What did you do for your Gold Award project? For my Gold Award, I partnered with Building Hope and started a Hope Squad program at Snowy Peaks High School. How did you measure the impact your Gold Award project made on your target audience? I measured the impact my project made by creating a Google form, asking questions about what resources the student knew about before and how they think Hope Squad will be helpful to students in the future. How is your project sustainable? How will your project continue to impact after your involvement? Connor Catron, Summit School District social worker, and Justin Holms, Snowy Peaks teacher, will keep the program running for at least the next four years and hopefully continue after that. Connor and Mr. Holms signed a commitment letter stating that they will help keep the program going. This program will be something that every student can join. What is your project’s global and/or national connection? My project’s global link is the lack of awareness on the topic of mental health and how it affects people. What did you learn about yourself? I learned that I am good at public speaking in front of large crowds, over Zoom, and in person. How will earning your Gold Award impact you in the future? Earning my Gold Award means a lot to me. My dad and older brother both have their Eagle and I wanted to be able to earn my Gold Award. I am the first in my family to earn my Gold Award. In my future, I will be able to inspire younger girls to achieve their Gold Award because it is such a big honor. Creating a mental health program will inspire me to use those resources in my future and to become someone anyone can talk to when I become a teacher. Why do you feel the Gold Award was an important part of your Girl Scout experience? The Gold Award was an important part of my experience because it allowed me to take the lead on a project and do something based on what I am passionate about. How did earning your Gold Award help you become a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)? Earning my Gold Award helped me become a G.I.R.L. because I was a go-getter by not giving up on my goals and pushing through to make sure I got them done. I was able to be an innovator because I got to figure out what program would work best and change it as needed. I was a risk-taker because I had to present to many people I did not know or feel comfortable around, so I took the risk and was able to do it. And, I was a leader because I got to use my leadership skills in starting the program. **IMPORTANT NOTE: This blog represents only a small fraction of the hard work, dedication, and requirements that go into earning a Girl Scout Gold Award. It is simply a brief summary, which is meant to inspire Girl Scouts to Go Gold in the future. For more information on earning your Gold Award, please email highestawards@gscolorado.org. #GoldAward #SummitSchoolDistrict #SnowyPeaksHighSchool #mentalhealth #GoldAwardGirlScout #Dillon #GirlScoutGoldAward #BuildingHope #HopeSquadprogram #mountaincommunities

Girl Scout Tessa Baker, a 15-year-old from Highlands Ranch, has been awarded Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA)’s prestigious Medal of Honor for helping save a fellow student’s life in February 2021. Tessa didn’t hesitate and jumped into action when a classmate appeared to be having a seizure during an algebra lesson. As the teacher pressed the emergency call button, the student began to fall out of her desk. Tessa ran to help. “Everyone else was in shock. She (Tessa) knew we needed to lay the student on the floor, so the fall wouldn’t cause an injury. I moved the student to the floor with Tessa’s help,” Brent Murray, teacher at Highlands Ranch High School, wrote in a letter to GSUSA. “I don’t think I could have done it all by myself.” Emergency personnel took over once they arrived in the classroom and the student is now doing well. “I was so happy to have Tessa in that class. Tessa was so calm and collected. She was also very knowledgeable about what to do in such a situation,” Murray also wrote. Girl Scouts of the USA awards the Medal of Honor for “saving life or attempting to save life without risk to the candidate’s own life.” “I feel honored to receive this recognition. I hope that other girls see this as an example of what Girl Scouts can do and how we can apply what we learn here to our everyday life,” wrote Tessa. In March 2016, Katie Hurley of Northglenn was awarded the Medal of Honor for saving her mother’s life after her glucose levels dropped to a life-threatening level. Later that same year, Katelyn Ibarra from Steamboat Springs was also awarded the Medal of Honor for saving numerous lives after a city bus crashed. Tessa is also a Silver Award Girl Scout. She earned the highest honor for Girl Scouts in middle school by completing a project called “Hoops for Athletes.” While watching her older brother play at a unified basketball tournament, she was sad to see that some athletes were using trash cans as makeshift basketball hoops. Tessa didn’t like the message trash can hoops gave to athletes with limited physical abilities, as well as to game spectators. In the spirit of inclusion, Tessa, along with her sister Diana, replaced the trash cans with height friendly basketball hoops at area Douglas County schools. What’s next for Tessa? In just a few days, she will attend Girl Scouts of Colorado summer camp at Tomahawk Ranch as a counselor in training. We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here. #GirlScoutsoftheUSA #GSUSA #HighlandsRanch #MedalofHonor #GirlScoutsoftheUSAGSUSA #MetroDenver

