Category Archives: Alumnae News

Alumnae News, Girl Scout News, Girl Scouting at Home, Girl Scouts News, Global Girl Scouts

World Thinking Day 2021: How to Participate

 

 

Submitted by Krista Beucler and Anna Beucler

Northern & Northeastern CO

Fort Collins

What is World Thinking Day?

Since 1926, World Thinking Day on February 22 has been a day of international friendship for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts all over the world. February 22 is the birthday of Lord Baden Powell, founder of Boy Scouts, and his wife Olave Baden Powell, who was one of the founders of Girl Guides. On February 22, Girl Guides and Girl Scouts connect with each other and join together in global action to make the world a better place.

For the last two years, the World Association Girl Guides and Girl Scouts’ (WAGGGS), World Thinking Day themes have set the foundation for peacebuilding: we have empowered leaders and explored why it is important for our communities to be rich in diversity, equity and inclusion. In this year’s activity pack, Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in 152 countries will become better peace builders so we can truly live out our global promise. You can find the Activity Pack here.

How to Earn Your Badge

Complete one activity from each section of the activity pack: Stand Strong, Stand-Up, Stand Together, then complete the Our Global Promise activity. Once you’ve completed the activities, you can get your WAGGGS World Thinking Day badge from the shop.

Join Anna and Krista

Anna and Krista are lifetime  Girl Scouts and have participated in international Guiding and Scouting opportunities including World Thinking Day events at Pax Lodge and Sangam World Centres, and the Juliette Low Seminar.

This year, because of COVID-19, most activities look a little different. Anna and Krista will be hosting World Thinking Day activities online. They welcome everyone to participate with them on TikTok or Instagram to earn the World Thinking Day badge!

Here’s how you can participate:

  1. Follow the project on TikTok (@jls100girls) and Instagram (@jls100girls).
  2. Learn from an informational video about World Thinking Day.
  3. Participate in the three activities and the Global Promise activity.
  4. Like, comment on, and share the videos.

You can complete the activities and let us know in a variety of ways. On TikTok, you can duet, stitch, use our sounds, or make a new video, and tag us. On Instagram, you can post photos or videos and tag us. Or, if you’re uncomfortable sharing your photos or videos publicly, you can send them to us privately at jls100girls@gmail.com. Once you’ve completed all the activities, you’ve earned the World Thinking Day badge!

Did you enjoy World Thinking Day? Well, don’t go anywhere yet! Anna and Krista will be continuing to post activities you and your troop can do from home on TikTok and Instagram. These activities will focus on the WAGGGS Leadership Mindsets, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and how to build a Gold Award project!

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.

Alumnae News, Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News

Girl Scout Cookies: A Delicious History

Submitted by the GSCO History Committe

Northern & Northeastern CO

Loveland

The History Center in in Loveland is more than a collection of old uniforms, books, and badges! In fact, all sorts of Girl Scout Cookies memorabilia is preserved here too, including cookie packages, tins, rewards, incentives, T-shirts, stuffed animals, hats, tote bags, and more.

In 1934, Keebler-Weyl Bakery in Philadelphia, PA was the first commercial company to bake Girl Scout Cookies. At one point, Girl Scout Cookies were baked by as many as 29 bakers across the country including United Biscuit Company of America in Chicago, IL; Bowman Biscuit in Denver, CO; Megowen Educator Food Company in Lowell, MA; Southern Biscuit Company (Famous Food of Virginia-FFV) in Richmond, VA; Burry’s Biscuit in Elizabeth, NJ and Chicago, IL; Weston Biscuit Company in Battle Creek, MI, Passaio, NJ and Burbank, CA; Brownie Baking Company, Spokane WN and Grandma Cookie Company in Portland, OR.

Now, the two official bakers are Little Brownie Bakers in Louisville, KY and ABC Bakery in Brownsburg, IL. Little Brownie Baker makes 450 million Thin Mints a day! Each year, we look forward to a new flavor to try, along with the must have Thin Mints, Trefoils, and Samoas.  On anniversaries such as the 100th and 75th, commemorative sampler tins and special boxes were sold. These, too, are collected and often donated to the History Center.

