Submitted by Clemmer H., GSCO Media Star Metro Dever Highlands Ranch Hi, my name is Clemmer! I earned the Democracy in Action badge. To receive this badge, there are five steps. Find out about local government Find out about state government Find out about the federal legislative branch Find out about the federal executive branch Find out about the federal judicial branch The first project I did was listen to a town hall meeting. Our county lets us call into the county commissioner’s meetings. This represents the first choice under Step One, Go to a city or town hall meeting. For Step Two, I visited the state capitol. This represents option one, visit your state capitol building. I took a field trip with my friends and classmates and learned about the state’s history, so I was able to go back to the capitol with other friends and tell them what I learned. Research representation. With help from an adult, I found out how many women are currently serving in the United States Senate and House of Representatives. There aren’t that many. We need more!! I created a presidential trivia contest. How many presidents have won Grammy Awards? Which president was known for his love of jelly beans? I talked to a judge. Find out everything you can about what they do. I found out why she choose her profession. I found out how the state courts work with the other two branches of government. If you are a Girl Scout Cadette and want to do this badge, go for it! There are so many options to choose from! 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. #Cadette #Civics #DemocracyinActionbadge #Cadettes #Cadettebadges #HighlandsRanch #Cadettebadge #badge #MetroDenver #DemocracyinAction

On October 11, the global community comes together to celebrate the power of girls and highlight, discuss, and take action to advance the rights of and opportunities for girls everywhere, or what is known as International Day of the Girl. This year’s theme is “my voice, our equal future” and aims to amplify girls’ voices and stand up for their rights. At Girl Scouts of Colorado, we have a day full of engaging virtual events to celebrate and amplify the voice of our Colorado Girl Scouts. Register today and you will receive links to all the virtual programming happening throughout the day as well as some activities to do leading up to International Day of the Girl. Live Program Session: 9:30 – 10:15 a.m.: Kick Off and Celebration! 11 – 11:30 a.m.: Older Girl Advisory Board roundtable- How are you working towards a better future? 2 – 3 p.m.: Asserting Your Power as a Changemaker 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.: Continuing the Discussion on United Nations Girl’s Rights Town Hall 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 #GirlScoutsatHome #InternationalDayoftheGirl #2020InternationalDayoftheGirl

This year, Girl Scouts of Colorado is excited to launch a new workshop for our Latinx/Hispanic Girl Scouts. We will have a session every month where girls will get to meet experts from one of our Latino partner organizations, connect to one of our digital pen pals from one of the 23 Spanish speaking countries around the world, and complete activities that will help them earn a badge. All girls, Girl Scouts or not, can register for these events. Once you register, you can become a Girl Scout and enjoy the benefits of participating in one of our many virtual events. For the month of October 2020, our workshop will be on October 13. Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors will have a workshop at 5:30 p.m. Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors will have their workshop at 6:30 p.m. You can register for the Crea Tu Camino / Make Your Path workshops here: Taller de Crea Tu Camino EN VIVO Virtual / Make Your Path Workshop LIVE Virtual for Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors: https://gscolorado.formstack.com/forms/taller_de_crea_tu_camino_en_vivo_virtual_make_your_path_workshop_live_virtual_dbj_10_13_2020 Taller de Crea Tu Camino EN VIVO Virtual / Make Your Path Workshop LIVE Virtual for Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors: https://gscolorado.formstack.com/forms/taller_de_crea_tu_camino_en_vivo_virtual_make_your_path_workshop_live_virtual_csa_10_13_2020 Starting in November, we will add the option to get a subscription box delivered to girls in Colorado and a list delivered to all others across the nation when you register for this event. Save the dates for our upcoming sessions (November 10, December 8, January 12, February 9, March 9, April 13, May 11, June 8, and July 13) and check the Girl Scouts of Colorado Events Calendar for the registration links. This month, we will highlight