Our troop began in late 2009 and just completed 12 1/2 years of Girl Scouting by bridging over the Royal Gorge. Here’s to the future of these awesome girls!

All Girl Guides and Girl Scouts age 13-17 are invited to the Sustainable Development Goals Dialogue Series.

This July, Generation Global is hosting the SDG Dialogue Series for young people to learn about the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by participating in interactive learning activities and virtual dialogues.

Starting July 4th, over a four-week period, participants will learn about select SDGs such as Good Health and Well-Being (SDG 3), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10), and Climate Action (SDG 13).

There is no cost to join the series and young people who enroll in the program will:

– Gain knowledge and understanding of global topics and select United Nations SDGs
– Use the five skills of dialogue to share personal stories and ideas about different SDGs
– Make connections with global peers to learn and understand each other’s experiences
– Earn a certificate or a special golden badge on completing one or more topics

All you have to do is sign up at this link by Monday, June 27th. 

Explore some fun outdoor activities while creating your own unique purple rock. What is your favorite color? Is it purple? Even if it isn’t, come enjoy a fun morning at the park and help us paint the park purple!

Girl K-5 grade (Pre-K, Daisies, Brownies, Juniors), you are invited to show your creative side and help us paint the park purple.

Dress in purple that day! Take a look around, and see if you have anything purple you can wear to the park.

This event will happen at the at City Park Outdoor Pavilion.

Date: 06/11/2022 (Sat.)
Time: 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Bring water and sunscreen!

This is not a drop-off event. All girls must be accompanied by their caregiver or attend with their troop. Contact organizer by calling Lisa Sanchez at 719-225-7303 or sign up now!

Listen up, Girl Scout Daisies, Brownies and Juniors! If you know the Girl Scout Promise by heart and you enthusiastically live it every day, enter the ‘On my honor’ contest for a chance to showcase your Girl Scout spirit in front of more than 600 metro Denver area Girl Scout supporters!

To enter, please capture a video of yourself in uniform reciting The Girl Scout Promise (just the Promise, not the whole law) and then say your name and tell us why The Girl Scout Promise is important to you. Your video should be no more than 1 minute. The selection committee is looking for energy, enthusiasm, personality, and Girl Scout spirit.

Before entering, make sure you are available on the evening of Aug. 25 to be at the Denver Botanic Gardens starting at 4 p.m., because the winner will get to lead the audience at the Women of Distinction Denver on Aug. 25 at the Denver Botanic Gardens in the Girl Scout Promise and Law. You’ll also get a Girl Scout goody bag and the chance to let your Girl Scout spirit shine at GSCO’s largest fundraising event.  The contest closes on July 11.

Submit your video here.

One of 21 victims at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde identified as Girl Scout Amerie Garza

Girl Scouts of Colorado is heartbroken to share that one of our Girl Scouts from a sister council was killed during the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Texas this week. The Girl Scout Movement mourns the death of Amerie Garza, and all of the victims of another senseless shooting.

News outlets are reporting that Amerie attempted to call 9-1-1 when the shooter came into the classroom and she’s being hailed as a hero for attempting to save herself and her peers.

Along with the rest of the nation and the world, Girl Scouts in Colorado mourn for the victims, their families and friends, and all those impacted by this tragedy.

For ways you can help our sisters in Uvalde, please visit the Girl Scout Strong for Uvalde web page at www.girlscouts-swtx.org/girlscoutstrong.

In the wake of violent events, we all may experience fear and anxiety. The following resources can help you navigate conversations about what’s happened:

Girl Scout Raising Awesome Girls content: When Violence on the News Shakes Her World 