Recently, this image of a Burry’s case for DUTCH’N SUCH cookies and newspaper clipping were sent to us via Susan Kabat, GSCO volunteer support specialist. After a bit of searching on the internet, we determined that it was a cookie offered in the early 1980’s and had the windmill on it. According to Wikipedia, Burry Biscuit Company dates to 1888.  In 1938, it moved to Elizabeth, NJ from Chicago, IL and manufactured Girl Scout Cookies, which it called Plantation cookies. The cookies were packed in a sealed cardboard cylinder, and later the cookies were packed in cans. In 1962, Burry’s was the largest producer of Girl Scout Cookies in the nation and in 1980 changed its name to Burry-Lu.  For more than 50 years, Burry Lu supplied cookies to Girl Scout troops and in 1989, ABC Bakery purchased Burry’s Girl Scout cookie division.

GSCO History Center volunteers are busy year ‘round receiving, sometimes repairing, cataloging, lending, displaying, and preserving ALL types of Girl Scout memorabilia. Much of it is like a treasure hunt, tracking down first date of issue of national and international items, their catalog numbers, or originating council events. Then, we are challenged with safely storing them along with appropriate number of duplicates, when available. Rarely, do we save actual cookies from year to year, as they are too tasty to have around, but packages, cases, tins, and incentives are filed away. Remember, buying Girl Scout Cookies is a yummy way to support the girls, troops, and local Girl Scout council programs.

Our committee works hard to preserve and protect our Girl Scout history. We look forward to 2021, gathering again in person, and sharing our passion for Girl Scout History with you and your girls. If you have Girl Scout stories and memories, please share here as well.

Contact the GSCO History Center at gscohistory@gmail.com.

We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here.

Alumnae News, Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News

Girl Scout License Plates

Submitted by Penny Roberts

How many of you knew that Girl Scouts license plates were available in Colorado?  It’s been several years since we’ve sent out a reminder that the visibility of Girl Scouts in Colorado could be enhanced by putting Girl Scout license plates on any of your vehicles.

A task force was created through the Promise Partners alum group to create a license plate for Girl Scouts’ 100th Anniversary in 2012.  Wow!  That’s almost 10 years ago now; seems like only yesterday.  A long bureaucratic process was required to design the plate, complete all the forms required through the State, obtain more than 3,000 signatures on petitions, and ultimately get the legislation created and passed.

The eye-catching green and white license plate says on the bottom “Girl Scouts – Since 1912.”  The green color had to be the correct one, i.e., the one that GSUSA’s branding systems require as well as the State’s correct color palate.  Of course, the graphic of the Girl Scout insignia in the middle of the plate had to be the correct one, too.

The legislation was passed and a group of Girl Scout girl members and adults were in attendance at the bill signing with then Governor John Hickenlooper at the State Capital.  It was a fun day, meeting him and touring the capital building from bottom to top.

Then, the process continued to the Colorado Territorial Correctional Facility in Canon City, where license plates are made.  A group of us from Promise Partners arranged for a tour and to be present when the very first license plates came off the color printers and the 80-foot-long machine that laminated the plastic graphic to the aluminum plate.  We also saw how the correctional facility manufactures everything from banners to trophies to even motorcycles.

If you would like to promote Girl Scouting in Colorado, a good way is through the purchase or these unique and attractive Girl Scout license plates.  Folks will wave at you as you go by.  Contact your local County Clerk’s office to find out the current details and fees connected with the purchase of these plates.  Let’s keep the vision alive for another almost 100 years!

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.

Alumnae News, Camp, Events, Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News

2021 Women’s Week and MMR Reunion: Registration NOW Open

Submitted by Penny Roberts

Northern & Northeastern CO

Allenspark

Registration is open now for Women’s Week 2021 and the 60th Anniversary Meadow Mountain Ranch Reunion.  The dates are July 22 – 26, and the reunion’s special events will take place on Saturday, July 24.

Women’s Week has been running for several years now, with the exception, of course, of 2020, and those previous participants have been anxiously awaiting the return of the event.  As a result, Women’s Week will be sponsoring the reunion event, and activities will be integrated and coordinated throughout the weekend.

The theme for the combined event is “I Am Camp,” and many of you will remember the beloved poem which starts out “I am Camp; I am sunlight, a sheen on the water, a mist on the mountains, and stars.”  Our MMR staff alum, and artist in residence for many years, Deb Heidebrecht (“Pepper”) has created a themed graphic logo, which you will see on the flier and registration form below.  This logo will be featured on all materials as well as items for purchase during the events.

