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Outdoor Adventure Club 2019-2020

Attention Girl Scouts in 6th through 12th grade: Now is when Girl Scouts gets really exciting! Join the GSCO Outdoor Adventure Club.

The Outdoor Adventure Club (OAC) is a staff-led program offering adventures around the state that provide older Girl Scouts with exciting activities and skills beyond what they might do with their troop. They also get a chance to make new friends from around the state! Activities include:

  • Ice climbing
  • Boating: paddling and sailing
  • Camping trips
  • Trail running
  • Outdoor survival skills
  • Outdoor badges

Check our fall and winter event details, including pricing here!

OAC Explorers events — open to Girl Scouts in 6th grade

OAC Trailblazers events — open to Girl Scouts in 7th-12th grade

Registration is still open for the last events of our 2018 -2019 season including:

Registration opens two months prior to an event and closes two weeks prior to an event. Grants are available and Cookie Credits are accepted!

Discounts available:

  • 10% off your first time OAC event
  • Attend four OAC events and receive $25 off the cost of your fifth event!

Sign up for the 2019-2020 Interest List to be notified as event registration opens for each event: 

If you have questions or are interested in volunteering with the Outdoor Adventure Club, please email us at inquiry@gscolorado.org.

Read our Outdoor Adventure Club FAQs

Registration FAQs

Bronze and Silver Award Girl Scouts honored at Highest Awards Celebration in Western Colorado

More than a dozen Girl Scouts, along with their families and friends, gathered at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction on May 19, 2019, to honor the more than 1,200 Girl Scouts from across Colorado who took the lead in their communities and earned one of Girl Scouts’ Highest Awards, the Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award.

The Gold Award, which is the highest honor in Girl Scouts, is presented to girls in grades 9-12 who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through a project that makes a difference in their community. The Silver Award is the highest award a girl in 6th – 8th grade can earn. The Bronze Award is the highest award a girl in 4th or 5th grade can earn. For the 2018-19 Girl Scout awards program year, 14 Girl Scouts in the Western Colorado region earned the Bronze Award. 15 girls across the Western Colorado region earned the prestigious Silver Award. 42 girls across Colorado earned the prestigious Gold Award..

Gold Award Girl Scout and current Gold Award mentor Heidi Ragsdale served as the celebration’s emcee. She talked briefly about how Girl Scouts helped her become the leader she is today.

The focus of a Gold Award project is identifying and researching a community issue she is passionate about, developing a plan to address it in cooperation with her team and community members, establishing a global connection with others, and providing sustainability for the project. Of the skills learned through Girl Scouts’ Highest Awards, leadership, organization, and critical thinking are the fundamentals of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Some universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award recipients, and girls who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements.

Glenwood Springs Girl Scout awarded Mary Jo Jacobs, M.D. Memorial Girl Scout Adventure Fund

Girl Scout Isabella P. of Glenwood Springs in the Mountain Communities region is headed to Girl Scouts of Colorado summer camp after receiving the Mary Jo Jacobs, M.D. Memorial Girl Scout Adventure Fund. Isabella will attend “Barn Livin’,” a ten-day camp at Tomahawk Ranch in the summer of 2019.  She wrote in her application for this award, “Mary Jo Jacobs inspires me because she was a courageous person and lives following the Girl Scout Law, not just saying it. I get enjoyment out of helping my community much like Ms. Jacobs did. I think that she was an awesome and helpful person to her community and the country. Ms. Jacobs was very persuasive.  She was a courageous person and contributed to our world in many ways.”

Mary Jo’s four children established the scholarship in December 2014 to honor their mother’s extraordinary legacy. As an 8-year-old girl growing up in 1937, Mary Jo wanted a new pair of roller skates. She wanted them more than anything in world— until she learned her Brownie troop was going to be able to go to summer camp. Mary Jo had to make a choice: spend the $8 she had worked so hard to earn on roller skates or Girl Scout camp? For Mary Jo, the decision was simple. She was going to Girl Scout camp. Mary Jo’s mother walked her to the local Girl Scout office, so she could be the first to register. A reporter for the Artesia Daily Press in New Mexico even wrote a story about Mary Jo and her decision.

After returning home from camp, Mary Jo continued to participate in Girl Scout activities, including going to camp. Eventually, she became a doctor and worked tirelessly to serve the people of Eagle and Garfield Counties, Colorado.

The Mary Jo Jacobs, M.D. Memorial Girl Scout Adventure Fund provides Girl Scouts from Eagle and Garfield counties in Colorado with a scholarship so they can experience the learning opportunities, joy, and camaraderie of attending Girl Scout Camp. “Our hope is that that many girls will have the same positive experience, education and adventure that mom had through her involvement in Girl Scouting and her opportunity to attend Girl Scout camp,” said Dr. Patricia VanDevander, daughter of Dr. Mary Jo Jacobs.

