Submitted by Karen Grealy Metro Denver Parker Seven Girl Scouts from Troop 66861 delivered 336 packages of Girl Scout Cookies to their Hometown Heroes. The girls decided to donate 48 packages of cookies to each of their individual schools. They wanted to say thank you to the administrators, nurses, teachers, and custodial staff who have worked tirelessly to make in-person and remote learning possible this year. These Girl Scouts have demonstrated perseverance through difficult times. They have withstood changes in school, Girl Scouts, and sports through the year. They are tough cookies and shining examples of what it means to be leaders in their community. 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. #Parker #2021GirlScoutCookieProgram #cookies #GirlScoutCookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram #HometownHeroes #MetroDenver

Girl Scouts of Colorado camp teams have been hard at work planning for ways to get more girls outside and at camp programs for Summer 2021! Check out the new Outdoor Skills Patch or Get Outdoors Challenge patch, and visit the GSCO Events Calendar to register for Troop Boating Days or the Rock Climbing Adventure Days. Read on for other updates from the Outdoor Program team. Questions? Email Property.Reservations@gscolorado.org. Resident Camp (Tomahawk Ranch and Sky High Ranch) Currently, our camps are able to operate at 55% capacity due to sleeping-quarter capacity requirements per COVID-19 guidelines set by the state. Given that limited capacity, both resident camps are almost full with only a few camper spaces remaining! We now know the sleeping quarter requirements will be in effect all summer, so our capacity will not increase. While our camp team wishes we could have more girls at camp, we will not be opening any additional resident camper spaces this summer given state restrictions. If you are already registered for camp, look for more communication to come through your CampInTouch portal with camp welcome letters, packing lists, and COVID-19-related policies. Day Camps Day camps are now open for registration! Check out the camp sessions listings for more information. Our volunteer-run day camps will fall under a different and more restrictive sector in the state COVID- 19 guidelines than guidelines for troops. We are still awaiting final Colorado COVID-19 guidelines that will impact capacities or possibly restrict volunteer groups’ ability to run day camps. All day camps are run by volunteers, and many use their own volunteer-run registration system. Contact day camp directors for more information on registration timelines, cancellations, and refunds. Outdoor Adventure Club We have some exciting summer events coming your way like waterfall hikes and paddle days! Summer programs will be announced on the OAC website on April 26. Sign up for the OAC interest list to be the first to know when registration opens for the June event. Troop Adventure Days Given the current restrictions on troop overnights and additional State of Colorado COVID-19 youth overnight program requirements, we have decided that our staff-led troop programs will continue to be day-only for this summer. Visit us for a Troop Adventure Day at Magic Sky Ranch, Meadow Mountain Ranch, or Lazy Acres for a full day of programming with tons of options like our high ropes course, team-building, rock climbing, archery, nature programs, crafts, badge programs, and all kinds of camp fun and games! We know that troops may want to stay overnight in a cabin at the camp property before or after the program. Currently, registration is for the day program only and when troops are permitted to have overnights, troops will have the option to book a cabin and extend their stay at camp through the whole weekend. Read more about Troop Adventure Days on our website here and check out all the program details and registration information on the GSCO Events Calendar. Properties and Troop Overnights Troop Overnights We know troops are eager to start planning summer camping trips or other overnights. While troops are now able to meet in person, overnights are not allowed yet for the following reasons: GSUSA does not allow for councils to have overnights until the council’s state is in their final stage of reopening. Colorado is not there yet. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has released COVID–19 restrictions for youth-serving organizations for overnights, even if the overnight is exempt from childcare licensing and under 72 hours. This means that a troop overnight experience would fall under the “overnight camp” COVID-19 guidelines, even if that would typically not be considered a “camp.” These requirements could be quite burdensome on troops, including always having a registered nurse onsite during the overnight; having a communicable disease plan specific to the group that includes medical and isolation protocol, testing, and screening protocol; capacity limits; keeping groups in small cohorts; sleeping protocols; and many other requirements. We know meeting all these requirements could be challenging for the average troop, and we are continuing to work with the state to determine if it is possible for troop overnights to fall into a different category with fewer restrictions. GSCO Property Reservations While it may be a possibility for troops to have overnight experiences come summer, at this time we are PAUSING taking any new reservations on our properties until it is confirmed that troops can have overnights and our properties are available for troop overnight use. At this time, existing group reservations will not be canceled, but we are pausing taking any new reservations currently as we continue to work with the state on overnight guidelines. We understand this can be frustrating and thank you for your patience as we’re working hard with the state on this. We are hopeful to have an update in May and will share that in Volunteer View, on the GSCO Blog, and on the Girl Scouts of Colorado website. 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. #GSCOevents #GirlScoutCamp #outdoorprogram #Summer2021OutdoorProgram #camp

Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month. Tiffany Baker from Highlands Ranch/ Lone Tree the Metro Denver region is a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community. GSCO asked Tiffany 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 to create opportunities for girls that they might not otherwise have. These opportunities include access to guest speakers, special tours, unique overnight experiences / other events only offered to Girl Scouts, outdoor skills, Highest Awards projects, certifications (camp counselor, babysitter, first aid, CPR, etc.), travel, and access to a community of adults who help form a village of knowledgeable support for developing leaders. Looking back at my elementary school days, groups of girls wearing Girl Scout uniforms would gather together and they seemed so happy to be part of a club. To me, their uniforms were a symbol that they, belonged.  When I asked my parents if I could join, they were “too busy” to take me.  So, I created a club with the neighbor kids, where we hid in a ditch with weeds much taller than us as the makeshift walls of our clubhouse. As a child who was abused and had a parent struggling with addictions, I felt these experiences prepared me to be an empathetic ear to girls who struggle with adversity.  We are a small link, in an historic chain of women, helping to make a positive difference one generation at a time. For years, girls in our troop assumed I was paid to be their troop leader, like a piano or ballet teacher. My simple response has been, “I get paid in smiles.”  Those smiles sometimes looked like unsolicited greeting cards created by the girls, laughter when they’re comfortable to express themselves, increased self-confidence when they’ve picked up a new skill, or simply renewing their membership during Early Bird. In reality, our volunteer time is one of the biggest gifts we can offer youth because we’ve decided that we are not “too busy” to develop and provide opportunities for their growth. As a volunteer, we have the unique opportunity to create programming that draws girls in for learning not found in a textbook. Sometimes, these lessons can be messy (both literally and figuratively). However, the messy lessons can be the most important challenges for girls to take-on and we can offer them a safe place to do just that. I also became a volunteer to be able to share Girl Scout experiences with my own two daughters. They have never questioned whether or not to continue in Girl Scouts, because they will tell you that it is a part of who they are.  As the daughters of a troop leader volunteer, they have often seen the work involved in coordinating large scale events, are regularly the girls who help with set-up / take-down, and are typically the first to know when a girl has left or joined our troop. They have grown to understand and appreciate what volunteerism can look like, which is often giving more of ourselves than is required in order to serve our communities. Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout. Troop Leader for 10 years, who has volunteered with over eighty Girls Scouts in the Lone Tree / Highlands Ranch area. What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer? Being a Girl Scout volunteer has challenged me to learn how to work with different personalities/abilities. We cannot change the way other people behave, but we can adjust our personal expectations of them according to what we know. Girl Scouts has challenged me to learn new skills like backpacking and every outdoor bread making technique that exists. I had a co-leader that found it amusing to put me (the non-cook) in charge of bread making at every troop camp for years.  Love her. Girl Scout volunteering has also challenged me to face my fears.  I wouldn’t ask the girls to take on a challenge that I am not willing to try myself.  Only for Girl Scouts, have I done rock rappelling and an extreme ropes course, due to my ongoing fear of heights.  There’s also my anxiety with public speaking in front of other adults, which I deal with when hosting special ceremonies and family scouting events (I’d rather have my teeth scraped than have focus on my public speaking). I have also questioned how prepared I would be if faced with a real-life emergency situation, which I met when carpooling Brownies home from a troop camp at Lazy Acres. There was a motorcyclist driving 80 mph without a helmet who lost control of his bike. Our volunteers had just spoken with our Brownies about multiple uses for bandannas and there I was using a Girl Scout bandanna to help keep bandages on a biker’s head, while also restricting his movements by propping one of his sides against a rolled up sleeping bag, until EMS arrived to the scene. It is because of Girl Scouts that my first aid / CPR certifications are always up-to-date and that I had supplies on hand. Be Prepared. The girls who have been the most actively engaged in our troop have parents that understand the program. Try to include more volunteers whenever possible. What do you hope girls have learned from you? I feel it’s important for kids to know that adults don’t know everything.  Life is a journey of learning, and we will find success with a growth mindset. My hope is that girls become confident that they can find solutions to needs in their communities and take action. Inclusion of people with different backgrounds and abilities can help us all to understand that everyone has something to share. Celebrate diversity, learn from failures, and always stay connected to people who can be part of your support network. Appreciate the people who give their time freely because they understand what it takes to create positive change.  Volunteering means that you are not too busy to care for the wellbeing of others. Find your passions, get involved, and volunteer. Want to nominate a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado to spotlight? Please email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org. #VolunteerNews #volunteerspotlight #VolunteerAppreciationMonth #HighlandsRanch #LoneTree #VolunteerAppreciation #MetroDenver #2021VolunteerSpotlight #2020VolunteerAppreciationMonth

