Girl Scout Troops 60593, 60766, 64473, 64175, 49861, 40914, 60447, 68220 and Boy Scout Troop 317.

Thanks to memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in August 2022 by the FBI and Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA), 16 Girls Scouts from 8 different troops were treated to a special program seeking to increase young women’s interest, confidence, and competency in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Our Girl Scouts, between 10 and 17 years of age, along with a few fellow [boy] Scouts, learned about the mission and work of the FBI and its STEM-focused career offerings. FBI community outreach specialists Leah Hapner and Isra Yousif shared their stories about what drew them to the FBI, what positions women currently hold in the FBI, and how they would like to increase the number of women special agents (23% of special agents are women at the moment). We also learned about the FBI Teen Academy: a week long program for high school students that takes place in different cities throughout Colorado on topics including terrorism, cyber crime, public corruption, polygraph exams, evidence response, SWAT, and the day-to-day operations of a typical FBI office. “Students also learn from special agents, intelligence analysts, language specialists, and professional staff about investigative tactics that include gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and assisting with cases.”*

Our group was granted a demonstration by a bomb tech expert on robots, bombs and radio communication. And as a special surprise, we were treated to a tour of the Evidence Response Team Rooms. It was a fantastic morning full of new information, for which we are incredibly grateful!

*Ref: https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/denver/community-outreach

7 Girl Scouts were finally able to travel after Covid!

They spent 7 nights in Orlando, Florida. Disney, Sea World, Universal and Discovery Cove were the highlights!

They learned mapping skills, budgeting, banking, hotel and airport etiquette and safety and so much more!

They enjoyed Snuba, a dolphin swim, road the Hogwarts Express, drank Butterbeer and rode inside the giant Epcot ball.

They can’t wait to start planning the next trip!

Happy 11th Birthday Kusafiri!

Kusafiri, the fifth World Center of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS)  was established on July 15, 2010 to bring World Center experiences to the Africa Region. Kusafiri is not an established building in a particular city and country. This new approach to a World Center gives many more girls, young women and adults in the Africa Region and around the world more chances to have life changing international experiences.

Kusafiri means “to journey” in Swahili.    Each participant at an event has  a ”journey” experience with leadership, or exploring glob

al culture, developing key personal skills, and working with  community partners in the community  of the event, and makes plans to take action on a project.

Since 2010 Kusafiri events have been held in the following African countries : Ghana, south Africa, Rwanda, Kenya Nigeria, Benin, Madagascar, Uganda and Tanzania.

Each of the World Centers has its own song.  To carry on the tradition, in early 2018 a group of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from around the world who had attend Kusafiri sessions gathered together via Zoom to write an amazing song Karibu Kusafiri  produced and sung by Bodo Razfindrazaka. The words and song can be found on Youtube

While the exact date and host country are yet to be confirmed, the next Kusafiri has been proposed for 2023. Until then, stay connected through the virtual programs run by the outstanding volunteer team on social media!

Stay in touch:

Facebook: @kusafiriworldcentre
Email: jen.barron@wagggs.org
Website: bit.ly/kusafiriwc
Twitter: @kusafiriwc

Learning about, supporting, and promoting the World Centers through events and programs are the functions of the Girl Scouts of Colorado’s Global Action team.  If you are interested or if you have questions, feel free to contact the Global Action Team at gscoglobl@gmail.com.

3 Extraordinary Women Honored

Each year, Girl Scouts of Colorado selects and honors three outstanding women in our community to induct as the new class of Women of Distinction. These women have displayed exemplary leadership and a commitment to advancing the profile of women and girls in our community. They serve as inspirations to our girls and exemplify the courage, confidence, and character that girls gain through the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. This year’s honorees were selected by a committee of their peers and chosen based on their contributions to the community, both professionally and personally. These women join a network of more than 500 alums. They are shining examples of corporate, civic, and philanthropic leaders, who serve as role models for our female leaders of tomorrow.

Class of 2022, Women of Distinction

• Heidi Ragsdale, CEO, STEM is My Future – After nearly 20 years teaching eighth-grade science, Heidi now runs STEM is My Future, LLC, where she provides professional development for teachers with geographic information systems technologies, problem-based learning, National Geographic Education resources, and Maker Ed. Currently, Heidi provides virtual training via Grand Junction MakerSpace, a community makerspace in western Colorado. She serves as a Space Exploration Educator Crew Orion member with Space Center Houston, a Space Foundation Teacher Liaison and Mentor Educator, and on the board of the Latin Anglo Alliance Foundation. She is the founder of the Geo Maker Institute and #GJSpaceLadies, a group of like-minded space-loving educators who get it done! Heidi’s favorite things to make are beautiful digital maps, geo-jewelry with her group, Colorado Space Crafts, and a difference on Earth. 
• Morgan Bridge, PhD, associate vice president Academic Affairs, Colorado Mesa University –Beginning as an assistant professor at CMU, Morgan is now a full professor of business and associate vice president of Academic Affairs. She has also served as the department chair and head of the Business Department. Her passion remains teaching and her favorite part of any day is walking into the classroom and working with students. Morgan specializes in the areas of economics and finance, both fields in which women are underrepresented, and has worked to demonstrate that women can and should be represented in these disciplines.  Since 2015, she has also had the opportunity to work with students on the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Collegiate Program, providing ethics education and ethics opportunities to the CMU campus.  When not on campus, she is spending time with her two sons, working on her yard, traveling, playing the piano, and spending time at the family farm in Nebraska with her nieces.

