Category Archives: Volunteer News

Cookies, Cookies Volunteers, Girl Scout News, Girl Scouting at Home, Girl Scouts News, Volunteer News

2020 Fall Product Program starts September 12

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Girl Scouts of Colorado’s Fall Product Program is a safe, easy, and fun way for troops to earn proceeds for future Girl Scout adventures and build their entrepreneurial business skills, by running their own online storefront! Here are three reasons you should participate in the 2020 Fall Product Program.

  1. The Fall Product Program can be done entirely online, eliminating face-to-face interactions with customers! Nuts, candy, and magazines can be ordered online and shipped directly to customers. Girls can also choose to sell nut and candy items to friends and family in-person, and customers can select girl delivery for nut and candy items.
  2. All troops receive 13% of their magazine orders as troop proceeds, plus $1/item for nuts and chocolates. While you may still have funds/Cookie Credits from the 2020 Girl Scout Cookie Program waiting to be used, funds from Fall Product Program can help you take those plans to the next level and give back to your community in an even more meaningful way.
  3. Hone your business skills, particularly goal-setting, decision-making, money management, people skills, and business ethics. These will not only help you today, but also as you become one of our country’s next great leaders! Setting goals and problem-solving go hand-in-hand with teaching girls how to chart a course and adjust to overcome the bumps along the way.

The Fall Product Program gives girls the chance to put their skills into action, show off their Girl Scout spirit, and let their confidence soar as they interact with customers and remind the community that Girl Scouts are still here changing the world. Through the digital platform, M2OS, your girl can create her own virtual storefront and send personalized messages about how she is using the courage, confidence, and character she has developed through her Girl Scout Leadership Experience to continue making a difference in this world. She will show that the world has changed, but she’s ready to face that challenge.

Important 2020 Fall Product Program Dates

September 12 – Fall Product Program begins

October 11 – In-person sales end/Last day for Nut Promise orders

October 14 – Online, girl delivery orders close. Online orders of shipped nuts candy and magazines continue.

October 26 – Online Storefront closes

Girls earn rewards based on their participation in the Fall Product Program and they have the option of choosing Cookie Credits as rewards too. All rewards are cumulative. By selling $275 in combined sales, girls can also earn a personalized avatar patch – choosing between lots of avatar customizations – including having her avatar kayaking or relaxing in a hammock and wearing her Girl Scout uniform.

All materials for Fall Product Program are shipped directly to service unit fall product program managers (SUFPM) and then distributed to troops. This year, SUFPMs will coordinate pick-up or drop-offs following state and local safety guidelines. Volunteers and families can also download or print Fall Product Program materials, except money envelopes, from the Fall Product Program Resources page on the GSCO website. This year, all Fall Product Program training can be presented virtually. Short, easy to access training videos will be available in September for troop volunteers and families.

For more information, go to the Fall Product Program page on the GSCO website or contact GSCO customer care at 1-877-404-5708 or inquiry@gscolorado.org.

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

Blending Badge Series in Your Troop’s Experience

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Leaders, are you looking at this upcoming Girl Scout year and feeling a little uncertain about how to engage your girls in a virtual setting? We are here to help! Girl Scouts of Colorado has launched a new virtual program called Badge Series. Each month we provide online learning modules that instruct girls on how to complete badges and some months we even start a Journey!

Join us on August 19, 2020 from noon – 1 p.m. for a virtual chat where we will share some tips and tricks on how to blend badge series into your troop’s experience and take some of the stress of planning off your shoulders.

Register now: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/events-repository/2020/blending_badge_serie.html

Want the information, but can’t make the time? Still register and we will send you a link to the recording.

Questions? Email GirlExperience@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.

Events, Girl Scout News, Girl Scouting at Home, Girl Scouts News, Volunteer News

Kick off your Girl Scout year by attending a VIRTUAL Leadership Summit

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Leadership Summits, learning opportunities for adult volunteers, will be offered virtually  for Fall 2020. That means you will get the skills and knowledge needed to provide a positive Girl Scout experience all from the comfort of your own home!

While we are unable to meet in-person right now, volunteers will still have the opportunity to learn new things, share and discuss ideas, and connect with other volunteers. The training courses offered are designed to equip leaders with the tools for success!

There are four opportunities to attend each training course. You do not need to attend all of the courses offered each day. You can pick and choose the day and time that work best for you and register for each course individually.

  • September 8 – 11 (weekdays)
  • September 18 – 20
  • September 26 – 28
  • November 6 – 8 

Visit the Training Events page on the Girl Scouts of Colorado website for links to register! Please contact training@gscolorado.org for questions.

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.