In the face of the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Girl Scouts continue to do all they can to 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 33 Girl Scouts from across Colorado who earned the distinction of Gold Award Girl Scout, the highest honor in Girl Scouts, between March 2, 2020, and March 1, 2021. They include: Aarzoo Aggarwal from Aurora, Cherokee Trail High School, created a program called Girls are SMART (Scientists, Mathematicians, Astronomers, Researchers, Talented), during which she led a group of elementary school girls to make art utilizing STEM topics. They made chromatography butterflies, constellation boards, salt watercolor painting, painted pinecones, and drip art. After each project, they discussed the science behind the project Sidney Barbier from Steamboat Springs, Steamboat Mountain School, tackled the issues of waste and recycling, particularly at Colorado state parks. She designed signage for state parks, hosted events to educate others about waste diversion, and even created a Junior Ranger curriculum. Charlotte Blish from Arvada, Arvada West High School, started a nonprofit, Watering Communities, to teach elementary-aged students about how the lack of clean water impacts socio-economic and education resources in developing countries. Clare Bolon from Longmont, Apex Homeschool Enrichment Program, developed and taught a week-long online course about how to write and read cursive. She also created resources to help students continue to practice their cursive after completing the course. Gayathri Budamgunta from Longmont, Niwot High School, took action to address the issue of low self-esteem and body image in middle school students ages 11-13. In doing so, she created a program called “Warm and Fuzzies,” giving students a way to connect to each other through meaningful notes/letters that they write to one another while engaging in positive reinforcements. Megan Burns from Colorado Springs, Pine Creek High School, created a website and social media presence where artists could share work created during, or inspired by, the COVID-19 pandemic. Lauren Butler from Colorado Springs, Pine Creek High School, took action when she saw library books and textbooks being thrown away because schools are switching to digital libraries and e-textbooks. She collected more than 3,000 of those books and delivered them to multiple places in need, while creating a pipeline of book donations that will continue to supply books around the world. Safiya Dhunna from Aurora, Grandview High School, addressed the lack of education for fourth and fifth graders on the importance of e-recycling by developing a curriculum to be integrated into the STEM program at an elementary school in her community. Katie Ellenberger from Colorado Springs, Vista Ridge High School, created a space for students at Timberview Middle School to learn how to play the piano or express themselves. She also started the Painted Pianos Club and a school-wide design contest, where the students could come up with the design to paint on the pianos. Kayla Fairweather from Parker, Ponderosa High School, developed a video curriculum on Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) to supplement the T1D training that teachers currently receive. It features the perspectives of diabetic students, parents, a professional athlete with T1D, an endocrinologist, and a diabetes resource nurse. Inspired by her own experience with bullying, Lily Goudreau from Monument, Lewis Palmer High School, wanted to encourage self-confidence and self-worth in middle school students. She did this by painting positive affirmations around a local school and worked with the no-bully club to maintain and add to the affirmations each year. She also created a “lunch bunch” group that helps watch out for bullying and does not allow any student to eat alone. Elizabeth Gumper from Colorado Springs, Coronado High School, created a rich online resource website, mycareerconnections.com, that gives high school students a personal, insightful look at numerous careers available throughout society through personal interviews with professionals. Zoe Johnson from Monument, Palmer Ridge High School, created a handbook, video, and training program about horse care and safety to educate new or inexperienced horse owners, as well as barn staff at summer camps. Kaitlyn Ketchell from Monument, Palmer Ridge High School, addressed the lack of education and awareness about eating disorders; namely, warning signs and seeking treatment, as well as general education about eating disorders by creating new curriculum and materials for local middle and high schools, as well as medical establishments (clinics, pharmacies, etc.) Breanna Lewis from Colorado Springs, Rampart High School, led online sewing classes. Attendees not only learned how to sew, but made pillowcase dresses to be delivered by missionaries to developing countries. Beatrice Lin from Longmont, Silver Creek High School, developed a workshop and handbook for Girl Scout Daisies and Brownies called “Bringing Global to Girls” (BGtG). The goal is to help younger Girl Scouts develop a sense of connection to the rest of the world and appreciation for other cultures. Ellie McWhirter from Denver, East High School, developed a series of educational materials, including a website, to decrease plastic bag use in her community and increase the knowledge of plastic bag pollution. Isabella Mendoza from Longmont, Silver Creek High School, designed a cheap and sustainable habitat for solitary bees to lay eggs in and distributed more than 350 habitats around Colorado and the world. She also hosted a community event for people to make their own habitat. Katelyn Miller from Centennial, Grandview High School, created a website dedicated to helping veterans experiencing homelessness. It includes resources on how to help veterans experiencing homelessness, resources for them, as well as interviews with veterans. With the help of local Girl Scout troops, Ashlyn Morrill from Parker, Chaparral High School, created a pollinator garden that attracts various pollinators, including hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, etc. Girl Scouts learned the importance of pollinators and were