On Oct. 23, Gov. Polis and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) amended its Safer at Home public health order to limit personal gatherings in all counties at all Safer at Home levels. The revised order reduces the size of personal gatherings to no more than 10 people from no more than two separate households. Girl Scout troop meetings are considered “personal gatherings” and are affected by this public health order. You can find your county’s level here. At this time, the public health order affects all but four Colorado counties. Girl Scouts of Colorado reached out to officials with CDPHE to determine how the amended order affects troop activities. These are the answers they provided. Larger Girl Scout events, such as a service unit event, only qualify as “outdoor or indoor events” if they are intended for and open to the community. Girl Scout troops can attend events or activities at a business in accordance with the rules and regulations for the business. Businesses are under separate regulations and can also set their own rules and regulations that are stricter than the state or county. We recommend if you are hosting activities or events at a business, you should contact the business to confirm their rules and share their plan to ensure the business is fine with the group size, mask requirements, etc. For instance a business may decide that a group gathering is a personal gathering and apply those rules of no more than 10 people from no more than two separate households in a party. We know it’s disappointing not to be able to meet in-person, but it’s also important to follow the public health order and each of us must to do our part to curb the spread of COVID-19.  There is a wide variety of online programming available and tips to help your troop stay connected even when we cannot gather in person. Please reach out to your VSS if you need help setting up virtual programming for your troop. Please see the COVID page on our website and the COVID FAQs for the most up-to-date information.

When disaster strikes Girl Scouts want to reach out and make a difference to those affected and the current situation with wildfires in Colorado is no different. Your Girl Scout or troop may want to start a clothing or food drive, but that may not be what most people need. In fact, relief workers have said the time it takes to accept, sort through, and distribute all that stuff often gets in the way of the most important relief efforts. We encourage you to instead consider making a gift to an organization helping with disaster relief. GSUSA has lifted the fundraising restriction to enable girls to raise money for Girl Scout recovery efforts at Girl Scouts of Colorado. GSCO understands that many are already stretched thin, emotionally and financially due to the pandemic and are unable to contribute finically. But you can still help! Girl Scouts can send letters of thanks and support to firefighters and first responders working to combat the fires. You can mail cards for Girl Scouts affected by the fires to our Northern Colorado office, 2725 Rocky Mountain Ave., Suite 420, Loveland, CO 80538, and we will make sure they get to troops in the area. You can also post banners or signs at your home and/or on your social media networks. Though it’s not safe for community volunteer projects related to the fire yet, United Way will post volunteer opportunities online at www.NoCoVolunteers.org when they do become available. GSUSA has also produced a Disaster Response Booklet for Girl Scouts and troops. Below is a list of some organizations you can make monetary donations to Community members can contribute to the Larimer County United Way by donating online at https://uwaylc.org/post/Cameron-Peak-Fire-Response-Fund or by texting “LARIMERUNITED” to 41444. The United Way has also started a page and a donation Amazon list https://smile.amazon.com/gp/chpf/homepage/ref=smi_se_cl_rd_ge?orig=%2Fhz%2Fcharitylist%2Fls%2F32XYQIYVV3BI4%2Fref%3Dsmi_ext_lnk_lcl_cl%3FpldnSite%3D1 The American Red Cross of Northern Colorado is providing daily services to evacuees including finding temporary housing and much more. Support its mission at redcross.org/local/colorado/about-us/Locations/northern-colorado.html. Humane Society of Boulder Valley https://give.boulderhumane.org/give/67294/#!/donation/checkout Larimer Humane Society https://www.larimerhumane.org/blog/cameron-peak-fire-information-page/ Longmont Humane Society https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E292106&id=4 The Larimer County Fairgrounds has taken in hundreds of horses. They need help with supplies until these animals can go home. https://www.gofundme.com/f/emergency-supplies-noco-evacuated-livestock?utm_source=customer& The Ranch Events Center is accepting donations of grass hay to help with large animal shelter. Call Maggie Steely at 970-619-4009 first to donate. Volunteers of America: To donate to Volunteers of America, which has been helping with pre-evacuation calls for the Cameron Peak Fire, visit voa.org. #disasterrelief