Events, Girl Scout News, Girl Scouting at Home, Girl Scouts News, Volunteer News

Explore More Club: Registration is Now Open for August 2020

Get ready for the August 2020 Explore More Club! This month, adult volunteers will explore the topics of ecology and the outdoors by basing projects and activities based off of the eco outdoor and animals badges of the girl program!

The Explore More Club is designed to give you, the volunteer, a hands-on experience with the girl badge earning program and curriculum! You will be completing your own projects and learning how one activity can span across multiple girl grade levels.

Register on the Events page now to attend the welcome meeting on either August 6 at 5:30 p.m. or August 7 at 4 p.m. where we will discuss and explain the activities for the month.  If you cannot attend the welcome meeting times, you may still register for a meeting time, the meeting will be recorded to watch at a later date.

After the welcome meeting you will have the month to complete the activity, closing out with our reflection meeting.

Once you are registered, you will receive a follow up email with more details about how to attend the welcome and reflection meetings, logging your progress on gsLearn, and how to connect on a Facebook page.

If you have questions, email Kendy at Kendy.Doolen@gscolorado.org or have trouble completing registration email, inquiry@gscolorado.org or call 877-404-5708.

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.

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

Twelve Ways to Keep Your Girl Scouts Engaged

Even though things look different than we’d hoped right now, your Girl Scout has so much to look forward to! If you’re struggling to keep your girl/troop connected (or simply need some new ideas), we have these 12 simple tips for keeping your Girl Scouts engaged.

  1. Renew your Girl Scout’s (or your troop’s) membership! The best way to keep your girls connected and engaged is by letting them know you are here for them! Renewing your/your troop’s membership lets girls and families know that there is something to look forward to. Even in these uncertain times, Girl Scouts is still here with opportunities to earn badges, participate in virtual events, and complete safe service projects. And let’s not forget, Girl Scouting teaches tangible, innovative problem-solving and life skills. You don’t want to miss the many exciting events and activities that Girl Scouts of Colorado has planned. Reminder: You can now use Cookie Credits to renew girl membership! To use your Cookie Credits fill out the Cookie Credit Reimbursement form.
  2. Earn one of 24 NEW badges just released by Girl Scouts of the USA! From topics like automotive engineering and STEM careers to civics and entrepreneurship, these badges give all girls more opportunities to practice ambitious leadership.
  3. Encourage girls and families to participate in GSCO’s NEW Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programming and earn the “Diverse. Inclusive. Together.” patch. This is an opportunity for families to not only have conversations about differences, race, and racism, but also for caregivers and siblings to learn more about Girl Scouts’ core values.
  4. Earn badges as part of GSCO’s FREE virtual monthly series! For August 2020, we will be focused on the animal and eco badges. Check the GSCO Events Calendar for future opportunities and how to register.
  5. Register for a “Meet an Expert” webinar! This webinar series is a great opportunity for girls to meet women in different career paths. Most webinars in this series will relate back to a Girl Scout badge and all will include a moderated Q&A. Check the GSCO Events Calendar for information on upcoming webinars and how to sign up!
  6. Join one of our book or art clubs! Registration is now open for these Zoom-based clubs, which are led by a GSCO staff member.
  7. Connect with adult volunteers as part of the Explore More Club! Learn how to teach particular topics/badges to your girls ahead of time. Each month, the club will focus on a different program topic. The topic for August 2020 is ecology and the outdoors!
  8. Earn badges with help from GSCO’s Outreach Program! Girl Scouts of all ages can follow along as a GSCO staff member explains how to complete each step of a particular badge. Badges can be earned on your own time and at home.
  9. Start working to earn your Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award! Check out the GSCO Events Calendar for upcoming training and brainstorming sessions.
  10. Participate in a national service project! From connecting with senior citizens to making masks and face coverings, see how you can make the world a better place. Visit theGSUSA National Service Projects page for full details.
  11. Learn more about resources to meet virtually. There are free and low-cost tools troops and service units are using for virtual meetings. While we cannot endorse or support specific online meeting tools, we encourage you to look at these and alternative options and discuss with caregivers and girls to determine what the best solution is for your troop or service unit needs.
  12. Check out what’s happening on the GSCO Blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! Girls and troops across the state have been sharing stories of how they’re earning badges/patches, staying connected with their Girl Scout sisters, making the world a better place, and more. Add your stories and photos using the Share Your Stories form.
Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News, Volunteer News

Volunteer View: July 2020

Summer Series

Want to connect with other girls and explore your interests over the summer? Join one of our summer clubs or sign-up for a badge series! Get more information about the summer series on our website and register on the events calendar.

