Council News

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Girl Scouts can do anything and everything they set their hearts and minds to! You’ll find it all here.  From members sharing their adventures to Highest Award honorees describing their projects and news from council, cookie updates, travel opportunities, volunteer tips and much, much more.

Don’t forget the GSCO Classifieds too! Looking for Girl Scout materials or have some to sell or share, browse the Classifieds. Have a service to offer or need an expert for your next troop meeting, place an ad.

Events, Volunteer News

Upcoming volunteer trainings

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Girl Scouts of Colorado has a variety of training offerings available year-round for new and existing volunteers. Learn how a troop can be girl-led, gain experience with the tools to manage conflict, and find the right resources to support your leadership experience.

Below are a few highlighted upcoming classes. To find additional in-person, volunteer trainings visit the Events Calendar on the Girl Scouts of Colorado website.

Daisy/Brownie 101- January 23,  2019 in Boulder

Get hands-on training for Journeys and the Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting. Learn how to plan and partner with your girls and network of support to make the troop experience meaningful and fun.

Super Sunday- January 27, 2019 in Gypsum

Join us for an afternoon of training! We have some fun and informative enrichment courses that will support your volunteer experience.

Wilderness First Aid- March 2, 16, and 23, 2019 in Colorado Springs

The purpose of the course is to provide individuals with a foundation of first-aid principles and skills to be able to respond to emergencies and give care in areas that are atleast one hour from advanced medical care.

Cookies, Events

2019 Cookie Rally in Thornton

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Submitted by Heidi Kane

Metro Denver

Thornton

Join us for a cookie rally in Thornton on January 26, 2019 from 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Location: Skyview Campus (8990 York Street, Thornton 80229)

Cost: $5/Girl Scout

Bring a sack lunch and water bottle. Join us for crafts, cookie activities, and earn requirements toward financial  literacy badges. See the cookie prizes, taste the cookies, and play fun games to learn about the Girl Scout Cookie Program! Please RSVP to Heidi Kane at (720) 352 – 5699 or HeidiLKane@hotmail.com by January 19.

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This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments, too.

Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News

Scavenger hunt fun

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Submitted by Ariella Wells

Northern & Northeastern CO

Fort Collins

Troop 70720 participated in a fun troop/girl bonding activity, a scavenger hunt! One of the leaders pre-planned some items and places to find or take pictures of and riddles to solve. It was a great afternoon and a clever way to spend some time together.

This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments, too.

Events, Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News, Take Action/Highest Awards

Girl Rising: Movie screening

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Submitted by Katy Herstein

Metro Denver

Highlands Ranch

Senior Troop 60043 would like to announce the screening of Girl Rising on February 10, 2019. This PG-13 movie will inspire you in ways you haven’t thought of. It will leave you with ideas for your Silver Award or Gold Award projects. It will really make you stop and think about our world of girls!

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This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments, too.

Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News

Planning a World Thinking Day event? GSCO wants to hear from you!

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In preparation for 2019 World Thinking Day, the GSCO Global Action Committee wants to hear from you about the exciting plans you’ve been working on for this time-honored event. If you are planning a World Thinking Day celebration, please fill out the form linked below so the Global Action Committee can compile data and help you make your celebration the best it can be!

If you haven’t already, check out the blog about this year’s theme for World Thinking Day – Leadership! Even if your plans are already well on their way to completion, we encourage all service units and leaders to utilize the Activity Guide and Global Action Toolkit in planning their World Thinking Day events, all links are below.

World Thinking Day Event Notification:

https://gscolorado.formstack.com/forms/2019_global_action_committee_world_thinking_day_event_notification

2019 World Thinking Day Theme and Toolkits:

http://gscoblog.org/2018/11/2019-world-thinking-day-theme-and-toolkits/

Activity Guide for Girl Scout Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors:

https://www.girlscouts.org/content/dam/girlscouts-gsusa/forms-and-documents/For-Girls/think-global/GSUSA_World-Thinking-Day_18_Activities%20DBJ-B.pdf

Activity Guide for Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors:

https://www.girlscouts.org/content/dam/girlscouts-gsusa/forms-and-documents/For-Girls/think-global/GSUSA_World-Thinking-Day_18_Activities%20CSA-B.pdf

Check out the Global Action Toolkit for more information on celebrating global action days throughout the year:

https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/content/dam/girlscoutsofcolorado/documents/globalactiondaystoolkit_final_aug2018.pdf

Questions? Email gscoglobal@gmail.com

Camp, Cookies, Cookies Volunteers, Council News, Volunteer News

Volunteer View: January 2019

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Get out and camp this summer

Summer camp session registration for overnight camp, day camp, troop camp, and family camp opens at 9 a.m. January 17.