Submitted by Jessica Spangler Metro Denver Denver Four Juniors in multi-level Troop 65659 came together in 2020 with a goal: earn the Bronze Award. They finished the aMUSE Journey online, culminating in a play they created to bust the stereotype that firefighters are male (https://youtu.be/I8lFJo2C3C4). Meeting online once or twice per month, they built their team, virtually toured their neighborhoods, observed eleven problems, and interviewed experts. In December, they finalized their choice: children being left out and socially excluded. They started 2021 with a vision to address feeling left out: “Happy, Helping, Gathering, Respect Others’ Feelings, Feel Welcomed, Respect others, Speaking to each other, Go somewhere and talk.” They said their goal for the project was to include “horses” and “campfires.” Julianna had an idea to help children feel welcome: a “Kindness Board” where each youth would write something positive about another and post it for everyone to see. In March and April, despite two of the girls being unable to continue with the project, Juniors Kennedy and Julianna continued undaunted and created the You Are Invited Club for all children and youth who feel left out and excluded. They personally visited two nonprofit farms that provide classes and programming to youth in the community and asked the owners to host their club. They were so grateful that both farms said yes! They made videos to advertise their new program (https://youtu.be/AsAyz1uar9c and https://youtu.be/wgIXa2KL91c). Once the new club was publicized by each farm, Kennedy and Julianna got together for a mini-pizza party to create a poster, write thank you notes, and celebrate their accomplishment that was a year and a half in the making. We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here. #BronzeAwardproject #HighestAwards #GirlScoutBronzeAward #BronzeAward #Demver #MetroDenver #TakeAction

“The experience was challenging, but at the end it was really rewarding. I loved riding my bike for a cause!” said Marguerite (pictured at left). “There were only two choices: yes and no. We chose yes, and it was really fun hanging out together and being proud of our accomplishments,” said Elsa (pictured at right). Submitted by Allison Brown Southwestern CO Durango Two Girl Scout Juniors from Troop 26242 in Durango competed in the city’s annual Iron Horse Bicycle Classic over Memorial Day, enthusiastically taking on the more-challenging second half of the race that goes from Cascade Creek to the town of Silverton. The fifth graders (accompanied by their dads) biked more than 21 miles, navigating two mountain passes and climbing more than 3,100 vertical feet. Both of the Girl Scouts are avid bikers with the girls-only mountain biking group EveryPedal, and one of them used the occasion of the race to fundraise for the Durango Derailers’ cycling team, which contributes thousands of dollars every year to local families getting treatment at Children’s Hospital Colorado in Denver. The girls were proud of their accomplishment and ended the race tired but with smiles on their faces. We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here. #IronHorseBicycleClassic #Durango #SouthwesternCO #ChildrensHospitalColorado #IronHorseClassic

Girl Scouts of Colorado’s NEW Gardening patch program is a customizable program that covers topics surrounding biology, ecology, art, and naturalism, as well as lessons celebrating plant biodiversity and plant pollinators. There is even an extra lesson that teaches Girl Scouts about diversity, equity, and inclusion concepts through growing and celebrating the biodiversity of plants! Complete at least four lessons to earn your patch or become a gardening whiz by completing all seven. Earn this patch on your own or with your troop. If you’d like to learn about gardening and all the wonderful things it can do for your community and the planet, this is the program for you. This patch is geared towards Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors, but older girls are welcome to join in the fun. After completing the requirements for this patch, you can purchase it from the GSCO Retail Shop for $3/patch. Join us Wednesday, June 16, 2021 at 4 p.m. for the virtual kick-off of our Summer Gardening patch program (see details below). At this kick-off, we will introduce and explain the program. After the kick-off meeting, Girl Scouts will be granted access to Google Classroom which houses all the activities. If you would simply like access to the Gardening patch program, you can head directly to the Google Classroom using this classroom code: 2cj5mlg If you have never used Google Classroom, follow these steps to join: Make sure you have a Google account (gmail). You can create a free account if you do not have one. Sign into classroom.google.com or the Google Classroom app with your Google account.  Click the + to join your class using the classroom code. Click “Classwork” to see the activities to complete the requirements Gardening patch program. Register here for the virtual kick-off on June 16. Whether you’re working to earn GSCO’s new Gardening patch or you just love gardening,  join us for an in-person Gardening patch activity meet-up. You’ll connect with other gardening enthusiasts and create a bee hotel to encourage pollinator activity, earning one part of your Gardening patch. Denver Gardening Patch Activity Meet-Up, Saturday, June 26, 10 – 11 a.m. Colorado Springs Gardening Patch Activity Meet-Up, Saturday, June 26, 10 – 11 a.m. Grand Junction Gardening Patch Activity Meet-Up, Saturday, June 26, 10 – 11 a.m., Saturday, June 26, 10 – 11 a.m. Longmont Gardening Patch Activity Meet-Up, Saturday, June 26, 10 – 11 a.m. The patch is included in the price for the activity meet-ups. We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here. #Gardeningpatch #GirlScoutingatHome #GSCOevents #GirlScoutsatHome #Gardeningpatchprogram

