Register NOW for Outdoor Art Explorers and Creators: Girl Scout Exploration at the Denver Botanic Gardens on Saturday, February 20, 2021. The event will be at various times from 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. and the cost is $12/girl. Link to register: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6105754/2021-Scout-Registration-Form This self-guided experience encourages Girl Scout groups and families to explore the beauty of nature as they become outdoor art explorers and creators. This program is designed to meet the needs of the Girl Scout Brownie and Junior Outdoor Art Badge requirements. Girl Scouts will: Discover how nature inspires art by completing a scavenger hunt through the Gardens Explore the visual interest provided by textures in nature while making clay impressions using natural objects Search for hidden patterns and colors in nature using magnifiers and microscopes Design and plant a terrarium to take home *Denver Botanic Gardens does not provide activity badges. Program Capacity: Each program time can accommodate up to 20 people (both Girl Scouts and adults). Groups larger than 10 people will be split into two smaller groups and explore the program separately. Each group is required to have at least one adult to lead the group through the program. Program Location and Weather Considerations This program is designed to take place mostly outdoors, although at least one activity takes place indoors. In the event of weather that prohibits the comfortable use of our outdoor spaces, you have the option of completing activities in our indoor spaces or picking up materials to complete the activities at home. Cancellations Cancellations can be made for any reason up to one week before the program. Cancellations with less than one week’s notice are non-refundable, except for illness-related cancellations. If you or a member of your party is sick, please stay home. The following safety procedures and requirements are in place for attending onsite classes during COVID-19: All adults and children ages 3 and older are required to wear a mask. Program capacities have been reduced to ensure small group sizes and allow for social distancing protocols. Materials used during the program are not shared between participant groups and are disinfected between each group’s use. Please practice social distancing keep at least six feet away from visitors not in your party. 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 #DenverBotanicGardens #OutdoorArtBadge #Communitypartnerships #Denver #communitypartners #MetroDenver

Submitted by Olivia and Ophelia K. Metro Denver Aurora We hosted a virtual cookie booth on Zoom for friends and family! We made our own Girl Scout Cookie Squad, gave them names, and told our customers what each of the cookies flavors are like! We gave our recommendations, and even encouraged them to try the whole rainbow 🌈 of cookies for $34! We’ve had fun watching the cookie sales roll in, and our mom let’s us be in charge of approving all of our “girl delivered” cookies! We also had a lot of fun writing thank you notes to all of our customers! 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 was at the can send in her story here. #Aurora #2021GirlScoutCookieProgram #cookies #GirlScoutCookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram #VirtualCookieBooth #MetroDenver

On January 26, 2021, Girl Scouts of Colorado talked with Dr. Laura Anthony, a child psychologist at Children’s Hospital Colorado in the Pediatric Mental Health Institute and an Associate Professor at the CU Anschutz School of Medicine, about advice on how to recognize the warning signs that indicate your children may be struggling due to the pressures of COVID-19. You can watch this important conversation on GSCO’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/e1ZBocGOkgw. Please share this link with family and friends to bring the valuable information here to more caregivers and adults who engage with youth. 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. #COVID #mentalhealth #Communitypartnerships #communitypartners #ConversationStarter #ConversationStarterYouthMentalHealthduringCOVID #ChildrensHospital