inspired to do their part to help conserve the pollinator populations. Opal Mosbarger from Peyton, Falcon High School, addressed the issue of animal displacement during emergency situations. She collected kennels and blankets for Perfect Fit Wellness Center, so people can keep their pets safe during natural disasters and other emergencies. Wren Murzyn from Fort Collins, Poudre High School, partnered with doctors, nutritionists, and others to create a comprehensive guidebook to assist individuals who want to get healthy, but don’t know where to start. Meredith Neid from Denver, George Washington High School, started a self-care club at her high school to healthily address rising levels of stress amongst her peers. After the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, she adapted her project to include Zoom conversations with high school seniors about processing the pandemic and what it means to grow up during this time. To address the gender gap in STEM fields, Catherine Pederson from Colorado Springs, Cheyenne Mountain High School, created a website with multiple resources and biographies of model female scientists. Anna Rahn from Colorado Springs, Pine Creek High School, created 17 STEM activities for schools and after-school programs. Due to the pandemic, she was unable to distribute them to local schools, so she developed a website where PDFs of the activities are available. Peyton Roeder from Erie, Colorado Early Colleges Fort Collins, created the A Bright Spot program to provide children experiencing homelessness with birthday parties. The program enlists volunteers to provide all birthday party supplies through the Beyond Home program. Giada Rosch from Arvada, Westminster High School, created 50 sensory bags and resources for local organizations. She also created a sensory training program to improve customer service at various venues so that all people can enjoy a variety of activities with a few simple accommodations. Brittney Smith from Colorado Springs created an annual art show tradition at Air Academy High School to showcase student art. Art that is featured targets a worldwide issue or a controversial perspective, allowing people to connect with others through their similarities and differences, and open people’s perspectives on a worldwide issue. Bethany Taullie from La Junta, Swink High School, started the Bethany´s Birthday in a Bag program to make sure children in her community received a present and enjoyed a cake on their birthday. She collected items (including cake mix, frosting, crafts, stuffed animals, games, and more) and assembled 100 birthday bags, which were distributed to elementary schools and foster care systems in her community Inspired by her own experiences as a foster child, Katie Wilson from Longmont, Mead High School, collected more than 100 books for the foster care visitation rooms at the visitation center in Boulder County. The books will allow parents and children to connect when they are in out of home placement. The Girl Scout Gold Award is the mark of the truly remarkable— earned only by a high school Girl Scout who works to address an issue she’s passionate about in a way that produces meaningful and lasting change. Whether it’s on a local, national, or global level, Gold Award Girl Scouts provide innovative solutions to significant challenges. Of the skills learned through Girl Scouts’ Highest Awards, leadership, organization, and critical thinking are the fundamentals of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award Girl Scouts, and girls are entitled to enlist at a higher pay grade if they join the military. “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 we congratulate each of these Gold Award Girl Scouts on this momentous accomplishment.” 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. Elizabeth Gumper is the 2021 Stephanie Foote Leadership Prize winner and will receive $1,000 cash gift to recognize her sustainable impact through leadership. Charlotte Blish was named Honorable Mention and will receive a $250 cash prize. “I am proud to recognize Girl Scouts whose Gold Award projects have made a lasting impact,” Foote said. 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. Lily Goudreau is recognized with this year’s Debbie Haskins Spirit of Girl Scouting Award for her confidence, resilience, and courage in succeeding in life. The Girl Scout Gold Award is the most prestigious award in the world for girls—and the most difficult to earn. 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. Of the skills learned through Girl Scouts’ Highest Awards, leadership, organization, and critical thinking are the fundamentals of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award recipients, and girls who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements. #GoldAward #HighestAwards #GoldAwardGirlScouts #GirlScoutGoldAward #TakeAction

Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month. Daly Edmunds from 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 Daly 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? Unfortunately, life being what it is, our two troop leaders had to step away from their roles and they needed parents to step up or the troop would dissolve. My daughter loved her troop and really enjoyed being a Girl Scout. I didn’t want that experience to end for her so I stepped in. Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout. Troop leader and am also Cookie Manager this year What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer? Not having been a Girl Scout growing up, I’m learning as I go along! The old saying, “It takes a village,” is certainly true with Girl Scouts.  Without my amazing co-leader Amber, the parents in the troop, and the invaluable former Girl Scout troop leaders that GSCO connected us with – Joyce and Patty – we couldn’t get through the recent tough times or enjoy the fun times as much! What do you hope girls have learned from you? That they each have their own unique skillsets that they can contribute to make their corner of the world better! Want to nominate a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado to spotlight? Please email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org. #VolunteerNews #volunteerspotlight #VolunteerAppreciationMonth #NorthernampNortheasternCO #VolunteerAppreciation #2021VolunteerSpotlight #2020VolunteerAppreciationMonth

