Category Archives: Alumnae News

Alumnae News, Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News, Global Girl Scouts

Two Sisters Experience the Juliette Low Seminar from Different Hubs

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Submitted by Krista Beucler

Northern & Northeastern CO

Fort Collins

The Juliette Low Seminar takes place about once every three years, and, in 2019, it took place in 18 hub locations around the world, all at the same time. We learned about the new WAGGGS leadership mindsets, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and how to fight gender barriers to leadership.

Girl Guides and Scouts from all over the world would be participating in JLS at the various hubs and we were so excited to see old friends and make new friends. I was assigned to the Thailand hub and my sister, Anna, was assigned to the Nigeria hub. All of the hubs were unique, but also shared the camaraderie of participating in a world movement. Since Anna and I participated in the same seminar in two different hubs, we’d love to share with you how our experiences were similar and different.

How did you get there? What was your hub like? Who was there?

Krista: After about 30 hours of travel (graciously paid for by Diane Saber and supported by the Look Wider Scholarship), I arrived in Bangkok and was met by representatives from the Girl Guide Association of Thailand. They brought me back to the GGAT headquarters where the participants would all be staying and experiencing the seminar. The Thailand hub hosted 23 participants representing 14 different countries, and five facilitators each from a different country. Helping our facilitators was the wonderful Thai logistics team made up of GGAT members who helped to keep the whole week running smoothly. Of our 23 participants, five were local Guide leaders in Thailand. In Thailand, schools decide if they want to participate in Guides and if they do, then all the girls in the school become Guides and their teachers are the leaders. My favorite part of attending international Guiding and Scouting events is always making new friends and learning more about their countries and their Guide organizations.

Anna: My journey started with research and obtaining a visa to visit Nigeria. Once on my way, I spent 24-ish hours between driving, flying, and layovers getting to the hub in Lagos. I was also met by local guides at the airport and was surprised by a familiar face! I had met Debbie last year when I volunteered at Kusafiri during the JLS facilitators training and now she was here in charge of the logistics team for Nigeria Hub! Such a small world! Nigeria Hub was located at a conference center near the airport in Lagos. We had 25 participants representing 14 countries. I definitely want to thank Diane Saber and the Look Wider Scholarship for making our trip possible!

How did you communicate?

K: Our hub took place in English, though we often paused to make sure everyone understood and the Thai participants helped to translate for each other.

A: While Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba are widely spoken, the official language of Nigeria is English. Many of the countries surrounding Nigeria were colonized by France and speak French, so Nigeria Hub was conducted in French and English.

What did you eat?

K: Thai food! Our fabulous kitchen prepared us a variety of traditional Thai dishes throughout the week. My personal favorites were pad Thai and cashew chicken.

A: Lots of jollof rice! Other Nigerian favorites on offer included pepper soup, fried rice, boli, and groundnut. They made sure we were never hungry with the usual mix of meats, seafood, bean, rice, and of course, plantains all cooked in a myriad of combinations.

What was a typical day like?

K: The weeklong seminar basically involved learning about the six leadership mindsets that make up the new WAGGGS leadership model, gender barriers to leadership, and the Sustainable Development Goals during the daytime sessions. In the evenings we did activities like Thai culture night and international night. Thai night involved performances of traditional dance by local students, learning Thai crafts and games, and trying Thai snacks. At international night, each of the participants set up a table and shared snacks, badges, and small gifts from our countries. We also all shared short performances of dances, songs, and games from our countries. I brought some Girl Scout Cookies to share and taught everyone the classic camp song, Fred the Moose.

A: Krista summed it up! I imagine all of the hubs had similar sessions on the WAGGGS leadership mindsets, gender barriers to leadership, and the Sustainable Development Goals, but facilitated in different ways according to the culture of the location. And of course, we celebrated Nigeria night instead of Thai night!

Did you connect with other hubs?

K: Yes! During our opening ceremony we Skyped with the Taiwan hub, which passed the international guiding light to us, ceremonially lighting our candles, and we passed it on to the Maldives hub during their opening ceremony. We also got to Skype with other ‘mystery hubs’ where we played a guessing game to figure out where they were located. We spoke to Poland and the Maldives as mystery hubs. We also got to call into one of the UK hubs to hear Nicola Grinstead, former chair of the World Board, give a short speech. There was also a WAGGGS event app that helped us connect with others by posting photos in the participant space and message scouts from other hubs. I messaged Lisa at the Nigeria hub and Priya from the Sangam hub and we shared what we were doing at our hubs.