Women’s Week is open to all women ages 18 and up, and the reunion on Saturday is open to all MMR alums, families, GSCO staff, Board members, former campers, and friends.  For Women’s Week, you don’t have to be a registered Girl Scout or ever even been to camp before.  It’s a great chance to go to the high country in Colorado and have fun in the out-of-doors as a camper yourself.  The program plans itself, while all the usual activities are built in.  Hiking, singing, cooking, crafts, nature activities, tours of the area – – – the sky’s the limit.  If you have a special program to offer, please bring your materials and ideas and we will see there is a time for it.

Of course, the cuisine is one of the big attractions.  We love to cook outside over an open fire if conditions allow.  We are quite adventurous in our menu selections, while accommodating any special dietary needs.  If you remember doing Dutch oven cooking, bean hole cooking, stick cooking, or other outdoor cooking techniques, we’ll probably have it for you.  A chili cook-off or a pineapple upside down cake Dutch oven competition have been big hits in past years.

We are hoping to fill our event, while being aware during our planning that changes or restrictions might apply.  Keep your fingers crossed and register early if numbers are limited. Please contact Penny Roberts, very informal camp director, at (970) 586-1775 or email probertscolo@gmail.com if you have any questions.

2021 Women’s Week and MMR Reunion

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 was at the can send in her story here.

Alumnae News, Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News

Hello from the Girl Scouts of Colorado History Center in Loveland

Submitted by Girl Scouts of Colorado History Center

Northern & Northeastern CO

Loveland

This is the first in a series of blogs exploring the Girl Scouts of Colorado History Center, our Girl Scout history – nationally and internationally-, cookies, traditions, camping, games, and more.

The GSCO History Center is a museum that can be visited by girls, adults, alums, and others interested in Girl Scout history. It has a vast collection of vintage uniforms, accessories, badges, handbooks, dolls, cookie incentives, jewelry, camping equipment, flags, SWAPS, mugs, and more. It is full of artifacts from Girl Scouts of Colorado, Girl Scouts of the USA, and WAGGGS. As the statewide collection center for the council, it houses collections from the legacy councils of Columbine, Chipeta, Mile-Hi, Mountain Prairie, and Wagon Wheel.

Currently, because of state ordered COVID-19 restrictions, we cannot offer in-person visits, but we can put together resources for troops to work remotely on earning their Playing the Past badge and Girl Scout Way badge. Your troop or service unit can check out parade or fashion show tubs from the GSCO History Center too. Out-based programs include Books in a Bag. These bags are specific to grade level or topic and include vintage books and a program for their use. Contact us for more information. Once back to those cherished normal “non-COVID” days, we will welcome, by appointment, visits and tours, including trying on vintage uniforms (our oldest one dates back to 1919!) and a scavenger hunt to find items in the unique areas of the center.

If you have items to donate, contact a volunteer at the History Center. Once received, the experienced history committee will document the item’s age (year(s) of availability), Girl Scout catalog number, and price in  one of the many Girl Scout catalogs that go back to 1917! Then, it is photographed, a description is added.

The volunteer History Committee also creates displays about Juliette Gordon Low, WAGGGS, Girl Scout Cookies, camping, and more for Girl Scout Week, World Thinking Day, Founders Day, or other special events. They often have historical items on display in libraries and at Girls Scout properties around the state.

Our committee works hard to preserve and protect our Girl Scout history.  We look forward to 2021, to gathering again in person, and sharing our passion for Girl Scout history with you and your girls.  If you have Girl Scout stories and memories, please share on the GSCO Blog as well.

Email the GSCO History Center at gscohistory@gmail.com.

We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She was at the can send in her story here.

Alumnae News, Girl Scout News, Girl Scouting at Home, Girl Scouts News

Listen Now – Meet an Expert: Authors of “When Women Vote”

 

Girl Scouts of Colorado thanks Stephanie Donner and Amber McReynolds, the authors of “When Women Vote,” for participating in our “Meet an Expert” webinar series on October 28, 2020. Girl Scouts of all ages from across Colorado participated and learned about the book writing process, importance of women’s voting rights, and so much more! You can now watch and listen to this webinar here: https://youtu.be/ietV3_lRLkk

After introductions, Amber and Stephanie answered questions that girls submitted through registration and live in the chat box. We learned about their Girl Scout experience, inspiration for writing the book, and what is next for both of them.

Girl Scouts who participated in the live session or listen to the recording can purchase their “Meet an Expert” patch online: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/about-girl-scouts/gsco-shop.html

Questions? Email aimee.artzer@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.

