Submitted by Grace H. Metro Denver Arvada For the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, we went to a park to pick up garbage. We were going to go to a local park, but decided to go to Rocky Mountain National Park instead. Unfortunately, there was snow covering the ground, so we didn’t find anything to pick up. We did find some elk though! We made sure to clean up everything except our footprints. We wanted to do our part to leave no trace. 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. #Arvada #NorthernampNortheasternCO #RockyMountainNationalPark #DayofService #EstesPark #2021DayofService #MetroDenver

Sign up for our Badge Series program in February 2021 to earn badges related to philanthropy. This program is the perfect complement to the work you are doing through the Girl Scout Cookie Program to learn about being an entrepreneur and philanthropy! We will kick off the month of February with leaders and girls accessing the courses on our new Google Classroom site. Login information will be sent in the evening of February 2! Badges for this month are: Daisy: Making Choices, Cookie Entrepreneur Family Pin Brownie: Philanthropist, Cookie Entrepreneur Family Pin Junior: Savvy Shopper, Cookie Entrepreneur Family Pin Cadette: Comparison Shopping, Cookie Entrepreneur Family Pin Senior: Buying Power, Cookie Entrepreneur Family Pin Ambassador: Good Credit, Cookie Entrepreneur Family Pin Leader Registration: https://gscolorado.formstack.com/forms/badge_series_february_leader_philanthropy_virtual_02_02_2021 If you are not a member of Girl Scouts of Colorado, you can register your girl by accessing our nationwide registration form: https://gscolorado.formstack.com/forms/badge_series_girl_scouts_nationwide_virtual_2020_2021 The deadline to register is Monday, February 1. Questions? Email MaryKatherine.Thorn@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. #BadgeSeries #GirlScoutingatHome #GSCOevents #2021BadgeSeries #2021GirlScoutCookieProgram #cookies #GirlScoutsatHome #GirlScoutCookieProgram #Philanthropy