A: Despite trouble with technology, we managed to connect with Kusafiri in Tanzania for their presentation by Kate. Kate now works with Days for Girls in Tanzania educating young women on menstrual hygiene and female genital mutilation. Her journey to this point in her life was not easy. She told us how she escaped female genital mutilation herself by hiding in the trunk of a visiting family’s car when they left to return to thier home. She lived on the street for a time and used drugs before being befriended by a local pastor who helped her. She summed up her story by saying that sometimes you only need one person to see you and you may never realize how much you have helped someone by seeing them and reaching out to them. This inspiring thought helped us to start brainstorming our 100 girls projects. Besides this connection there were other attempts that did not work to connect virtually with other hubs but we knew they were there thinking of us as we connected on the online participant space.

Did you get to be tourists?

K: There was some time to be tourists in Bangkok. I arrived one day early for the Seminar and had a chance to visit a floating market and Wat Pho, one of the most famous temples in Bangkok, with two of the other participants–ladies from England and Madagascar. One evening, we also had free time to go out to dinner. The Thai participants wrangled the rest of us through busy public transportation to an open air market and we all had dinner together. After the seminar was over, I stayed a few extra days to visit an elephant sanctuary in Chiang Rai and see a few more of the sights in Bangkok.

A: We mostly stayed in the hotel learning about leadership, the Sustainable Development Goals and the culture of Nigeria. We were surprised on our community day with a visit to the Lekki Conservation Center where we got to do the longest canopy walk in Africa! We challenged ourselves and got to see views of the city. That day as we were driving around we got to see some of Lagos and drove over the longest bridge in Nigeria!

What was the most inspiring part of the seminar?

K: In preparation for our 100 Girls Project, we did a mini Lead Out Loud project in small patrols. Each patrol was to address a gender barrier and do a small project that would reach 30 people in four hours. I was pretty skeptical that we could have even that much impact in such a short time. My group decided to talk about catcalling and harassment women experience on the street. We made a Google survey asking about people’s experiences with catcalling and we filmed some video clips with people on the street and our fellow participants, asking them to share opinions and experiences. We made a poster with the results of our survey and after four hours we had received 40 responses. I was surprised we had managed to reach that many in such a short time, but I was even more surprised when I kept checking the results of the survey over the next few days and we had more than 400 responses from people from all over the world aged 14 to 55, more than 95% of which reported having been catcalled. Hearing about the mini projects the other groups at my hub did, I was surprised at the reach all of us were able to achieve. It taught me about the power of social media and teamwork, and helped make the 100 Girls Project seem less daunting.

A: The most inspiring part of the seminar for me was interacting with the other participants and discussing issues in their community. It inspired me to see how dedicated this group of young women was to making their world a better place.

Did you spend any time in the community?

K: We had a day to visit a community outside of Bangkok called Baan Khoksalung to learn about community development and leadership. The community is primarily from the Thai Bueng ethnic group and has faced some challenges related to the flooding of the nearby reservoir which wiped out a lot of their agricultural activities and forced many families to move. As a way to both preserve their traditional culture and identity, and to supplement their income, the community set up a local museum that hosts tourists for the day or overnight and shares dances, traditional craft making (mostly weaving and toy making), and cooking with guests. Baan Khoksalung is just one of many local museums all over Thailand that has found a unique way to keep their cultural traditions alive in a changing world. The community was so welcoming to us and shared their strategies for leadership in the community: dialogue, networking, system thinking, and strategy. The community really stressed communication as a way to bring happiness and harmony, and a way for the young people to learn from the elders, and in turn, for the elders to learn from the young people. We had the chance to learn traditional weaving of cloth and reed mats, and how to cook Thai pancakes.

We got to hear from a member of a local organization that supports leadership in business on our community day. She talked about gender equality and led a few activities on gender equality. After we went to EduPoint, a company that was started by graduates of the business leadership program that connects students with tutors. This was followed by lunch and tour of the Nigeria Girl Guide Association Headquarters. All of us participants did a Stop the Violence photoshoot on the roof of the headquarters. We got to meet with local Scouts from our logistics team and all went on the canopy walk together.

What is the 100 Girls Project?