Volunteer View: May 2019

Be an Early Bird

What’s next for your girls in Girl Scouts? Reserve your spot for the 2019-20 membership year today! Girls and adults renewed by June 26, 2019, are eligible to earn an Early Bird Patch. Troops with at least two Troop Leadership Team members and three girls renewed and an Annual Troop Report submitted by June 26, 2019, are eligible to earn a $25 shop credit.

Also, invite new girls to join your troop with the Extended Year Membership. For $35, girls get to participate for the remainder of this membership year (summer fun, anyone?) and enjoy a full year of troop activities for the 2019-20 membership year. These girls will also receive an Early Bird Patch.

Learn more

Outdoor Adventure Club for 2019-2020

Attention girls going into 6th grade and up, now is when Girl Scouts gets really exciting! Step your adventure up a level and get your adrenaline pumping at an Outdoor Adventure Club event. Troop leaders for Cadettes and up: Tell your girls about this awesome opportunity. Girls in 6th grade can participate in the Explorers events and girls in 7th and up go to Trailblazer events. Outdoor Adventure Club is a great way to give girls an added dose of outdoor adventure and keep girls engaged in Girl Scouting!

Sample activities include:

  • Ice climbing
  • Boating, paddling, and sailing
  • Camping trips
  • Trail running and more
  • Check the website for the full details on fall and winter events.

Volunteer Training

New eLearning platform launches in July

In July, Girl Scouts of Colorado will have a new, interactive online learning site that will host a variety of required and enrichment training to support your Girl Scout volunteer experience. In the meantime, Nuts and Bolts, Overnight Trips and Extended Trips are on our interim eLearning site. Each class page also has links to forms and additional resources. All classes are mobile-friendly and are an hour or less in length.

Volunteers can access the site by going to the Volunteer page -Training and Online Support, and clicking on “Visit Our eLearning Site.” Volunteers will receive credit for taking the class by completing a survey on the class page.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Emily Speck, mission delivery manager, at (303) 607-4811 or email her at Emily.Speck@gscolorado.org.

Outdoor Programs

Girl Scout Camp

Camp registration is still open! Visit our camp website for more information and to find available sessions.

Equipment Reservations

We have outdoor gear you can reserve for a very small fee! Check our website for more information.

Reservations must be made 15 days prior to when you need equipment (or the system won’t let you reserve it).

Please make reservations starting on the day you need to pick and return your equipment, not just the days you are using it. Equipment charges are priced per item not per day.

Girl Scouts Love State Parks: July 13 and 14

GSCO is joining Girl Scout councils across the country in partnering with our local state parks to encourage Girl Scouts, troops, and families to get outside and visit their local state park on July 13 or 14. We encourage Girl Scouts to visit state parks in each of their regions where there will be opportunities for hiking, environmental education, ranger programs, and special activities unique to each park. Park entrance fees of $8 per car apply, and a national “GS Love State Parks” patch will be available for purchase. Check out the GSCO event calendar for more information coming soon! Questions? Contact Anna Danila atAnna.danila@gscolorado.org

Upcoming Events

Junior Designing Robots Badge Workshop with Arrow Electronics

June 1, Centennial

Girl Scout Juniors are invited to earn their Designing Robots badge with Arrow Electronics. Arrow Electronics is an American Fortune 500 company headquartered in Centennial. The company specializes in distribution and value-added services relating to electronic components and computer products.

Civics Education: Preparing the Next Generation of Informed and Engaged Citizens

June 3

Girl Scouts of the USA is proud to join bipartisan leaders, including Chelsea Clinton, to discuss the importance of educating and engaging today’s youth in civics to preserve and strengthen our country’s democracy. This nonpartisan event is an opportunity community leaders, public officials and education experts to discuss how out-of-school civics programs can prepare the next generation to be involved citizens with a deeper understanding of their government-both now and for the rest of their lives. Register for the livestream of this special event.   A recording will be available for those unable to participate the livestream. A discussion guide will also be provided for girls and troops to engage in the conversation.

World Environment Day

June 16, Meadow Mountain Ranch, Allenspark

In partnership with the Colorado State Forest Service, Girl Scouts of Colorado is excited to offer members a way to focus on and celebrate the environment. Girl Scouts of all ages, families, and friends invited to this free, exciting event. This event is hosted by the GSCO Global Action Committee.

Girl Scout Days at Water World

June 17 – 30, Federal Heights

Girl Scouts of all ages, friends, and family are invited to take advantage of special discounted pricing for Water World June 17-30, 2019.

World’s Largest Swim Lesson at Water World

June 20, Federal Heights

Girl Scouts of all ages are invited to Water World to celebrate the World’s Largest Swim Lesson! Swim lesson 8 –10 a.m., park opens to all at 10 a.m.