Space is still available for Girl Scouts of Colorado’s rock climbing events in Red Cliff! Girls will learn about climbing equipment, techniques, knots, and other skills before exploring the rock wall. No prior climbing experience is required and this event is open to all Brownies – Ambassadors. Learn more and register here: Saturday, July 24: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/events-repository/2021/july24_rock_climbing_.html Sunday, July 25: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/events-repository/2021/july25_rock_climbing_.html This is not a drop-off event. All Girl Scouts must attend with a caregiver, guardian, or troop leader. Girl to adult ratios for events must be met. No tagalongs. All child and adult attendees agree to follow the most current GSCO COVID -19 guidelines in relation to in-person events and have completed a COVID-19 waiver. All participants must have a current Girl Scout membership. Financial assistance is available. Easily apply during registration process, to receive aid toward the event registration fee. We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here. #gsoutdoors #GSCOevents #RedCliff #rockclimbing

Space is still available for the Outdoor Adventure Club’s (OAC) mountain biking event at Waterton Canyon on July 24 or 25, 2021! Enjoy the gentle incline of the trail while taking in views of the South Platte River. We will also explore the nearby Denver Audubon Center for bird watching and cooling off by the pond. This event is open to any Girl Scouts in 6th – 12th grade to register individually. The cost is $40 /girl. Grants are available and girls can also use Cookie Credits. Learn more and register now: July 24: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/events-repository/2021/july24_oac_mountain_.html July 25: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/events-repository/2021/july25_oac_mountain.html The Outdoor Adventure Club (OAC) is a GSCO staff-led program for older Girl Scouts offering monthly high adventure activities such as mountain biking, rock climbing, white water rafting, and skiing. Visit the Outdoor Adventure Club website for more information: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/outdoors/outdoor-adventure-club.html We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here. #OutdoorAdventureClub #GSCOevents #oldergirls #OAC #MountainBiking #gsoutdoors #WatertonCanyon

Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state. Heidi Mazur in the Northern & Northeastern CO region is a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community. GSCO asked Heidi 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? The original reason was because I moved from Wisconsin to North Carolina and I didn’t know very many people. So, I decided to be a co-leader to a troop that was in need and then, I became the leader for the next 12 years and have met a lot of wonderful people along the way! Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout. I became a Lifetime Member soon after I received my Gold Award, became a summer camp counselor, and volunteered here and there during college in Wisconsin as well.  A few years after college, I became a leader for 12 years (without kids) in North Carolina. I helped my Girl Scouts lead events for younger girls many times.  All of the girls earned their Silver Award and one girl earned her Gold Award. We went on many trips including a trip to Savannah, a cruise to the Bahamas, and I planned a Girl Scout trip to Europe with 42 people. Then, when my daughter was in Kindergarten, I started a new troop.  This past year, when the previous SUM/SUCM stepped down, I stepped up. What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer? I have learned to delegate so that I am not overwhelmed and ask people to help directly. I am finding new ways to streamline a large troop during cookie season. And, technology is my friend! What do you hope girls have learned from you? To be a sister to every Girl Scout by being kind, respectful, and inclusive.  I also hope that the girls will have opportunities to learn and experience new things that they would not have done otherwise. And, last but not least, perseverance and hard work will help you reach your end goal. Want to nominate a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado to spotlight? Email media@gscolorado.org. #2021VolunteerSpotlight #NorthernampNortheasternCO #VolunteerNews #volunteerspotlight

