manager for Mesa County. I am currently a member of the Membership Connection Committee and active with our service unit and a Lifetime member of Girl Scouts. What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer? How easy it was to make a difference in a young girl’s life no matter how big or small, you may not see it right away but it’s there and I tried to express that to new leaders. To see the look on their face when they try new things, some they liked, others they didn’t and at times I discovered new things, it’s a win-win situation. What do you hope girls have learned from you? To be strong and not be afraid to try new things no matter how big or small. You may not like a new adventure you tried but that’s ok, you tried it maybe it will open a door to something else. Enjoy being a girl/woman you don’t have to be “one of the guys”. Look inside yourself and make the right decisions for you, don’t follow the crowd. Nominate an exceptional volunteer for a Volunteer Award! Nominations are open April 1-June 30, 2022 https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/for-volunteers/volunteer-appreciation/adult-recognition-nominations.html

Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state. Amberly Petty in the Pikes Peak region is a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community. GSCO asked Amberly to answer a few quick questions about her volunteer experience. We hope you find her as inspiring as we did. Why did you become a Girl Scout volunteer? My daughter started begging to be a Girl Scout around the age of four. At that point, I’m pretty sure she was just in it for the cookies. Once she started kindergarten, I registered her and asked the local troop leader if she needed any help. Soon after, I was thrown unexpectedly into the world of Girl Scouts: camp outs, songs, field trips, badgework and the Promise and Law. What started as just wanting a bit of extra bonding time with my daughter turned into finding a community and an organization that truly aligns with my values and morals. While growing up I did not have the opportunity to be in this sisterhood, so now I am making up for lost time. I’m excited for the possibilities that await not only me, but my daughter and our troop. I want to not only be a living example of our Law and Promise, but also instill these values in all girls and help shape the leaders of tomorrow. Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout. I am currently serving as a leader for a troop in Colorado Springs. I have served as fall product program manager as well as cookie manager for several troops. I have previously been a service unit manager on the Western Slope and am currently working with the service unit leadership team here locally. I am excited to see where my journey will take me and I plan to continue to serve in different capacities. In time, I would love to one day help lead trainings for new leaders and host more region-wide events. What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer? Wow! I can’t possibly list all the things I’ve learned as we’d be here for hours… Some things that come to mind are patience and conflict resolution. Being a leader has been incredibly rewarding, but there have also been many challenges as well. Learning to work with so many people (girls and adults) has been difficult, intriguing, and fun. There are so many different leadership styles, skills sets, strengths, and weaknesses that it can be overwhelming at times. I’m learning to do many things differently than I may have planned or expected, which is truly rewarding and extremely worthwhile. One of the other most impactful things I’ve learned is that this really is a girl-led program: even our youngest girls can lead in huge ways. The girls surprise me at every meeting with something new to learn. These girls have and are still shaping me into things I never thought possible for myself. They helped me set large goals for this year’s cookie season that I thought were impossible. I watched them prove me wrong week after week. They pushed me outside of my own comfort zone to be a go-getting risk-taker, while innovating new ways to sell and have fun. The girls in my troop push me to be the best leader I can be. They ask intriguing questions, keep me on my toes, and allow me room to be myself and make mistakes at times, too. I’m forever grateful for the person they are molding me into and I can only hope I am impacting them half as much as they are impacting me. What do you hope girls have learned from you? First and foremost, I hope the girls have learned I am their ally, partner, equal, and friend. I hope they see me as a safe person and resource for them to come to if they need help or have questions. I hope they view me as someone they can feel comfortable around. I hope they have learned that mistakes are okay and just the building blocks of larger successes. I hope they’ve learned that silliness is a large part of the recipe for happiness and fun. And, I hope they’ve learned that we are a team, a sisterhood, and will work together through fun times and challenging times. Nominate an exceptional volunteer for a Volunteer Award! Nominations are open April 1-June 30, 2022 https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/for-volunteers/volunteer-appreciation/adult-recognition-nominations.html

Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state. Jamie Schwarze in the Pueblo and Southern Colorado region is a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community. GSCO asked Jamie to answer a few quick questions about her volunteer experience. We hope you find her as inspiring as we did. Why did you become a Girl Scout volunteer? I became a Girl Scout leader to help form my daughters troop with her friends. Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout. I have been a troop leader for 3 years now and the Service Unit Cookie Manager for 2 years. I was the Troop cookie manager for one year and the Fall Produce manager for one year. It’s all so much fun!! What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer? I just love all of girls!! You definitely grow a very close relationship with them through Girl Scouts. I like that I can be a positive role model for them. I hope they feel the same way. What do you hope girls have learned from you? I hope they learn to make themselves a priority. Take time for themselves, treat themselves, celebrate their accomplishments, and take time to relax and rejuvenate during hard times. You have to be your best self to give others the best version of you! But also, I learn so much from them. Nominate an exceptional volunteer for a Volunteer Award! Nominations are open April 1-June 30, 2022 https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/for-volunteers/volunteer-appreciation/adult-recognition-nominations.html

Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state. Chere Johnson in the Pikes Peak region is a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community. GSCO asked Chere to answer a few quick questions about her volunteer experience. We hope you find her as inspiring as we did. Why did you become a Girl Scout volunteer? I became a Girl Scout volunteer when my daughter decided to join Girl Scouts so she could try to sell cookies.  The troop was in need of help so I stepped up and helped where I could. Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout. I have now been helping for the last 9 years.  I have volunteered to be the Daisy leader, I am also part of the Cadette, Senior and Ambassador leadership team.  I am also the troop fall product and cookie manager. What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer? During my years of volunteering I have learned a few things, each girl is unique and special in their own way.  I love watching the girls learn new things they can do. What do you hope girls have learned from you? I hope the girls learn from me to never be afraid to try something new. Nominate an exceptional volunteer for a Volunteer Award! Nominations are open April 1-June 30, 2022 https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/for-volunteers/volunteer-appreciation/adult-recognition-nominations.html

We still have plenty of room in Kiwa’s Time Travel and there’s a spot with YOUR name on it. Time to get your registration in if you haven’t already. We’re planning loads of fun traveling back in time to the Roaring Twenties, Fabulous Fifties, Disco Seventies, Exercising Eighties, and then forward to GS in the future! You won’t want to miss this camp! Our Fantastic PAs and Unit Leaders will be back to lead you in having a great time. June 20-24, 2022 from 9am to 3:30am at the Boulder County Fairgrounds. Please check your email, our FB site or website (kiwadaycamp.com) or the Files section on BAND for the registration forms. CheddarUp will be handling our payment process at https://kiwa-s-time-travel-2022.cheddarup.com Looking forward to seeing you soon! Love to all, Nana and the Longmont Girl Scout Day Camp Committee

Sam and Alaina completed their “Think like a Citizen Scientist” Journey and want to spread the word about this fun way to participate in science! Check out their amazing animation: https://app.animaker.com/video/HWX5VNHDQHM2LP3P Citizen Science is a multi-level journey that involves community members working together with scientists and contributing to real science, often with simple tools like a smartphone. Explore the world around you while learning more about butterflies, clouds, climate change or biodiversity (the possibilities are endless!). Citizen Science can be done anywhere from your own backyard to a local open space or park. Find projects and learn more at scistarter.org. Journey information can be found at scistarter.com/girlscouts/info. Join us for a “Journey in a Day” event on Saturday, September 24th at the Bird Conservancy of The Rockies near Barr Lake State Park. More information is available on the Girl Scout Event Calendar.

Girl Scouts make our world a better place by taking action to address issues facing their local communities. There are no better examples of this Girl Scout spirit and resiliency than the 45 Girl Scouts from across Colorado who earned the distinction of Gold Award Girl Scout, the highest honor in Girl Scouts, this year. Gold Award Girl Scouts are high school girls who address issues they’re passionate about by planning and implementing a project that produces lasting change in their communities and beyond. They include: Kayla Bauer, Aurora, Healthy Kids Healthy Choices – Kayla partnered with Frontline Farming to create an easily accessible online resource to inspire children to choose healthy food options and consider engaging with community gardens. Her website includes healthy recipes, games, coloring pages, and educational materials, in both English and Spanish. Grace Bielefeldt, Highlands Ranch, Mental Health Recognition through Community Art – Inspired by her community coming together to deal with mental health issues after the school shooting at The STEM School Highlands Ranch, Grace wanted to create an awareness campaign to break down the stigma of dealing with those issues. In addition to a robust social media campaign, Grace worked with a local artist to unveil a comprehensive art piece at the community center where students were dispatched during the shooting. Samantha Bonfiglio Oswald, Westminster, Paint the Town Gold – Samantha worked with the City of Thornton to use a pedestrian underpass as a blank canvas for community artists to express themselves legally and freely. The space not only helped beautify her community, but also promotes the appreciation and support for public art. Local art teachers will continue to promote the blank canvas to their students for years to come. Ruby Boswell, Colorado Springs, Closet of Confidence – Ruby wished to make students at her school feel they can be confident, powerful, and brave all the time. To accomplish this, she created the Closet of Confidence that provides free, discrete feminine hygiene products to all students in need. The closet will continue to serve students and be maintained by her school’s National Honor Society and Parent Teacher Organization. Caitlyn Branine, Centennial, A Safe Place 2 Share – Caitlyn developed and created ASafePlace2Share.org. The website helps teens with emotional challenges find peer support through an online community. She also created a podcast and partnered with the Log Off Movement to engage teens in conversations about their struggles and