Submitted by Jaedyn and Emma of Troop 62816 Metro Denver Thornton For our Silver Award project, we would like to bring awareness to the neglect of older graves in some cemeteries. On November 7 and 8, 2020, we  invite other Girl Scouts to go and clean up graves in their local cemetery! For how-to videos, use this link (https://jumprope.com/g/little-angels-cemetary-clean-up/ehCsbcH0) or email HeidiLKane@hotmail.com with questions. Learn More about Our Project 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. #SilverAward #GirlScoutSilverAward #SilverAwardproject #Thornton #MetroDenver

Troops and service units can now purchase a discounted license for Zoom accounts through gsZoom. Zoom Licenses are $37 a year for each license ($36 for the license, $1 for CC fees). A year is defined as 12 months from the time the volunteer purchases the license. Complete this form to purchase. Holding meetings virtually? Check out our Resources to Meet Virtually including ice breakers and how-to videos on ways to adapt steps from specific badges and Journeys. 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 #GirlScoutsatHome #VolunteerNews #Zoom

Natural disasters can be scary, but should not be feared if you are prepared! In this patch program, ghouls… we mean GIRLS… will complete activities to prepare themselves and their family if a natural disaster struck. This patch program is for all ages, including adults! And, as your girl(s) grow and advance, they can take on a new Zombie challenge for their new age level. The first step of this challenge begins with girls identifying the types of disasters that are pertinent to their community. Girls will then work through the tools to help their Zombie (and their family) survive. These tools include: Water Light and Heat First-Aid Pets Cooking Food Shelter Communications Mutual Aid As you work through this patch program, you will explore different tools that your Zombie needs to have to survive. Depending on your program level, you will need to complete a different number of requirements. Download the patch guide here: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/content/dam/girlscoutsofcolorado/documents/gsco_zombie_survival_challenge.pdf Did you already complete the requirements? You can purchase the patch through Girl Scouts of Western Washington’s Shop. 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. #Zombies #GirlScoutingatHome #ZombieSurvivalChallengePatch #GirlScoutsatHome #zombiepatch #patch #ZombieSurvivalChallenge

There’s a big, amazing world out there, and you can still experience it with your girls! In a webcast with Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) on Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at 6 p.m. mountain time, Girl Scout volunteers will discover what global Girl Scouting is all about, what global programming looks like right now, and how troop leaders can help their girls connect with the world throughout the year—yes, even if you’re meeting virtually! Register now: https://goto.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1372781&tp_key=c84086775f We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here. #GirlScoutsoftheUSA #VolunteerNews #GlobalGirlScouts #GirlScoutingatHome #GSUSA #GirlScoutsatHome #GirlScoutsoftheUSAGSUSA #volunteers

Girl Scouts of Colorado is excited to launch a new patch for the “Meet an Expert” webinar series! You can purchase your patch through the GSCO shop online: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/about-girl-scouts/gsco-shop.html “Meet an Expert” webinars are opportunities for Girl Scouts of all ages to meet professional women in different career paths. Many webinars connect directly with an official Girl Scout badge. Each webinar starts with an introduction to our “co-host” followed by a different lesson or activity and a moderated question and answer session. In 2020, Girl Scouts have had the opportunity to meet a musician, meteorologist, designer for The North Face, judge, engineer, and so many more. View and sign up for upcoming “Meet an Expert” sessions on the GSCO events calendar: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/events/event-list.html?q=meet+an+expert Listen to past “Meet an Expert” webinars on the GSCO YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcfGCk7aMlu9zGoGXGbU234riSUKNIm8g 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 #MeetanExpertPatch #GirlScoutsatHome #Meetanexpert #patch