Join Girl Scouts of Colorado at Pirates Cove for our annual Girl Scout swim party on July 26 at 6:30 p.m. All Girl Scouts, friends, and family are invited. Bring a friend and show them some of the fun that Girl Scouts have to offer. This is also a great opportunity to have a kick-off for your troop before the school year starts! Register today as space is limited: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/events-repository/2021/july26_gsco_summer_s.html The cost is $8/person. You have the option to purchase an event patch for $3/person. Pirates Cove offers a leisure pool with a large play structure, a 25-meter, six-lane pool, a 35-foot slide tower with three slides, a lazy river, and more for summer fun! Participants are welcome to bring in snacks or a picnic. Concessions will not be offered onsite and no glass bottles are permitted. For more information, please review the Pirates Cove Guidelines online: http://www.piratescovecolorado.com/-guidelines Please note: Pirates Cove will be open for regular business hours on this day. If you choose to go to Pirates Cove before the Girl Scout event at 6:30 p.m. you will need pay regular entry into the park, exit the park at 6 p.m. when they close,  and then, enter again at 6:30 p.m. This is not a drop-off event. All Girl Scouts must attend with her parent/guardian or troop leaders. Adult to girl ratios for events must be met. Questions? Email inquiry@gscolorado.org. We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here. #PiratesCove #SummerSwimParty #Summer2021SwimParty #GSCOevents #MetroDenver #Littleton

On Sunday, June 6, more than 50 Girl Scouts who sold 2,500 or more packages of Girl Scout Cookies during the 2021 Girl Scout Cookie Program gathered at Bear Creek Regional Park in Colorado Springs to celebrate their amazing achievement. The top seller in the state, Piper from Troop 71106 in Loveland, sold more than 15,000 packages of cookies! Together, the top five sellers account for nearly 50,000 packages of cookies sold. Watch a video about the event here. We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here. #TopCookieCEOs #2021TopCookieCEOPicnic #2021GirlScoutCookieProgram #cookies #GirlScoutCookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram #2021TopCookieCEOs #TopCookieCEOPicnic

Submitted by Corinne R., Girl Scout Gold Award candidate Metro Denver Westminster As a capstone piece of my Gold Award project, I created Igniting Adventure event to teach girls outdoor skills that can be used in the wilderness. The skills the girls will be learning are: outdoor hygiene, water purification, orienteering, tent set up, shelter building, camouflage, outdoor cooking, fire building, packing, and Leave No Trace. This camp is for Juniors and Cadettes. It is a three evening camp on July 14, 21, and 28, 2021 from 4:30 – 9 p.m. at Barr Lake State Park. Register using this link: https://igniting-adventure-outdoor-skills-twilight-event.cheddarup.com/ I created this camp to get more girls interested in camping and outdoor activities. I have always gone out to do these activities and this is my way of sharing the joy I have with others. We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here. #GoldAward #HighestAwards #GSCOevents #Westminster #GirlScoutGoldAwardProject #GirlScoutGoldAward #MetroDenver #GirlScoutGoldAwardcandidate #TakeAction #gsoutdoors #outdoorskills

GSCO’s Summer Know Hows and Hang Outs (formerly known as GSCO Clubs) are coming soon! Join us online in the afternoons every other week to create your own art projects, have fun with STEM, read books, learn new skills, and hang out with old and new friends. Each event is led by two experienced Girl Scout staff members and joined by Girl Scouts all over the state. Summer Know Hows and Hang Outs begin the week of June 14, 2021, but you can join any time during the summer. Click on each club for more information about it and to register. Cadette. Senior, Ambassador Art Know Hows Daisy, Brownie, Junior Art Know Hows Brownie Book Club Junior Book Club Cadette Book Club Daisy Flour Hour Hang Out Brownie Buddies Hang Out Junior Jam Hang Out Daisy STEM Know Hows Brownie/Junior STEM Know Hows Junior/ Cadette Creative Writing Club Cadette, Senior, Ambassador Naturalist Know Hows Daisy, Brownie, Junior Naturalist Know Hows Junior and Older Tools for Independence Senior/Ambassador Tools for Independence Older Girl Scouts We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here. #Summer2021 #GSCOClubs #GSCOevents #SummerKnowHows #2021HangOuts #summerclubs #HangOuts #2021SummerKnowHows