Girl Scouts of Colorado is honored to have had nine women in the U.S. Space Force join our Meet an Expert program on January 12 and January 19, 2021. The program on the Jan. 12 was for Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors and the program on the Jan. 19 was for Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors. More than 275 Girl Scouts from across the United States joined these programs live to learn about being a woman in the military, what the U.S. Space force does, and how they can prepare for a career in the military or in the space industry. You can now watch and listen to these webinars on the GSCO YouTube channel. Don’t forget to check out our whole Meet an Expert playlist while you’re there! Jan. 12 – Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors Jan. 19 – Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors Girl Scouts who participated in the live session or listen to the recording can purchase their “Meet an Expert” patch online: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/about-girl-scouts/gsco-shop.html Read more about the amazing women in the U.S. Space Force who participated in the program: Major Lucia White: United States Space Force, Assistant Director of Operations, 2d Space Operations Squadron (responsible for the GPS satellite constellation).  I was a former Girl Scout and grew up with a strong interest in physics and astronomy.  I graduated from the Air Force Academy with a Bachelors of Science degree in biology and will be going back there to teach biology after I complete my master’s degree in biology (hopeful to do my research in growing plants on the International Space Station).  I’m also an adventure seeker who loves the sky and traveling.  If I’m not at home with my two cats, you can usually find me skydiving. Captain Carmilya Jones: Space Delta 8 Standardization and Evaluation Deputy Chief. Bachelors of Science in Biology from USAFA. Married mother of two, soon to promote to Major in the United States Space Force. Previously a Girl Scout herself. Captain Erin Brown: I am a Space Operations Officer in the United States Space Force as of September 2020.  Currently, I am serving at Buckley Garrison (previously Air Force Base) in the Joint Overhead Persistent-Infrared Center (JOPC) with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA).  Within the JOPC, I am an Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) Strategist responsible for designing and directing collection strategies in various portions of the EM-spectrum to support our worldwide mission partners and manage the collections for emerging threats.  Additionally, I am the Flight Commander of Detachment 7’s Collection Flight, overseeing and coordinating intelligence resources from the space domain through a skilled team dispersed throughout the space collection’s mission set.  I graduated in 2015 from the University of Kentucky with a baccalaureate degree in General Biology.  Currently, I am studying at Johns Hopkins University to receive my Masters of Science in Geospatial Intelligence.  In my free time, I enjoy traveling, hiking, baking, and playing board games and yard games with my husband and friends. Captain Farrah “CANYON” Hassan: I’m Weapons Officer on Schriever AFB, CO. She graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL in 2012 with a Bachelors and Masters of Science in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. She loves her job because she gets to teach others about space and technology every day. In her off time, she likes to paint and act. 1st Lt Nastassia Arrington: Deputy flight commander for Maintenance flight/ Officer in-charge of cyber security. I have a BA in biological Anthropology form East Carolina University, and an MA in developmental psychology from Liberty University. I love to hike, weight lift, and read comics for my current hobbies. Lt Kelley McCaa: I currently work in 2Sops as a Satellite Vehicle Operator and a Modernization Analyst. I graduated from The University of Nebraska in Omaha, NE with a Bachelors in Global Strategic Studies/ International Studies and Political Science; I also studied Russian Language while in college. When not at work, my hobbies include hiking, reading, studying languages, and acrobatics. Staff Sgt. Kelly Malone: I am originally from Georgia but have moved around my whole life (Army brat). I am a Satellite Systems Operator and Crew Chief for the GPS Constellation in the 2nd Space Operations Squadron. Prior to joining the Air Force and transferring to the Space Force, my background is Criminal Justice – I interned at the Public Defender Office my senior year in high school, I have a Criminal Justice Diploma, and a Paralegal Certificate. When I enlisted, a job as a Space Systems Operations opened and I jumped at the chance! I have learned SO MUCH about space and have really enjoyed the engineering aspect of the satellites themselves. When I’m not at work, I love working out, playing sports, and hiking! Staff Sgt. Kathryn Brockmiller: I have been serving in the USAF for 6 years. I am currently assigned to 22 SOPS and work as an information systems security officer. I love what I do in communications and I am almost finished with my Bachelors in Management of Information Systems. On my free time, I’m a musician, love to ride motorcycles, spend time with my wife, play videogames, and workout! Senior Airman Angelica Perez: Born in Philippines and grew up in California. Currently an Orbital Analysts and Extremely High Frequency (EHF) Operator for the 4th Space Operations Squadron. Currently working for my Bachelors for Electrical Engineering and my hobbies are watching anime, books, and tea. Questions? Email aimee.artzer@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. #GirlScoutingatHome #STEM #Communitypartnerships #GirlScoutsatHome #space #communitypartners #UnitedStatesSpaceForce #USSF