K: At the end of our seminar, each of us returned home with a plan to share what we had learned about the leadership mindsets, the STGs, and gender equality with 100 girls and young women. While in Thailand, I made a plan for my 100 Girls Project, hoping to share what I learned at Our Chalet as a volunteer, and during my planned volunteering at a leadership workshop for young women in Guatemala this fall. With COVID-19, everything is pretty uncertain. I won’t be going to Our Chalet this summer, and Girl Scout camp won’t be in session either, nor will I be going to Guatemala. So right now, I’m working on a new plan to create an Instagram campaign about the WAGGGS leadership mindsets, sharing activities and inspiration for girls who are stuck at home. The Creative and Critical Thinking leadership mindset helps us adapt when things don’t go as planned and helps us find unique solutions to new problems.

A: I’m hoping to create a program for girls in Colorado who are thinking about doing a Gold Award. The program will help girls think about the WAGGGS leadership mindsets and the UN Sustainable Development Goals to identify a project that meets a need in their community. The goal will be to help girls create really thoughtful and impactful projects that make their world a better place.

That sounds awesome! How do I get involved in more international Guiding opportunities?

Anna and Krista: We’re so glad you asked! A lot of people are surprised when we tell them all of the international opportunities we have had through Girl Scouts, but we think it’s really important to remind everyone that Guiding and Scouting is a global movement and we’re all working together to support girls and young women of courage, confidence, and character around the world. If you’re still an active girl member, you can plan your own international trip! I recommend trying to connect with a troop in the country you want to visit to learn more about Scouting in their country, or visiting a World Center for a program. You can also check out GSUSA’s Destinations. If you are an adult volunteer, you can also participate in World Center programs, or you can volunteer or intern at the World Centers. Anna and I have both been World Center volunteers and we highly recommend it. Join the Global Leadership Opportunities pool, follow WAGGGS on social media, and check their website periodically to find out about global events like JLS. Scholarships are available to support girls who want to participate in international events, so make sure you check those out! The Look Wider Scholarship for Colorado girls is always a good place to start. We have made so many international friends and have gotten to feel like a part of a global movement; we just cannot recommend getting involved in international Guiding enough.

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

Alumnae News, Volunteer News

Volunteer Spotlight: Jo Anne Busch

Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month. Jo Anne Busch of Fort Collins in the Northern & Northeastern CO region is a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community.

GSCO asked Jo Anne to answer a few quick questions about her volunteer experience. We hope you find her as inspiring as we did.

Why did you become a Girl Scout volunteer?

It became apparent at an organizational meeting for Brownies at my daughter’s school, there needed to be a group of mothers to come forward to be leaders. I offered to help.  I wanted to share with the girls the values, life skills and unique experiences I had as a Girl Scout.

Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout.

My first role as a volunteer was when I was in college.  As a requirement for an Outdoor Ed. class I chose to contact the local Girl Scout council to help with a troop hoping to share with them my earlier Girl Scout Camping experiences. My time with them ended with a camp out. I still remember.  We cooked chicken, potatoes, carrots, onions as a foil dinner ad then sat on logs around the fire eating.

Most people have heard me say “I am a Jack of all trades, but a master of none”  as I have been a volunteer for many years and held a variety of positions in both Mountain Prairie Council, but now in Girl Scouts of Colorado.

I have been fortunate to have been a volunteer at several levels of the Girl Scout organization- local, national, and international.

Having had three daughters, I have been a troop leaders for Brownie, Junior, and Cadette levels. My longest leader experience was at the Cadette level. 

Local level positions positions have included trainer, service unit manager, service unit product program coordinator, day camp committee, special events (Guys and Dolls) committee, as well as area delegate to council annual meeting. Most long lasting has been a member of the International Festival  Committee and a member of the Holiday Gift Wrap committee both for more than 40 years.

Council level volunteer positions have given me the opportunity to serve on the training operating unit as a trainer and presenter at several training conferences, leader summits, and enrichment trainings.  In addition, I have served on council task forces, product program team, recognition committee, outdoor education team and a delegate to Girl Scout National Conventions. Some of the highlights have been as a member of the program operating team where we developed opportunities for girls to travel not only in the United States, but the world. Council-sponsored trips to Our Chalet, Pax Lodge, and  Our Cabana,  and Wider Opportunities –now Destinations for girls to come to Colorado and explore the wonders of the state. More recently, I spend a good deal of my time with activities of the Girl Scouts of Colorado  (GSCO) Global Action Team and with the various opportunities  the GSCO History Center in Loveland have on their schedule.