• JoAnne Virgilio, DO, medical oncologist, Community Hospital’s Grand Valley Oncology – Dr. Virgilio founded Grand Valley Oncology in 2014 and served as the medical director from 2014 to 2021. She has been practicing oncology for more than 30 years, and her practice philosophy has changed over time, but the recurring theme is that she  feels privileged to take care of people at the most intense time of their life. Dr. Virgilio was a guest participant in the Moon Shot Program at Huntsman Cancer Institute and is a participant in the oncology clinical trial program at Grand Valley Oncology. Growing up in Brooklyn and Long Island, Dr. Virgilio decided to study oncology when her mother was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. She feels it is important to find the balance between being honest and providing hope. Dr. Virgilio has been instrumental in assisting Holy Family Catholic School in their science education program. She is an active participant in Colorado Discover Ability and Special Olympics and worked with Colorado Mesa University Girl’s Lacrosse for four years as a team mom.

Girl Scouts of Colorado will welcome the Class of 2022 honorees at a breakfast from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., Nov. 4, at the Grand Junction Convention Center.

“I am honored to welcome this year’s class of Women of Distinction. They are strong, bold, empowered women who represent the leadership and excellence that powers today’s world, and they are outstanding role models for our girls,” said Leanna Clark, CEO of Girl Scouts of Colorado.

Proceeds from the event will support Girl Scouts of Colorado’s crucial leadership development programs in entrepreneurship, outdoors, STEM, and life skills for more than 15,000 members across Colorado.

Event chairs are Jannie VanWinkle, Woman of Distinction ‘14, and Stacey Mascarenas, Woman of Distinction ’17.

For information regarding tickets and sponsorships, visit girlscoutsofcolorado.org or contact Martha Johnson at martha.johnson@gscolorado.org.

The progressive Girl Scout Recruiter Patch Program is for Girl Scouts of all levels that are out in their community sharing with others what Girl Scouts is all about!

This patch includes four components, called rockers, to earn as you build your public speaking skills, host events to influence new members to join, and support other recruiters.

Be an Influencer by honing your public speaking skills and raising awareness.

A Star Recruiter takes actions and spreads the word about local recruitment activities.

Become an Expert Recruiter by hosting an event or helping launch a new troop.

A Captain takes what they have learned to train and support other recruiters!

To earn each rocker, complete the required activity and at least one optional activity. View the flyer for more details of rocker requirements and how to submit the form to have your patch and rockers sent to you. Completion of activities must be verified by an adult.

Have a question?

Check out the FAQ about this patch program.

View the program flier

Submission form to request your patch.

Looking for something fun to do this summer with your troop? Troop 72418 has 2 events in Boulder planned for the Girl Scout community. Bring your troop or bring your daughter. Or make a recruiting event and bring girls’ friends.

First, on Saturday July 16th bring your girls to a Scavenger Hunt on the Pearl Street Mall. The scavenger hunt will be made in advance and presented by Troop 72418. There are two time options available: 10-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-2 p.m. Pick the time that works best for you and enjoy some time as a troop before or afterwards with a meal or snack on the mall. This is not a drop off event, but a great team building event. Or your girls can bring a friend interested in Girl Scouts. We’ll meet at Barker Park just off Pearl Street (1518 Spruce St, Boulder, CO 80302). Fun patch included and some prizes. Register here.

Second, on Saturday July 23rd from 2-3:30 p.m. bring your girls to a Girl Scout Ice Cream Social. Girl Scout Troop 72418 is hosting a Girl Scout Ice Cream Social from 2:00pm-3:30pm on Sat. July 23rd. It’s social, it’s got crafts, & it’s got ice cream! And every Girl gets a fun patch! Please join us to meet other Girl Scouts and have a little fun. It’s also a fundraiser for our troop. Our funds will go towards the girls working on their Silver Awards and troop travel. Please bring your girl(s) from 2-3:30 p.m. for ice cream sundaes and for ice cream themed crafts. Adults can enjoy ice cream, too.

At Mt. View Church in Boulder. 355 Ponca Place. Boulder, CO 80303 This is NOT a drop off event. Bring your troop with Safety adult ratios or adults with their daughter(s). Please pay for each person eating ice cream – adults are welcome to eat ice cream, too! Register here.

The Girl Scouts of Colorado Product Program Team is currently preparing for the 2023 Girl Scout Cookie Program. We want to give girls and volunteers a chance to cast their vote on rewards for the program. Please click on this link to access our online voting tool. The survey will only be open until Friday, July 15, 2022.

Newly bridged Junior Girl Scout Ryn M from Troop 62090 is taking Flat Juliette on adventures with her this summer.

During a recent family visit to Kansas, Ryn and Flat Juliette visited the Ellis Railroad Museum then took flight in her pilot Grandpa’s Cessna 172.

Troop leader Aimee can’t wait to see what other adventures are in store!

Troop 70720 celebrated and honored bridging girls with a horseback ride and ceremony.

It was a beautiful day with time together.

2 of our Girl Scouts bridged to adults. 3 moved up to ambassadors.