At the beginning of each Girl Scouting year, Girl Scouts of Colorado and Girl Scouts of the USA review our volunteer/program policies, Volunteer Essentials, and our safety policies, Safety Activity Checkpoints. These resources are here to not only communicate our policies, but to ensure every adult member and girl are prepared and safe. It is the expectation of every volunteer to review these resources every year. The 2020 version of Safety Activity Checkpoints includes a new section on key components of an Emergency Action Plan, clarification of which activities require approval by GSCO and updated guidelines on general Girl Scout program safety. In the same light of ensuring girl safety, we have a new process at Girl Scouts of Colorado for council approval for activities, events, and trips held by troops and service units. The Activity and Event Approval Form must be completed at least 30 days prior to your event, activity or trip. Activities that require prior approval include any: Troop or service unit hosting a money earning event or activity. Troop or group overnight or travel experience. High-risk activity that requires approval per the Safety Activity Checkpoints. This new process for Activity and Event Approval goes into effect for any activities taking place after December 15, 2020. What are Safety Activity Checkpoints? Safety Activity Checkpoints (SAC) is a resource that provides safety standards and guidelines for general Girl Scout programs and specific activity areas. SAC includes information on required volunteer certification, adult volunteer to girl participant ratios, emergency plan templates and guidelines for specific activities. SAC includes activity chapters on everything from bicycling to camping to horseback riding to rock climbing! Each activity chapter includes a resources to help troops plan the activity and specific safety guidelines around equipment, instructor experience/training, limited to Girl Scout program levels that can participate and if approval from GSCO is required before your troop or Girl Scout group can do the activity. You can review the 2020 version of Safety Activity Checkpoints here! Why do some activities require approval by GCSO? In Girl Scouts we want to ensure that girls are participating in activities that are developmentally appropriate, progressive, and of course safe. By requiring the approval of some of the more “high-risk” activities girls can participate in, Girl Scouts of Colorado can make sure the group has the proper insurance, have taken the necessary leader training, is taking the necessary safety precautions, and is properly prepared for the activity. It is in no way meant to limit a girls experience, rather our goal is the increase the amount of fun, safe experiences girls can participate in. What is the activity and event approval form? How do I know if my activity needs approval? This is a form that troops, Service Units and other Girl Scout groups in Girl Scouts of Colorado will need to complete 30 days prior to any activity that needs approval. Activities that require approval are: Any troop or service unit hosting a money earning event or activity. Extended overnight/trip (3+ nights) or any trip out of the state of Colorado. Any high-risk activity that requires approval per the Safety Activity Checkpoints. You can determine if your activity needs approval by reading the activity specific chapter, or by looking at the “Activities at a Glance” chart on p. 21 of Safety Activity Checkpoints. What is the timeline for activity approval and how will I know I am approved? Please complete the form 30 days prior to your activity. Depending on the type of activity you are planning, you may not need to wait for additional GSCO approval after your submission. Upon completion of the form you will receive an email indicating if additional staff approval will be required for your activity. If additional approval is required, you will be connected via email from a GSCO staff notifying you of your approval within 10 business days of your submission. Still have questions? Reach out to us at inquiry@gscolorado.org. We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here. #CouncilNews #outdoorprograms #SafetyActivityCheckpoints #VolunteerNews

Across the United States, people are marching in the streets, demanding an end to police brutality and racial inequality. But, the issue of racism and violence against people of color runs deep. While we‘ve made progress over the years, this feels like a moment when people all over the country recognize that half-measures are not enough. This is a deep, centuries-in-the-making challenge that we face to undo racism, and we need decisive action. Changing the Legacy of Race & Ethnicity (CLoRE) is a conversation series initiated by Colorado Humanities and implemented with partners to encourage understanding and discussion about the legacy of race in America, and how to make changes now for a more just future. The first conversation, ‘How Did We Get Here?’ will be held on October 21, 2020 at 7 p.m. Acclaimed author Adrian Miller will moderate this panel exploring race and ethnicity in Colorado and in the United States from the perspectives of history, economics, criminology, psychology, and faith traditions. Featured panelists are: Rachel Harding Denise Maes Wendell Pryor Anthony Young This series is free and will be broadcast on YouTube and Facebook. Please register: https://coloradohumanities.org/programs/changing-the-legacy-of-race-ethnicity/ * Colorado Humanities designs all of their programs to be family friendly. All content should be appropriate for all ages. 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. #ChangingtheLegacyofRaceampEthnicity #GirlScoutingatHome #GSCOevents #racism #CLoRE #GirlScoutsatHome #ColoradoHumanities #ChangingtheLegacyofRaceampEthnicityCLoRE