It is always an honor to be involved on the national level.  My first experience as a volunteer at the national level was to be chosen as a co-leader for a group of girls from all across the United States to travel to Sangam the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) World Center in India, and then to the Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur). Since then, opportunities have led to being a Liaison for GSUSA for participants attending International events. Becoming a member of the World Foundation of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts- Friends of Sangam – USA Committee has given me the opportunity to attend Girl Scout National Conventions in various Cities to promote the World Center.   At present, my volunteer positions include being a GSUSA National Volunteer Partner with the responsibility of working with national on specific projects that have included trainings, review of Young Women of Distinction Scholarship, the Forever Green Initiative, as well as being a Teller at National Conventions.  I am also the GSUSA-GSCO’s Global Action Volunteer.

Several of my activities have led me to participate as a volunteer on the International level. I have been able to be a representative from the Friends of Sangam committee – USA to an International Friends of Sangam Triennial meeting at Sangam in India a few years ago. I am currently a member of the WAGGGS volunteer pool and available for opportunities that arise.  I enjoy getting the almost daily emails from the World Bureau with invitations for initiatives for young women.

What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer?

All of my experiences have enhanced my life and made me appreciative of what the organization offers the girls and young women of today.

I learned there was a challenge in every position I had as a volunteer. The best part of the challenge was that I learned a new skill, had the satisfaction of accomplishment of creating something new and exciting, helping to fulfill a council need, as well as helping girls to make the world a better place.

I have learned there are three qualities that are essential in being a volunteer. They are flexibility and patience and to have fun. I am a reflective person. I need to gather as much information as I can before going forth with a project. I my not have all the answers but hope I have the ability to do research when necessary.  

What do you hope girls have learned from you?

I hope girls have learned that Girl Scouts can offer new and exciting experiences throughout their life. As I have shared with them my unique and memorable times as a girl, leader, council committee member and even as Girl Scouts of the USA representative.

The world is out there for them to explore, where they can have new adventures, challenges, travel, meeting new friends, and fun. I have had all these in my many years and levels of Girl Scouting.

How has your experience as a volunteer helped you become a G.I.R.L (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)?

My experience as a volunteer has truly helped me to become a G.I.R.L..  As a girl I was a shy, soft-spoken person tending to my own tasks to produce a quality end product. Once I became a troop leader, I learned and perfected my skills

—-   as a Listener

—-   showing my Enthusiasm for the girls’ ideas and plans,

—-   being Adaptable and flexible,

 —-   being Dependable,

—-   being Energetic, creative, with a positive attitude

and   —-   Responsible for what I say and do

I learned there was no challenge “too big.”   Each opportunity I has given me the chance to be that to be that   go-getter, innovator, risk taker, and leader.  It has been a joy to be able to have these experiences.

Want to nominate a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado to spotlight? Please email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org. 

The nomination deadline for 2020 Volunteer Recognition Awards is April 30. GSCO invites members statewide to take this opportunity to recognize an outstanding volunteer by nominating them for a Volunteer Recognition Award. Nominators are responsible for ensuring enough endorsements are submitted to support their nomination of a volunteer for an award. Your volunteer support specialist can check nomination and endorsement submissions for you. Learn more.

 

Alumnae News, Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News, Gold Award Honorees, Take Action/Highest Awards

Gold Award Girl Scout named 2020 Truman Scholar

Congratulations to Gold Award Girl Scout and National Young Woman of Distinction Sarah Greichen! She has been named a 2020 Truman Scholar and is among 62 outstanding college students chosen from 55 institutions nationwide. The Truman Scholarship is the premier graduate scholarship for aspiring public service leaders in the United States.

Sarah, a. current student at Colorado State University, is the founder, board chair, and CEO of Score A Friend. The Denver native founded the organization to help her twin brother, who has an autism spectrum disorder, find a friend. In addition to honors from Girl Scouts of Colorado and Girl Scouts of the USA, Sarah was also given the 2016 Outstanding Youth Award for National Philanthropy Day in Colorado. She was a speaker at both the 2019 PEAK Parent Center National Conference on Inclusive Education and the 2018 Colorado Social and Emotional Learning Forum. Alongside rock band NEEDTOBREATHE, Sarah is featured in the Pass It On campaign, highlighting the value of inclusion. She majors in corporate finance, investment analysis, and marketing, with a minor in entrepreneurship. She serves on the CSU College of Business Dean’s Student Leadership Council, as an ambassador for the Entrepreneurship Institute, and is an honors student. She earned first place in both the national Startup Summer Pitch Competition and the OtterBox Ethics Challenge. Sarah is an aspiring public policy attorney and social entrepreneur with a lifelong passion for making the world a more inclusive place for people of all abilities.