our partner organization Latino Outdoors, Colorado chapter! Their mission to “inspire, connect, and engage Latino communities in the outdoors and embrace cultura y familia as part of the outdoor narrative, ensuring our history, heritage, and leadership are valued and represented” is right in line with our Girl Scout mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. Latino Outdoors’ leaders work on a volunteer basis to plan outdoor activities for the community free of charge and provide the community with opportunities and resources to enjoy and conserve the outdoors and the environment safely and responsibly. The Latino Outdoors Colorado chapter has been led by Latina women only until recently, so they understand what sisterhood can do to bring their organization closer together through their work. We are so excited to partner with them to provide girls from our Latinx/Hispanic communities the opportunity to supplement their education about connecting with your culture in the outdoors. Latino Outdoors has a campaign called #TogetherApart, where every two weeks they will announce a new outdoor activity that anyone from anywhere can participate in and have a chance to win cool prizes by sending in pictures and telling them about it! The Latino Outdoors activity for October 12 – 25 is called #TogetherApart with Trees. This activity encourages you to spend quiet, contemplative time near trees. This practice is called forest bathing, tree therapy, or tree-gazing and originates in Japan where it is called shinrin-yoku in Japanese. If you have ever been outdoors and noticed the way being in nature makes you feel, you have experienced forest bathing. So, take a five-minute break, or spend two hours, to be around a tree and spend that time looking up, watching how the breeze moves past its leaves, trying to spot a bird in it, or simply meditating in some way, and notice the peace and relaxation it brings. Register here for Latino Outdoors #TogetherApart events: https://latinooutdoors.org/eventbrite/ Check out more on Latino Outdoors here: https://latinooutdoors.org/ ************************************************************************* Este año estamos muy emocionados de lanzar un nuevo taller para nuestras Girl Scouts de herencia Latinx/Hispanas. Tendremos una sesión cada mes donde las niñas pueden conocer a expertos de una de nuestras organizaciones Latinas compañeras, conectarse con uno de nuestros Pen Pals Digitales de uno de los 23 países alrededor del mundo donde se habla español, y completar actividades que les ayudará a ganarse una insignia. Todas las niñas, sean Girl Scouts o no, pueden registrase por estos eventos. Una vez registrado podrás unirte para ser una Girl Scout y disfrutar de los beneficios de participar en uno de los muchos eventos virtuales numerosos. Para el mes de octubre, nuestro taller será el 10/13. Los grados del K-5 tendrán su taller a las 5:30 pm y los grados 6-12 tendrán su taller a las 6:30 pm. Se pueden registrar aquí para los Talleres de Crea Tu Camino / Make Your Path: Taller de Crea Tu Camino EN VIVO Virtual / Make Your Path Workshop LIVE Virtual – DBJ – 10/13/2020: https://gscolorado.formstack.com/forms/taller_de_crea_tu_camino_en_vivo_virtual_make_your_path_workshop_live_virtual_dbj_10_13_2020 Taller de Crea Tu Camino EN VIVO Virtual / Make Your Path Workshop LIVE Virtual – CSA – 10/13/2020: https://gscolorado.formstack.com/forms/taller_de_crea_tu_camino_en_vivo_virtual_make_your_path_workshop_live_virtual_csa_10_13_2020 Empezando en noviembre tendremos la opción de añadir una caja de suscripción que se mandará por correo a niñas en Colorado y una lista de materiales a las demás niñas registradas a cruzar del país. Guarde la fecha de estas próximas sesiones y siga observando la página de eventos del concilio para los enlaces de registración aquí. Próximas Sesiones: 10/13; 11/10; 12/8; 1/12; 2/9; 3/9; 4/13, 5/11, 6/8, y 7/13 ¡Este mes destacaremos nuestra organización compañera de Latino Outdoors, de la región de Colorado! La misión de ellos es de “inspirar, conectar, y participar con comunidades Latinas al aire libre y abrazar la cultura y familia como parte de la narrativa al aire libre, asegurando nuestras historias, herencia, y liderazgo sea valorada y representada” está alineada con la misión de Girl Scouts de edificar a niñas con el valor, la confianza, y carácter que hacen de este mundo un lugar mejor. Los líderes de Latino Outdoors trabajan en una base voluntaria para planificar actividades al aire libre para la comunidad de forma gratuita y brindar a la comunidad oportunidades y recursos para disfrutar y conservar el aire libre y el ambiente de manera segura y responsable. La región