Category Archives: Alumnae News

Alumnae News, Volunteer News

Girl Scout alumna summits all 58 of Colorado’s peaks over 14,000 feet as solo climber

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Submitted by Debbie Swanson

Pikes Peak

Colorado Springs

Laura Clark, a Girl Scout alum and current troop leader in the Pikes Peak Region, summited all of Colorado’s 58 peaks over 14,000 ft. solo. She completed them in under 14 months, finishing in September of 2018. Laura is a Lifetime Girl Scout and contributes much of her success to the experiences she had in the Girl Scout program. In Girl Scouts, Laura found a space where she could be herself, unlike at school where she felt pressured to fit in. Laura became a Girl Scout in 1986 and was a member of Girl Scout Troop 1494 and later Troop 1503 in Mission Viejo, CA. Her leadership journey began as troop treasurer, collecting 50-cent meeting dues. Her troop rotated through leadership positions, learning how to run effective meetings, set agendas, keep accurate records, and plan activities. Because of Girl Scouts, Laura was able to try new things. If she was interested in sewing or hiking or camping or cooking or first-aid, there was always a Girl Scout badge where she could learn more. She made lifelong friends in Girl Scouts, of whom with many she’s stayed in contact. Her favorite Girl Scout experience was camp. And, of course, singing Girl Scout songs!

“Girl Scout Camp is where I first learned how to shoot a bow and arrow, start a fire, cook outdoors, use a compass, hike at night, rock climb, swim and canoe in a pond, tack and ride and care for a horse (while backpacking in all types of weather) and successful problem solving and conflict resolution strategies. I was encouraged to lead where I could and to try new things.”

Summitting all 58 of Colorado’s peaks over 14,000 feet usually takes years, if not decades, to complete. Laura credits Girl Scouts for the physical and mental strength, endurance, careful planning, determination, adaptability, high-risk tolerance, willingness to ask questions and research, and love of the outdoors, animals, and all types of weather needed to complete the feat. Laura carefully chose her ‘finisher,’  the last peak a climber needs to summit, to say they have summited them all, and it is usually chosen for a special reason. 14er enthusiasts are known for choosing their finisher well in advance. Laura chose Mt. Sherman in honor of Camp Sherman, the Girl Scout Camp in California that started her on her path towards loving the outdoors, adventure, goal-setting, leadership, and girl power.

Laura currently leads Girl Scout Senior Troop 2393 and the troop’s Outdoor Survival Team and has assisted seven girls in earning the Girl Scout Gold Award (and has several more working towards this goal). Last year, she led the first-ever Girl Scout Rocket Troop 46319.
Laura works in marketing and also writes for her blog where she reflects on hiking and Girl Scouts. Laura credits the interpersonal skills, business skills, goal- setting, and marketing she learned from the Girl Scout Cookie Program to helping her in her marketing career.

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, Highest Awards Archive, Take Action/Highest Awards

Christina Bear’s message to Colorado Bronze, Silver, and Gold Award Girl Scouts

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Gold Award Girl Scout Christina Bear is the first recipient of Girl Scouts of Colorado’s Stephanie A. Foote Leadership Prize for Gold Award Excellence. In 2015, Christina earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouts, for organizing a week-long technology program for Latino students at Horizons Summer Program at Colorado Academy. Through informal learning in computer and robot programming and mini-science experiments, students were engaged and excited about technology. Later that year, she was awarded the Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy Award presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Now a student at Harvard University, Christina has a special message to Colorado Bronze, Silver, and Gold Award Girl Scouts.

My name is Christina Bear and I am the first Girl Scout to receive the Stephanie A. Foote Leadership Prize  for Gold Award Excellence. Thank you GSCO and thank you Ms. Foote.

There are three pillars of this award that I see every single day.

  1. Excellence. It constantly inspires me to be the best I can be no matter what I do.
  2. Community impact no matter how small or big.
  3. Networking with people having different skill sets and sharing my very own skill sets to be stronger and better as a team.

I attend Harvard University and I’m a junior majoring in Computer Science. My favorite class: CS50. After my freshman year, I was invited to be a Teaching Fellow and I’ve done that for two years. Girl Scouts gave me many opportunities to teach and having confidence to teach makes it smoother.

After my freshman year, I went to Paris and worked with a team of students in an Urban Biology summer elective to find a solution for refugees in Paris who need access to water for bathing and hygiene. From the get go, I led my team to truly create impact for a global challenge. We had to work hard to make our project sustainable (bubblebox.com). I’m happy to share with you our community project won a grant of 25000 euros to further our prototype and I am networking with the engineering department here at Harvard to bring the prototype to fruition. My skills from Girl Scouts of organization, team building, and communication have sure come in handy!