Women’s Week at MMR

July 15-18, Meadow Mountain Ranch, Allenspark

Women 18 years of age or older are welcome at Women’s Week. You don’t have to be a current or past Girl Scout, you just have to want to come and play in the outdoors with other like-minded friends. Some of the best experiences were had by a few women who had never been to camp before. Mom and daughter and granddaughter groups have had great family experiences and come back every year to be sure they don’t forget what it’s all about.

Girl Scout Days at Elitch Gardens

July 19, 20, & 21, Denver

Join us for our annual Girl Scout Days at Elitch Gardens on July 19, 20, and 21! Girl Scouts of all ages, family and friends are invited to take advantage of discounted tickets. Each Girl Scout participating in our special Girl Scout days will receive an event patch. We are looking for creative Girl Scouts to submit their best design  by May 31 for the 2019 patch.

Colorado Rockies – Girl Scout Day

August 4, Coors Field, Denver

All Girl Scouts, family, and friends are invited. Cheer on the Rockies as they take on the San Francisco Giants. All Girl Scouts attending are invited to participate in pre-game parade and will receive a special event patch.

Save the Date: Cyber Challenge

October 19, Littleton

Brought to you by Raytheon, Girl Scouts in 6-12 grade are invited to detect, decode, and defend! They will test their cybersecurity skills, team up with other girls, and meet with cybersecurity professionals! All day event at Arapahoe Community College. Email aimee.artzer@gscolorado.org to be added to the email interest list.

Save the Date: Secrets to Success

November 9, Colorado Springs

What is your Secret to Success? 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. Girl Scouts of Colorado believes every girl has the power to become what she dreams to be. We are helping today’s girls overcome the challenges they face, and giving them the tools they need to become successful leaders. All girls in grades 6 – 12 are invited to Secrets to Success. Email aimee.artzer@gscolorado.org to be added to the email interest list.

Girl Scout fashion show

Submitted by Mike Werner

Northern & Northeastern CO

GSCO History Center in Loveland

Girl Scout Troop 01410 from F. E. Warren AFB, WY recently held a Girl Scout fashion show using vintage Girl Scout uniforms provided by the Girl Scouts of Colorado History Center. These Girl Scout Daisies thru Cadettes learned about uniforms over the past 107 years and what Girl Scouts did during those periods and shared what they learned with their families and community.

Your troop or service unit can also check out parade or fashion show tubs from the GSCO History Center by e-mailing  gscohistory@gmail.com.

For more information, contact troop leader Amy Jo Martinson at starletajm@gmail.com or Mike Werner, GSCO History Center, at wernermj@comcast.net.

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

Glenwood Springs Girl Scout awarded Mary Jo Jacobs, M.D. Memorial Girl Scout Adventure Fund

Girl Scout Allie A. of Glenwood Springs in the Mountain Communities region is headed to Girl Scouts of Colorado summer camp after receiving the Mary Jo Jacobs, M.D. Memorial Girl Scout Adventure Fund. Allie will attend “Intro to Cowgirl Mountain,” a five-day camp at Sky High Ranch in the summer of 2019.  She wrote in her application for this award, “Next year, I will start middle school. I am scared and nervous. I am excited, but I do not feel like I have the confidence I need. I feel going to an overnight camp by myself, without my family, to be around other girls who are already in middle school will get my confidence up.”

Mary Jo’s four children established the scholarship in December 2014 to honor their mother’s extraordinary legacy. As an 8-year-old girl growing up in 1937, Mary Jo wanted a new pair of roller skates. She wanted them more than anything in world— until she learned her Brownie troop was going to be able to go to summer camp. Mary Jo had to make a choice: spend the $8 she had worked so hard to earn on roller skates or Girl Scout camp? For Mary Jo, the decision was simple. She was going to Girl Scout camp. Mary Jo’s mother walked her to the local Girl Scout office, so she could be the first to register. A reporter for the Artesia Daily Press in New Mexico even wrote a story about Mary Jo and her decision.

After returning home from camp, Mary Jo continued to participate in Girl Scout activities, including going to camp. Eventually, she became a doctor and worked tirelessly to serve the people of Eagle and Garfield Counties, Colorado.

The Mary Jo Jacobs, M.D. Memorial Girl Scout Adventure Fund provides Girl Scouts from Eagle and Garfield counties in Colorado with a scholarship so they can experience the learning opportunities, joy, and camaraderie of attending Girl Scout Camp. “Our hope is that that many girls will have the same positive experience, education and adventure that mom had through her involvement in Girl Scouting and her opportunity to attend Girl Scout camp,” said Dr. Patricia VanDevander, daughter of Dr. Mary Jo Jacobs.

