Every year Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) chooses ten girls from the previous year’s class of Gold Award Girl Scouts to represent GSUSA on a national level as a National Gold Award Girl Scout (NGAGS)! Each girl receives a $20,000 scholarship to the college of their choice and the honor of being a National Gold Award Girl Scout. Among the 2020 National Gold Award Girl Scouts is a girl from Colorado! GSUSA will announce who the National Gold Award Girl Scout from Colorado is on Tuesday, October 6! Both GSUSA and Girl Scouts of Colorado (GSCO) have also planned a few different ways for girls and volunteers to meet/connect with her directly. Girl Scouts Change the World Event Saturday, October 10 at 2 p.m. Join GSUSA for a party to celebrate  International Day of the Girl and meet the 2020 National Gold Award Girl Scouts. Learn out how they earned the top award in Girl Scouts. Register here! Meet an Expert: National Gold Award Girl Scout Tuesday, October 27 at 5 p.m. Girl Scouts of all ages are invited to a special webinar to meet Colorado’s 2020 National Gold Award Girl Scout. Register here! Intimate NGAGS Interview Wednesday, October 28 Plan to tune in to the GSCO Facebook page and YouTube channel for an intimate interview  with our National Gold Award Girl Scout and GSCO CEO Leanna Clark! 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 #GoldAward #HighestAwards #NationalGoldAwardGirlScout #GSCOevents #GSUSA #GirlScoutGoldAward #NGAGS #TakeAction #2020NationalGoldAwardGirlScout

The Society of Women Engineers at Colorado School of Mines is thrilled to invite Girl Scout Juniors to participate in their annual Girl Scout Engineering Day on Saturday, November 14, 2020 from 9 – 11 a.m. This year, the program is virtual, and girls have the option to order a supply kit in advance or gather their own supplies. This virtual exploration of science and engineering will consist of a variety of STEM activities and a short panel discussion. Register for a supply kit online (you may have to copy and paste this link into your browser): https://commerce.cashnet.com/SWE_MEP $10 per supply box- We recommend one box of supplies per Girl Scout Each supply box will include an Engineering Day patch Registration for supply boxes will close October 23 Register to participate and assemble your own supplies: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfhQvPVfURjIwYp8RGpafLIkX33gUzvCObd6fwLjZOYAiph6g/viewform Registration is free if you choose to gather your own supplies. Girls will be mailed their Engineering Day patch after the program. Registration for participation with your own supplies will close November 5. * Please note: Registration forms must be completed once per Girl Scout. You cannot register multiple girls at a time. All participants will receive information about how to log into the virtual program via email before the program date. Enter “0” for your troop number if you are registering a Juliette. Supplies (either included in your supply box OR items you will have to assemble on your own): Paper (in both small strips and long strips) Straws (a whole bunch) Ruler One Clear jar (mason jar, empty peanut butter jar, or Tupperware) Food coloring Smallish cardboard box (about the size of a shoebox) Two paper or plastic cups (paper is suggested) Water based marker (more colors will be more fun, but you really only need one) String Four paper clips (at least two of them need to be large) Sand Gravel White coffee filters (at least five) Balloon ALL participants will need to gather the items listed below before the program: Scissors Tape (scotch, masking, or packaging) Water Dirty water (this can come from a pond or stream, or just tap water with a handful of dirt) Coffee mug or other container that can withstand heat Spoon Small weights (marbles, pennies, gravel, or something similar) Two relatively sturdy things of equal height you could move around a room (two chairs, chair and table, etc.) Questions to ask SWE volunteers about science and engineering Questions? Email Madeline Keck at mkeck@mymail.mines.edu. Event flier: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/content/dam/girlscoutsofcolorado/flyers/2020/Final_GSED_Flyer_2020.png More information: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/events-repository/2020/girl_scout_engineeri.html 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 #STEM #GirlScoutEngineeringDay #Communitypartnerships #GirlScoutJunior #GirlScoutJuniors #Junior #communitypartners #ColoradoSchoolofMines #Juniors #2020GirlScoutEngineeringDay