Submitted by Girl Scouts of Colorado Global Action Team World Thinking Day will be here before we know it.  But, you may ask, what is World Thinking Day and why is this special day celebrated in Girl Scouting? The Girl Scouts of Colorado Global Action Team is featuring a series of blogs during the next few weeks leading up to World Thinking Day.  Each blog will provide answers to these questions and many other aspects of World Thinking Day, as well as provide activities and resources to further investigate information about ways to celebrate this special day. Preview some of the ideas and activities by viewing the Countdown To World Thinking Day document as also found on the Girl Scouts of Colorado website in the Global section of Anytime Activities. Let’s get started with the first in the series…. What is World Thinking Day? To answer this question, one needs to know a little about the history of World Thinking Day, formerly know as just Thinking Day. First: In 1926, Girl Guide and Girl Scout delegates from around the globe met in the United States for the 4th World Conference. They agreed that there should be a special annual day when Girl Guides and Girl Scouts around the world think of each other in terms of love and friendship. The Conference chose the date of February 22 since it is the joint birthday of both Lord Robert Baden-Powell and his wife Lady Olave Baden-Powell, the World Chief Guide. Both had spent so much of their time in organizing and carrying out what has become the World Association Girl Guide and Girl Scouts. Second: in Poland in 1932 at the 7th World Conference, a Belgian Girl Guide suggested that a birthday usually involved gifts. At this conference, the World Thinking Day Fund was founded.  Since then, member organizations have sent donations to the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) to support activities that help girls expand their horizons, raise their voices, and experience life changing challenges. Third: In 1999, at the 30th World Conference, held in Ireland, the name was changed from “Thinking Day” to “World Thinking Day”, in order to emphasize the global aspect of this special day. The day is about more than just thinking, it is the perfect opportunity for girls and adults to think big; to learn about the similarities, differences, and even the issues facing the nearly 10 million sisters they have in the 150 countries. The Importance of World Thinking Day World Thinking Day is a time when Girl Guides and Girl Scouts can honor its mighty global sisterhood. It is a time to explore the issues they are facing, connect with them, and take action to make a better world. As Lady Olave Baden Powell said in one of her Thinking Day address: “Though you cannot visit sister Guides in France or Finland, in Austria or Australia, in Italy or Iceland, Canada or Chile, Ghana or Guatemala, U.S.A. or U.A.R., you can reach out to them there in your MIND. And in this unseen, spiritual way you can give them your uplifting sympathy and friendship. Thus do we Guides, of all kinds and of all ages and of all nations, go with the highest and the best towards the spreading of true peace and goodwill on earth.” There are a lot of ways to learn about the importance of World Thinking Day to fulfill Lady Baden-Powell’s wish. Perhaps, you would like to know more about Girl Guides in a particular country and begin to learn about the badges they earn, or if they have the same Promise and Law. Perhaps, you are interested in earning an award relating to World Thinking Day. Each year Girl Scouts of the USA develops activities for an award based on the topic WAGGGS selects for Thinking Day. This year the topic is “peacebuilding,” a topic of a future blog. Perhaps, you already know about World Thinking Day and want to share your knowledge with others by planning a special ceremony celebrating the day to be attended by others. Please remember February 22 is the special day to celebrate World Thinking Day, but that doesn’t mean that it is the only day to think about issues that your sister Girl Guides and Girl Scouts have before them.  The Global Action Team is providing this series of blogs to help you expand your knowledge of our world-wide movement and your nearly 10 million sister. As stated on the GSUSA website: “… the real story behind World Thinking Day. We must join with our sisters in 150 countries to affect change on a global level.” Activity: In celebration of World Thinking Day, on February 22 from 5- 6 p.m., Girl Scouts of all ages are invited to attend a special Girl Scouts of Colorado “Meet the Expert” zoom session with a Girl Guide from Bangladesh.  Our guest will tell girls all about life in Bangladesh, what she does as a Girl Guide, and then answer questions from Girl Scout. Register here: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/events-repository/2021/feb22_meet_an_expert.html Participants have the opportunity to submit questions at the time of registration for the event for our guest to answer.  Registration closes February 18. What’s to Come Blogs featuring additional topics from “Countdown to World Thinking Day,” including information on the 2021 World Thinking Day theme, World Centers, Juliette Low World Friendship Fund, and more. If you have questions, feel free to contact the Global Action Team at gscoglobl@gmail.com. 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 #WAGGGS #WorldAssociationofGirlGuidesandGirlScoutsWAGGGS #2021WorldThinkingDay #WorldThinkingDay

Submitted by Jessica Holbrook Northern & Northeastern CO Fort Lupton With the virtual world that we live in, Lizzy was able to connect with Girl Scouts of Western Washington. They teamed up with DigiPen Technology Academy to offer girls a marketing magic commercial making class. The girls met with a social media guru Roz the Recruiter with Y’all Hiring who gave the girls an inspirational speech. DigiPen then showed the girls how to create a script, film their commercial, and they even did one on one editing with the girls. Girl Scouts has taught Lizzy how to be an inspiring leader. She love to take what she learns in Girl Scouts to help her fellow Girl Scouts and those younger than her. 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. #FortLupton #GirlScoutsofWesternWashington #NorthernampNortheasternCO