What did you do for your Gold Award project? The main issue I tackled in my project was lack of education and awareness about eating disorders; namely, warning signs and seeking treatment, as well as general education about eating disorders. The old curriculum used in the health classes at my high school didn’t provide the right kind of education about eating disorders that would allow students to better understand and handle eating disorders, so I created a new curriculum for the middle and high schools in my district. I also created informational pamphlets about eating disorders, which I distributed to local medical establishments (clinics, pharmacies, etc.) and some of the schools in my district. How did you measure the impact your Gold Award project made on your target audience? In order to measure the impact of my project, I created two surveys with questions about eating disorders: one for students to take before watching my presentation on eating disorders, and one for students to take after watching my presentation on eating disorders. Then (with the help of a friend), I analyzed the results and found that scores were much improved on the post-survey. How is your project sustainable? How will your project continue to impact after your involvement? My project is sustainable through the continued use of my eating disorder lessons by the high school health teachers. Additionally, my lessons are available for free on the Teachers Pay Teachers website and can be used by anyone. What is your project’s global and/or national connection? My global/national connection is through the Teachers Pay Teachers website, making my lessons available to anyone for free (teachers, home-schoolers, and more) to use any time. What did you learn about yourself? I learned that I’m more resilient than I previously thought. When COVID-19 shut down the schools in my district, I thought that would be the death of my project. However, I worked with the members of my team and was able to record myself teaching my lessons, which the health teachers were able to use in their virtual classes. How will earning your Gold Award impact you in the future? Earning my Gold Award has increased my confidence, my leadership skills, and my ability to navigate bureaucracies. This has taught me that I am capable of persevering through whatever challenges I may face in the future. When I face roadblocks in the future, I will draw upon the things I learned from my Gold Award project to persevere through them. Why do you feel the Gold Award was an important part of your Girl Scout experience? The Gold Award is Girl Scouts’ highest achievement. Earning this was important to me as a Girl Scout because I set the goal early on and was able to achieve it. I first learned about the Gold Award when my troop leader introduced us to the Bronze Award. Earning the Bronze and Silver Awards inspired me to continue toward my goal of earning Gold. 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 an innovator because I had to come up with new ideas and unique solutions to new problems (like COVID-19 shutting down our schools). **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. #PalmerRidgeHighSchool #GoldAward #HighestAwards #COVID #GoldAwardGirlScout #HealthyLiving #GirlScoutGoldAward #eatingdisorders #Monument #COVID19 #TakeAction #PikesPeak #COVID19coronaviruspandemic