Today, we’re going to make our own miniature greenhouses! If you would like more activities like this one, join us every other week on Thursdays after school for one of GSCO’s STEM Clubs. Click here for Daisy STEM Club. Click here for Brownie and Junior STEM Club. You will need: One Paper plate Markers Soil Seeds of any kind Two Clear plastic cups Tape What is the greenhouse effect? From Britannica Kids: “The greenhouse effect is a warming of Earth’s surface and the air above it. It is caused by gases in the air that trap heat from the Sun. These heat-trapping gases are called greenhouse gases, a common greenhouse gas actually comes from our bodies! Carbon Dioxide! Without the greenhouse effect, Earth would be too cold for life to exist.” What is a greenhouse? A greenhouse is a building where plants such as flowers and vegetables are grown. Greenhouses warm up during the day by capturing the heat from the sunlight and keep in the heat overnight. The warmth and humidity that a greenhouse provides helps the plants grow faster than they would without a greenhouse. A gardener without a greenhouse is like a cook without a stove! Let’s make our greenhouse! Step One: Decorate your plate and cup. You can decorate it with drawings of the plants that will grow in your greenhouse or however you choose. Get creative! Step Two: Fill one of your clear plastic cups halfway with soil. Step Three: Take your pinky finger and put four or five little holes in the soil.  Put your seeds in the holes you made in the soil. Then, put a little scoop of soil on top of the seeds! Step Four: Add some water on top of the soil and place the other plastic cup on top of the other. Step Five: Tape only one side of the two cups together so the cups can still open on a side and you can water it.  Set your greenhouse somewhere in your house that has sunshine and watch your plants grow! 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. #STEMClub #GirlScoutingatHome #GSCOClubs #2020GSCOClubs #STEM #GirlScoutsatHome #2020STEMClub #youngergirls

What did you do for your Gold Award project? I taught a five-day online course about how to write and read cursive. How did you measure the impact your Gold Award project made on your target audience? I made a survey for them to finish at the end of my last day of classes. I also took screenshots of their handwriting throughout the week to show how their calligraphy progressed. How is your project sustainable? How will your project continue to impact after your involvement? I had multiple things that helped my project be sustainable. I had an online university (The 8 Gates University) sponsor my cursive course for two years. I made a YouTube Channel and put up videos that summarize and teach the course. I found a platform called Teachers Pay Teachers where I put my video course on as well. And lastly, I’m working with my local library to have my course put onto their Facebook page. What is your project’s global and/or national connection? The 8 Gates, YouTube, and Teachers Pay Teachers are global platforms. I also used the National Archives to show my students the importance of cursive. I also used it as a place for them to go to for practicing their cursive. What did you learn about yourself? I learned that things don’t go as planned, and the best way to deal with it is by finding alternative ways to finish your project. I also learned that teaching is a lot harder than I had thought. How will earning your Gold Award impact you in the future? I have learned how to teach online, how to use an online program, how to present things with confidence, and how to calm myself when I get stressed. I think those skills will help me greatly in the future. Why do you feel the Gold Award was an important part of your Girl Scout experience? It helped enforce the leadership skills that I had been learning ever since I started ten years ago. How did earning your Gold Award help you become a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)? I think I really used my go-getter and innovator skills when I did this project, especially after COVID-19 started. I had to come up with new ideas for my project while still keeping the same time for when I was going to conduct my five-day cursive course. **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 #NorthernampNortheasternCO #Longmont #GoldAwardGirlScout #GirlScoutGoldAward #cursivewriting #cursive #APEXHomeschoolEnrichmentProgram