Alumnae News, Camp, Events, Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News

Save the Date for Women’s Week 2021 and 60th Anniversary Reunion

 

Submitted by Penny Roberts

Meadow Mountain Ranch

Northern & Northeastern CO

In the true spirit of optimism, the energetic organizing committee is hard at work preparing for Meadow Mountain Ranch’s Women’s Week and 60th Anniversary Reunion combined event for July 22 – 26, 2021.

Women’s Week runs for four nights with the all-day reunion activities on Saturday.  An over-the-top banquet will be held on Saturday evening, along with an awards ceremony, campfire and other activities. Women’s Week allows ladies ages 18 and up to come to camp and play, make friends, sing and sing and sing together, hike, make crafts, cook outside, and generally, enjoy the ambiance and company of old and new friends.

The Reunion event will feature camp tours, crafts, “trading post” items for purchase, immersion in the history of MMR for the past 60 years, and of course, singing and singing and singing.

Full-time or part-time registrations are offered, and an online registration form will be available shortly.  Contact director, Penny Roberts, at (970) 586-1775 or at probertscolo@gmail.com for questions or more general information.

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.

Alumnae News, Girl Scout News, Girl Scouting at Home, Girl Scouts News

Listen now: Meet an Expert – Former Lieutenant Governor and Girl Scout Alum, Donna Lynne

Girl Scouts of Colorado thanks former Colorado Lieutenant Governor Donna Lynne, DrPH, for co-hosting our “Meet an Expert” webinar. More than 40 Girl Scouts from across Colorado participated in this webinar on October 8, 2020. Missed it? Listen to the recording here.

Donna Lynne served as the 49th Lieutenant Governor of Colorado from 2016 to 2019. She also served in a dual capacity as the Chief Operating Officer of the State of Colorado. Prior to her appointment, she was an executive with Kaiser Permanente. Today, Donna is the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Columbia University Irving Medical Center and the CEO of Columbia Doctors in New York, NY. She is recognized as one of the top women business leaders in Denver and one of the top 25 Women in Healthcare in the nation.

Donna spoke to girls about her education, career, and passions. We learned that Donna is an avid skier and hiker, and also has a passion for field hockey. Following the former Lt. Governor’s presentation, Girl Scouts had the opportunity to participate in a live Q&A session. We also learned about the American Mountaineering Center, Expedition Health, Spark the Change Colorado (formerly Metro Volunteers), and Electing Women – all groups and organizations that Donna has worked with throughout her career.

Participating in this webinar fulfills Step Two of the NEW democracy badges for all levels, find out about state government (https://www.girlscoutshop.com/BADGES-PROGRAM/NEW-FEATURED-ITEMS4/new-civics-badges).

Girl Scouts who participated in the live session or listen to the recording can purchase their “Meet an Expert” patch online: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/about-girl-scouts/gsco-shop.html

Questions? Email aimee.artzer@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.

Alumnae News, Girl Scout News, Girl Scouting at Home, Girl Scouts News

Listen now: Meet an Expert – The Energetic Side of Engineering

Girl Scouts of Colorado thanks Jill Tietjen for co-hosting our “Meet an Expert – The Energetic Side of Engineering” webinar. More than 20 Girl Scouts from across Colorado participated in this webinar on September 16, 2020. Missed it? Listen to the recording here.

Jill is an engineer, advocate, historian, lifetime Girl Scout, and champion of all women. As a professional engineer, Jill spent more than 40 years in the electric utility industry and was the national president of the Society of Women Engineers and the first woman to serve on the board of directors of the Rocky Mountain Electrical League and its first female president. Jill was on the board of Girl Scouts – Mile Hi Council from 1999 – 2007 and was board chair from 2003 – 2007. She is also an inductee of the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame and the Colorado Author’s Hall of Fame, and a Girl Scouts of Colorado Woman of Distinction. Today, Jill is an advocate for women and girls in STEM fields and the president and CEO of Technically Speaking, Inc.

During this webinar, Jill spoke to girls about her education, career, and what life is like working as a woman in STEM. She also walked girls through a lesson on energy consumption and how the electric utility industry functions. After her presentation, girls had an opportunity to participate in a live Q&A.

Girl Scouts who participated in the live session or listen to the recording can purchase their “Meet an Expert” patch online: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/about-girl-scouts/gsco-shop.html

Questions? aimee.artzer@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.

Alumnae News, Events

Calling All Girl Scout Alums

Submitted by Penny Roberts

Northern & Northeastern CO

Estes Park

Calling all Girl Scout alums! It’s gorgeous in the fall in Colorado, and this is a great time to “pick up our toys” and get back to more direct involvement with a variety of activities, groups, and events available to all adults age 18 and older.