to support one another. Hannah Brothers, Monument, Outdoors Club & Bike Drive – Hannah partnered with Kids on Bikes to organize a bike drive for kids in need. To sustain the annual bike drive, she also established a thriving outdoor club at her school that plans outdoor activities for students to promote a love for the outdoors and an active lifestyle. Kailani Cantu, Denver, Denver Trade School Finder – Kailani noticed a lack of information about education and careers in trade fields for high school students in her community. To address this, she created an online resource for students to explore careers in trade professions, research educational paths in their community, and connect to local professionals. Gillian Clark, Steamboat Springs, Bats & Benefits – Gillian partnered with a local environmental education organization, Yampatika, to address the issue of decreasing bat populations by designing, building, and installing bat habitats. The habitats ensure that the bat population in her community will continue to grow and thrive. Natasha Curzon, Steamboat Springs, Mountains & Mental Wellness – Natasha created a mental health and wellness curriculum centered around mindfulness in the outdoors, in partnership with Rocky Mountain Youth Corps. Her comprehensive program focuses on normalizing mental health issues and provides healthy coping mechanisms, such as meditation, yoga, and journaling. Macy Dehm, Glenwood Springs, Bracelets for Bears – Macy used her talent for making and selling jewelry to help fund the purchase of an acre of land at the Wild Animal Refuge in the name of Girl Scouts of Colorado. She also created a program, took many younger Girl Scouts to visit the refuge, and will continue to make the space available for Girl Scouts to use for years to come. Olivia DiGiacinto, Castle Rock, Holocaust Education Program – Olivia created a comprehensive Holocaust curriculum for middle schoolers to address antisemitism in school environments. By educating students, she hopes to empower Jewish students to not feel marginalized and for their peers to recognize how hurtful that experience can be. Iris Eisele, Colorado Springs, Project Inclusion – Through Project Inclusion, Iris created an online platform for students at her school to be acquainted with the special education population. Having all students engage with her social platform created an environment in which all students know each other and can be inclusive when they are together in class, or in social settings. Brooke Ferrel, Castle Rock, Everybody is a Mutant – In partnership with a professor at the University of Utah, Brooke conducted research on genetic mutations in the mitochondrial DNA of cyamids. Using her own research, she created a curriculum for students about genetic mutation to encourage them to accept differences in all people. Hailey Forar, Littleton, Target Safety – Hailey worked with a local gun range and a Colorado Parks and Wildlife range to create and adapt safety videos geared toward a younger audience. Her videos are a great resource to teach children about the importance of gun safety and will be used in classes and shared with her community for years to come. Lauren Frisch, Broomfield, Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness – Lauren partnered with the Family Promise organization to create a bridge housing program at her church for families experiencing homelessness. The church now provides short-term housing for families, so they have a self-reliant living situation while they get back on their feet. Celeste Fullerton, Carbondale, Vaping Prevention Program – Celeste launched a comprehensive awareness campaign to inform students about the dangers of vaping. As part of her campaign, Celeste created a documentary and developed the Junior Vaping Prevention Specialist program. Both allow students to hear from their peers about the negative effects of vaping. Janae Gadbois, Thornton, Community of Hope Garden – Janae worked with the Intercession Episcopal Church to make their community garden more efficient and functional. The community garden now provides fresh, organic food to families in need. Bella Gigoux, Grand Junction, Sensory Processing Disorder Exhibit – Inspired by her sister’s experience with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), Isabella wanted to raise awareness about SPD. To do so, she collaborated with Eureka! McConnell Science Museum to create a sensory exhibit that provides basic resources and information about SPD. Allison Graham, Colorado Springs, School in the Woods Nature Trail – Allison built a nature trail at School in the Woods to provide the students with a safe, outdoor activity on school property. She also established a volunteer committee of parents who will maintain the trail and continue to promote outdoor education to students and teachers. Laura Greichen, Centennial, The Charlie Project – Inspired by her own experience at The STEM School Highlands Ranch and her support dog, Charlie, Laura created The Charlie Project. The Charlie Project is a nonprofit organization with a mission to connect school shooting survivors to support dogs, along with mental health education, and support. Tessa Griffith, Hotchkiss, Self-Defense Education – Tessa worked with the Delta County Sheriff and Hotchkiss Marshal’s office to create a program at her high school that educates students on self-defense. Future generations of students will continue to learn how to keep themselves safe through Tessa’s program. Kaitlyn Harris, Aurora, Anti-Bullying Education – After noticing that most anti-bullying programs do not address the root cause of the problem, Kaitlyn created a curriculum for students at Smoky Hill High School to learn the importance of empathy and kindness. She hopes that by teaching the importance of kindness, students will be less likely to engage in bullying and more likely to stand up to bullies. Anna Hartwick, Broomfield, Conserve Birds at Home – Anna’s project addressed the issue of declining bird populations due to human-related causes by educating the community on how to reduce their bird-window collisions. She did this by giving many community presentations, sponsored by the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, creating conservebirdsathome.org, and