de Latino Outdoors Colorado ha sido dirigida únicamente por mujeres latinas hasta hace poco, por lo que entienden lo que la hermandad puede hacer para unir su organización a través de su trabajo. Estamos muy emocionados de trabajar con ellos para proveer a las niñas de nuestras comunidades Latinx/Hispanas la oportunidad de añadir a su educación acerca de cómo conectarse a su cultura al aire libre. Latino Outdoors tiene una campaña llamada #TogetherApart/#JuntxsAparte, donde cada 2 semanas anunciarán una nueva actividad al aire libre en la que cualquier persona de cualquier lugar puede participar y tener la oportunidad de ganar premios geniales enviándoles fotos y contándoles al respecto. La actividad de Latino Outdoors del 12 al 25 de octubre se llama #JuntxsAparte con los árboles. Esta actividad le anima a pasar un tiempo tranquilo y contemplativo cerca de los árboles. Esta práctica se llama baño forestal, terapia de árboles u observación de árboles y se origina en Japón, donde se llama shinrin-yoku en japonés. Si alguna vez has estado al aire libre y has notado cómo te hace sentir estar en la naturaleza, has experimentado un baño forestal. Entonces, tómese un descanso de 5 minutos, o pase 2 horas enteras, para estar alrededor de un árbol y pasar ese tiempo mirando hacia arriba, observando cómo la brisa pasa entre sus hojas, tratando de detectar un pájaro en él o simplemente meditando de alguna manera, y observe la paz y la relajación que aporta. Regístrese aquí para los eventos de #TogetherApart/#JuntxsAparte Latino Outdoors:https://latinooutdoors.org/eventbrite/ Examine y aprenda más de Latino Outdoors aquí: https://latinooutdoors.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. #TallerdeCreaTuCamino #GirlScoutingatHome #GSCOevents #LatinX #Communitypartnerships #GirlScoutsatHome #LatinxHispanicGirlScouts #communitypartners #2020HispanicHeritageMonth #HispanicHeritageMonth #LatinoOutdoors

Register now for STREAM Girls programs and pick up your gear in Grand Junction or Montrose: https://gscolorado.formstack.com/forms/stream_girls_blended_ws_10_22_2020 Registration will close on Monday, October 19, 2020 OR when capacity has been reached. Virtual kick off: Thursday, October 22 at 5 p.m. via Zoom Virtual reflection: Sunday, November 1 at 3 p.m. via Zoom Gear pick up at Canyon View Park, Grand Junction: Friday, October 23 at 4 – 6 p.m. Gear drop off at Canyon View Park, Grand Junction: Sunday, November 1 at 5 p.m. Gear pick up at Ross Reels, Montrose: Friday, October 23 at 4 – 6 p.m. Gear drop at Ross Reels, Montrose: Sunday, November 1 at 5 p.m. STREAM Girls gives Girl Scout Juniors and Cadettes the opportunity to earn a special patch as they serve as citizen scientists, anglers, and artists, in order to build an appreciation for watershed conservation and the environment. This outdoor watershed experience employs STEM-education (science, technology, engineering, math) plus recreation and arts to explore a local stream. Every person is a citizen of her watershed, and Colorado Trout Unlimited (TU) has partnered with Girl Scouts of Colorado so that girls will get the complete picture of what their stream could mean to them. In this hybrid take home/virtual program, TU will provide Girls Scouts with the necessary gear, a Stream Girls Field Notebook, and a resource list with videos guiding Girl Scouts through six activities that they will complete over 10 days. Additionally, girls are expected to join a virtual program kick off on Thursday and a reflection meeting the next Sunday to discuss what they have learned. Activities include: Stream Walk – Observing and documenting the stream/river and surrounding area Go with the Flow – Calculating river flow rates using everyday tools and simple math Macroinvertebrate Survey – Investigating the insect life that lives in the stream and support fish Fly-Casting – Developing skills to fly fish and practicing in your own backyard/neighborhood park Fly-Tying – Creating a “fly” to imitate one of the macroinvertebrates commonly found in Colorado Scavenger Hunt/Bracelet Building – Testing your knowledge of healthy streams and creating a unique bracelet to represent your local watershed! Activities are expected to take approximately six hours, in total, and can be broken up into several days. Colorado Trout Unlimited will provide the necessary gear and supplies associated with each activity. Gear will be picked-up and dropped off at Canyon View Park in Grand Junction OR Ross Reels in Montrose. Please indicate your pick up/drop off location upon registration. Colorado Trout Unlimited has enough gear/supplies for 24 participants. Additional participants may be able to register, if using their own