Camp-In-A-Box

Girl Scouts of Colorado is bringing some of the fun of Girl Scout camp to you at home! Tomahawk Ranch and Sky High Ranch are offering camp-in-a-box experiences this July and August. Choose from themes like arts, adventure, nature, wizards, and more! Each box is $50 and will ship after the registration deadline. Find all themes and ordering information on the blog.

If you have questions or run into trouble completing registration, please contact inquiry@gscolorado.org or 877-404-5708.

How do you plan to engage this fall?

We would love to learn how you are planning to engage your girls in Girl Scouts this fall. Complete this two question survey to share.

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.

Diverse. Together. Inclusive.

Girl Scouts of Colorado is proud to unveil ways for everyone, not just girls or Girl Scouts, to develop an appreciation for the rich diversity of various cultures in their community and around the world.

GSCO is partnering with Children’s Hospital Colorado, Colorado Mountain College, Denver Public Schools, and Denver7 on a new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion patch program, adapted from a program developed by our Girl Scout sisters in Minneapolis.

The program is designed to help participants start the conversation about race and racism by learning to appreciate diversity and honor and celebrate differences. Grant funding will provide FREE patches to the first 750 Girl Scouts of Colorado girl members who complete all activity and reporting requirements. Use this online form to request your patch.

In addition, “Conversation Starters: Let’s Talk Differences” virtual roundtables on July 30 and August 13 will give families the tools they need to begin talking about issues related to race and racism. Both parents and children will deepen their understanding and respect for people who may be different from them and learn how to better relate to others. RSVP now for the Conversation Starters and submit your questions for our experts.

In-Person Gatherings Guidelines

Girl Scouts of Colorado is allowing in-person gatherings of troops and groups as long as they follow social distancing and safety guidelines. At this time, state guidelines allow groups of 10 to gather and maintain 6-feet of social distance between non-family members. COVID-19 has made different impacts in different locations. You may follow the current guidelines posted in your county, however gatherings should be limited to the size of one troop (no service unit in-person gatherings at this point). Please review this document with GSCO recommendations and links to county restrictions before planning your in-person activities. All minor and adult participants will need to have a COVID waiver on file with Girl Scouts of Colorado. We will continue to monitor local, state, and national guidelines, and re-evaluate our status every two weeks.

All GSCO property reservations are canceled through July 31. Refunds are being processed.

Note: These guidelines are in effect for all in-person Girl Scout gatherings, including those where girls might not be present. For more information about how Girl Scouts of Colorado is working to keep our community safe, visit our website.

Connect with volunteers through the Explore More Club

Explore More Club is a series of live sessions and activities developed specifically for you, the volunteer! Connect with the Girl Scout program and curriculum in a new way! Develop courage, confidence, and character as an active volunteer with Girl Scouts of Colorado. Each month will focus on a different program topic.

August is Ecology and the Outdoors!

Information about upcoming topics and how to register is available on our blog.

For any questions, please contact us at training@gscolorado.org.

The GSCO Shop is now offering non-contact pickup

The GSCO Shop in Denver is closed to in-person shopping, but free shipping statewide and non-contact pickup is available in Denver! Updated phased re-opening will be messaged to our membership as details are available.

Learn more about non-contact pickup.

GSCO retail associates are available by phone and email Monday through Friday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. for orders.

NEW! You can now shop for GSCO specific merchandise online. Check out our new council’s own online order form!  Submit the order form and we will contact you for payment and shipping/pickup options. Items are added weekly.

As always our online shop is open and available 24 hours a day. Check back often for GSUSA purchase and shipping promotions.

Get more information by downloading the shop closure FAQ.

To contact the shop call 303-607-4880 or email retail@gscolorado.org. If you reach voicemail, leave a detailed message.

Highest Awards News

Due to the current health crisis, GSUSA has given all troops a three-month extension to complete Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award projects in 2020. Troops and girls now have until December 31, 2020 to complete their projects and submit the Bronze and Silver Notification form.

Attention all Senior and Ambassador troop leaders! Now is the time to encourage your Girl Scouts to pursue their Gold Award. Don’t miss out on our upcoming virtual Gold Award training opportunities. To view and register for trainings in your area or online, visit the GSCO Events page.

Have girls who are working on their Gold Award projects? Remind them to email Highest Awards Manager, Kaitie LoDolce, when they submit their initial proposals through Go Gold. You can also always encourage girls to reach out to Kaitie at any stage of their projects for help at highestawards@gscolorado.org.

Learn more

Older Girl Advisory Board

Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors, have you been looking for a way to grow your leadership skills while helping local Girl Scouts? Join the Older Girl Advisory Board! Mark your calendars. The application window will be open July 20-August 7.

