Tag Archives: Girl Scout Bronze Award

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Bronze Award Project: You are Invited

Submitted by Jessica Spangler

Metro Denver

Denver

Four Juniors in multi-level Troop 65659 came together in 2020 with a goal: earn the Bronze Award. They finished the aMUSE Journey online, culminating in a play they created to bust the stereotype that firefighters are male (https://youtu.be/I8lFJo2C3C4).

Meeting online once or twice per month, they built their team, virtually toured their neighborhoods, observed eleven problems, and interviewed experts. In December, they finalized their choice: children being left out and socially excluded.

They started 2021 with a vision to address feeling left out: “Happy, Helping, Gathering, Respect Others’ Feelings, Feel Welcomed, Respect others, Speaking to each other, Go somewhere and talk.” They said their goal for the project was to include “horses” and “campfires.” Julianna had an idea to help children feel welcome: a “Kindness Board” where each youth would write something positive about another and post it for everyone to see.

In March and April, despite two of the girls being unable to continue with the project, Juniors Kennedy and Julianna continued undaunted and created the You Are Invited Club for all children and youth who feel left out and excluded.

They personally visited two nonprofit farms that provide classes and programming to youth in the community and asked the owners to host their club. They were so grateful that both farms said yes! They made videos to advertise their new program (https://youtu.be/AsAyz1uar9c and https://youtu.be/wgIXa2KL91c).

Once the new club was publicized by each farm, Kennedy and Julianna got together for a mini-pizza party to create a poster, write thank you notes, and celebrate their accomplishment that was a year and a half in the making.

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.

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Bronze Award project: Snuffle Mats

Submitted by Silvia M.

Pikes Peak

Woodland Park

I love animals, and wanted to do something to help them. I went to TCRAS, Teller County Regional Animal Shelter, and talked to the staff about what they needed. They suggested snuffle mats, which are made out of plastic or rubber mats, with strips of fleece woven in the holes, and tied in knots. Treats can be hidden for the dogs to find. Instead of being bored all day, they have something to do while waiting for a new home. The Junior group in my troop researched the material, and made nine mats for the shelter, and we’re still making some more. The shelter and dogs LOVE them!

I’ve been a Girl Scout since I was a Daisy, and am now in fifth grade. Girl Scouting has taught me so many skills, and I’ve made so many new friends. With this Bronze Award, I’ve learned decision-making and leadership, teaching the fourth graders how to do this project and getting their opinions about what we should do. I am looking forward to becoming a Cadette, working on new badges and Journeys, and earning the Silver Award!

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.

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Troop 35 earns Bronze Award

Submitted by Nikki Milton

Metro Denver

Aurora

Troop 35 was in the middle of their Bronze Award project when the pandemic hit, putting everything on hold. We are happy to say that we were able to finish the project, a year later, and the results are amazing. Our troop picked The Delores Project, which provides safe, comfortable shelter and services for unaccompanied women and transgender individuals experiencing homelessness. They asked us for help on two fronts, build shelving for their pantry and create an outdoor garden of herbs and vegetables they could use in their kitchen. Our troop of 18 split into two groups and tackled both projects. The residents couldn’t stop asking us questions and expressing their gratitude for our work. It was a great experience for the girls and we are looking forward to starting our Silver Award project next year.

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.

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2021 Virtual Highest Awards Celebrations: Watch Now

Thank you to everyone who joined Girl Scouts of Colorado on Sunday, May 16 for the 2021 Highest Awards Virtual Celebrations!  Missed the celebrations? That’s okay. You can watch the recordings now on the GSCO Facebook page or YouTube channel.

Facebook Links

YouTube Links

Whether you joined us live or are watching the recordings at a later date, we encourage troops and families to make these events feel special for their Highest Awards Girl Scouts in any way possible! Dress up, have your girl wear her Girl Scout vest/sash, decorate your home, or maybe bake something special. Also, be sure to share congratulations for your troop and help our Highest Awards Girl Scouts feel even more proud of their huge accomplishments. You can also use these Highest Awards social media graphics or share photos and videos from your celebration with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Twitter and Instagram users should also use #GSColo.

Honor Your Highest Awards Girl Scout

Honor your Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award Girl Scout by making a gift to Girl Scouts of Colorado to help us continue to support older girls who are making the world a better place! Make your donation here: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/support-us/donate.html

Questions? Email highestawards@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.

Archive

2021 Highest Awards Virtual Celebrations: How to Watch

Join Girl Scouts of Colorado on Sunday, May 16 for the 2021 Highest Awards Virtual Celebrations! You do NOT need to RSVP or have a link to attend these virtual celebrations. You can watch the live premieres on our Facebook page. 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.

Aren’t on Facebook? That’s okay. Watch on our YouTube channel using these links:

Please note that these links will not work until the celebration starts. If you log on early, you may need to refresh your screen at the start time.