gear or sharing with another Girl Scout. Please acknowledge any shared gear in registration. Adults picking up gear on behalf of Girl Scouts will be required to complete a gear agreement upon pick up. Certificates of completion and patches will be distributed upon gear drop off. If using your own gear, certificates of completion and patches will be mailed after the program is complete. Please indicate if you are picking up supplies or using your own supplies. As a self-guided event, Colorado Trout Unlimited and GSCO encourages Girl Scouts to complete this activity with their families. Please be sure to follow all state, county, and local public health guidelines surrounding COVID-19. Registration will close on Monday, October 19 OR when capacity has been reached. All waivers, pre-information, and log in information for virtual meetings will be provided for all participants via email after registration closes. If picking up supplies and gear – all supplies will be packaged as a set and available during the gear pick-up; Certificates and patches will be presented upon gear return. Participants are welcome to use their own gear/equipment. Please use the list below when compiling your own gear/supplies. For participants not requiring a gear set, the Field Notebook and Macroinvertebrate Guide will be sent via email; Patches and certificates will be mailed to the address you provide upon registration. Supply List: Field Notebook and Macroinvertebrate Guide Writing Utensil (Colored pencils are great to have, as well) Wading Boots/Waders (If weather/water temperatures are warm enough, sturdy water shoes can be used) Stopwatch (smart phones work great) Something that floats (stick, ping pong ball, etc) Calculator (phone works great) Measuring Tape (at least 30’) Bug net (Kitchen Strainer will work) Collection Pan (Tupperware or small white buckets can be effective) Magnifying glass Small sorting tray (ice cube trays work well) Fly rod, reel, and line Fly tying vise Fly tying tools Fly tying materials for midge pattern including hook and thread. Extra fly line for bracelet (Other material will work, as well) Beads for bracelet activity All girls must have current Girl Scout Membership If you need to submit multiple registration forms, click the “back” button on your browser and make necessary edits and submit the form again for additional attendees. There are no refunds for this event. If you have any questions about this event or have trouble completing registration, please contact inquiry@gscolorado.org or 877-404-5708. Two pick up/drop off locations available: Canyon View Park (730 24 Rd, Grand Junction, CO 81505) Ross Reels (1101 Mayfly Dr., Montrose, CO 81401) 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. #montrose #Cadette #GirlScoutingatHome #Cadettes #GrandJunction #Communitypartnerships #Junior #GirlScoutsatHome #ColoradoTroutUnlimited #STREAMGirls #communitypartners #Juniors #WesternColorado #CTU

Submitted by Jenni Grossman Western Colorado Grand Junction Congratulations to McKenzie, Lauren, Abbie, Jolie, and Peyton from Troop 13497 in Grand Junction! They earned the Girl Scout Bronze Award for a project to help seniors in nursing homes who may be feeling lonely due to visiting restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The girls made videos and special crafts, including photos, drawings, and activity sheets, for multiple nursing homes in their area. Two of the nursing homes were chosen because one of the girls has a family member living there. The Girl Scouts started a different project to earn the Bronze Award in February 2020, but then had to do a 360 in March when COVID-19 hit. They thought the residents of the nursing homes would be so lonely due to visiting restrictions. The girls decided to make videos of their favorite children’s books so the activities directors could play them for the residents. The girls also wanted some activities for the residents. After the girls called multiple places, they learned they had to laminate whatever they picked, so it could be sanitized. They each made five to ten different sheets (drawings, word searches, mazes paintings, colored pictures with uplifting quotes) for the residents. The girls also made copies of their work and laminated each one. Each nursing home received 40 drawing/activity laminated sheets. We also gave the organizations a list of the videos that the girls made so they could access them whenever they wanted. 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. #HighestAwards #COVID #GrandJunction #BronzeAwardGirlScouts #GirlScoutBronzeAward #COVID19pandemic #BronzeAward #WesternColorado #COVID19 #TakeAction #BronzeAwardGirlScout