Check the camp website www.camp.girlscoutsofcolorado.org for session descriptions, a day in the life at camp, beautiful photos of last year’s sessions, and a fun quiz to help girls’ identify their camping style!

Mark your calendar for Jan. 24 cookie booth sign up

The first round of council cookie booth selection begins at 6 p.m. Jan. 24; round two opens at 6 p.m. Jan. 25. Troops will be able to select one booth at one location during each of these rounds.

Visit our events calendar to find a cookie rally near you.

Important dates to know:

  • Jan. 24: First round of booth selection
  • Jan. 25: Second round of booth selection
  • Feb. 3: Cookie program and My Sales booths begin
  • Feb. 15: Council booths begin.

Check out the rest of our cookie program info and resources.

Cookie Program resources

Got a phone? Get trained!

Our online training classes are now accessible through your smartphone! Take online classes such as Nuts and Bolts (for new leaders), Experienced Troop Cookie Manager training, and cookie program enrichment classes, right in the palm of your hand! You can view the classes, take quizzes and download class resources and completion certificates, all on your phone!

If you need assistance accessing our eLearning site, please contact Shannon Weaver, adult experience manager, at 303-607-4897 or email her at Shannon.Weaver@gscolorado.org.

GSCO eLearning site

Celebrate World Thinking Day

Take the lead on February 22 to celebrate 2019 World Thinking Day with Girl Scouts and Girl Guides from 150 countries! (That’s one big celebration!) Girls also celebrate World Thinking Day throughout the spring. The theme for World Thinking Day in 2019 is leadership! Check out our activity guides online to explore many different ways girls can be leaders and create the change they want to see in the world—and celebrate being part of the global sisterhood that is Girl Scouts and Girl Guides!

Is your troop or service unit planning a World Thinking Day celebration? Tell Us about it and get help from the Girl Scouts of Colorado Global Action Committee!

Volunteer Recognition Awards: Recognize an Outstanding Volunteer!

The form to nominate a volunteer for an award will go live on January 31. The deadline to submit a nomination or endorsement is March 31.

Now would be a great time to designate a service unit team member to coordinate nominations and endorsements! Recognize an outstanding volunteer by nominating them for a Volunteer Recognition Award.would be a great time to designate a service unit team member to coordinate nominations and endorsements! Recognize an outstanding volunteer by nominating them for a Volunteer Recognition Award.

More information about the awards, and the number of required endorsements for each award, is listed on the volunteer appreciation page on our website and in the Volunteer Recognition Award Guide.  You can also learn more about how to write strong nominations and endorsements. 

Questions? Please contact Shannon Weaver, adult experience manager.  email: Shannon.Weaver@gscolorado.org  call: 303-607-4897

Outdoor Program Events

Come join us at our upcoming Outdoor Program events! You can find all of our year-round events at http://gscoblog.org/2018/10/2018-2019-outdoor-program-events/

  • Tomahawk Ranch Open House, February 24, Free. Take a staff-led or self-guided tour of Tomahawk Ranch at our Open House. Get those burning questions answered and help little ones feel comfortable to attend camp this summer. Visit the different sleeping and program areas to get an idea of what the summer ahead looks like. Staff from Mountain Berry Culinary will also be available to answer any meal-related questions. Open to all ages.
  • Sky High Ranch Open House, March 9, Check out Sky High Ranch at one of our Open House events this spring! Tour the property with one of our knowledgeable staff, learn about our summer program, and what kinds of activities we have, and let us answer any questions you may have about summer camp. Our open house is a great way to help your camper prepare for camp, and you too! Let’s bring on summer!

Outdoor Adventure Club

Sign up for our single event interest list, see upcoming dates and get more information here: http://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/adventure

  • Outdoor Adventure Club Trailblazers Snow Mountain Ranch, March 16-17. Our entire group will go dog sledding and cross-country skiing on wintry trails. In the evening we will have a group pool party and roller skating night. Everyone loved this event last year so much we are doing it again! Girls in 7th to 12th grade. Cost: $115/girl, Free for Trailblazers Passport holders.
  • Outdoor Adventure Club Explorers Keystone Science School Snow Spectacular, March 30-31, We have partnered with Keystone Science School for a weekend of play in the snowy mountains! You’ll cross-country ski, snowshoe, use an astronomy telescope and compete in a winter Olympics challenge. Program Level: Cadette (6th grade). Cost: $110/girl, Free for Explorers Passport holders

Highest Awards

Save the Date: Highest Awards Celebrations

Troops working on their Bronze or Silver awards have until March 1 to submit the Bronze and Silver Notification Form to be invited to the 2019 Highest Awards Celebrations. Find a celebration in your area: http://gscoblog.org/2019/01/save-the-date-2019-highest-awards-celebrations/

Questions? Kaitie LoDolce, highest awards manager at  highestawards@gscolorado.org.