The following is a list of many different ways you and your family can express your support of Girl Scouts of Colorado in general and your own personal interests in particular. If you have seen or heard of these items before, let this serve as a reminder. They are listed in no particular order of importance. Please contact me for further information on any of the following listings.

Girl Scout License Plates

In 2012, GSCO had a taskforce that created a Girl Scout license plate in time for the 100th birthday of Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA). The procedure took almost three years to complete, involving obtaining more than 3,000 signatures, getting the legislation drafted and through the Colorado government processes, and then watching the production of the first run of plates at the Colorado Territorial Correctional Facility in Canon City. These license plates are available for most any vehicle and provide ongoing awareness of how long-lasting and visible Girl Scouts are in our communities. The cost is an extra one-time fee of $50, and plates can be purchased at any county clerk’s office in the state.

Songbirds Girl Scout Choir

Beginning at the 90th Anniversary Roundup event in 2002, the Songbirds Girl Scout Choir was created to keep traditions alive through learning, singing, and performing a huge variety of both Girl Scout songs from back to the beginning to campfire songs, clapping games, folk music, graces, international songs, etc.  While the choir is currently (sadly) on hiatus because of the pandemic restrictions, we usually meet on the second Saturday of every month at Berthoud Elementary School. The choir is open to adults, children, troops, families, and friends of all kinds. There is no registration required and no cost involved. It’s great when alums can bring daughters, granddaughters, and others to help keep everyone “Happy All the Time!”

Meadow Mountain Ranch Fund Drive

Meadow Mountain Ranch (MMR) is held very closely to our hearts and our precious mountain property near Allenspark always needs financial support to continue to provide troops, families, and other groups the opportunity to come explore the high country in all seasons of the year. Contributions can be made directly to GSCO earmarked specifically for Meadow Mountain Ranch, or watch in the mail and through other media outlets for a newsletter three or four times per year.  This newsletter gives updates, inspirational stories by alums from the past 60 years, and sometimes photos, poetry, or a “wish list” of ongoing projects or “pie-in-the sky” suggestions for present or future improvements.

Women’s Week and 60th Anniversary Reunion

2021 will be celebration time for 60 years of operation at Meadow Mountain Ranch (MMR). The Women’s Week event will sponsor the reunion, and the dates are ready to be marked solidly in your 2021 calendars.  July 22 – 26 will allow us four nights to come and stay and play, with an open house/reunion function, fantastic banquet and campfire celebrations on Saturday, July 24. Watch for separate materials coming out soon, including costs and registration forms and program information. We’re hoping for a HUGE turnout!

Green Hat Society

This is a group of Girl Scout alums who have chapters around the country. The local chapter in Northeastern Colorado is the Plains to Peaks (P2P) Chapter.  Green Hat Society members enjoy fellowship with local chapter members as well as trips and meetings with members from around the country.  Service and girl program are important parts of the Green Hat Society.

Promise Partners

This is another local Girl Scout alum group made up of women in Northeastern Colorado. It began in the 1990s as a group of alums from Legacy Girl Scouts – Mountain Prairie Council who wanted a way to continue to be active Girl Scout volunteers. The group traditionally meets four times a year for fellowship and service. We hope to continue meeting in person in the near future. Two significant groups came from Promise Partners. One is the Songbirds Choir and the other is the council History Group. Promise Partners also sponsored two trips to Our Cabana in Mexico to participate in programs around the Monarch Butterfly migration and in service to help in the rescue and preservation of Sea Turtles.

History Group

This group of history buffs consists of eight volunteers who meet weekly at the GSCO History Center in Loveland. They organize and catalog many Girl Scout items including uniforms, books, collectibles, ephemera, and international items. They also have several programs available for troop visits. (These are now on hold until further notice.) The History volunteers enjoy setting up displays for local area events, libraries, etc. and are able to attend local events to share Girl Scout history with troops. There are also uniforms and books available to check out. Groups interested in uniforms to wear in parades or to hold a fashion show can email the committee. They welcome donations of any and all Girl Scout-related items and currently have items from more than 300 donors.

Thanks for checking in with us on all these activities. In reality, there are plenty for Girl Scout alums of all ages and locations to help us further involvement and commitment to everyone within the Girl Scouts of Colorado family. We’ll get you on any or all of these membership lists as you contact us.

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.