What did you do for your Gold Award project? Many parents experiencing homelessness feel as though they cannot provide enough for their children and many of these children feel unvalued. Additionally, many people want to help those experiencing homelessness in their community, but do not feel as though they can. Birthday parties can help solve these problems because they allow parents feel as though they are able to provide for their children, help children feel valued, and allow the community volunteers to support those experiencing homelessness. A Bright Spot provides families experiencing homelessness the means to throw birthday parties. Community volunteers signed up to donate birthday party supplies every year for a child’s birthday, which allows the parents to throw their child a birthday party. For this project, I partnered with BeyondHome, an organization in Denver that aims to help families on the road to self-sufficiency. How did you measure the impact your Gold Award project made on your target audience? I measured the impact my Gold Award project made on my target audiences through the use of surveys. After the parties, I asked the parents if they felt they were able to provide something special for their child, the children if they felt valued, and the volunteers if they felt they were able to support those in need. I found that all of these groups were positively impacted by A Bright Spot. How is your project sustainable? How will your project continue to impact after your involvement? My project is sustainable because BeyondHome will continue to run the program even though I am no longer involved. Additionally, the volunteers have committed to donating more birthday supplies as the need arises. Finally, I distributed directions on how to run A Bright Spot to other organizations so that they can start the program for their own children. My project will continue to have a positive impact on both  families and community volunteers for years to come as more and more children are able to have birthday parties. What is your project’s global and/or national connection? My project has a global connection because homelessness is a global issue. Additionally, communities all around the globe want to support those experiencing homelessness, so I directly addressed a portion of the global issue. Finally, I spread the word about my project through a website, flyers, and newspaper articles as well as sending directions on how to start A Bright Spot to other organizations. What did you learn about yourself? I learned that I am capable of managing a large-scale program like my project. I also learned that I am able to come up with an idea for a program and make it a reality. Additionally, I learned that I really enjoyed providing birthday parties to the children. I chose this project because I thought I would like it, but I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Finally, I learned that I enjoyed providing the volunteers with the opportunity to do something special. How will earning your Gold Award impact you in the future? Earning my Gold Award will impact me in the future because I learned many invaluable skills while completing my project. This will help me as I continue my education and in my career. Additionally, I will always be happy to know that I was able to positively impact people through my project. Why do you feel the Gold Award was an important part of your Girl Scout experience? My Gold Award was the culmination of all of my past experiences in Girl Scouts. My badges, Journeys, and camps taught me the skills I needed to complete this project. Additionally, my Gold Award taught me new skills that I can use alongside what I learned from previous years of Girl Scouts. How did earning your Gold Award help you become a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)? My Gold Award helped me become a G.I.R.L. by allowing me to develop my skills in each of these areas. I was an innovator when developing a plan for the project, modifying the plan to account for COVID-19, and managing the program. I was a go-getter and risk-taker when trying to convince people and organizations to volunteer to participate in the project. Finally, I was a leader when working with my team members on various aspects of the project. **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. #BeyondHome #GoldAward #HighestAwards #NorthernampNortheasternCO #GoldAwardGirlScout #Denver #ColoradoEarlyCollegesFortCollins #GirlScoutGoldAward #erie #MetroDenver #TakeAction

Submitted by Gracelyn R. Mountain Communities Cowdrey My Take Action project for the Global Action Day Award stemmed from two facts. One, my mother is a veterinarian and strong believer in climate change, which means I am as well. Two, I had been recently reading The Story of Doctor Dolittle about one of my favorite characters in literature. The combination of these facts gave me the idea of my project, which talks about the Global Action topic this year: Sustainable Development Goal 13, Climate Action. As this is a large and complex topic, I chose to focus on only one facet: how climate change is affecting animals. I created a video explaining the dangers posed to certain species by a warming climate, and how doing small things like choosing a reusable water bottle instead of a plastic one could change things, even if only a little. I also challenged myself to start doing things the green way, as I encouraged in my video. I intend to keep this going as long as I can, and I also hope to get other girls to join me. The full video can be found at my personal blog. I sincerely wish you all will join me in my bid to save our beautiful animal neighbors. Remember, we are guests on this planet, not masters. It’s our job to give back to the planet for its hospitality toward us as a species. Best of luck. I want to be one of those people who are remembered for their deeds and not their words. One of those people who stands up and leads their people to victory when the going gets tough. One of those people who is ready to leap off the edge because they believe in their cause, and ready to change the world, no matter how much they get knocked around in the process. I also think that every girl has that potential, if only we can show each and every girl how amazing she really is. I hope that, through Girl Scouts, every girl will have the potential to be a go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, and leader, In short, I hope that every girl will become a G.I.R.L. 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. #GlobalGirlScouts #Cowdrey #environment #TakeAction #GlobalActionDayAward #mountaincommunities #climatechange

Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month. Amber Kelley from 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 Amber 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 because I was inspired by what the community meant to the girls. Our troop leaders had unexpected life changes and had to step down from leading the troop. I did not want this precious group of girls to lose their community. It is so important to have a community that is safe, empowering, and FUN! Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout. First Aid trained helper for camp Assistant to planning and preparing for meetings with our troop leaders as a parent volunteer Fall Fundraiser organizer Troop leader What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer? I have learned that it is important to listen to the girls in your troop. They have the most amazing ideas and plans. They ask to do service projects for others. They dream big. They are generous. They will tell you exactly what they want their community to be like and it will be successful because they are doing things that interest them. What do you hope girls have learned from you? I hope that the girls in our troop have learned that their thoughts and ideas are important and that their contributions to the troop and this world are meaningful and appreciated. Want to nominate a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado to spotlight? Please email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org. #VolunteerNews #volunteerspotlight #NorthernampNortheasternCO #NationalVolunteerAppreciationMonth #VolunteerAppreciation #2021NationalVolunteerAppreciationMonth #2021VolunteerSpotlight

Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month. Girl Scout Gold Award mentor Kathi Reddan 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 Kathi 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 originally became a volunteer because my daughter was involved. After she graduated, I continued because I enjoyed working with friends as co-leaders. Also, I saw volunteering as a way to use my educational skills. Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout. Originally, I helped my daughter’s leader in various ways. When she joined a multi-level troop when she was older, some of the older girls asked if I would consider becoming a leader. I felt as if they wanted me specifically rather than a warm body. After she graduated from high school, I took training to become a trainer, as well as continuing as a leader. When my friends, who were co-leaders moved out of state, I decided this was a good time to step down from the leader/advisor role. Soon after, in 2006, the staff person in charge asked if I would join the Gold Award Committee. I have continued on the committee since then, except for taking a year off to figure out what I wanted to focus on. At the end of that year, I decided to focus on being a Gold Award mentor rather than training. What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer? Both as a leader of older girls as well as being a Gold Award mentor, I’ve learned about the great capabilities of older girls. Several girls have shown me that they really can do things on their own, or with advice from adults, but with the girl leading the way. I’ve been reminded that one needs to consider the needs and abilities of each girl, especially as a mentor. My educational background is in special education and I have been able to use those skills as a leader and as a Gold Award mentor. I’ve learned in what settings I work best. Working as part of a team I can do my part, but get support from others. I really enjoy working one-to-one with the girls as a mentor. What do you hope girls have learned from you? I hope that the girls I have mentored have learned that I’m here to support them, not lead them step-by-step. They are the ones with the ideas and they need to run with the idea. Often they learn how much they can really accomplish. This is most important as a Gold Award mentor, but also for being an older girls advisor. Want to nominate a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado to spotlight? Please email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org. #VolunteerNews #GirlScoutGoldAwardmentor #GoldAwardmentor #volunteerspotlight #2021VolunteerSpotlight #PikesPeak

Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month. Danielle Sullivan in the Pueblo & Southeastern CO region is a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community. GSCO asked Danielle 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 leader to spend more time with my oldest daughter. We chose Girl Scouts as that outlet because I was a Girl Scout and I wanted to help my daughter to become more comfortable in her own skin. Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout. I like to take part in all the crafts that our girls get involved in from volcano making to weaving no sew blankets for our sister Girl Scout in Mexico. I also love being involved with the planning of all our trips from a short hike to a weekend long camping trip, which involves a little bit more discipline on the girls’ part and mine.  Our troop loves to learn and explore, hoping for more wonder in their eyes. What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer? I have learned so much from being a troop leader my favorite things I’ve learned is how to stay calm with so many different personalities.  I have also learned how to take risks for my girls and myself in my job and in our free time. What do you hope girls have learned from you? I have tried to teach my girls to be brave and strong and that if they put their minds to it  they can do anything. Want to nominate a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado to spotlight? Please email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org. #VolunteerNews #volunteerspotlight #NationalVolunteerAppreciationMonth #VolunteerAppreciation #2021NationalVolunteerAppreciationMonth #PuebloampSoutheasternCO #2021VolunteerSpotlight