This summer, I will be doing an internship at Facebook. It was like preparing for my Gold Award. Interview skills, resumes, business cards, thank you emails, and follow up letters – all these skills I learned at Girl Scouts came to help me in searching for my internship.

Ms. Foote, the staff members, and Board of Directors of GSCO, and my Gold Award mentor, Ms. RaeAnn Dougherty, I want to thank you. You have given me the gift of empowerment and shown me the importance of community impact which for me has now taken on a global scope.

To all Gold Girl Scouts, Silver, and Bronze, your hard work makes a difference in our community. Grow yourself to be the best you can be. Believe in yourself and trust in your skills set. I am incredibly proud of you!

Alumnae News, Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News, Volunteer News

Daisy’s Circle Supporter Spotlight: Linda Robinson

Tell us about your connection to Girl Scouts.

I am a lifetime member and long time volunteer. I was a Girl Scout as a girl for nine years and came back to help lead my oldest daughter’s Daisy troop in 1985. I was a leader for 20 years with my three daughters and am a proud mom to three Gold Award Girl Scouts. (One is a Daisy’s Circle member and troop leader in Colorado.) Currently, I volunteer on the GSCO History Committee, help with Core Camps at Meadow Mountain Ranch, and am active with Girl Scout Alumnae. I have also been serving on the Gold Award Committee since 2004.

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

The most valuable thing that Girl Scouts gives girls today is the power to make their own decisions. Girls are challenged to think for themselves and are given a safe space to make mistakes and learn from them.

Why did you join Daisy’s Circle?

I joined Daisy’s Circle as it an easy way to continue to give to a great organization without a lot of fuss.

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?

I have been happily married for 40 years and have two grandsons and one granddaughter. I enjoy traveling, gardening, sewing, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

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

Survey for Girl Scout alumnae

Gold Award Girl Scout Jill Meyer has created a research study examining personality traits of Girl Scout alumnae. To participate in her study, click on this link: https://buffalostate.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4H4PS8zkvePSvzL. Eligible participants are Girl Scout alumnae between the ages of 18-24. Participants must also have been in Girl Scouts until graduation from high school, or stopped participating in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade.

GS Eflyer

Alumnae News, Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News

Women of Distinction Denver: Corporate Champion Awards

Do you know of a Denver business or corporate team who is dedicated to helping women and girls succeed through their volunteerism, mentorship, and philanthropic efforts? Nominate now for the Women of Distinction Corporate Champion Award. Honorees will be announced in May 2019.

The 2019 Corporate Champion will be recognized at the 2019 Women of Distinction Thin Mint Dinner on October 8, 2019 in Denver. The annual Thin Mint Dinner recognizes Women of Distinction and Corporate Champions who serve as models of inspiration to Girl Scouts.

A nominated business should:

  • Demonstrate dedication to advancing women in their industry
  • Provide support and encouragement to women and girls in their industry, including a dynamic and inclusive working environment
  •  Have a proven track record of community service/volunteerism to support girls’ and women’s issues
  • Raise awareness about the remarkable work of talented women in our community

Nominations open through March 22, 2019 at https://gscolorado.formstack.com/forms/untitled_form_64. (to nominate a business, select Denver, and Woman of Distinction Corporate Champion)

Questions? Contact Heidi.Books@gscolorado.org or (303) 607 – 4833.

Alumnae News, Cookies, Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News

Uniform to Uniform: Broomfield Police Officer visits Troop 65576

Submitted by Crystal Fox

Metro Denver

Broomfield

Broomfield Police doing what they do best, community! We ADORE our police officers and respect what they do so much. The girls were so excited to have Officer Becker visit them at Walmart on 121st Ave. in Broomfield. She showed the girls her car, let them sit in the driver’s seat, and be in the back. She also purchased a package of Thin Mints and donated $16! She is a Girl Scout alum and was so excited to share what she loved about being an officer with our girls. Such a fun morning!

Our Girl Scouts said they were excited to share their experiences about being a Girl Scout with the officer and have the officer share memories with them about when she was a Girl Scout.

Invite uniformed personnel, such as law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, etc., to visit you at your cookie booth as part of Uniform to Uniform! Learn all about this new patch program on the GSCO Blog: https://bit.ly/2VaYX1a

Alumnae News, Camp

Women’s Week 2019: Registration is open now

Submitted by Penny “Pan” Roberts, very informal camp director for Women’s Week at Meadow Mountain Ranch

Northern & Northeastern CO

Meadow Mountain Ranch

Women’s Week at Meadow Mountain Ranch (MMR) is the most fun you can have at camp since you were 11-years-old! I promise! Even if you have never been to camp before you will “Make New Friends” (there’s me singing!) and do new things.  If you are a seasoned veteran of this or all or any other camps, I promise a unique mountain experience of fun and adventure of our own making.