GSUSA’s National Service Projects

Girl Scouts are always prepared to shine, especially during a crisis. From connecting with senior citizens to making masks and face coverings, see how you can make the world a better place right now.  Now your troop can get involved too!

Girl Scouts Give Back: Citizen Science: This summer, your troop can contribute to important scientific research by participating in one of our Girl Scouts Give Back citizen science projects. We’ve partnered with SciStarter, an online citizen science community, to help get you going!

Mask Making Service Project: Now, with this nationwide mask-making campaign, all girls have the chance to step up to help their friends, neighbors, and frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. And we’ve partnered with Feeding America, a network of local food banks across the U.S., to make it easy for your girls to amplify their efforts.

Letter Writing Service Project: The idea is simple: girls write letters to people in nursing homes, senior residences, and assisted living facilities, including the dedicated staff and caregivers. This long-distance hug is a way to share your good thoughts with these vulnerable and loved community members.

Visit the GSUSA National Service Projects page for full details on each project.

Three Reasons to Renew Your Girl Scout Membership Today

Be ready to go for fall!

The current membership year ends Sept. 30, 2020. With the constant changes to your and your Girl Scout’s routine, registering now will ensure you won’t get sidetracked by the start of school, or fall activities, and forget to re-register!

Keep the Girl Scout experience going!

Girls can stay connected to their Girl Scout sisters while earning badges through online activities with Girl Scouts at Home. They can also participate in live virtual events and safe service projects that keep her engaged and inspired. And let’s not forget, Girl Scouting teaches tangible, innovative problem-solving and life skills.

It’s easy and fast!

Parents, troops, and volunteers can easily renew membership for themselves or their girl(s) online at MyGS. Renewing early gives you more time to ask for help and address technical issues before the fall rush.

Don’t miss out on another year of Girl Scouting, renew today!

Learn More

Community Partnerships and Events

National Virtual Calendar

Check out awesome virtual experiences for Girl Scouts of all ages from Girl Scouts of the USA. You can also access past recordings through this calendar.

NEW Intro to Global Girl Scouts video

Girl Scouts of Colorado’s Global Action Team is excited to launch their new “Intro to Global Girl Scouts” video! Interest in the world has been an integral part of the Girl Scout movement and program since the very beginning. As Juliette Gordon Lowe, founder of Girl Scouts in the USA stated, “Girl Guiding and Girl Scouts is the magic thread which links the youth of the world together.” This new video from the Global Action Team is the perfect way to start learning about the global aspects of Girl Scouts.

“Meet an Expert” webinar series

“Meet an Expert” webinars continue! These webinars are a great opportunity for girls to meet women in different career paths. Most webinars in this series will relate back to a Girl Scout badge and all will include a moderated Q&A. Check our events calendar, blog, and social media for information on how to sign up!

July 22: Meet an Expert – Animal Rescue Executive Director, registration for this event will be posted on the website soon.

Crocs Come As You Are Patch™

Girl Scouts of Colorado is proud to partner with Crocs to teach girls to Come As You Are™! Based in Niwot, Crocs’ proclamation to the world is to be comfortable in your own shoes. Everyone is unique in their own way and Crocs  celebrates one-of-a-kinds and stand together with all kinds. This patch program teaches Girl Scouts to embrace who they are and accept others for who they are.

Please note: Girl Scouts from across the country are welcome to earn this special patch. To order patches please contact the Girl Scouts of Colorado shop at retail@gscolorado.org.

GSCO’s Stand and Be Counted Patch Program

Girl Scouts of Colorado is thrilled to launch our “Stand and Be Counted” patch in honor of the 2020 Census! Did you know that every ten years, the United States Census Bureau tries to count every person living in the United States? Girl Scouts are invited to earn this patch to discover why we count everyone, what happens afterward, and how you can become involved.

Please note: Patches are now in stock. Contact the shop to place an order.

Events, Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News, Volunteer News

Celebrate the Recipients of the 2020 Volunteer Recognition Awards

Join Girl Scouts of Colorado Chief Executive Officer Leanna Clark on Saturday, July 18 at 2 p.m. as she announces the recipients of the 2020 Volunteer Recognition Awards. Everyone is invited to attend this virtual celebration to honor the many amazing volunteers across the state, who were nominated for—and received—a recognition award. You can get a notification that the event is starting by clicking the “Get Reminder” button on the bottom right of the Video Premiere post.