For child-centered grief and trauma resources 

• The National School Crisis Center has resources which offer practical tips for supporting youth and opening conversations­—for example: Talking to children about tragedies
• The National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG) offers videos and an FAQ section  aimed at understanding grief in children and helping caring adults guide them through loss. Their “ Hero Toolkit” offers activities for talking about grief with children and teens.
• The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has many resources on grief and trauma, but here are some aimed at helping adults talk to children about violent events and grief:
  • Tip Sheet on Coping After Mass Violence: provides common reactions children and families may be experiencing after a mass violence event and what they can do to take care of themselves.
  • Guidance for parents for helping youth after mass violence: Offers parents guidance on helping their children after a mass violence event. This fact sheet describes common reactions children may have, how parents can help them, and self-care tips after a violent event.
  • Helping teens with traumatic grief: Describes how teens may feel when struggling with the death of someone close and offers tips on what caregivers can do to help.
  • After a Crisis: Offers tips to parents on how to help young children, toddlers, and preschoolers heal after a traumatic event.
  • Guiding Adults in Talking to Children: Provides ways to navigate children’s questions about death, funerals, and memorials. This fact sheet discusses this challenging, but manageable, task and includes sample Q&A to help guide discussions.
  • Tip Sheet for Teens on Coping after Violence

 For mental health crises

• Call 911
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255or suicidepreventionlifeline.org for online emotional support
• The Crisis Text Line connects you to a trained crisis counselor to receive free, 24/7 crisis support via text message: text NAMI to 741741
• The Disaster Distress Helpline is a 24/7 national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling (more info at National Institute of Mental Health): Dial 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor

For families or troops seeking mental health care services

• National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG) links to local support groups and professionals
• SAMHSA’s Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Mental Health America (MHA) links to affiliates across the country and offers resources for finding treatment

Thanks, in part, to a grant from the El Pomar Foundation, Girl Scouts and Girl Scout supporters will come together on June 9 to share the impact the organization has had on them at an event at the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame.

The state’s top cookie seller, an inspiring Gold Award Girl Scout, and a fearless troop leader, will be interviewed by Girl Scouts of Colorado CEO Leanna Clark and share how they’re making the world a better place in Colorado Springs and beyond.

The event will be June 9, 5-7 p.m. at Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, 101 Pro Rodeo Dr., Colorado Springs.

If you’re interested in attending, please reach out to Martha Johnson at martha.johnson@gscolorado.org.

JANICE MAY USCHLBEC ERICKSON

Jan, age 73, died on August 19, 2021 at her home in Windsor, CO.  She struggled for over six years with non-smoker’s lung cancer, using the mantra “I am not my body” and maintaining a positive attitude through her various rounds of treatment.  She was born in Cleveland, Ohio on October 16, 1947 and attended Fairview Park High School, The University of Toledo, and LaVerne College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology.

Jan married Stephen Flanders Erickson in June of 1967 and after Steve was commissioned as a US Navy officer, they traveled the world, living in 16 homes in 52 years.  Steve and Jan had two children, Kristy (1970) and Keith (1972).  They retired to Windsor, CO to be nearer to family.

Jan was a lifelong Girl Scout and an avid volunteer. She enjoyed nature, hiking, camping, and travel and sharing those passions with other Girl Scouts young and old. She held various roles over the years, as a scout, leader, and member of the Green Hat Society. She was a founding member of the Sierra Silver Streaks Chapter in NV and a member of the Plains to Peak Chapter in CO. Being a Girl Scout brought her friendships around the world. She travelled to England, Scotland, and Ireland with members of Tokyo Troop 113 in 1985 and to Switzerland with members of the Green Hat Society in September 2014. Her volunteer experiences always involved helping people, the most memorable being as her time as an EMT in South Carolina, an English conversation teacher during her years in Japan, and an educator at Elam Environmental Center at Camp Ken-Jockety near Columbus OH. Her last adventures took her on travels to Israel and Italy in 2019. A favorite quote of hers and one which inspired her to live ever day to the fullest – “Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”

Jan’s commitment to Girl Scouting was indeed life-long.  She brought the Green Hat Society to Colorado, and encouraged involvement in various activities, groups and events around the state.  She was involved in the Songbirds Girl Scout Choir, attended Women’s Week at Meadow Mountain Ranch, and was of assistance with several International Festivals, highlighting her own experiences with Girl Scouts and Girl Guides around the world.  Her camp name was “Lief,” reminiscent of her commitment to the out-of-doors as well as to her family’s heritage.