Submitted by Penny Roberts Northern & Northeastern CO Allenspark Registration is open now for Women’s Week 2021 and the 60th Anniversary Meadow Mountain Ranch Reunion.  The dates are July 22 – 26, and the reunion’s special events will take place on Saturday, July 24. Women’s Week has been running for several years now, with the exception, of course, of 2020, and those previous participants have been anxiously awaiting the return of the event.  As a result, Women’s Week will be sponsoring the reunion event, and activities will be integrated and coordinated throughout the weekend. The theme for the combined event is “I Am Camp,” and many of you will remember the beloved poem which starts out “I am Camp; I am sunlight, a sheen on the water, a mist on the mountains, and stars.”  Our MMR staff alum, and artist in residence for many years, Deb Heidebrecht (“Pepper”) has created a themed graphic logo, which you will see on the flier and registration form below.  This logo will be featured on all materials as well as items for purchase during the events. Women’s Week is open to all women ages 18 and up, and the reunion on Saturday is open to all MMR alums, families, GSCO staff, Board members, former campers, and friends.  For Women’s Week, you don’t have to be a registered Girl Scout or ever even been to camp before.  It’s a great chance to go to the high country in Colorado and have fun in the out-of-doors as a camper yourself.  The program plans itself, while all the usual activities are built in.  Hiking, singing, cooking, crafts, nature activities, tours of the area – – – the sky’s the limit.  If you have a special program to offer, please bring your materials and ideas and we will see there is a time for it. Of course, the cuisine is one of the big attractions.  We love to cook outside over an open fire if conditions allow.  We are quite adventurous in our menu selections, while accommodating any special dietary needs.  If you remember doing Dutch oven cooking, bean hole cooking, stick cooking, or other outdoor cooking techniques, we’ll probably have it for you.  A chili cook-off or a pineapple upside down cake Dutch oven competition have been big hits in past years. We are hoping to fill our event, while being aware during our planning that changes or restrictions might apply.  Keep your fingers crossed and register early if numbers are limited. Please contact Penny Roberts, very informal camp director, at (970) 586-1775 or email probertscolo@gmail.com if you have any questions. 2021 Women’s Week and MMR Reunion 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. #GSCOevents #NorthernampNortheasternCO #GirlScoutCamp #MeadowMountainRanch #Allenspark #alumnews #camp

Create. Innovate. Make the world a better place. Making the world a better place starts with innovation. Arrow is challenging Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors to design a prototype that addresses a problem in our community and beyond by using Girl Scout Cookie packages and other recycled materials for the Cookie Box Innovation Challenge. Connect with experts in innovation at Arrow Electronics Let your imaginations run wild with possibilities Put your cookie boxes to good use Earn your Cookie Box Innovation Challenge patch! Compete to win exciting prizes Younger girls can save their boxes too! You can partner with an older girl troop in your area to collect recycled materials for their innovations. Watch for a virtual kickoff in May, final designs will be submitted and judged at an Arrow Innovation Fair in October. Fill out the online interest form and we will send you more details when they are announced. Questions? Email girlexperience@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 was at the can send in her story here. #STEM #oldergirls #patchprogram #Communitypartnerships #ArrowElectronics #communitypartners #patch