For 2020, the Truman Foundation reviewed 773 files from 316 institutions. Students were nominated by their institution based on their records of leadership, public service, and academic achievement. Read more about the 2020 Truman Scholarship Finalists here.

Each new Truman Scholar receives up to $30,000 for graduate study. Scholars also receive priority admission and supplemental financial aid at some premier graduate institutions, leadership training, career and graduate school counseling, and special internship opportunities within the federal government. Recipients must be U.S. citizens, have outstanding leadership potential and communication skills, demonstrate academic excellence, and be committed to careers in government or the nonprofit sector.

The Truman Foundation was created by Congress in 1975 as the living memorial to President Truman and the presidential monument to public service. The Foundation’s mission is premised on the belief that a better future relies on attracting to public service the commitment and sound judgment of bright, outstanding Americans. In fact, it was this belief that led President Truman, when approached by a bipartisan group of admirers near the end of his life, to encourage Congress to create a living memorial devoted to this purpose, rather than a traditional brick-and-mortar monument. For more than forty years, the Truman Foundation has fulfilled that mission: inspiring and supporting Americans from diverse backgrounds and from across the United States to public service.

For more information, please contact Truman Foundation Executive Secretary Terry Babcock-Lumish at (202)656-6386 or terrybl@truman.gov.

 

Alumnae News, Camp, Events

Save the date: 2020 Women’s Week at Meadow Mountain Ranch

Submitted by Penny “Pan” Roberts

Northern & Northeastern CO

Meadow Mountain Ranch

Imagine a day like this at camp, playing with friends old and new, choosing how to spend your time and enjoying every single minute in the Colorado high country at Meadow Mountain Ranch near Allenspark.

The early morning air is crisp and clean, and the coffee is already made! A short hike to the top of Vista Spur will help open your eyes and your heart to the beauty of the landscape and the surrounding ridges and high mountain peaks. You’ll be back to main camp in time for your breakfast capers, helping make the fire, cook or clean up, and then there’s still plenty of time for morning activities.

There might be a craft scheduled for the Paint Pot, or a nature activity to take a long explore on the Big Circle Tour. Veteran campers can guide new gals to the great grand-tree, Hercules, and stop by the long-standing Grandpa Trees, historical aspens from which all the aspens in the valley were propagated.

A few hearty hikers may have taken off for a day hike to Calypso Cascades or Meadow Mountain or Twin Sisters. Ladies are always welcome to spend time in the Homestead House viewing artifacts from the history of MMR back to its beginning with the Dannels Family in the late 1800s.  There are staff memorabilia there as well as scrapbooks tracing the established camping history from 1960 when the first pioneering group of girls reported that, “YES!” this 200-acre property was perfect for a Girl Scout camp.

Lunch gathers everyone back to the main unit to cook. Believe me when I say that the food is one of the highlights of this event. Susan Baker and her support staff help create and bring into being some of the most adventurous and creative outdoor cooking opportunities, where we try everything from bean-hole cooking to canning rhubarb jam to reflector oven cobbler.

Need a little “me time” after lunch?  We can come and go as we please, and sometimes new ladies arrive to join the fun. Do you have a special program to offer the group? Can you teach yoga, offer archery, do some needlework or other handicrafts, or sponsor a book review or poetry reading under the trees? Just pass the word.  Do you have world travels to report to the group or can we practice some Tai-Chi or strength training or team building activities?

Is it time to cook again already? Dinner might have an international flair or offer a competition to see whose chili is best. Are there special treats you remember from your years ago at camp that we can recreate again? Do you come from a part of the country where there were other camp specialties you’d like to share with us? Dinner might take a while, so come and sit around the fire ring and we’ll probably already be singing. Bring your songbooks, join in, learn new songs, practices some “oldies.” We might even have time for some fairy tales or Pooh stories and eventually we’ll “sing our way home at the close of the day.”

So that was one day. But, we offer almost four whole days! Play, relax, sing, sleep, explore. The whole of MMR is just for our event, so there is plenty of room and time to come and share in the fun.