On October 13 and 16, 2020 the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum (200 South Sierra Madre, Colorado Springs) will open from 5-8 p.m. for a very special evening just for Cool Science Festival participants at a greatly reduced cost. $12.50 for adults and $7.50 for children (ages 3-12). In addition to the self-guided tour, participants will be able to design and make their own Olympic medal from recycled materials and enjoy a special augmented reality (AR) scavenger hunt using a smartphone or technology camera. For reservations visit rebrand.ly/jgomo9m. The 60,000-square-foot U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum is a one-of-a-kind tribute to the Olympic and Paralympic movements. It is one of the most accessible and inclusive museums in the world. Guests can customize their sport preferences and accessibility needs for a tour that is uniquely their own. Night at the Museum Flier 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 #ColoradoSprings #USOlympicampParalympicMuseum #Communitypartnerships #communitypartners #PikesPeak

Today we’re going to make our own cloud dough! If you would like more activities like this one, join us every other week on Tuesdays after school for GSCO’s Daisy, Brownie, Junior Art Club. Click here to register! You will need: Corn Starch White conditioner (any kind) Bowl Spatula, popsicle stick, or spoon Measuring cup Food coloring (optional; gel is best) Sandwich baggie (to store the cloud dough) Let’s make our cloud dough! Add one cup of corn starch to the bowl. Add one cup of any white conditioner to the bowl. Add it gently, a little bit at a time, so it doesn’t send your cornstarch flying everywhere. If you want to add food coloring, do it now. Stir ingredients together. Start slowly so you don’t make a mess, and then, you can pick up speed as your ingredients come together. The dough will appear sticky at first. If it’s too dry, add more conditioner. If it’s too wet, add more corn starch. Eventually, you will need to pick the dough up with your hands and kneed it until you like the consistency. Now, take the cloud dough and make shapes or anything you want. Just have fun! 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. #2020DBJArtClub #GirlScoutingatHome #GSCOClubs #2020GSCOClubs #GirlScoutsatHome #DBJArtClub

From Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) The best tool any girl has for changing the world—and creating an equal future—is her voice. As a society, we can help girls use their voices for change by ensuring they have the tools and confidence to speak up and speak out, actively listening to what they say, and amplifying their messages. At Girl Scouts, we are proud to celebrate International Day of the Girl by introducing ten of the most amazing world changers in our Movement—the 2020 National Gold Award Girl Scouts. Keep it locked on our social media platforms for this big announcement and more! Here’s everything you, your troop, and your girls need to know to get in on all things International Day of the Girl 2020! Learn about International Day of the Girl: Learn about the issues girls face around the world and learn why we celebrate International Day of the Girl. Spread the word and lend your voice on October 8: Invite your troops to spread the word and lend their voices by sharing stories with pictures of how they’re changing the world! Be sure to use hashtags: #worldchanger #IDG2020 Attend the United Nations Girls’ Rights Town Hall: On October 9, 2020, 10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. EDT, secure a front-row view to the Girls’ Rights Town Hall as a National Gold Award Scout and girl activists take the UN floor. This virtual event gives young leaders access to global decision-makers and a space to discuss justice, human rights, and equity for girls. Learn how to participate. Celebrate with girls all around the world: On October 11, 2020, 2:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m. EDT., celebrate International Day of the Girl by hosting a Girls Speak Out watch party. The hour-long program showcases girls’ poems, creative performances, and art about what girls’ equity means in their communities. After the event, use the debrief questions in the debrief guide to reflect on and discuss what you’ve just seen. The prerecorded event featuring a live chat will be hosted on YouTube Prime across five different time zones and in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. Visit the website to learn how to join. At Girl Scouts of Colorado, we have a day full of engaging virtual events to celebrate and amplify the voice of our Colorado Girl Scouts. By signing up, you will receive links to all the virtual programming happening throughout the day as well as some activities to do leading up to International Day of the Girl on your own time. Register now. (Please note: due to the potential for sensitive topics that could arise during these events, we strongly suggest you have troop members complete sensitive issues forms.) For a deeper dive into resources, discussion guides, and activations, check out our International Day of the Girl Toolkit/IDG 2020 Toolkit. 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 #GirlScoutsatHome #InternationalDayoftheGirl #2020InternationalDayoftheGirl