Coconut Panna Cotta, a coconut panna cotta with chocolate ganache, caramel sauce, and a shortbread cookie, made from Samoas will be available at Stoic & Genuine (1701 Wynkoop in Denver’s Union Station). Peanut Butter Do-si-Dos Flan with a caramel popped sorghum will be available at Ultreia (1701 Wynkoop in Denver’s Union Station). Lemon-Ups Meringue Cheesecake, a vanilla cheesecake with lemon curd and a Lemon-Ups crumb crust, will be available at Rioja (1431 Larimer Square in Denver). Thin Mint Mousse Torte, a dark chocolate mousse with mint ganache and candied mint leaves, will be available at Bistro Vendôme (1420 Larimer Square in Denver). “Our pastry chefs unleashed their creative talents and came up with these amazing desserts incorporating Girl Scout Cookies,” said Beth Gruitch, co-owner of the restaurants. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with the Girl Scouts of Colorado.” Crafted Concepts, owner of Stoic & Genuine, Ultreia, Rioja, and Bistro Vendôme, will donate $1 from each dessert sold to Girl Scouts of Colorado to help fuel our mission to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Restaurant patrons are encouraged to share photos of these specialty desserts on social media and tag Girl Scouts of Colorado and Crafted Concepts. Twitter and Instagram users should also use #GirlScoutCookieDessertChallenge. Additionally, diners will receive a Cookie Dessert Passport, including a link to each recipe. Those who try the signature dessert at each restaurant, share a photo of their completed passport on social media, and tag Girl Scouts of Colorado and Crafted Concepts will be entered to win a year’s supply of Girl Scout Cookies and a gift card good to any of the Crafted Concepts restaurants. “This cookie season looks different for Girl Scouts just like times are very different for the restaurants we love.  We are honored to be joining forces with four of Denver’s top restaurants to support one another through this unique partnership,” said Leanna Clark, CEO of Girl Scouts of Colorado.  “We’ve all been through a lot this year and could use some comfort food! We hope the community will turn out to support our girls and enjoy the remarkable desserts Crafted Concepts’ chefs have created using our cookies as inspiration.” Also, starting January 31, you will be able to purchase Girl Scout Cookies from Girl Scouts across Colorado. In light of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, girls are adapting their sales methods to include safe and innovative ways for customers to get their favorite cookies. They include: Hosting virtual and drive-thru cookie booths. You can text COOKIES to 59618 (message and data rates may apply) or use the official Girl Scout Cookie Finder app for free on iOS or Android devices to find booths in your area. Making porch drop-offs to friends and family. Creating their own websites using the Digital Cookie platform to take online orders. If you know a Girl Scout, reach out to her to get the link to her website. If you don’t know a Girl Scout, visit girlscoutsofcolorado.org/cookies on February 1 to purchase cookies to be shipped to you from a local Girl Scout troop or to be donated to local nonprofits or the military. Thin Mints, Samoas, Tagalongs, Trefoils, Dos-Si-Dos, and Lemon-Ups are $4/package. S’mores and gluten-free Toffee-tastic are $5/package. The 2021 Girl Scout Cookie Program ends Sunday, March 7. About Crafted Concepts Founded in 2004 by James Beard award-winning chef Jennifer Jasinski and her business partner Beth Gruitch, Crafted Concepts boasts a collection of four award-winning restaurants clustered in Larimer Square and Denver Union Station. Locals and visitors alike explore the culinary creativity of the flagship Rioja or choose the French influenced Bistro Vendôme, the foods of the Iberian Peninsula countries of Spain and Portugal at Ultreia or the freshest sustainable seafood in Denver at Stoic & Genuine. More info at craftedconceptsdenver.com #CraftedConcepts #JenniferJasinski #Ultreia #2021GirlScoutCookieProgram #cookies #GirlScoutCookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram #BistroVendôme #Rioja #BethGruitch #StoicampGenuine

Submitted by Ayse Bergh Northern & Northeastern CO Erie Over the two week winter break, our troop held a food drive for our local food bank. Specifically, we collected food that the food bank had shortages on. We posted on social media in our neighborhoods what we were doing and what we specifically needed. It was amazing the response we received. People just dropped off bags and bags of food on our door steps. Some neighbors even ordered from Amazon and had food delivered to our door. In that two week period, we were able to fill a big truck and cab full of food. We were really satisfied with our results. 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. #Cadette #GirlScoutCadette #Cadettes #NorthernampNortheasternCO #foodbank #erie #GirlScoutCadettes

Submitted by Christine Kucera Mountain Communities Steamboat Springs Steamboat Springs Girl Scout Troops 54313 and 54595 ran a virtual bingo service unit wide event in December. Girls from all levels and multiple troops joined together to play bingo. Prizes were all gift certificates to local businesses. Most were purchased from a grant from the Lufkin Family. Donations were gratuitously given from Deja Vu Boutique with consignment clothes and jewelry; Cowboys and Indians with Native American home goods; and Lyon’s Corner Drug and Soda Fountain with an old fashioned soda jerk with specialty ice cream. Girls were excited to play bingo cards with different themes of holiday words, song titles, and Girl Scout words. Fortunately, everyone won a prize and a patch. While it’s hard to get together and have fun during this COVID isolation, Steamboat had a great time virtually while supporting 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 was at the can send in her story here. #COVID #SteamboatSprings #COVID19 #bingo #mountaincommunities