SAVE THE DATES:      

June 22 – 25, 2020

First meal is Monday lunch; last meal is Thursday brunch.

Cost is $200 for the entire time or $60  for part-timers including three meals. 

Do you have special memories of MMR from times gone by? Were you a camper there in your early years? Were you a staff member while you were in college, learning how to teach and lead and inspire girls in the magic of camp?

Do you have long-lost friends you would like to reconnect with? Have you forgotten where things were or how to get there?

Do you have daughters or grand-daughters or mothers or grand-mothers or aunts or cousins? Some of the most magical experiences have been had by multi-generational teams who come to share in this special adventure.

Did you hear about us from others who had been to Women’s Week before? We’ve been at this for several years now, and it only gets better with time. The event is ours to plan and bring to reality.  It is for sure an event to cherish from one year to the next.

Registration is always open and the informational flyer is below. Please contact the Very Informal Camp Director, Penny “Pan” Roberts, at 970 586 1775 or PO Box 211, Estes Park, Co. 80517

2020 women’s week flyer next

Alumnae News, Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News, Travel

Colorado Girl Scouts participate in The Juliette Low Seminar

Girl Scout alums Anna Beucler, Krista Beucler, Kayleigh Cornell, and Caroline Farmar, along with GSCO Board Chair RaeAnn Dougherty participated in The Juliette Low Seminar, the flagship leadership development event for the World Association of Girl Scouts and Girl Guides (WAGGGS). Nearly 1,000 WAGGGS members from 150 countries traveled to 20 different host countries to make new friends, connect with different cultures, and exchange ideas on leadership and gender equality. The seminar took place November 14-20, 2019.

Anna, Krista, Kayleigh, and Caroline were each awarded funds from the RaeAnn & Richard E. Dougherty Look Wider International Travel Fund. Krista’s program was in Thailand, Anna’s in Nigeria, Kayleigh traveled to England, and Caroline to Peru.

Alumnae News, Council News, Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News

Girl Scouts honors 2019 Women of Distinction for the Denver metro-area

Wednesday, October 30, 2019, Girl Scouts of Colorado honored the 2019 Women of Distinction during the Thin Mint Dinner at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center. The 2019 Women of Distinction for the Denver metro-area are:

  • Marti J. Awad, Founding Partner, Cardan Capital Partners
  • The Honorable Dianne L. Briscoe
  • Elycia Cook, President and CEO, FRIENDS FIRST, Inc.
  • Helen Drexler, President and CEO, Delta Dental of Colorado
  • Verónica Figoli, President and CEO, Denver Public Schools Foundation
  • Helen Young Hayes, Founder and CEO, Activate Workforce Solutions
  • Vanecia B. Kerr, Regional Executive Director, College Track Colorado
  • Theresa Szczurek, Chief Information Officer and Executive Director, Colorado Governor’s Office of Information Technology
  • Dr. Sarah Winbourn, Medical Director, Kids First Health Care
  • Robin D. Wittenstein, CEO, Denver Health

A group of nearly 450 gathered at the event, which was chaired by Women of Distinction Tasha Jones ’15 and Michelle Lucero ‘13. The honorees were selected by a committee of their peers led by Selection Chair Kim Bimestefer ‘15. They are shining examples of corporate, civic, and philanthropic leadership and serve as role models for our female leaders of tomorrow.

New for 2019! Girl Scouts of Colorado recognized the first-ever Corporate Champion – Crocs! This award recognizes hard work in advancing women in their industry, supporting and encouraging women and girls, and working to raise awareness about remarkable women.

The evening’s keynote speaker was Gold Award Girl Scout Emily Kretschmer from Colorado Springs and recipient of the Stephanie A. Foote Leadership Prize for Gold Award Excellence.

Click here to see pictures from the event! And, be sure to watch Emily’s keynote speech, and listen to the inspiring words from our 2019 Honorees and Corporate Champion, Crocs!

Thank you to all of our generous event sponsors, including Silver Presenting Sponsor, Crocs, and Samoa Sponsors: Arrow, BBVA Compass, Cardan Capital Partners, Delta Dental, Hogan Lovells, and Volunteers of America.

Since 1997 Girl Scouts of Colorado has recognized 446 Denver-area women with this honor. More than $2 million has been raised by Women of Distinction for Girl Scout programs.