The information flyer is at the bottom of this blog post.

Registration for Women’s Week 2019 (July 15 – 18) is open now!

Besides that huge variety of activities possible, we always have great food, thanks to Susan Baker and her food service team who help us experiment with cooking in the outdoors.

If you have a favorite activity, craft, hike, song you’d like us to include in the time at camp, just let me know and we’ll get it scheduled.  If you can offer a special craft, music, ceremony, or other fun program, let me know that, too, and we’ll set it up for you.

All of MMR is open to us this year, including the Pinecrest Unit for the folks looking for a different view or a little more solitude.  The flyer mentions a variety of new offerings if interest is there.

Opportunities for service projects for the camp can be arranged as well.  Of course, if you are hoping for some true get-away time from your usual hectic lives, this is the opportunity.  Chill, rest, relax, play, enjoy.  Immerse yourself in the beauty and unique mountain environment.  Water, grass, trees, sky, flowers, rocks – – – even dirt if you’d like to play in it!

The event is open to any woman at least 18 years of age.  Some of the multi-generational teams who have come like moms and daughters (mine included), aunts, and granddaughters have had the best bonding time imaginable.  I’d highly recommend it.  Bring your old camp friends, bring your stressed-out co-workers, all are welcome and the more the merrier!  Having just ladies there gives us a special liberating experience from most anything else in our lives today.  Sharing our huge variety of lives and experiences helps us all gain truly long-lasting perspective and lets us return home anxious for next summer already!

Gals have come from all over the country from Maine to Washington, including Arizona, California, Hawaii, Connecticut, Utah, Kansas, Texas, and many other states.  The word is spreading about how much fun Women’s Week is and we’d love to have you join us.

Special needs can usually be accommodated easily.  The camp is glorious and truly one of our favorite places on earth.  My contact information is at the bottom of the flyer and I serve as director, registrar, and I’ll even do dishes when my patrol’s turn comes up!

2019 WW flyer

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

Oldest Girl Scout in Mancos

Submitted by Cindy Francisco

Southwestern CO

Mancos

We wanted to share our experience at Mancos Valley Inn Nursing Home while caroling. There was a sweet old lady named Mac Neely, age 97, who did Girl Scouts for 58 years and had a blanket of all her patches in her room. Her first troop was number 78 at the age of 12. It is amazing how you meet people! If you are ever in Mancos, stop by there and see her. Hear her stories and if you look on the top of the blanket, there is a ghost patch she earned by helping push a Navy ship. We wish we could have stayed longer to hear more stories.

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

Girls learn “Secrets to Success” from Colorado Springs businesswomen

More than 75 girls in grades 6-12 from along the Front Range had the unique opportunity to connect with Colorado Springs area professional women in a speed-dating format, panel discussion, and networking lunch.  Secrets to Success was held in the Pikes Peak region on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.

Secrets to Success, presented by AT&T and powered by Girl Scouts of Colorado, introduced girls to more than 20 professional women! Breakout sessions went deeper into career options including skilled trades, education, STEM, public service, healthcare, and entrepreneurship. 2008 Olympic Weightlifter Carissa Gump gave the keynote speech.

Special thanks to event sponsors: El Pomar Foundation, GE Johnson, Newmont Mining, Ent Credit Union, Garden of the Gods Collection, Nor’wood Development Group, Union Pacific Foundation, and the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Alumnae News, Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News

Media Stars go behind-the-scenes at WeatherNation

GSCO Media Stars recently got a special opportunity to go behind-the-scenes at WeatherNation in Centennial. Girl Scouts were the special guests of Meredith Garofalo, Girl Scout alum and meteorologist for the network.  During the tour, girls had the opportunity to do their own weather forecast on the green screen, watch a live weather cast, and see how weather casts are put together for television stations around the United States and in the Caribbean. After the tour, Meredith answered questions about her Girl Scout experience, how she got started in meteorology, how she has overcome obstacles in her personal life and career, and how Girl Scouts helped her become the G.I.R.L. she is today.

You can learn more about Meredith on the GSCO Blog, as she was recently featured as part of our Colorado G.I.R.L. campaign: http://gscoblog.org/colorado-g-i-r-l-meredith-garofalo/