self-publishing her story, Billy the Bird Visits the City. Jessica Johnson, Colorado Springs, Rise Up! – Jessica wrote, illustrated, and published the Rise of Sorceress, a comic book series with a Black, female superhero, to address the lack of representation of diversity in the comic book world. With her book, she hopes to inspire others in her community and instill confidence in other young, Black women. Rise of the Sorceress is available for purchase on Amazon. Jane Kealey, Denver, #UNIFIED – Jane wanted to strengthen the community of inclusion at East High School by creating the annual #UNIFIED assembly to educate students on their special education program and introduce them to differently abled students. The #UNIFIED club will further develop and promote the assembly for all upcoming East High School classes. Megan King, Monument, Operation Pollination – To address the growing issue of pollinators losing their natural habitats, Megan built and installed bee hotels in her community. Each habitat also includes a QR code linked to an informational website that Megan created to raise awareness about the importance of protecting pollinator habitats. Allison Kisicki, Arvada, In My Head – Allison wrote and developed “In My Head,” a play that helps break down the stigma of struggling with mental health issues. The show highlights six types of anxieties and how the characters learn to cope and accept those issues. The play premiered on YouTube and the book was shared with theater teachers who can stage the play at their own schools. Jackie Lawless, Westminster, The Sea Bunny – Jackie set out to educate Coloradans on the importance of ocean pollution and how we can affect change, even in a landlocked state. She created the Sea Bunny, a character who educates and inspires change through an interactive YouTube channel using footage from the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology. The Sea Bunny and the channel appeals to people of all ages. Ciara Leal, Lakewood, Support for Single Mothers – Ciara created an online donation pipeline of household and baby items to help single mothers at Mary’s Homes of Hope around Colorado. By developing an easy-to-use online donation website, the organization can continue promoting and collecting donations for mothers staying in their homes for years to come. Kendyl MacAskill, Grand Junction, Choose Freedom – Kendyl increased awareness and support of Colorado Discover Ability (CDA) to make the world a better place for children with disabilities. She worked with Camp Freedom to strengthen their fundraising and volunteer program by creating an educational video, highlighting valuable testimonies of campers. Julia Martin, Castle Rock, Castle View High School Recycling Program – Julia developed and implemented a full, in-class recycling program at Castle View High School. By providing bins in classrooms, her program encourages students to take responsibility and ownership over their own recycling. Nicole McCloskey, Colorado Springs, Stitching for Good – As an avid seamstress herself, Nicole created an online resource to connect people who love to sew with organizations that take donations of sewn items. Anyone can visit stitchingforgood.org to find places to donate the items they make and find sewing patterns for frequently donated items. Alexis Mobley, Aurora, Kits 4 Cancer – Alexis supported the Cancer Center at Parker Adventist Hospital to create a donation pipeline of comfort kits for patients. The kits include simple necessities and are handed out while patients are undergoing chemotherapy. Sophie Reynolds, Castle Rock, Exploring Biotech – To inspire girls to consider an interest and career in biotech, Sophie created a biotech workshop and patch for Girl Scouts. Her workshop includes fun, educational activities that allow girls to explore some of the mysteries of biotechnology, hear testimonies from women in biotech, and, hopefully, inspire them to become scientists. Heather Robson, Colorado Springs, Guinea Pig Care – As someone who loves guinea pigs, Heather was concerned about a growing issue of guinea pigs returned to the humane society after adoption. To address this, Heather created an informational program for local humane societies to share with families considering adoption, so they have all the facts before making a decision. Genesis Rodriguez, Arvada, Latinx Girls in the Future – Genesis encouraged more Latinx and female aligned diversity in STEM fields by creating virtual programming for students. Her curriculum takes the students through fun and engaging activities and exposes them to several potential STEM careers. Through her programming, she reached Latinx students from 2nd–12th grade. Corinne Roe, Westminster, Igniting Adventure – Corinne created and ran a day camp to inspire young girls to be more comfortable in the outdoors and consider careers in the military and outdoor professions. Her camp and online resources teach girls survival skills like fire safety, basic first aid, shelter building, and leave no trace. Sarah Schumacher, Berthoud, The Culture of ASL to Our World – Sarah created a club at her local elementary school for 3rd-5th graders that works to raise awareness and knowledge about the deaf community and teach students American Sign Language. The club will continue to serve students and make it easier for deaf students to communicate and be included. Madison Seckman, Centennial, Your Level Reading – Madison created a robust, online resource for parents and students to be informed about potential triggers and mature topics in books they’re reading. Her vast network of volunteers read books and submit information that can be found by readers on her website. Larissa Snoddy, Colorado Springs, Feral Cat Protection – Larissa noticed a lack of education about the difference between feral and stray cats and how the community can work together to handle cats in their area. To address this, she created an awareness campaign and website to educate the community. Zofia Stroman, Steamboat Springs, Documenting a Moment in Time – Zofia directed, filmed, and produced a documentary about the lives of people in her community during the pandemic. She also created instructional materials to inspire and help young people in her