What did you do for your Gold Award project? The E-Recycling Exposé addresses the lack of education for fourth and fifth graders on the importance of e-recycling. Many people have heard of paper, plastic, or glass recycling. But, electronics, as common as they are in our society, are not frequently recycled. They can be harmful to our environment, damaging our water and land with dangerous metals. It struck me as surprising when I found out that only 20% of our electronics are recycled, leaving the rest to be put into the trash and landfills, ultimately polluting our Earth. This fact grew even more shocking to me when I found that paper and plastic products, which are just as important as technology, are recycled more than twice as much as electronics. In fact, in 2017, 46.9% of paper products had been recycled in the United States (epa.gov). These facts spurred me to take action with my Gold Award Project, knowing I could make a difference. How did you measure the impact your Gold Award project made on your target audience? My audience learned to answer the following questions: What percentage of electronics are currently recycled? Where can you drop off an electronic to recycle? What is the first step in recycling an electronic What type of electronic cannot be recycled? What is the most commonly recycled electronic? What is the most common metal that comes out of recycled electronics? If I recycle a million cell phones, how many pounds of copper will be retrieved? Is it ILLEGAL to put electronics in the landfill in Colorado? What country produces the most electronic waste? What country produces the least electronic waste? My audience also learned the full cycle of recycling an electron. From taking is to be recycled to having the recycled  electronics be made into new technology. I measured my impact by creating a quiz game, also known as a Kahoot, as well as a pre and post curriculum survey. These three things all had measurable reports to give me the data in my project. My impact was measured in the beginning,middle and end of my Gold Award, the E-Recycling Exposé. The pre survey was given before any information. The Kahoot was given while I was teaching the students, and the post survey was given at the end. All three things measured how much the students learned throughout the entire project. How is your project sustainable? How will your project continue to impact after your involvement? I have a signed Letter of Commitment from Fox Elementary signed by the fourth grade team/teacher, Ms. Sevy.  In this Letter of Commitment, it states that my e-recycling curriculum will be integrated into the STEM program at the elementary schools that I presented at. This is so that kids in the future years will continue to learn about the important topic of e-recycling. The teachers I talked to were especially interested in using my informational video and my Kahoot game in the future. With Kyklos, they work on teaching local schools and businesses about environmental sustainability, in Santiago, Chile. They are also partnered with BlueStar Recyclers to learn more about E-recycling. Kyklos is planning to use parts of my curriculum to further their material in teaching about E-recycling.  (https://create.kahoot.it/share/tech-recycling/76a37d2e-a7f3-4ebc-beb8-e14086e160a2). All the teachers had access to my materials when I shared them through Google Drive or email. Both of these platforms worked well across the board. The video I created was embedded in the PowerPoint I created, and the captions are on that video as well. So, all the materials needed to teach my curriculum are easily accessible. My tools did a really great job of educating the kids while keeping them excited about learning as well. What is your project’s global and/or national connection? The E-Waste Recycling Exposé’s global link was through a company called Kyklos. The main company I worked with, BlueStar Recyclers works with Kyklos in Santiago, Chile. This company creates programs based on environmental sustainability for local schools and businesses in Santiago, Chile. The informational video I created, I put Spanish captions on it and sent it to Kyklos to use for part of their program. I contacted Kyklos, their co-founder Sebastián Herceg, twice during my Gold Award process. I was supposed to meet their founder in-person since they partner with  a company that I worked with in Denver (BlueStar Recyclers) but unfortunately this was right when COVID-19 hit so it was unable to happen. I did, however, email back and forth with them when I had created my video. When I had first sent my video to Kyklos, their response was great. “Tremendo!” They said.  It made me happy to know that this of course translates to tremendous. Sebastian had a couple of editing marks for me which I then fixed. I also added Spanish captions onto the video which was not easy. These captions can be viewed by clicking the “cc” button on my video which is linked above. I had to translate my video and then make permanent captions on the video which was on my private Youtube channel. I made these changes and then I sent the video on its way to Chile. Later on, in my E-Recycling Exposé experience, I finished the other parts of my curriculum. After this step, I sent my second email to Kyklos. I asked them if they wanted the rest of my curriculum since they already had my educational video. Their co-founder emailed back and said that I should send it over and that they would work on getting it translated into Spanish. I was extremely happy when this happened. I have a bilingual Gold Award. In two different parts of the globe. Although the curriculum here in Colorado and in Chile, it serves the same purpose. Kyklos educates a lot of local schools about recycling so I am hoping that it will help as many boys and girls there learn about E-recycling. What did you learn about yourself? I learned that I am good at teaching elementary school kids and teaching in general because my project was curriculum-based and involved a lot of teaching. I never really taught before this.  I had presented projects and PowerPoints, but it was different for me to have to pioneer an elementary school curriculum and showcase it to kids who had never seen it before. I really got into the whole teaching aspect. I was able to talk to the kids and then you know, stop asking questions and discuss things with them that either they were confused about or simply curious about. I even had one of the teachers whose class you are presenting to comment to me that she wanted me to come back and teach her other class because I was such a good teacher. This was something that really surprised me because I had never taught before. I enjoyed teaching and getting to know the students. Doing this part of my Gold Award made me think that I could use the skill in the future. How will earning your Gold Award impact you in the future? I think earning my Gold Award will impact me in the future because of the skills it has given me. I had gained a lot of confidence in myself as a leader, which is a great way to go into college next year, in my opinion. I also have learned how to create a support system, and be creative in ways I never thought I would learn how to do. These are all skills I can use in the future. Doing this project has allowed me to prepare myself for any future career I might be interested in. I know that with these skills I can handle any workload or challenge that comes my way. Why do you feel the Gold Award was an important part of your Girl Scout experience? I feel like the Gold Award was an important part of my Girl Scout experience because it allowed me to use all my skills I have learned for one big project. I was able to have something to wrap up my ten years as a Girl Scout and that feeling was incredible. 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. in a lot of ways but the letter that defines me the most is G, go-getter. I hit a lot of walls when I was initially starting my project and it took me a while to find an idea. But I did not give up, I was determined to do my Gold Award. Throughout the project journey, there were a lot of times when it got hard or challenging. I learned to take a break and then regain my motivation. This helped me gain passion and confidence while doing my Gold Award, and through that I learned how to be innovative by creating my own curriculum, a risk-taker by working with companies I had never worked with before and of course, a leader. **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 #erecycling #HighestAwards #recycling #GoldAwardGirlScout #EWasteRecycling #GirlScoutGoldAward #TakeAction #GrandviewHighSchool