Submitted by Josie O. Hello my name is Josie O. I am from Troop 61631. I think that it is awesome that we will soon have a woman as the Vice President. This proves that women can do anything just as good as men can. Women haven’t had as many rights as men have. Kamala Harris is an example of what women can accomplish if they work hard. Keep working hard. 😁 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. #2021InaugurationDay #InaugurationDay #KamalaHarris

Digital Cookie is a safe, easy, and fun way for Girl Scouts to meet (and exceed) their cookie goals! For the 2021 Girl Scout Cookie Program, Digital Cookie will open on January 17 and will allow customers to request girl delivery. Girls can begin taking orders for delivery ahead of the January 31 go-day. A customized Digital Cookie site will attract even more customers and increase sales, so savvy Girl Scouts will want to include a sales pitch video. After uploading the video to your site, be sure to enter the Girl Scouts of Colorado’s “Best Cookie Video Contest.” This year’s winner will receive 200 Cookie Credits! To enter the “Best Cookie Video Contest,” email your video, along with a brief story and your cookie goal, to Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper, at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org. If your video is too large to send via email, you can send a DropBox or Google Drive link. All entries must be received by 9 a.m. February 12, 2021. After your video is received, it will be uploaded to the Girl Scouts of Colorado YouTube channel. The video that receives the most “thumbs up” by 9 a.m. February 24 wins! *** Note: You must send the original file for your video to be included. Links to videos hosted on YouTube sites other than GSCO will not be accepted. First Prize: 200 Cookie Credits Second Prize: 100 Cookie Credits Third Prize: 50 Cookie Credits Girl Scouts 12-years-old and younger can have a parent/caregiver help them make their video. Videos submitted by Girl Scouts 13-years-old and older must be girl-done. VIDEOS CANNOT CONTAIN ANY COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL. 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. #2021BestCookieVideocontest #BestCookieVideo #BestCookieVideocontest #2021GirlScoutCookieProgram #cookies #GirlScoutCookieProgram #CookieContest

Girl Scouts and their families are invited to a special session to get moving and get excited for cookies with Denver Broncos Cheerleaders on January 23, 2021! Register now: https://gscolorado.formstack.com/forms/virtual_cookie_cheer_with_denver_broncos_cheerleading_01232021 Registration closes Thursday, January 21, 2021. The Denver Broncos Cheerleaders promote self-esteem, pride, commitment, and discipline among young women in our community. This collaboration with Girl Scouts of Colorado  offers a rare and truly special opportunity for young women to learn from the experts in dance, movement, and fitness! Current Denver Broncos Cheerleaders will lead Girl Scouts through activities focused on movement, stretching, dance. They will also teach girls a short cheer to get excited about cookie season! Girl Scouts will also have a chance to ask questions live via the chat box. Sessions: Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors (K – 5th grade) on January 23 from 9 – 9:30 a.m. MST Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors (6th -12th grade) on January 23 from 9:45 – 10:30 a.m. MST Girl Scouts are encouraged to invite their family and friends to participate with them! You can also purchase a special “2021 Virtual Cookie Cheer” patch for $3 during registration. All attendees must have a current Girl Scout membership. We recommend getting ready for this special virtual program by creating your own pom-poms at home! Here are some simple instructions: https://www.instructables.com/DIY-Cheerleading-Pom-Poms/. You will use your pom-poms during the program so keep them handy! We will use Zoom to host this webinar. All information on how to join online or via phone will be emailed out to registrants the day before the webinar. 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. Questions? Email aimee.artzer@gscolorado.org. If you are having trouble completing registration, please contact inquiry@gscolorado.org or 877-404-5708. 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. #GirlScoutingatHome #cookiesvolunteers #Communitypartnerships #GirlScoutCookie #2021GirlScoutCookieProgram #Denver #cookies #GirlScoutsatHome #GirlScoutCookies #communitypartners #GirlScoutCookieProgram #MetroDenver #DenverBroncosCheerleading