community create their own documentaries. Jayden Thomason, Mancos, The C6H1206 Hiding in your Drink – Jayden partnered with the Montelores Early Childhood Council (MECC) to host a booth at their annual health fair in Cortez, to educate parents and kids about the dangers and impacts of sugary drinks. The MECC will continue to take on this issue and promote her information in their community. Alexis Vaille, Dillon, Hope Squad – Alexis created a program to be implemented into her school to break down the stigma of struggling with mental health issues. Her program also teaches students how to identify the signs of mental health issues to create more awareness and peer support within the community. Willow Wilson, Westminster, Save The Stars – Willow set out to address the issue of light pollution by addressing the lack of understanding in the general population and her local government. Her program wasdirected at educating the City of Westminster and local students about how they can affect light pollution and support Dark Sky places and organizations. Hannah Wurl, Aurora, Study Skillz 4 Kidz – Hannah created a program for K-8th grade teachers to use in their classrooms to educate students about different learning styles and how knowing your learning style can help you learn. Her program includes story maps and reading logs to help students with different learning styles. A Gold Award Girl Scout, no matter her background or ability, learns to tap into the world-changing power within her. She takes the lead in designing and enacting a plan for change and makes a positive impact in her community and beyond. Gold Award Girl Scouts discover they have the power to create the future they want for themselves and others, and it shows. According to recent research, Gold Award Girl Scouts are significantly more satisfied—with their personal lives, with their education, professionally, and financially—than non-Girl Scouts. Eighty-five percent of Gold Award Girl Scouts say that earning their Gold Award gave them skills to succeed in their daily lives, and eighty-seven percent say it gave them skills to help them succeed professionally. “Gold Award Girl Scouts don’t just change the world for the better, they change it for good—and these Girl Scouts embody everything this achievement stands for,” said Leanna Clark, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of Colorado.“Each of these young women addressed an issue that’s important to her in order to earn her Gold Award, and she’s grown as a leader in the process. We congratulate each of these Gold Award Girl Scouts on this momentous accomplishment, and I can’t wait to see what they can achieve in the future.” Each year, Gold Award Girl Scouts are eligible to earn the Stephanie A. Foote Leadership Prize. This award was made possible through a generous gift to Girl Scouts of Colorado’s Endowment by Girl Scouts of Colorado’s former President and CEO Stephanie A. Foote. In addition, the Debbie Haskins Spirit of Girl Scouting Award is given in memory of Girl Scout Gold Award Mentor Debbie Haskins, who had a passion for working with older Girl Scouts. It recognizes one outstanding Gold Award Girl Scout from Colorado who exemplifies the Girl Scout spirit through courage, confidence, and character. Open only to girls in high school, the Girl Scout Gold Award is the most prestigious award in the world for girls. The Gold Award project involves seven steps: 1. Identify an issue, 2. Investigate it thoroughly, 3. Get help and build a team, 4. Create a plan, 5. Present the plan and gather feedback, 6. Take action, 7. Educate and inspire. Gold Award Girl Scouts become innovative problem solvers, empathetic leaders, confident public speakers, and focused project managers. They learn resourcefulness, tenacity, and decision-making skills, giving them an edge personally and professionally. Changing the world doesn’t end when a Girl Scout earns her Gold Award: 96% of Gold Award Girl Scouts say their experience inspired their ongoing commitment to service or volunteering, and 95% say it made them more responsible members of their communities. You can learn more about these extraordinary young women and their projects on the Girl Scouts of Colorado blog. You have permission to use the photos and biographies of any of the girls listed above in print or online publications. If you would like to interview any of these Girl Scouts about their project and the impact it had, please contact Hannah Gutkind, Girl Scouts of Colorado public relations manager.

Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state. Chiemi Turnball in the Pikes Peak region is a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community. GSCO asked Chiemi to answer a few quick questions about her volunteer experience. We hope you find her as inspiring as we did. Why did you become a Girl Scout volunteer? My daughter decided to become a Girl Scout and the troop at her school needed a leadership team. Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout. I’ve been a troop leadership for almost three years. I was also a TFPM and TCM this year for the first time. What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer? Being on a troop leadership team provided me with an opportunity to keep my eyes and ears open to what is available for me to help my girls grow. I love helping girls earn badges and learn new things. One time our troop went to a rock-climbing gym and one of the girls did not like heights. It was such a rewarding moment when the girl was able to reach the top concouring her fear supported by her sister Girl Scouts! What do you hope girls have learned from you? I hope my girls remember to always give their best not matter what they do. Even if its not perfect, it is okay as long as they do their best. Be comfortable with who they are and be happy. Nominate an exceptional volunteer for a Volunteer Award! Nominations are open April 1-June 30, 2022 https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/for-volunteers/volunteer-appreciation/adult-recognition-nominations.html

Thanks so much to the teachers at the greeley fencing club for giving some of the Girl Scouts from troop 70720 another amazing experience fencing! Taught some of the basics and the Girl Scouts had so much fun!