From Girl Scouts of the USA From our sense of security and wellbeing to canceled troop activities, graduations, and birthdays, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected all aspects of our lives. For so many of us, the ongoing uncertainty means having to navigate difficult situations. So this April—for Financial Literacy Month—we’ve partnered with Morgan Stanley’s Financial Advisors to answer a few of the questions you submitted on Facebook and Instagram. Check them out! Jeri Salmond, Financial Advisor A credit score is an important number that summarizes your credit history and credit worthiness. The score helps lenders determine how likely you will pay your debt and on time. Credit scores will change over time. It is very important to keep track of your credit score and find out how the amount of debt, your payment history, as well as the types of debt you hold affect your credit score. There are several different tracking tools that can be used for free to track your credit score without affecting your score. It is important to start building a credit score when you are younger. Having no credit is almost as bad as having a low credit score. Many people start with having a small credit card or secured credit card to make small purchases and pay off monthly. The more you make on time payments and keep your debt low, the more your credit score will increase. The better your score the more likely you will receive a preferred interest rate. Credit is usually needed for large purchases in which you may not have the immediate cash savings required for purchase such as paying for college, purchasing a car, starting a business, or buying a home. Having a good credit score allows you to purchase the item on credit while making monthly payments in order to pay off the debt. Michelle Ward, Financial Advisor Good savings habits can help you achieve financial freedom. We recommend that you start saving early, automatically and often. This gives you the opportunity to benefit from “compound interest,” which is simply earning interest on the interest you earned the previous month. The longer you compound, the greater the effect. Pay yourself first, before you begin to pay optional expenses and make discretionary purchases. Treat your savings like any other expense and give it priority over optional expenses. Consider how much you can save annually by cutting out common habits, like buying coffee or eating out and think about making automatic, periodic deposits to savings accounts on a monthly basis. Your savings will help when you have an emergency fund for unexpected expenses, achieve short-term goals, like going on a trip, and longer-term ones, like buying a house or choosing an occupation that you love without having to weigh in how much will you earn. Teri Kelley, Financial Advisor Creating a budget is always a helpful approach as it allows you to see your cash flow. Once you do that, you can identify essentials, like your rent/mortgage, utilities, medicine, transportation costs and food (needs) and pay those fixed bills first before paying for non-essential items like clothes, games, etc. (wants). In times of crisis that affect your finances like the loss of a job, you really have to stick to the basics and make necessary adjustments. You may need to defer or reduce payments on things like; saving contributions, credit card payments, etc. And remember, that hopefully this is just a temporary adjustment and once things get back to “normal”, you’ll be able to resume things you may have had to give up. Jane Rojas, Financial Advisor My suggestion to prioritizing bills when you are short on cash is to stand back, look at what is most important to your life, and decide what needs your immediate attention – and write that out from most important to least important. This should include thoughts about what you can’t live without: electricity, rent, etc. Then I would look at the actual cost of not paying each bill each month: a credit card may not be urgent, but if you don’t pay it, there could be late fees plus interest of 20% or more on top of that. Last – negotiate when you can on how to stretch out your payments in a way that you don’t get the high cost of ignoring them, but to a point that makes them manageable. When you get the short-term problems fixed, then work on the bigger problem of not having enough cash for the bills you have. Look again at what is most important and look at how you might reduce the cost of each of them: move to a lower-cost apartment, get a cheaper phone or phone plan, do your own nails. The key to success is spending less than you make, NOT MORE. Kate Waters, Financial Advisor The goal should always be to have as little debt as possible, but there are certain instances where debt can be “good debt.” For instance, if you think you can get a better-paying job by going to college or going for your master’s, medical, or law degree, then it might be smart to take on a student loan if you can’t afford it all on your own. This also holds true for buying a home. In both instances, you need to understand how long it will take to pay off and to make sure there is potential for a positive longer-term return on your investment. You also need to make sure the additional expense of the loan fits within your budget and be prudent about paying it down. By being diligent about your personal finances and responsible about paying down debt, you can be well on your way to being debt-free! To help build girls’ confidence, Girl Scouts has developed Financial Literacy badges that your girl can start earning today! The badge activities are based on