What did you do for your Gold Award project? For my Gold Award project, I created a video curriculum on Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) to supplement the T1D training that teachers currently receive. The video featured the perspectives of diabetic students, their parents, a professional athlete with T1D, an endocrinologist, and a diabetes resource nurse. Together, these perspectives offered a more personal view of the challenges faced by diabetic students and insights on the emotional burden of managing this condition in the school environment. I also made a video specifically for diabetic students and their parents to show them that they’re not alone with their condition, and many of the feelings they experience are completely normal and shared by others. I presented my video at two sessions during Type One Nation, a T1D educational event, and at a statewide diabetes resource nurse meeting. How did you measure the impact your Gold Award project made on your target audience? When presenting my video, I provided before and after surveys to every attendee. I received great feedback from parents of diabetic children, many stating that they related to the video’s message. Comments were left including a new understanding that, “everyone associated with diabetes have the same thoughts/concerns” and “T1D does not prevent one from doing anything.” Every diabetic teen who viewed the video responded that they believe teachers and other students need to learn more about T1D, especially how to relate to diabetic students and to not joke about it or confuse it with Type 2 Diabetes. Most responded that they felt more comfortable talking with their teachers about T1D after watching the video and had takeaways such as “you are not alone” and you “have many peers supporting you.” The impact of my video was especially profound on the diabetes resource nurses. Before watching the video, about 67% responded that the emotional challenge of living with T1D was only a small or medium part of their current curriculum. After watching the video, about 90% responded that the emotional challenge should be a large part of the curriculum. I received comments such as “very well put together video and very helpful having the perspective of the patient/student,” “the importance of including the student perspective,” “how important it is to share with staff the challenges that kids with T1D face and what their thoughts are about needing help in the classroom,” and “I appreciated the statement that every student with diabetes is different.” Diabetes Nurse Educators from both JeffCo Public Schools and Pueblo County District 70 commented that they would love to share the video within their school districts. How is your project sustainable? How will your project continue to impact after your involvement? My project advisor, Kelly Driver, is including my video in the Type 1 Diabetes curriculum for the Douglas County School District. All new teachers and nurse assistants in Douglas County will watch the video along with the standard T1D curriculum they already receive. The video will additionally be shown by nurses in middle school health classes in Douglas County schools. My video is also being shared with diabetes resource nurses from school districts across the state. I have had several of these resource nurses express an interest in continuing to share my video with the nurses, teachers, and coaches within their school districts. What is your project’s global and/or national connection? Diabetic students across the world are met with a lack of education about Type 1 Diabetes within the school setting. I reached out to several global and national organizations that work to share resources with all diabetics facing these common issues. I have spoken with a media coordinator from Beyond Type 1, an online diabetes education, advocacy, and support organization that works with T1D on a global level. I shared my video with her, and she is trying to have it featured on the Beyond Type 1 website. I also shared my video with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and they