April is Volunteer Appreciation MonthThank you for being a Girl Scout volunteer! We love our volunteers and are celebrating you during Volunteer Appreciation Month. Check out some amazing volunteers that we have spotlighted on the GSCO Blog this month. Girl Scout volunteers change the lives of girls in their communities every day. Some volunteers go above and beyond all expectations and have a positive impact on their troop and/or their service unit and sometimes the whole council. Recognize an outstanding volunteer by nominating them for a Volunteer Recognition Award . Nominators are responsible for ensuring enough endorsements are submitted to support their nomination of a volunteer for an award. Your volunteer support specialist can check the status of nominations. Nominate an exceptional volunteer for a volunteer award by June 30! Check out other ways to say thank your fellow volunteers below.LEARN MORE Find Your Adventure with Early Bird Renewal! All members who renew before May 13 can join in a special event with Girl Scout alumn Kristen Bell! Learn how to paint your world purple with Kristen, co-author of The World Needs More Purple People, for a fun virtual event on May 19. This special event is open to members registered for the 2023 membership year, so make sure you are renewed and then register! Registration for this special event is open: https://girlscouts.org/purple Members who renew before June 30 will receive these additional rewards: Girls earn the Find Your Adventure Early Bird patch (pictured above). Choice of $25 GSCO shop credit or Rededication Kit for troops renewing two or more leaders and three or more girls* Service Units, earn $100+ $0.25/girl when you renew 50% or more of your unit membership* Stay tuned for additional surprises and drawings to be announced during Early Bird! *Annual Troop Report and ACH forms must be submitted by June 30, 2022 to qualify for troop and service unit rewards. 50/50 Starter Troop Incentive Troop and Service Unit Teams: Troops and/or service units who recruit and mentor a new troop, with new volunteer leadership, April 1-July 31, 2022 will earn $50 for the troop or service unit and $50 for the new troop! Supporting the new troop for four to six sessions will ensure a great initial experience as new members start their Girl Scout adventure! Requirements and full details can be found here. Complete the intent form to get started. Girl Scout Days at Elitch Gardens patch contest Build Like a Girl is back and better than ever! Climb Up to CadettesBridging Event for 5th grade Girl Scouts Sunday, June 12 In this full day event in Castle Rock, Girl Scouts will discover more about themselves and their boundaries on the Epic Sky Trek ropes course, connect with older Girl Scouts to learn more about being a Girl Scout in middle school, and then take action by learning how to be an upstander in bullying situations.Caregivers and troop leaders, don’t worry, we didn’t forget about you! We will have an adult-only morning session so you can learn how to support your Girl Scout as they plan their “go, see, do” year.LEARN MORE We want to hear from you! If you have any questions, please email GSVoicesCount@girlscouts.org. Update on travel restrictionsGirl Scouts of Colorado is allowing troops to travel internationally again, however Girl Scouts are not permitted to travel to international locations rated “Level 4: Do Not Travel” by the United States Department of State. This is in alignment with GSUSA’s travel rules adopted in 2018 to keep girls safe while they explore the world. Any troops planning travel for summer 2022 should submit a Trip Notification Form, an out of state travel waiver, and expect a check-in call with GSCO at 90-days, 60-days, and 30-days prior to their departure date. Please check the State Department levels and be aware that many countries are currently listed as Level 4 and plans may need to change. Check the FAQs regarding international travel for more information. Outdoor Program News Troop Adventure Days + Book your own cabin overnight Join us for a full day of troop adventures and then book an overnight on your own! Troop Adventure Days are held at Meadow Mountain Ranch in Allenspark ($35/Girl Scout), and at Lazy Acres in Rye ($65/Girl Scout). When troops register for a full day program, they may choose to extend their stay by booking a cabin at the camp property the night before or after the program. Visit the GSCO events calendar and learn more about Troop Adventure Days. Outdoor Adventure Club Calling all 6th – 12th graders! Spring and summer 2022 Outdoor Adventure Club event details are now available! Join us for our annual April service projects, a boating campout, and a 14er hike. We hope to see you at an event! Upcoming Camp Events Tomahawk Ranch Open House Sunday, May 22, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Take a drive to the mountains and visit Tomahawk Ranch for a self-guided tour and a chance to meet the staff ask all the questions your heart desires! Bring family, friends, and your walking shoes. This is a great opportunity for your camper(s) to help them prepare for a fun experience this summer. No registration required for this free event. Learn more about the event. Sky High Ranch Virtual Open House Monday May 30, 9-10 a.m. Join the Sky High team for a virtual tour and staff Q&A session! This is a great opportunity to see videos of the property and ask all your questions about summer camp. Click here for more information about this event. Reach for the Peak- Tickler at Sky High Ranch Saturday May 14, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. $5 per girl and adults, Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors only A day-long mini workshop highlighting points of the outdoor skills competition.  