For more information on the Girl Scouts Women of Distinction program, visit girlscoutsofcolorado.org/woddenver or contact heidi.books@gscolorado.org or (303) 607-4833.

 

Alumnae News, Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News

My visit to the GSCO History Center

Submitted by John Silver, GSCO Guest Blogger

Metro Denver

Denver

Hello Girl Scouts,

Earlier this year, I wrote a blog about my visit to the GSCO History Center in Loveland. There were so many exciting things to talk about that I couldn’t include everything in one post, so I am adding to it today!

The History Center has more than 600 vintage Girl Scout uniforms, sashes, vests, and other accessories.  If a troop is planning to participate in a parade, memorial, or similar event, girls can borrow uniforms and accessories to be worn by the Girl Scouts who will be participating.

Begin the process by giving the center a description and date of the event. The History Center will need to know the number of Girl Scouts who will be participating and their approximate clothing sizes as soon as possible. The volunteers at the center will gather uniforms and accessories matching the occasion. For example, for a Veterans Day parade honoring World War II veterans, uniforms from that era were lent to the troop participating in the parade. The center makes uniforms and accessories available for about 20 events each year, although this number is not an upper limit so check it out.  The lending is done on requests from individual troops.

For other occasions, the volunteers at the center will put together display tables containing Girl Scout artifacts or photos that are “themed” to the occasion.  Examples are Highest Award ceremonies, World Thinking Days, Women of Distinction events, local gatherings, memorials, or anywhere Girl Scout history is of interest.  Display tables can also be prepared for local libraries and for Girl Scout properties around the state.

To learn more or to request uniforms for an event, contact the GSCO History Center at 2004 West 15th Street, Loveland 80538 or email gscohistory@gmail.com.

If your troop plans to participate in a parade, ceremony, or other event, contact the center to see about borrowing uniforms and accessories, or about arranging for a themed display table!

John Silver of Metro Denver is proud to be an adult volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado. As the brother and son of Girl Scouts, John is now an adult seeing Girl Scouts through new eyes. John will be reporting on things he learns– that you might not know either! He will also be researching badge earning and other opportunities for Girl Scouts today.

Alumnae News, Volunteer News

Daisy’s Circle Supporter Spotlight: Nicole Eubanks

Tell us about your connection to Girl Scouts.

I am a third generation Girl Scout. My grandmother, mom, and I have all participated as Girl Scout volunteers. I have two daughters that are now Girl Scouts and this makes them fourth generation Girl Scouts. I served in various roles in the Girl Scout organization from troop support volunteer, service unit team member, troop leader, and also was on staff at GSCO at one time.

What is the most valuable thing that Girl Scouts gives girls today?

Girl Scouts gives girls the empowerment to build them into strong women as they graduate high school. It offers opportunities for service to others and to improve our communities. The girls receive education in various topics from STEM to the outdoors.

Why did you join Daisy’s Circle?

I believe it is important for all girls to have any opportunity to participate in the Girl Scout program. Girls have an opportunity to participate not only in troop activities, but also in camps and Destination programs. These programs define the women they become. All girls deserve to be courageous and strong!

What is the best thing about monthly giving?

It is easy because you don’t have to remember to write checks.

Is there anything else you would like us to know about you?

Please consider joining Daisy’s Circle. It is easy to set up and then you can make monthly contributions without having to write checks! It provides support to girls in Colorado to have an opportunity to participate in the Girl Scout program. It is an investment in the future of the young women in our state!

Named after Girl Scout founder, Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low, Daisy’s Circle is Girl Scouts of Colorado’s monthly giving program. Funds raised through Daisy’s Circle provide financial assistance for girls and volunteers, support Outreach Programs and more.  For more information: https://www.gscodaisyscircle.org/

Alumnae News, Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News

Four generations of Girl Scouts

Submitted by R. Vicki Scott

Metro Denver

Aurora

My granddaughter’s first Daisy gathering was earlier this month. We are so excited to have four generations of black women in Girl Scouts. We have covered it all:

  • Cookies and area cooking chair (Lola age 83)
  • Volunteer trainer and outdoor skills (Vicki age 59)
  • Marketing staff (Michelle age 35)
  • Our Daisy (Presley age 5)

I just want to shout it from the rooftops – we are all proud and super excited. She will have some of the same experiences we had: camping, horseback riding, ropes courses, team building, making friends – still with my bestie – supporting women’s rights, learning “Leave No Trace,” wider opportunities, parades, day camps, troop meetings, Pax Lodge, Our Cabana, and on and on…

I just wanted to share… Girl Scouts has made a major impression on us all, truly a part of who we have become. Thank you!