GSUSA Gold and Silver Award change

Effective October 1, 2018 Gold and Silver award projects can be for the benefit of the Girl Scouts community. Please send any questions directly to Kaitie LoDolce at highestawards@gscolorado.org.
Any troop considering a Silver Award project that would solely benefit the GS community must run their project idea by the Highest Awards Manager Kaitie LoDolce.

Gold Award Trainings: 

Training is required for girls pursuing their Gold Award:

  • Saturday, January 26 at 9 a.m., Denver office
  • Saturday, March 30 at  9 a.m., Colorado Springs office

Older Girls

OGAB (Older Girl Advisory Board)

The Older Girl Advisory Board will oversee the G.I.V.E. (Girls Investing in a Voice for Everyone) program. These girls are excited to apply their knowledge, experience, and dedication to serving girls across the state in developing opportunities to help their fellow Girl Scout sisters do more. With the addition of this program, girls interested in joining the OGAB can apply now through February 15 at https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/content/girlscoutsofcolorado/en/our-program/older-girls/older-girl-advisory-board.html

G.I.R.L Fest 

Girl Scouts of Black Diamond is excited to share information about 2019 G.I.R.L. Fest (formerly known as the Girl Scout Jamboree)! Celebrating all things G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader) from June 26-30, this event will create a powerful impact with the Girl Scout brand and will make this beloved event even more thrilling for Girl Scouts across the country. G.I.R.L. Fest is now featured on the GSUSA Getaways site for all girls in grades 4-12 (current Membership Year) in the Girl Scout Movement to consider. We’re so excited to host an opportunity for girls to experience high-adventure in the heart of beautiful southern West Virginia! Early Bird pricing ends January 19, so check it out today.

SheTech Explorer Day

GSCO can send fifteen 9th and 10th grade girl to the SheTech Explorer Day on February 8 from 9 a.m. -3 p.m. at the University of Denver – SIE Complex.

What is it? SheTech Explorer Day is a hands-on tech conference for high school girls. This day-long event will include hands-on workshops in science, technology, engineering, and math. Our ultimate goal is to expose girls to technology in a fun atmosphere as well as meet STEM role models to learn more about opportunities in those fields. Girls who attend will have access to internships, receive a SheTech certificate, receive pathway information and become part of a community to help girls have opportunities in STEM. http://shetechexplorer.com/explorer-days/​​​​​​​ 

Cost? FREE! Breakfast, snacks and lunch provided.
Participants must arrange own transportation. Adults can attend for free as well as a chaperone.

How do I attend? Email Emily Speck at emily.speck@gscolorado.org with the subject line: SheTech. Provide girl’s full name, school and grade. This will be a first come, first serve opportunity. Deadline is January 31.

Upcoming Events

Check the events calendar for exciting events in your community. Girl Scouts of Colorado is always planning fun and educational events for girls across the state. Some of these events are highlighted below!

Secrets to Success

January 26, Grand Junction

Girls will have the unique opportunity to ask that question and many more of top local women leaders at the 2019 Secrets to Success event. Registration is now open. 

Badge Workshop at Fort Morgan Museum

January 26, Fort Morgan

Join the staff at Fort Morgan Museum for a morning full of badge activities! The museum specializes in telling the stories of Fort Morgan and Morgan County through permanent and temporary exhibits, educational programs, and photos, documents, and artifacts from yesterday and today.

Girl Scout Day with the Colorado Avalanche

​February 16, Denver

Ticket sales now open! Join us for Girl Scout Day with the Colorado Avalanche and cheer on the Avalanche as they take on the St. Louis Blues! The troop with the most ticket referrals will get to have a cookie booth at the game! Last year’s troop sold more than 500 packages at their booth.

Girl Scout Pajama Jam with the Colorado Nuggets

March 2, Denver

All Girl Scouts are invited to cheer on the Nuggets as they take on the New Orleans Pelicans.  And, Girl Scouts can sleep at the Pepsi Center after the game! The game starts at 7 p.m.

Harlem Globetrotters at the Broadmoor World Arena

March 2, Colorado Springs

Discounted tickets for Girl Scouts.

Disney on Ice – Worlds of Enchantment at the Broadmoor World Arena

March 23, Colorado Springs

Discounted tickets for Girl Scouts at the 3 p.m. performance.

Outdoor Skills Days 

April and May

Hosted by Troop 70007, Outdoor Skills Days are planned in April and May for Girl Scouts in first grade and older. Learn about knife craft, compasses, fire building, campsite set-up, leave no trace, planning a camp out and much more! $17/girl, includes hot lunch and outdoor skills patch. To see dates and registration information:https://sites.google.com/site/gsoutdoorskillsdayscolorado/

Camp, Council News

Top honors for GSCO’s Property and Risk Management Director

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Congratulations to Myrnan Fronczak, Girl Scouts of Colorado’s Property and Risk Management Director! She, along with GSCO, was honored with the “2018 Outstanding Corporate Participation and Support of the Denver Chapter of IFMA” award. It recognizes an organization’s outstanding cooperation and support of a professional member who best supports the chapter. IFMA (International Facility Management Association) is the world’s largest and most widely recognized international association for facility management professionals. Myrnan is also a former president of the Denver chapter, currently serves as the editor of the monthly newsletter, and is part of the Community Service Committee.