Project Learning Tree provides teachers, parents, youth group leaders, foresters, and community members with fun and engaging activities and training to take children outside to learn about trees, forests, and the broader environment. Project Learning Tree is pleased to announce that registration is open for our full length virtual trainings in Fall 2020. Zoom sessions and assignments will connect participants to share ideas, ask questions, and dive deeper into self-paced online PLT training. Discover NGSS-aligned activities that get your students outdoors, engaging in place-based learning in their own backyards. Learn how to offer PLT’s award-winning curriculum in a flexible format (in-person, virtual, or blended). Earn quality professional development hours and teaching continuing education credit. Optional one graduate credit from Colorado School of Mines available for additional fee. The $35 registration includes PLT activity ebook. Scholarships are available. Registration closes one week before the training start date. Space is limited- make sure to reserve your spot today! Grades 3 – 5: 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. on October 6, 13, and 20- Register by September 29 Grades 6 – 8: 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. on October 8, 15, and  22- Register by October 1 Grades K – 2: 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. on October 21, 28, and November 4- Register by October 14 Early Childhood: 4 – 6 p.m. October 27 and 29- Register by October 20 Register online: https://caee.org/events SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE! Email Danielle Ardrey at danielle.ardrey@colostate.edu for grades 3 – 5 and 6 – 8; or Katie Navin at katienavin@caee.org for grades K – 2 and early childhood programs. More details available on this 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. #GirlScoutingatHome #GirlScoutsatHome #GSCOevents

Girl Scouts of Colorado’s 2020 Fall Product Program is now underway, and there’s still plenty of time for you to get started! Fall Product Program is a great way for troops (both new and existing) to earn proceeds to use for Girl Scout activities throughout the year or to get one step closer to reaching their next goal. All troops receive 13% of their magazine orders as troop proceeds, plus $1/per item for nuts and chocolates sold. GSCO Media Star and Girl Scout Junior Ada from Grand Junction told us what she likes about this program. How many years have you participated in Fall Product Program? This is my sixth year in Girl Scouts and participating in Fall Product Program. Do you like creating an avatar that looks like you? Do you record a message too? Yes, I like creating the avatar and adding fun accessories. I love that I get to earn patches that have my avatar on them. I don’t record a message because my sister and I call our family and friends. What do you like about having an online storefront? Is it easy to connect with family, friends and other customers? Is it fun to use? I like it because it is easier for my family who doesn’t live close by. It is supper fun because you get an online room for the avatar with prizes. What tips for success would you share with girls who are participating for the first time? You’ve got this! Call your family now and don’t be afraid ask teachers! Think positive and you will do great. What nut or candy item (s) do your customers like best? I love the fruit slices. My sister loves the Peanut Butter Monkeys. My mom loves the Pecan Supremes and Butter Toffee Peanuts. My dad can’t pick a favorite he likes it all. What has your troop done with Fall Product Program troop proceeds that you’ve earned? We did a carnival for kids experiencing homeless with cookie and fall product money. It was lots of fun. We are saving up to go on a fun camping trip once COVID is over and the money helps buy all the badges we earn! What’s the coolest reward that you have earned? The coolest reward is the S’mores Club bracelet and charms! Thank you, Ada, for sharing your experience and tips with other Girl Scouts! Want to participate? You’ll find the M2OS log-in instructions and set-up instructions, family guides, and an order card that shows all girl rewards are on the Fall Product Program page of the GSCO website. Parents/caregivers can also watch the How to Get Started in M2OS – For Families video and learn how to help their Girl Scout. Need more information? Go to the Fall Product Program page on our website: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/cookies/fall-product-program.html and check out the Fall Product Program weekly update videos posted to the GSCO Facebook page and YouTube channel. Questions about Fall Product Program or need assistance? We are here to support you! Contact GSCO customer care at 1-877-404-5708 or email 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. #2017FallProductProgram #MediaStarprogram #GrandJunction #MediaStars #WesternColorado #2020MediaStarProgram #FallProductProgram #MediaStar