You can watch a live video premiere of the celebration on the GSCO Facebook page. Not on Facebook? That’s OK! Watch on our YouTube channel using this link: https://youtu.be/AvaVwxt1CsE. Please note this link will not work until the celebration starts at 2 p.m. If you log on early, you may need to refresh your screen at this time.

Service units that have virtual or socially-distanced special award celebration moments with their volunteers can share photos and videos on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Twitter and Instagram users should also use #GSColo.

Council News, Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News, Volunteer News

News from the GSCO Retail Shop

The Girl Scouts of Colorado Retail Shop is excited to offer two new features:

  • Select Council’s Own merchandise available online with new items added every day
  • Non-contact pickup at our physical location in Denver

You can now place orders by phone, email, or via our new online form.  Statewide shipping is still free and customers may now choose to pick up merchandise at the GSCO Shop in Denver (Monday – Friday). In-stock items are available within 24-hours of payment, but special orders and Girl Scout Leadership Experience backordered merchandise may (still) be delayed due to manufacturing and delivery challenges nationwide.  GSCO Retail Associates will walk you through complete details of an order, just give them a call at (303) 607-4880.  You can also check out our FAQ.

Will the GSCO Shop ever open to in-person shopping?

We certainly hope so! For now, we are working on virtual opportunities, and looking ahead to the potential of appointment-only shopping when Denver City and County guidelines allow greater in-store capacity.

Questions? Email retail@gscolorado.org.

Events, Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News, Volunteer News

Celebrate the Recipients of the 2020 Volunteer Recognition Awards

Join Girl Scouts of Colorado Chief Executive Officer Leanna Clark on Saturday, July 18 at 2 p.m. as she announces the recipients of the 2020 Volunteer Recognition Awards. Everyone is invited to attend this virtual celebration to honor the many amazing volunteers across the state, who were nominated for—and received—a recognition award. 

You can watch a live video premiere of the celebration on the GSCO Facebook page. Not on Facebook? That’s OK! Watch on our YouTube channel using this link: https://youtu.be/AvaVwxt1CsE. Please note this link will not work until the celebration starts at 2 p.m. If you log on early, you may need to refresh your screen at this time. 

Service units that have virtual or socially-distanced special award celebration moments with their volunteers can share photos and videos on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Twitter and Instagram users should also use #GSColo.

Council News, Girl Scout News, Girl Scouts News, Volunteer News

RENEW NOW for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour at Denver Museum of Nature and Science

Explore behind-the-scenes to see artifacts and exhibits not open to the public at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science with this special, one-time video tour open ONLY to Girl Scouts renewed for the 2020-21 membership year! Girl Scouts of Colorado is proud to partner with Denver Museum of Nature and Science for this special opportunity Tuesday, July 28, 2020 at 4 p.m. DMNS is the premier natural history and science museum in Denver and the western United States. A museum tour guide will show us some of the museum’s collection not currently on display to the public. After the 30-minute tour, our guide will answer Girl Scouts’ questions.

If you haven’t signed up for another year, now’s the time! All girls renewed by June 30 will receive the invite to the DMNS special tour, an Explore More patch, and, of course, you’ll keep your Girl Scout adventures going for another year. And, you can now use Cookie Credits to renew girl membership! If you have Cookie Credits available from any previous Product Program incentive, you can put them to good use and pay your annual membership of $25.

Additional troop incentive

Troops that renew two Troop Leadership Team members, at least three girls, and complete the Annual Troop Report by June 30 also get a $25 credit to the Girl Scout shop, available for use in August.

Also, any troop that renews this week (between June 24 and June 30) will be entered into a contest for a chance to win a Zoom meeting a Tomahawk Ranch goat. Goats don’t always have the best Zoom etiquette but they can provide plenty of fun!

Girl Scouts at Home

We know it’s been a strange spring and early summer, and we’ve all had to make changes in our daily lives. We’ve been so impressed with the resiliency of Girl Scout volunteers and girls as you’ve once again proven that given a batch of lemons, Girl Scouts will make lemonade! To support you as you continue your Girl Scout Leadership Experience, we’ve launched a plethora of live and recorded online programming. There’s truly something for everyone – check out the Meet an Expert series, online storytime in English and Spanish, upcoming Summer Badge Series and Clubs, Campfire Chats for adults, additional training for volunteers(link), and resources at Girl Scouts at Home. More is coming – including a Diversity. Inclusion. Together patch program, and two panel discussions on race with our partners’ experts answering girls’ questions. Even as small groups begin to meet in person in July, we will continue to provide top-notch online programming and we’re exploring ways to deliver this programming across the digital divide because Girl Scouts is for ALL girls.

Show your support for Girl Scouts. Be the glue that keeps your troop together.

RENEW TODAY