Myrnan is in charge of all of the properties owned and/or leased by GSCO.  She takes care of everything to insure that our properties and facilities are well-maintained and provide a good experience for all users. Her duties also include overseeing service providers and keeping up with all the zoning and building codes.  One of the organizations that provides information and support to those have the responsibilities such as Myrnan’s is IFMA.

Events, Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News

National Girls and Women in Sports Day at UNC

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University of Northern Colorado is celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day on Saturday, February 16, 2019! Join us for the FREE Girls Sports Clinic (ages 5-13 years old) at 12 p.m. at the UNC Campus Recreation Center (1300 23rd Street, Greeley, CO 80639)! Check-in begins at 11:30 a.m. and the first 100 girls will receive a free t-shirt! Pre-registered participants will also receive a FREE ticket to the Bears Women’s Basketball game at 2 p.m. vs. Idaho. Walk-ups and parents are eligible for discounted tickets!

**NEW this year, UNC Athletics has added multiple opportunities for select participants to be part of Bears game day by taking on various roles in sport (i.e. public address announcer, marketing assistant, cheer coach, and many more). This new opportunity focuses on the NGWSD theme, “Lean her forward,” which honors the channels available to both girls and women in sports and the endless potential to succeed.

To reserve your spot, register at uncbears.com/ngwsd. A representative from UNC will follow-up with you to confirm your registration.

Questions? Email athletics@unco.edu or call (970) 351 -2197.

Cookies, Cookies Volunteers, Events, Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News

Girl Scout Pajama Jam with the Denver Nuggets

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Join us for our annual Girl Scout Pajama Jam with the Denver Nuggets on Saturday, March 2 – Sunday, March 3, 2019. All Girl Scouts are invited to cheer on the Nuggets as they take on the New Orleans Pelicans and have a sleepover after the game! The game starts at 7 p.m. and is at Pepsi Center (1000 Chopper Cir, Denver, CO 80204).

SPECIAL GIRL SCOUT TICKET PRICING:

Upper level tickets: $30

Lower level tickets: $60

*$15 of value is loaded on each ticket and can be used toward the purchases of any food and beverage from permanent concession stands or retail merchandise items!

Your ticket package includes a ticket to the game, 2019 Pajama Jam commemorative patch, post-game shoot around on the Nuggets court, midnight snack, movie screening on Pepsi vision, sleepover at the Pepsi Center, and breakfast in the morning.

You are welcome to purchase a ticket and not stay for the sleepover, however the pricing is the same.

The troop with the most ticket referrals will get to participate in the halftime high-five fan tunnel and high five NBA players as they run onto the court to start the second half of play.

The top five troops with the most ticket referrals will all be invited to sit in VIP seats to watch both NBA teams warm up prior to the game.

After you purchase tickets you will be contacted by the Nuggets to provide a troop number for your referral, information about sleepover plans, and a waiver for all sleeping over or going onto the court for the shoot around.

Buy tickets online: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/content/girlscoutsofcolorado/en/events-repository/2019/girl_scout_day_pajam.html

This is not a drop off event. Adult to girl ratios for events must be met. Girls attending with a troop leader should bring a completed parent permission form for a Girl Scout activity that troop leaders will retain for their records.

Questions? Contact Lexie Urratio at lexie.urratio@teamkse.com or (303) 405 – 1139.

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Events, Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News

Junior “Habitat” Badge Day at Pueblo Zoo

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Girl Scout Juniors (4th and 5th grade) are invited to Pueblo Zoo on Saturday, March 23, 2019 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. to work on their “Habitat” badge. Girls will complete all requirements for the Habitat Badge. The badge will not be provided at the event. You are welcome to stay and explore the zoo for the day after this event is over.

Pueblo Zoo is an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility covering 25 acres in Pueblo City Park. It is home to more than 500 animals representing 125 different species from around the world. Education outreach programs serve nearly every elementary school in Pueblo County, reaching thousands of children each year.

Register online:

https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/content/girlscoutsofcolorado/en/events-repository/2019/junior_habitat_badge.html

The registration deadline is Tuesday, March 19.

This is not a drop off event. All girls must attend with a parent, guardian, or troop leader. Adult to girl safety ratios for events must be met. Girls attending with a troop leader must bring completed parent permission forms for a Girl Scout activity that troop leaders should retain for their records.

Girl Scouts of Colorado