This easy craft is perfect for younger Girl Scouts (or younger siblings) and is a great follow-up to “The Day the Crayons Quit” by Drew Daywalt. Materials Needed: Glue Scissors White paper or colored construction paper Markers If the construction paper is not available, shapes can be drawn on white paper and colored. You Will Need: Five – Six Crayon shapes (about 5” long)- Pick your favorite colors and cut out crayon shape for each one. Once the crayons are cut out, draw eyes, mouth, and paper wrapper. Don’t forget to write the crayon’s name! On the background sheet, draw and color blue clouds, red hearts, etc. What is your favorite thing to draw? How about a beautiful butterfly? A scary monster? Last step, glue on your crayons! What is your favorite color? Oh no! Black crayon lost his paper wrapper! Guess he has to stay in the box! 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. #bookcraft #GirlScoutingatHome #GirlScoutsatHome #youngergirls #TheDaytheCrayonsQuit

Submitted by Beth Emmons Beth Frankenmuth, MI Hi! My name is Beth and I am leader for a Daisy troop and a Junior troop in Frankenmuth, MI. This year, we would love to have pen pals from another troop in another state. Would any of you like to connect with us? Right now, I have 19 girls total. We are excited to learn from another troop. If you are interested, please email bethann302@gmail.com. Put “pen pals” in the subject line. Thank you for considering! 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. #Daisy #penpals #Junior #PenPal #Daisies #Juniors

Girl Scouts of Colorado’s 2020 Fall Product Program is now underway, and there’s still plenty of time for you to get started! Fall Product Program is a great way for troops (both new and existing) to earn proceeds to use for Girl Scout activities throughout the year or to get one step closer to reaching their next goal. All troops receive 13% of their magazine orders as troop proceeds, plus $1/per item for nuts and chocolates sold. GSCO Media Star and Girl Scout Cadette Bianca from Denver told us what she likes about this program: How many years have you participated in Fall Product Program? Three Years Do you like creating an avatar that looks like you? Yes, it’s cool to be able to do that. Do you record a message too? No, I have yet to try that. What do you like about having an online storefront? You can send it to people, and they can buy or respond without having to come in close contact. Is it easy to connect with family, friends, and other customers? Harder than in real life, but it’s doable Is it fun to use? Yes, it’s very cool having a website to sell on. What tips for success would you share with girls who are participating for the first time? Send the website to your friends and family early in the season, so you give them plenty of time to get back to you. What nut or candy item (s) do your customers like best? Peppermint Bark What has your troop done with Fall Product Program troop proceeds that you’ve earned? We used the money for troop meeting supplies and snacks. What’s the coolest reward that you have earned? My s’mores bracelet for participating in both Fall Product and Girl Scout Cookie programs. Thank you, Bianca, for sharing your experience and tips with other Girl Scouts! Want to participate? You’ll find the M2OS log-in instructions and set-up instructions, family guides, and an order card that shows all girl rewards are on the Fall Product Program page of the GSCO website. Parents/caregivers can also watch the How to Get Started in M2OS – For Families video and learn how to help their Girl Scout. Need more information? Go to the Fall Product Program page on our website: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/cookies/fall-product-program.html and check out the Fall Product Program weekly update videos posted to the GSCO Facebook page and YouTube channel. Questions about Fall Product Program or need assistance? We are here to support you! Contact GSCO customer care at 1-877-404-5708 or email 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. #MediaStarprogram #Denver #MediaStars #2020FallProductProgram #MetroDenver #2020MediaStarProgram #FallProductProgram #MediaStar