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

Alumnae News, Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News, Gold Award Honorees, Take Action/Highest Awards

Gold Award Girl Scout honored as Environmental Educator of the Year

Submitted by Penny Roberts

Northern & Northeastern CO

Estes Park

Gold Award Girl Scout and Lifetime Girl Scout Wendy Roberts, daughter of Jay and Penny Roberts of Estes Park, was recently honored with a prestigious award:  the 2019 Vern A. Fridley Formal Environmental Educator of the Year.  This honor was awarded by the Utah Society for Environmental Education (USEE), and the awards presentation was held on August 9, 2019 at Rowland Hall in Salt Lake City.

Wendy was a teacher in the Estes Park schools for several years in the early 2000s. She began with her student teaching, followed by working as a private tutor and substitute teaching. After she was hired full-time, she taught classes in ESL, Alternative Education, and science to enhance her experience.

She moved from Estes Park to Liberal, Kansas, where she taught eighth grade physical science for two years at the middle school level.  She then moved on to Ogden, Utah, where she now teaches at the DaVinci Academy of Science and the Arts, a public charter school. At DaVinci Academy, she teaches high school Biology, Advanced Placement (AP) Biology, AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination, a college prep program for 7th-12th grades), and also includes electives such as Botany, Zoology, Aquatic Biology, Wildlife Biology and Current Issues in Science in her curriculum.  Previously, she had taught Chemistry and Earth Systems.  This year, she has added to her job description the role of Instructional Specialist for the teachers of 7th-12th grades and professional development training.

Wendy has also worked extensively with the Great Salt Lake Institute at Westminster College; she instructs teachers how to use the Great Salt Lake in their science curriculum and how to take students on field trips there.  She has worked the entire water cycle into field trips by traveling from the top of the watershed to the entire length of the Salt Lake, showing students the magic and wonder of this unique environment.

In addition, she has worked through the Utah State University to acquire Master Naturalist certifications in Mountains and Wetlands.

Alex Porpora, Executive Director for USEE says, “We are so proud to acknowledge this year’s environmental education awardees and their contributions to our community.  These individuals are role models and inspire me to do the work we do at USEE.”  Further she reports, “Our mission is promoting excellence in environmental education by providing support, resources and networking opportunities to Utah’s community of educators.  Our vision is an environmentally literate society committed to a sustainable future.”

One of Wendy’s current environmental science students was also honored at the USEE awards ceremony, as one of Utah’s “5 under 25” for her work with air quality legislation at the city and state levels. Wendy says she was more in awe of her student’s recognition and levels of dedication than her own award. At the awards ceremony, Wendy said, in summary, “My mom was my greatest inspiration.  She made me look at things (in the surrounding environment) and then she told me that I needed to tell everybody else.  Yes, I make my students hug trees and I make my administrators stop buying plastic bottles.”

She attributes her love for the outdoors and education to her years of working with the Girl Scouts, primarily at Meadow Mountain Ranch near Allenspark.  It’s easy to see how that Girl Scout background has translated to the level of “master teacher,” as evident in her success which is now reaching beyond her own school and into the broader Utah community.

Wendy worked as Assistant Camp Director at MMR for three years, where she directed program and trained staff.  In addition, she participated with “The Milkweeds” in the adult trip to Our Cabana in Mexico where the group visited the Monarch butterfly preserve and helped with an International Festival and a community outreach service project.  Several years later, part of that same group of women, including Wendy, returned to Our Cabana this year to take part in Sea Adventure II, where they were awarded an opportunity to help with a project to protect and preserve sea turtles near Acapulco.  For Wendy, almost any outdoor project is a huge attraction, and she will continue to seek out similar adventures inside or outside the Girl Scout organization.

She helps her mom, Penny, with the program and promotion of Women’s Week at Meadow Mountain Ranch every year, returning to her roots to reconnect with that very special wilderness environment.  Adventures are never-ending when she gets a chance to share with friends old and new on her personal “stomping grounds.”

Please join her parents in celebrating Wendy’s outstanding accomplishment. The future will continue to be bright and will reward her over and over as she works to further her personal and professional goals.

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