Did you know that there are ten million Girl Scouts and Girl Guides who represent 150 countries all over the world? In celebration of World Thinking Day 2021, Girl Scouts of all ages are invited to a special “Meet an Expert” session on Monday, February 22 at 5 p.m. to meet a Girl Guide from Bangladesh! Register now: https://gscolorado.formstack.com/forms/meet_an_expert_girl_guide_from_bangladesh_webinar_02_22_2021 We ask that girls submit questions for our guest in advance using the registration form. Our guest will tell girls all about life in Bangladesh, what she does as a Girl Guide, and then answer questions from Girl Scouts. When registering you are telling us you will be logging in LIVE! Our guest will prepare based on registration numbers, so please make sure you log in on time. The program will be recorded and posted to the GSCO YouTube channel. Do not register if you plan to watch the recording. We will use Zoom to host this program. All information on how to join online or via phone will be emailed out to registrants the day before the program. Each individual participant should be registered so we can track participation. Please do not share the information on how to join with others who have not registered. Registration will close February 18. Questions? Email aimee.artzer@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. #GlobalGirlScouts #GirlScoutingatHome #GSCOevents #2021WorldThinkingDay #GirlScoutsatHome #GirlGuide #Bangladesh #WorldThinkingDay

Submitted by Eleanor T., Girl Scout Brownie, Troop 77918 Northern & Northeastern Longmont For Day of Service, I picked up trash. My mom and I went to Roosevelt Park in Longmont and we walked around the whole park and picked up trash with our grabbers. We got more than two pounds of trash! I think it’s important to pick up trash because it helps our 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. #2021DayofService #DayofService #Longmont #NorthernampNortheastern

Submitted by Arya Thomson Pikes Peak Fountain Arya used her Brownie Computer Expert badge skills to design a flyer to pass out to her classmates and teacher. Now, they can order on her digital site and receive some contactless cookie love. Arya used Adobe Spark and a bank of graphics from GSCO to create a design that was all her own. She even added a “love yourself” message on the bottom. 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. #BrownieComputerExpertbadge #Fountain #Brownie #STEM #Brownies #ComputerExpertbadge #badge #graphicdesign #PikesPeak #STEMbadges #badges

Submitted by Marie Merrill-Exton Southwestern CO Pagosa Springs Sage, a Brownie from Pagosa Springs, celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Girl Scouts of Colorado’s Day of Service by doing community service in her community, like picking up trash. 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. #2021DayofService #DayofService #PagosaSprings #SouthwesternCO

Submitted by Girl Scouts of Colorado Global Action Team World Thinking Day Theme – Peacebuilding Stand Together for Peace. World Thinking Day brings more than ten million Girl Guides and Girl Scouts together this year to stand together around the world to call for and create peace; in our lives and in the world. The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), along with Girl Scouts of the USA and the other WAGGGS member organizations, have celebrated World Thinking Day since 1926. That’s when delegates from around the globe met at Camp Edith Macy—now called Edith Macy Conference Center—in New York and agreed that February 22 would now be known as a special day for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts worldwide. While it may feel that today, peacebuilding is more relevant and necessary than any other time, peacebuilding has been at the heart of Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting for the last 100 years. Peacebuilding includes each and every one of us and comes about in so many different and meaningful ways if done with intention and authenticity. There are three strands to this year’s peacebuilding theme: Stand Strong Understand what peacebuilding means Explore the issues and actions that can lead to conflict and those that lead to peace Empower themselves to be peacebuilders Stand Up Explore conflict situations from different perspectives Practice adapting their behaviour to resolve conflict and build peace Explore the link between discrimination, exclusion, and peace Stand Together Make choices rooted in their values Consider the ripple effect of their actions, and how they may impact different groups Take action towards creating a more welcoming and peaceful society This year, the GSCO Global Action Team encourages you to complete at least two activities from the free downloadable activity pack. If you’re feeling inspired, consider completing the World Thinking Day badge (requirements at bottom of WTD page). There are also additional World Thinking Day activity downloads on this GSUSA page. Finally, if you would like to do the World Thinking Day activities together with girls from around the world, you can sign up for a World Thinking Day Session with WAGGGS on February 20, 21, or 22, 2021. View all and register 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. #GlobalGirlScouts #GlobalActionTeam #WorldAssociationofGirlGuidesandGirlScouts #GirlScoutingatHome #WAGGGS #WorldAssociationofGirlGuidesandGirlScoutsWAGGGS #Peacebuilding #2021CountdowntoWorldThinkingDay #CountdowntoWorldThinkingDay #GirlScoutsatHome #GirlScoutsofColoradoGlobalActionTeam

Pikes Peak Fountain Our Brownies and Daisies got together on Zoom to create dog biscuits and cat toys for the SPCA. The girls worked on their overhand knots with felt and made yummy treats for the dogs! 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. #2021MartinLutherKingJrDay #Daisy #Fountain #Brownie #Brownies #Daisies #DayofService #2021DayofService #SPCA #PikesPeak #MartinLutherKingJrDay