It’s easy to see Jan with her jaunty hat and ready smile, singing all the way, immersed in camp’s activities and encouraging others to immerse themselves into Girl Scouting all through their lives.  Jan, you are missed.

JOY CAROLYN LITTLE POHL

Joy died at age 96 on January 22, 2022.  She was born in 1925 in Miami, Fl., and attended Miami Beach Public Schools.  She was a member of the National Honor Society in high school, played the violin from age 3 and was active in dramatics, tennis and Girl Scouts.  She attended Florida State College For Women and graduated with a degree in Music and Psychology.

Joy joined the Foreign Service of the U.S. Department of State and her first assignment in the fall of 1948 was in Seoul, Korea.  She met Edward Pohl in Paris, France, where he served as a Courier, also with the Foreign Service.  They were subsequently transferred to Germany, Panama, Sicily, and Tunisia.  Continuing her Foreign Service as a Staff Officer and Executive Assistant to various Ambassadors, her posts included Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Haiti, Switzerland and Niger.  They had two children, Lyn and John, four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Joy was involved with Girl Scouts all over the world, through the Troops on Foreign Soil programs, serving as Leader and then Country Commissioner of North Germany.  She served in leadership positions in Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.

After she and Ed retired and moved to Estes Park in 1982, Joy became active with the Girl Scouts-Mountain Prairie Council in Northern Colorado.  She was a troop leader as well as serving as First Vice President of the Board of Directors of MPGSC.  She enjoyed participation and involvement with the GSCO History Group and the Promise Partners GS Alumni group.  She was always eager to share her Girl Scouting travel experience with others through demonstrations, exhibits, trainings, talks and involvement with International Festivals.

“Always a Girl Scout” describes Joy perfectly.  She carried her “joy” and enthusiasm for the history and traditions of Girl Scouting and Girl Guiding all over the world, even after their retirement through travels throughout the United States, Europe and Asia.  A memorial bench will be constructed and installed at Meadow Mountain Ranch proudly displaying that theme, “Always A Girl Scout – in Memory of Joy Pohl.”  Joy, you are a true inspiration.

LILLIAN MAE BRAGGE ZIEBARTH

Lillian died on February 11, 2022 in Littleton, CO., at the age of 82.  She was born in Des Moines, IA. And grew up in Carlton, MN.  She graduated from Carlton High School and married her high school sweetheart, Harold (Zeke) Ziebarth.  They had 4 children and five grandchildren.

Lillian was an avid volunteer, often calling herself a “Professional Volunteer” when asked what she did for a living. She was an adult member of Girl Scouting for over 50 years and she was awarded one of the highest honors an adult member of Girl Scouts can receive – the Thanks Badge. She was a Girl Scout troop leader for all three of her daughters. She loved to sing and loved to teach large groups new songs. To this day there are many people who only knew her by her Girl Scout camp name, “Zing.”  I can hear her singing, “Zing, Zing together, merrily, merrily, merrily Zing.”  She was active in the Songbirds Girl Scout Choir, bringing along her 6-year-old granddaughter,  Sammi Corwin.  Sammi learned to play the guitar through the Songbirds and graduated from high school still singing along with “Zing.”  For many years she was also a member of the alumni group in the Denver area, previously begun under Mile Hi Council.

“Zing” provided us with many old and new Girl Scout songs, and every time we sing “Z-Y-X” (the alphabet backwards!) she will be fondly remembered.

Are you an older Girl Scout who loves to lead younger girls in activities? Do you love camp?

Join our summer day camp at Barr Lake State Park as a PA or PAI!

We are currently looking for older Girl Scouts who are trained as PAs or qualify to train as PAs to help at our summer day camps.

We will offer Colorado Outdoor Adventure Camp on July 11-15. Activities include hiking, outdoor art, archery, boating, nature studies, and a wide variety of badge work.

Girls in Science Camp will be July 25-29. We will dive into engineering challenges, nature, chemistry, physics, and we will also have archery!

Contact Renee “Smokey” at smokey61647@gmail.com