featured it on their Rocky Mountain Chapter Facebook page. This social media account has 2,747 followers. What did you learn about yourself? I learned a great deal about how I work with others and tackle challenges. First, I learned that although I am typically more shy, I felt comfortable talking with my team members and other large groups over the course of my project. Since my project was something I felt passionate about, I wasn’t extremely nervous to share it with others. I also learned that the goals I set in my head are sometimes a little overly ambitious. With my Gold Award, I realized quickly after starting that my project plan was too complex for the time frame I had to work with. Fortunately, I was able to work with my project advisor and Gold Award mentor to revise my plan. Additionally, I learned that I am fairly good at balancing various tasks, whether that was different parts within my project or other school and extracurricular commitments during the course of my Gold Award. Finally, I learned that I am usually open to new perspectives and was able to be flexible with sudden changes and obstacles during my project, especially the shift to virtual presentations with the start of the COVID pandemic. How will earning your Gold Award impact you in the future? Earning my Gold Award helped me realize that I have the capability and support from others to change my community for the better. My Gold Award experience was the first time that I really set out to address a large issue of personal importance to me. During my upcoming years in college and my future career, I have more confidence to tackle challenges and seek help from others who share in a desire to make a change. I am also much more aware of the extensive planning that goes into large-scale projects. With this, I think I will be better prepared to manage my time and put forth the effort needed to prepare for and complete the task at hand. I have also grown tremendously in my communication skills which will help me in any career. Why do you feel the Gold Award was an important part of your Girl Scout experience? Most of my Girl Scout experience was centered around learning to be a leader in my community. The Gold Award was the culminating experience that allowed me to apply that learning and actually make an impact that was especially meaningful to me. My Gold Award helped me realize how many skills I had acquired over my years as a Girl Scout. It really put into perspective how valuable this whole journey has been in shaping the person I am today. 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 grow as a risk-taker. Before this project, I had very little experience with conducting formal interviews and creating a final video product. My Gold Award really took me out of my comfort zone while learning these new skills. I also took risks in contacting new people over the course of my project and taking the initiative to try to form connections that would last beyond the project itself. I faced numerous obstacles over the course of my project with things not going as planned. From having to rethink my main project focus to rescheduling presentations and sharing my project through virtual platforms, I learned to be flexible and creative with finding solutions to a wide range of problems. **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. #BeyondType1 #GoldAward #JuvenileDiabetesResearchFoundation #Parker #HighestAwards #diabetes #GoldAwardGirlScout #COVIDpandemic #Type1Diabetes #GirlScoutGoldAward #T1D #DouglasCounty #MetroDenver #COVID19 #TakeAction #medical #PonderosaHighSchool #DouglasCountySchoolDistrict

Submitted by Meredith Locke Northern & Northeastern CO Lafayette Join us for one amazing Girl Scout Journey hosted by Lafayette’s Girl Scout Troop 72235! This event will be a fun-filled time of breaking stereotypes and learning roles of women around the world! When:  November 15, 2020 from 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. Where: Arts Hub, 420 Courtney Way, Lafayette, CO (This event will be at the Arts Hub or virtual depending on the state of things at the time.) Cost: $30 per Girl Scout, badge included Register here: https://junior-amuse-journey-possibly-virtual.cheddarup.com If you have any questions, email Meredith at mltlocke@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. #aMuseJourney #GSCOevents #NorthernampNortheasternCO #Junior #Journeys #Juniors #lafayette