real-life situations, such as budgeting and philanthropy, to give girls a deeper understanding of financial literacy power their future life success! You can also check out Girl Scouts at Home—our hub of online activities, including some for financial literacy! Thien Le, Financial Advisor The first financial lesson is to learn how to set goals. Setting goals is a great way to determine what to save for and to stay focused on your financial objectives and your reasons for saving. Bucket each goal into short term, medium term, and long term. Short term could be buying a new car, while long term could be retirement; which it’s never too early to think about. Start saving now as soon as you have earned income from your part time job or when you begin to work full time. When my 16-year-old daughter got her first job as a math tutor, I opened a retirement account for her to encourage her to save a little each month. Lastly, don’t be afraid of investing, and learn how to do it. Staying focused and keeping money invested in the market can be rewarding over time, but it may require patience and a long investment horizon. With market volatility, people often panic and make irrational decisions, so it is important to review your goals and remain focused on your investment objectives. Lisa Benton, Financial Advisor An emergency savings fund is money that you have set aside for unexpected life events, such as losing a job or paying for a broken-down car. It’s a good idea for everyone to create one. When you are first starting, aim to save a few hundred dollars in a separate savings account. A convenient way to do this is by establishing a direct deposit for your emergency savings account. This allows the funds to be transferred into your account automatically. The ultimate goal will be to save three to six months of your take-home pay as a cushion for life’s uncertainties. Remember that this can be done gradually as your cash flow allows. One of the best ways to be financially savvy is to plan and that includes planning for the unexpected. To help build girls’ confidence, Girl Scouts has developed Financial Literacy badges that your girl can start earning today! The badge activities are based on real-life situations, such as budgeting and philanthropy, to give girls a deeper understanding of financial literacy power their future life success! You can also check out Girl Scouts at Home—our brand-new hub of online activities, including some for financial literacy! 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. #MorganStanley #GirlScoutsoftheUSA #GSUSA #financialliteracy #FinancialLiteracyMonth #GirlScoutsoftheUSAGSUSA

Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month. Jean Beucler 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 Jean 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? Maggie Hayes, the founder of the GECCCO (Girls Experiencing Camping Canoeing and Cycling Outdoors) outdoor adventure troop inspired me to become a volunteer. As a family, we love everything outdoors! When my daughter joined Maggie’s troop, the parents were expected to lead activities that included outdoor activities from hiking to international trips. That group of leaders/volunteers mentored and supported me. The girls were eager and enthusiastic. When Maggie retired as leader (she is still involved with the group after 26+ years!), I was ready to assume the leadership position. Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout. Except for a brief stint as a Girl Scout Brownie, my Girl Scout career began as a volunteer. I started as a parent volunteer supporting meetings and activities. During GECCCOs, I added leadership to my resume. I supported the girls’ planning processes for activities, trips (local and international), Reach for the Peak Outdoor Skills competition (we earned the Peak award four times!), rendezvous, service, and money earning endeavors. I was even troop cookie manager a time or two. Following my youngest daughter’s graduation from high school, I reevaluated what my continued contribution to Girl Scouts could be. That led me to becoming a Girl Scout trainer, joining the Global Action Committee, volunteering at resident camp, and helping to facilitate a GSUSA destination that showcased Colorado and involved riding horses every day! But, there was something I still wanted to do. As much as I love everything I have experienced with girls outdoors, the missing piece for me was horses. I was deeply disappointed that GSCO had no progressive, comprehensive equine program. So, in the midst of a pandemic, I started an equine specialty troop, WHOA (Women Horses and Outdoor Adventure). This group has enabled girls to explore their love for horses in a safe, instructive manner. COVID-19 restrictions have limited our activities outside of lessons and trail rides, but we hope to explore the many facets of horse activities, disciplines, and professions in the next 26+ years. Oh yeah, and we are working on another GSUSA Destination with our troop partners, Sylvan Dale Ranch and Heart-J Center, for 2023! What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer? I love being a volunteer for Girl Scouts because each troop is such an autonomous organization. If you can dream it, you can do it. The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the best money earning opportunity a Girl Scout will ever have. When girls believe their troop is “girl-led” (even when it seems to you like you are doing a disproportionate amount of the work), it still achieves the goal of developing girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. What do you hope girls have learned from you? You are never too old for adventure! You don’t have to excel at an activity to enjoy it. Embrace the unique perspective each individual brings to the group. There are no disabilities, simply different abilities. Want to nominate a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado to spotlight? Please email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org. #2021VolunteerAppreciationMonth #VolunteerNews #volunteerspotlight #VolunteerAppreciationMonth #NorthernampNortheasternCO #VolunteerAppreciation #2021VolunteerSpotlight