Girl Scouts of Colorado’s 2020 Fall Product Program is now underway, and there’s still plenty of time for you to get started! Fall Product Program is a great way for troops (both new and existing) to earn proceeds to use for Girl Scout activities throughout the year or to get one step closer to reaching their next goal. All troops receive 13% of their magazine orders as troop proceeds, plus $1/per item for nuts and chocolates sold. GSCO Media Star and Girl Scout Lexi  from Dillon told us what she likes about this program: How many years have you participated in Fall Product Program? I have participated in the Fall Product Program for three years now. Do you like creating an avatar that looks like you? Do you record a message too? I like creating an avatar that looks like me. It gives it a little bit more of a personal touch. I do not record a voice message. What do you like about having an online storefront? Is it easy to connect with family, friends and other customers? Is it fun to use? I like having an online storefront because it allows me to reach my family and friends that don’t live near me. It is fun to use because I can track my sales. What tips for success would you share with girls who are participating for the first time? If you are participating for the first time, try to get started right away and ask friends and family and teachers if they would like to support you. What nut or candy item (s) do your customers like best? My customers like the Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels, Pecan Supremes, and Mint Trefoils Vintage Compass Tin the most. What has your troop done with Fall Product Program troop proceeds that you’ve earned? My troop has used the Fall Product Program proceeds to go on fun trips, such as the trip we took to Glenwood Caverns and hot springs. What’s the coolest reward that you have earned? The coolest reward I have earned would be the 100th anniversary blanket. Thank you, Lexi, for sharing your experience and tips with other Girl Scouts! Want to participate? You’ll find the M2OS log-in instructions and set-up instructions, family guides, and an order card that shows all girl rewards are on the Fall Product Program page of the GSCO website. Parents/caregivers can also watch the How to Get Started in M2OS – For Families video and learn how to help their Girl Scout. Need more information? Go to the Fall Product Program page on our website: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/cookies/fall-product-program.html and check out the Fall Product Program weekly update videos posted to the GSCO Facebook page and YouTube channel. Questions about Fall Product Program or need assistance? We are here to support you! Contact GSCO customer care at 1-877-404-5708 or email 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. #Dillon #cookies #2020FallProductProgram #FallProductProgram #mountaincommunities

We’re searching for Girl Scouts to share their Girl Scout story and serve as Media Stars for the 2020-21 membership year. What is a Media Star? At the start of each Girl Scout year, Girl Scouts of Colorado trains girls from across the state to be Media Stars. They deliver the excitement (or do interviews) about the Girl Scout Cookie Program, Girl Scout Camp, or other GSCO events/activities/news with area TV and radio stations, as well as newspapers. Here are just some of the media interviews Media Stars participated in during the 2020 Girl Scout Cookie Program. To be a Media Star, a girl must be in fourth grade or above. From time to time, we need younger girls to help with media interviews. However, the Media Star program is reserved for girls in fourth grade and above. How to get involved Girls who want to be Media Stars should: Review the Media Star Guidelines to ensure you understand the program’s requirements and expectations. Email GSCO Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org and include a: Brief essay (250 words or less) about why you love Girl Scouts. Video (no more than a minute) in which you introduce yourself (first name only) and say what you have learned as part of Girl Scouts. Here is an example: “Hi! My name is AnneMarie and I am a Girl Scout Cadette from Arvada! As a Girl Scout, I had to think outside the box to meet my cookie goal. I hosted a drive-thru booth at a neighborhood business and sold cookies online using Digital Cookie.” Girls 12-years-old and younger can have a parent help them. Submissions from girls 13-years-old and older must be done by the girl. The best videos and essays will be shared on the GSCO Blog and social media networks and must be received by October 15 at 9 a.m. If you are selected to become a Media Star, you will be asked to participate in an individual, training session in November or December 2020. This training may be in-person or over the phone. During this training, girls will learn everything needed to be a successful Media Star. Even if you have participated in this program before, you must be trained each year if you want to participate in the program again. ** Note: This is a very popular program, so spots will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. 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. #2020MediaStarProgram #MediaStar #MediaStarprogram #MediaStars

Submitted by Jessica Holbrook Northern & Northeastern CO Fort Lupton The Fort Lupton Fire Department sent four EMTs to our Brownie meeting. We are working on our first-aid badge and needed to interview an expert. 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. #Browniebadges #Brownie #NorthernampNortheasternCO #Brownies #firstaid #badge #FortLuptonFireDepartment #EMT #FortLupton #emergencymedicaltechnicianEMT #FirstAidbadge #BrownieBadge