Registration for the October 2020 Explore More Club is now open! Girl Scouts of Colorado adult volunteers are invited to explore civics and democracy badges from the girl program with the topic of Take Action! Welcome meetings will be held via Zoom October 7 and 8. The program is delivered through gsLearn, a Private Facebook Group which you will gain access to after registering, and Zoom. Register Now October 7 at 4 p.m.:    https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/events-repository/2020/explore_more_club_Oct7.html October 8 at 5 p.m.:    https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/events-repository/2020/explore_more_club_Oct8.html If you cannot attend either of the welcome meetings, you may still register for a meeting time, the meeting will be recorded to watch at a later date. FAQS What is the Explore More Club? The Explore More Club is a virtual program for our adult volunteers to have a hands-on badge earning experience, as if they are earning the badges themselves. It is implemented through gsLearn, a private Facebook group, and Zoom. Explore More Club is not is a training. The Explore More Club does not explicitly set out to teach you how to teach the badge earning curriculum. However, there are times for discussion where we can talk about what that would look like. There is no training curriculum in the Explore More Club. Are past topics available to new volunteers who sign up for the club? Currently, no. However, we are looking in making this happen very soon. Can my girl register for this program? This program is for adult volunteers only. However, your girl can participate in a similar program for girls, our monthly Badge Series! If this is something your girl is interested in, check out the informational blog post here! If I’m not a troop leader but still a volunteer, can I still do this? Absolutely! This program is for all Girl Scouts of Colorado volunteers who want to learn Girl Scout badge curriculum in a hands-on way and have fun while doing it! Questions? Email Kendy Doolen at Kendy.Doolen@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. #VolunteerNews #GirlScoutingatHome #GSCOevents #ExploreMoreClub #GirlScoutsatHome #adultvolunteers #2020ExploreMoreClub

The long-awaited Girl Scouts of Colorado Trefoil Trunk subscription boxes are ready for ordering! In this blog, we will go over what they are, why your girls will want them, and how to order. What is a Trefoil Trunk? Each month Girl Scouts of Colorado will curate a program-in-a-pack to be delivered to your front door. Activities and materials will be age-appropriate and connect with either a badge or a Girl Scout-related activity. What the theme is will be a surprise each month. Each Trefoil Trunk will include: Two activities with materials that are connected to a badge or Girl Scout theme Fun Girl Scout item Fun patch/badge Printed information booklet Access to additional activities to complete virtually Other fun surprises Why does you girl want them? If you are a subscription box family, you can skip to the next question. If you have never purchased one for you or your girl, keep reading. Everyone loves to get something special in the mail, but receiving our sparkly green package each month is sure to spark some joy for your girl. Whether she is still Girl Scouting at Home or has gone back to some socially distant activities, her love of Girl Scouts will be amplified when she gets a specially curated pack for her. Also, by receiving the activities to your home, you can connect with her and her love of Girl Scouts. Activities are designed so that she can complete them on her own or with the supportive adult in her life. Ok, this is awesome, how do I order? Go to https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/our-program/ways-to-participate/trefoil-trunks.html and complete our order form. Chose a Three or Six Month Subscription for $29.99/month Shipping is included for purchases within Colorado. Trefoil Trunks shipping outside of Colorado will cost an additional $5/month. Payment Options Subscriptions can be purchased with credit/debit card. If you wish to use Cookie Credits, you will be directed to submit the Cookie Credit reimbursement form. Subscriptions only. You cannot buy by the month. You will be billed monthly on the same date as your initial purchase. Subscription Cycle Based on your monthly subscription selection, you will be billed each month on the day of the first payment. Orders received between the first and last day of the month will start shipping in the middle of the following month. Please note that orders received starting on the first of each month will be processed for the following month’s Trefoil Trunk and will begin shipping mid-month. 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 can send in her story here. #TrefoilTrunk #TrefoilTrunksubscriptionboxes #GirlScoutingatHome #TrefoilTrunksubscriptionbox #subscriptionboxes #GirlScoutsatHome