24 Girl Scouts learn about watershed conservation and the environment

 

In partnership with Colorado Trout Unlimited (CTU) and Anadarko, two dozen Girl Scouts had the opportunity to serve as citizen scientists, anglers, and artists on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at Kassler Center in Littleton. The goal of the event was to help girls develop an appreciation for watershed conservation and the environment. This outdoor watershed experience employed STEM-education (science, technology, engineering, math), plus recreation and arts to explore a local stream. CTU volunteers led Girl Scout Juniors and Cadettes in observing a stream, collecting flow data, sampling macroinvertebrates (aka aquatic bugs), fly tying, and fly casting. Girls also explored the natural area around Kassler Center and recorded their thoughts and observations.

Colorado Trout Unlimited is dedicated to conserving, protecting, and restoring Colorado’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds. With a grassroots base comprised of nearly 12,000 members in 24 local chapters across the state, CTU works both locally and statewide through advocacy, education, and on-the-ground restoration projects. For more information visit www.coloradotu.org.

Bronze, Silver, and Gold Award Girl Scouts honored at Highest Awards Celebration in Silverthorne

Nearly 30 Girl Scouts, along with their friends and family, gathered at Silverthorne Pavilion in Silverthorne on May 9, 2019 to honor the more than 1,200 Girl Scouts from across Colorado who took the lead in their communities and earned one of Girl Scouts’ Highest Awards, the Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award.

The Gold Award, which is the highest honor in Girl Scouts, is presented to girls in grades 9-12 who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through a project that makes a difference in their community. The Silver Award is the highest award a girl in 6th – 8th grade can earn. The Bronze Award is the highest award a girl in 4th or 5th grade can earn. For the 2018-19 Girl Scout awards program year, 26 Girl Scouts in the Mountain Communities region earned the Bronze Award. 18 girls across the Mountain Communities region earned the prestigious Silver Award. 42 girls across Colorado earned the prestigious Gold Award.

Girl Scouts of Colorado President and CEO Stephanie Foote applauded the girls for having the courage and confidence to try new things and make their world a better place.

Highest Award recipients are perfect examples of girls who lead the Girl Scout way. Taking the lead like a Girl Scout means being a go-getter who is bold, honest, and determined to succeed; an innovator who thinks outside the box; a risk-taker who is willing to try new things; and a leader who leads with empathy,” she said.

2018 Gold Award Girl Scout and winner of the Stephanie A. Foote Leadership Prize for Gold Award Excellence Riley Morgenthaler served as the celebration’s emcee. She talked briefly about how earning the Girl Scout Gold Award has impacted her life.

Every time I think that the Gold Award has given me everything it possibly can, I get a new, amazing opportunity; use the tremendous number of skills it taught me; or receive unexpected feedback from the community I targeted with my project. I am so amazed to see how my project has continued to grow wings and impact even more people, ” she said.

The focus of a Gold Award project is identifying and researching a community issue she is passionate about, developing a plan to address it in cooperation with her team and community members, establishing a global connection with others, and providing sustainability for the project. Of the skills learned through Girl Scouts’ Highest Awards, leadership, organization, and critical thinking are the fundamentals of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Some universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award recipients, and girls who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements.

Who wants to organize a 5th year and running, 5K fun run!?

Submitted by Judy C.

Metro Denver

Arvada

Maria C. is a Girl Scout who has organized and facilitated a 5K fun run for the last four years and is graduating this year. She is not able to facilitate this event anymore, and it has been a benefit to a local elementary school through Community Table in Arvada to provide birthday cake, frosting, and candles for every kid in the school on their birthday. This elementary school is a low-resource school and has backpacks they give away on the weekend with food and the cake is to ensure that every kid gets a cake on his/her birthday! The event was called Run for Cake and ran on Van Bibber Creek sidewalk open space for the last four years. Are there any Girl Scouts or troops out there interested in continuing to organize this fun run, which could help benefit this elementary school, so they can continue to receive cakes from the Arvada Food Bank?

Contact Judy, assistant Girl Scout leader of Troop 3301, at             (303) 524 – 5838.

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

Troop 43893 delivers cookies to H.O.P.E.

Submitted by Aydin Hoo

Pikes Peak

Colorado Springs

Troop 43893 in Colorado Springs delivered Girl Scout Cookies to their Hometown Hero, H.O.P.E. Worldwide- Colorado Springs. This amazing, multi-level troop collected donations during cookie season for over 200 packages. This Hometown Hero organization helps bring hope and change to the poor and needy in our community. Our girls met and chose HOPE after they had the opportunity to serve at a volunteer session. The girls made and served burritos and hot chocolate to our chronically homeless during the winter months. We look forward to serving with HOPE again in the future.

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