We encourage troops and families to make these events feel special for their Highest Awards Girl Scouts in any way possible! Dress up, have your girl wear her Girl Scout vest/sash, decorate your home, or maybe bake something special. Also, be sure to share congratulations for your troop and help our Highest Awards Girl Scouts feel even more proud of their huge accomplishments. You can also use these Highest Awards social media graphics or share photos and videos from your celebration with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Twitter and Instagram users should also use #GSColo.

Please share this information with all the girls in your troop who earned their award, and their families. We encourage all Bronze and Silver Award Girl Scouts to also attend the Gold Award celebration at 3 p.m. to hear about all of the amazing things Girl Scouts in Colorado did this past year.

Win a Prize

This year, there is a scavenger hunt for girls during the virtual celebrations! The scavenger hunt sheet is available to download now on our Highest Awards webpage.

To enter in the drawing to win a prize from the GSCO Retail Shop, submit your scavenger hunt sheet to highestawards@gscolorado.org by 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 16!

To find all of the scavenger hunt items, girls will need to watch either the Bronze or Silver Award celebration AND the Gold Award celebration. Girls do not need to watch both the Bronze and Silver celebrations for the scavenger hunt, the items from those celebrations will be the same.

Honor Your Highest Awards Girl Scout

Honor your Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award Girl Scout by making a gift to Girl Scouts of Colorado to help us continue to support older girls who are making the world a better place! Make your donation here: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/support-us/donate.html

Questions? Email highestawards@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.

Archive, Uncategorized

Join us for the 2021 Highest Awards Virtual Celebrations

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Join Girl Scouts of Colorado on Sunday, May 16 for the 2021 Highest Awards Virtual Celebrations!

  • Bronze Award Celebration at 1 p.m.
  • Silver Award Celebration at 2 p.m.
  • Gold Award Celebration at 3 p.m.

You do NOT need to RSVP or have a link to attend the virtual celebrations. They will premiere live on our  Facebook page and YouTube channel at their respective start times.

Please share this information with all the girls in your troop who earned their award, and their families. We encourage all Bronze and Silver Award Girl Scouts to also attend the Gold Award celebration at 3 p.m. to hear about all of the amazing things Girl Scouts in Colorado did this past year.

Win a Prize

This year, there is a scavenger hunt for girls during the virtual celebrations! The scavenger hunt sheet is available to download now on our Highest Awards webpage.

To enter in the drawing to win a prize from the GSCO Retail Shop, submit your scavenger hunt sheet to highestawards@gscolorado.org by 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 16!

To find all of the scavenger hunt items, girls will need to watch either the Bronze or Silver Award celebration AND the Gold Award celebration. Girls do not need to watch both the Bronze and Silver celebrations for the scavenger hunt, the items from those celebrations will be the same.

Honor Your Highest Awards Girl Scout

Honor your Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award Girl Scout by making a gift to Girl Scouts of Colorado to help us continue to support older girls who are making the world a better place! Make your donation here: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/support-us/donate.html

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.

Uncategorized

New Castle Girl Scouts Earn Bronze Award

Submitted by Cindy Adams

Western Colorado

New Castle

Troop 10239 in New Castle, Colorado has three girls, Abby, Gracie, and Sylvia, who earned their Bronze Award in 2021. The Bronze Award is the highest award the girls can earn as a Junior. Girl Scout Juniors need to complete a Junior Journey, build a Bronze Award team, explore their community, choose a theme, and design and complete a community Take Action project.  The first step to earning a Bronze Award is completing a Girl Scout JuniorJourney and Take Action project.

Last summer and fall, the Girl Scouts earned their Outdoor Journey and started their Take Action project.  On the Journey, the girls held a clean-up activity at Alder Park, created animal habitats, hiked New Castle local trails, planned a camping trip, and created maps of Alder Park and waterways. The girls decided their Journey Take Action project will be a fishing line recycling program at Alder Park Pond.  This project was born from picking up trash at Alder Park and the girls picked up a lot of old fishing line. Fishing line is a frequent source of litter in ponds and rivers, and can cause injury and death to birds, fish, turtles, and many mammals. Monofilament fishing line takes 600 years to decompose (that’s 150 years longer than a disposable diaper!), but IT IS RECYCLABLE! Berkley Fishing provides free shipping boxes to mail in used fishing line to be recycled.

The girls built two fishing line recycling bins and will install them at Alder Park.  They also received three additional bins from the Roaring Fork Valley Fly Fishing Club, which will be donated to other community groups to install and manage as part of the program.

The girls were set to install their Take Action Project in November 2020, unfortunately COVID-19 regulations stopped them in their tracks, as girls from no more than two households could meet. The girls did not lose faith in their project, they just postponed the installation of their Take Action Project until April 11, 2021 now that COVID-19 regulations have allowed for groups to meet. The troop also has a COVID-19 plan in place with the Garfield County Health to meet in person.