The Reach for the Peak Tickler is an opportunity to learn what skills will be useful in the Reach for the Peak competition (held in August). Participants will visit mock stations, meet other girls who are competing, and spend the day at Sky High Ranch. This is a great introduction for girls who are new to the competition. This is your chance to learn more about this fun and fabulous outdoor skills challenge! We’ll brush up on outdoor skills including: emergency shelters, first aid, fire building, tool craft, map and compass reading, camp cooking, knots, lashing, and site set up. To register, download and complete the registration form and send payment. Contact Donna Johannsen with questions (719) 244-4279 or RftP-Tickler@outlook.com. Product Program updatesThank you to everyone who guided girls towards success during the 2022 Cookie Program! Your positive, can-do spirit and perseverance were appreciated as we all worked through the challenges brought on by labor shortages and supply chain issues at our bakery. Don’t forget to take a moment to reflect on everything your Girl Scouts have accomplished. Important Dates April 30 – Cookie Credits applied to GSCO camp registrations deadline May – Cookie Credits mailed out May – Rewards ship to service units 2022-23 Product Program Volunteer Agreements If you were a troop fall product manager (TFPM) or troop cookie manager (TCM) last year and you will continue in this the role, please complete the volunteer agreement when you renew your membership. Make sure your troop or service unit submits a 2022-2023 ACH form too! When you renew your membership, volunteer role, and ensure that a current ACH form is completed, you meet all requirements for getting approved as a Fall Product or Girl Scout Cookie Program volunteer. You’ll gain access to M2 and eBudde as soon as it opens and be included in key volunteer communications right from the start! 2022 TFPM Agreement 2023 TCM Agreement 2022-23 ACH Form Have questions or need assistance? Please contact GSCO customer care at inquiry@gscolorado.org or call 1-877-404-5708. Author – Rachele Alpine Apr. 25, 5-5:45 p.m., DBJ Apr. 25, 6:30-7:30 p.m., CSA What’s it like to be an author? And, how do books get published? Join us as Rachele Alpine, author of 11 books, takes us through a writing prompt that will provide endless story ideas!Inspiring Futures presented by CollegeInvestDetective May 4, 5 – 5:45 p.m., DBJ May 4, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., CSA Dive into the science of detecting with Criminal Investigator, Shannon Daly of Colorado’s 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. In her 19 years in Law Enforcement, she has been a K9 handler, Narcotics Detective, Rapid Response Team Member (SWAT), Defensive Tactics Instructor, and a Force Science Analyst! What does all this mean? We’ll find this out and about her education pathway into Law Enforcement. Pilot May 11, 5 – 5:45 p.m., DBJ May 11, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., CSA Join Southwest Airlines First Officer and retired U.S. Air Force aviator Pamela as she introduces you to the high-flying path to life as a career pilot! Colorado Parks & Wildlife School Programs Coordinator May 23, 5 – 5:45 p.m., DBJ May 23, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., CSA Colorado Parks & Wildlife School Programs Coordinator, Erin Kendall will share information about her education, career and why she loves working for CPW! Erin will also speak to Girl Scouts about other job opportunities within Colorado Parks & Wildlife and see a short interactive example of what an environmental educator might do!LEARN MORE Upcoming EventsGirl Scouts on the Rails April 16, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Girl Scout Brownies and Juniors are invited to join the Colorado Railroad Museum for a fun-filled day that will enhance their First Aid, Simple and Compound Machines, Engineering, Career Exploration, and Animal Habitat Badge experiences. Not only will participants get to make a First Aid Kit to take home, but they will also learn about the Colorado Railroad connection to First Aid Kits. Girl Scouts will also get to ride the Galloping Goose and learn about its connection to the Girl Scouts experience in the early 20th century!Denver Botanic Gardens – Girl Scout Exploration Days Numbers and Art in Nature – Daisies Saturday, April 23, 9:15 a.m., 10:45 a.m. or 1 p.m. Girl Scout Daisies search for patterns, colors, and sounds in the Gardens as they use math to create art.  Daisies learn to use nature as a measuring too, explore shadows and create art inspired by nature to take home. This Exploration Day is designed to meet the requirements for both the Daisy Outdoor Art Maker and the Daisy Math in Nature 2 badges. Badge not included. Catamount Institute Earn Your Badge Day April 23, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Join the Catamount Institutes naturalist for their spring Earn a Badge program! Brownies and Juniors will get to engage and explore in Sondermann park as they earn the requirements for specific badges. The day promises to be hands-on, all outside, and tons of fun. Girl Scout Cooking on the Homestead at Plains Conservation Center April 23, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Girl Scout Brownie and Juniors will chop, squeeze, measure, and bake to create a tasty spread of homemade foods. Expand your kitchen skills by cooking on an old-fashioned wood burning stove and explore our heirloom garden to learn about growing your own produce. This program meets some of the requirements for the Brownie Snacks and Juniors Simple Meals Badges. Girl Scout Hydro Heros at Chatfield Farms April 30, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors are invited to explore water at Chatfield Farms through the lens of important ecosystems of Colorado! Girl Scouts will use STEM techniques to discover how ecologists examine water quality, learn how Coloradans get and use water, and create hydro art. Spring Outdoor Skills Days April 30, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Good Shepherd United Methodist, Thornton Join Troop 70007 for an outdoor skills learning day this spring to earn outdoor skills badges and get ready for summer camping! Girl Scouts will learn skills in knife craft, compass, outdoor cooking, fire building, campsite set up, first aid and more. Register as a troop or Juliette with a parent chaperone, cost is $22/ girl. Questions? girlscouttroop70007@gmail.com. Fairy Gardens STEAM Patch At this event, Girl Scouts will  flex both their STEM and artistic muscles by creating a fairy garden to add to their outdoor space. Let’s hope their creations “attract” fairies to their own gardens! Registration includes a fun patch. May 14 Fairy Gardens STEAM Patch – Loveland May 14 Fairy Gardens STEAM Patch – Grand Junction May 21 Fairy Gardens STEAM Patch – Colorado Springs May 21 Fairy Gardens STEAM Patch – Denver Denver Botanic Gardens – Girl Scout Exploration Days Create a Garden – Juniors Saturday, May 14, 9:15 a.m., 10:45 a.m. or 1 p.m. Girl Scout Juniors explore the basics of garden design as they learn how to plan for a successful garden.  Girl Scotus design, plant and decorate a miniature indoor garden to take home with them.  This program is designed to meet the needs of the Gardener Junior Girl Scout Badge requirements. Statewide Bridging at Royal Gorge Bridge May 21, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Join your Girl Scout sisters as we celebrate accomplishments, reflect on the fun times, and bridge to the next level of Girl Scouts at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. We’ll have a Girl Scout bridging ceremony and symbolize this moment by walking together as a sisterhood across the highest suspension bridge in the United States! Then we’ll enjoy a celebration on the other side at Juniper Junction. #2022VolunteerView

Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state. Mercedes Coleman in the Pikes Peak region is a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community. GSCO asked Mercedes to answer a few quick questions about her volunteer experience. We hope you find her as inspiring as we did. Why did you become a Girl Scout volunteer? I wanted my daughter to experience Girl Scouts, and we joined a starter troop that didn’t have any leaders to turn into a permanent troop.  Growing up, when I was in Girl Scouts, my mom was actually my troop leader, so I thought it would be a fun way to be involved in character development with my daughter. Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout. I am a troop leader and focus on the Brownie programming (soon to be moving to Juniors!) and handle our troop monthly newsletter and email correspondence. What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer? I’ve learned that the very best of humanity lies in the heart of a Girl Scout.  I’ve learned that our girls are more able to pivot on business plans during catastrophic events such as COVID-19 than some established businesses run by grown-ups.  I’ve learned that with volunteering for Girl Scouts, I will always leave with a full bucket and hope for our future.  Whenever I feel like the world is a selfish place, I only need to hang out with some Girl Scouts to feel a little bit better. What do you hope girls have learned from you? I hope my girls have learned that kindness is cool.  I hope they’ve learned to be proud and unafraid of who they are on the inside and to remain true to themselves.  I hope they carry lessons of empathy with them and the fire to create change throughout the rest of their entire lives. Nominate an exceptional volunteer for a Volunteer Award! Nominations are open April 1-June 30, 2022 https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/for-volunteers/volunteer-appreciation/adult-recognition-nominations.html

Nancy has been a vital part of Girl Scouts in Routt County in addition to being an essential connection to her community through her numerous volunteer efforts with other organizations. Nancy has helped Girl Scouts of Colorado membership in the Steamboat area, Routt County, the Mountain Communities Region, and state level grow. Mountain Communities Regional Manager Cricket Hawkins shares with us how her support to the organization is immeasurable. “Nancy embodies what it means to be involved and does more than the average volunteer. Nancy encourages others to help whenever and wherever they can, and she shares her philosophy with those around her: ‘Whatever small amount you are doing, whether it is delivering snacks to a meeting or driving girls on a field trip, it’s important. Even if you can only do one small thing, it matters and has influence in the lives of girls,’ Nancy shared in the past. During her volunteer tenure Nancy has encouraged Girl Scouts in her Service Unit to pursue and complete their Gold Award and has mentored these girls as well as other Gold Award Girl Scouts in the Mountain Communities Region. After Nancy’s boys went on to college, she reconnected as an active Girl Scout volunteer. In 2012, she helped to plan and implement a Girl Scouts of Colorado trip for local girls to Savannah for the 100th Anniversary of Girl Scouting. Nancy became the Service Unit Manager for Steamboat in 2012, where she continues to volunteer today. During her time on the Girl Scouts of Colorado Board of Directors, she implemented a Cocktails & Cookie Creations fundraiser for the organization from 2013-2015. When her board term expired in 2016, she subsequently applied for, and received, a seat on the Girl Scouts of Colorado Membership Connection Committee. For the past 10 years as the Service Unit Manager, Nancy has increased the Steamboat Springs Service Unit’s membership and mentored successful Gold Award Girl Scouts. Her efforts include recruitment collaborations with regional staff and retention events with local troops. In 2012 she was instrumental in organizing overnight camps and activities for Steamboat Springs Girl Scouts.  She collaborated with Steamboat Springs Recreation Department after-school club program which provided a providing a ‘try-it’ opportunity, called the Daisy Club, for Kindergartners and first graders.  Girls registered for a session consisting of seven – eight after school meetings and the city provided the administration and logistical support while Nancy, along with 2 adult volunteer Girl Scouts, provide the Girl Scout Daisy Level activities.  This collaboration created 1 to 2 permanent troops every year but has been on hold since 2020 due to COVID restrictions. I suspect she’ll find a way to initiate a new program! Nancy’s tireless energy is noted also as a Troop Leader. She continues to engage Cadette and older girls in her own troop, an annual endeavor when older girls change program levels and their original troops disband. Nancy is also a member of several of the local Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Troop Leadership Teams.” Nancy is a Lifetime member of Girl Scouts and was a member of the Board of Directors of Girl Scouts of Colorado and the MCC.  Not only was she a part of Girl Scouts of Colorado’s governance, but her past connections influenced her roles on the board and MCC and still play a part in her current Girl Scout roles in the community. Nominate an exceptional volunteer for a Volunteer Award! Nominations are open April 1-June 30, 2022 https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/for-volunteers/volunteer-appreciation/adult-recognition-nominations.html