Ready to start owning your future? Being financially savvy is the first step to getting started. Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) invites you to the “Awesome Girls: Owning My Future” webinar on October 21, 2020. You’ll hear from financial management experts as you learn to build and practice smart budgeting habits, prepare for financial emergencies, navigate loans, and build good credit. You’ll jumpstart your budgeting habits with an interactive budget activity plus tips on what tools can help you track your budget. Register here: https://goto.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1381860&tp_key=73eecc77eb This interactive event will connect you to two experts from RSM who will share their knowledge of personal financial management. You will have a chance to have your own financial management questions answered and hear questions from your Girl Scout peers. RSM is a multi-national network of accounting firms, forming one of the largest financial professional services networks in the world, and they can’t wait to share their knowledge and experience with you! This program is designed for teens plus young adults and alums who recently graduated. The event will put Girl Scouts on the path towards earning their Ambassador On My Own badge. Please note, this event begins at 5 p.m. Mountain time. We acknowledge that the timing may not work with your schedule; you can register and view the playback when it is more convenient! By joining us on October 21, 2020 you will also have a chance to be in a special drawing to win a $50 gift certificate to the Girl Scout Shop or an awesome tablet. Must be under 21 years of age at the time of entry to enter the drawing. All entries by entrants under 13 years of age, must be submitted by a parent or legal guardian on behalf of such Entrants. This program is hosted by GSUSA. We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here. #GirlScoutsoftheUSA #GirlScoutingatHome #GSCOevents #GSUSA #AmbassadorOnMyOwnbadge #Communitypartnerships #GirlScoutsatHome #financialliteracy #GirlScoutsoftheUSAGSUSA #communitypartners #ambassadorbadges #badge #OnMyOwnbadge #RSM #Ambassadorbadge #badges

Girl Scouts of Colorado thanks former Colorado Lieutenant Governor Donna Lynne, DrPH, for co-hosting our “Meet an Expert” webinar. More than 40 Girl Scouts from across Colorado participated in this webinar on October 8, 2020. Missed it? Listen to the recording here. Donna Lynne served as the 49th Lieutenant Governor of Colorado from 2016 to 2019. She also served in a dual capacity as the Chief Operating Officer of the State of Colorado. Prior to her appointment, she was an executive with Kaiser Permanente. Today, Donna is the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Columbia University Irving Medical Center and the CEO of Columbia Doctors in New York, NY. She is recognized as one of the top women business leaders in Denver and one of the top 25 Women in Healthcare in the nation. Donna spoke to girls about her education, career, and passions. We learned that Donna is an avid skier and hiker, and also has a passion for field hockey. Following the former Lt. Governor’s presentation, Girl Scouts had the opportunity to participate in a live Q&A session. We also learned about the American Mountaineering Center, Expedition Health, Spark the Change Colorado (formerly Metro Volunteers), and Electing Women – all groups and organizations that Donna has worked with throughout her career. Participating in this webinar fulfills Step Two of the NEW democracy badges for all levels, find out about state government (https://www.girlscoutshop.com/BADGES-PROGRAM/NEW-FEATURED-ITEMS4/new-civics-badges). 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 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 #GirlScoutsatHome #Meetanexpert #webinar #MeetanexpertWebinarSeries #formerColoradoLieutenantGovernorDonnaLynneDrPH #alumnaenews

Submitted by Jessenia Sanchez Pueblo & Southeastern CO Pueblo This is a FREE event. Troop leader and Pastry Chef Jessenia invites you to come learn to bake cookies from scratch on November 7, 2020 beginning at 5 p.m. This will be a virtual meeting in which girls can follow along! Register here: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/events-repository/2020/from_scratch_in_pueb.html What a perfect time of year to show your family and friends your baking skills. You could do a cookie exchange with your friends or family for the holidays or just bake cookies for fun because they are delicious! Girls participating in this session will learn food safety, how to properly measure ingredients, how to store your baked items, oven/hot item safety, and lastly, how to bake cookies! 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. #cooking #GSCOevents #Pueblo #PuebloampSoutheasternCO