Abby, Gracie, and Sylvia’s Take Action Project involved researching, talking with community members including Trout Unlimited and Roaring Fork Fly Fishing Club, presenting to the New Castle town council, building monofilament recycling bins, and installing them. The girls started their project in October 2020.  The girls received a donation from the Town of New Castle to help offset the cost of the fishing line recycling bins, as well as a donation from Trout Unlimited.

Since finishing the planning and construction of their Take Action project, the girls started to brainstorm ideas for their Bronze Award project. They had come to know Alder Park Pond, a neighborhood hangout, and decided that they wanted to build permanent educational signs for the community about the importance of the animal species, the wetlands, and the human impact on Alder Pond.  The girls said if people know and love a place, they will care for it! Sylvia, Gracie, and Abby presented to the Town Council their idea for both their Take Action project and Bronze Award project in October 2020 and both were approved.

Over the winter, the girls designed and produced three educational signs about Alder Park Pond by the end of February 2021. The girls plan to install both the signs and fishing line recycling bins on April 11.  These girls have learned so much about community involvement, planning, how a project that people get excited about can expand rapidly, and about perseverance.

Cooperating Agencies for the project included: Roaring Fork Valley Fly Fishing Club, Trout Unlimited, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Roaring Fork Conservancy, Town of New Castle, Berkley Fishing and BoatUS.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.

Archive

Celebrate Girl Scouts’ Highest Awards on Social Media

Celebrate your Highest Awards Girl Scout or your achievement of earning one of Girl Scouts’ Highest Awards on social media! Use any of the graphics at the bottom of this post to let friends and family know that you earned or are the parent/caregiver of a Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award Girl Scout. Be sure to tag us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Twitter and Instagram users should also use #GSColo, #GirlScoutsGiveBack, #gsGoldAward, #gsSilverAward, or #gsBronzeAward.

Don’t forget to join Girl Scouts of Colorado on May 16, 2021 to celebrate our 2020-2021 class of Gold, Silver, and Bronze Award Girl Scouts in Colorado!

Virtual Highest Awards Celebrations

  • 1 p.m. Bronze Award Celebration
  • 2 p.m. Silver Award Celebration
  • 3 p.m. Gold Award Celebration

These celebrations are an opportunity to recognize the outstanding Bronze, Silver, and Gold Award Girl Scouts who have earned their distinction in the last year. All troops and/or girls who have earned their Bronze, Silver, or Gold since March 2019 are invited to participate in a celebration of their choice.

You do not need to register for this event! The celebrations will premiere live on our Facebook and YouTube channels at the event start time.

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.

Archive

Montrose Junior Spreads Joy with Bird Feeders

Submitted by Bonnet Riddles

Western Colorado

Montrose

As a troop we had just finished up our Agent of Change Journey and were starting to brainstorm a Take Action project when COVID-19 hit. All of our initial ideas were no longer plausible with the new safety and health guidelines. We were back to the drawing board and this time, that drawing board was a virtual one.

We wanted to help senior citizens in our area. The girls pointed out that our high-risk senior population is extremely isolated and they wanted to do something special to encourage them. The idea of making and donating bird feeders to a local retirement home was born! This project was led and orchestrated by Girl Scout Kendyl L. She bridged to Cadette this year, but with the extension on award projects, she really wanted to earn her Bronze Award before the deadline.

Kendyl and her team started by contacting retirement homes. A hurdle that we did not expect was being able to find a location willing to accept the bird feeders. Most places did not even allow us to finish speaking before giving “no” as an answer. Eventually, we did find a place that loved the idea.

The bird feeders were built and painted at our recent bridging ceremony. Each family, (at their socially distanced tables), worked as a team in assembling and creating a bird feeder for the project, 10 beautifully crafted and painted feeders in total were created.
Kendyl’s team reached out to local businesses and were able to get birdseed donated for the project. The bird feeders were filled and placed along sidewalks and outside of resident windows at Montage Creek Living Facility in Montrose. The completion of this project gives me great joy as a troop leader.

The delight that the elderly residents can enjoy from watching the antics and activities of different birds is priceless. I am so proud of both Kendyl and also of my troop for supporting her in reaching her goal.

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.

Archive

Bronze Award Project: The Fire Department Helps Us, so Let’s Help Them

Submitted by Ada M.

Western Colorado

Fruita

While learning about our community, our troop found out that the local fire department was having a hard time getting the PPE (masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer) they need. My fellow Juniors and I decided helping them find this would be the perfect Bronze Award project during COVID.

First, we got permission and the details on what the fire department needed.

Next, we wrote a video script. We made a video to tell everyone why washing hands is important. It is especially important now, but it is always a good thing to do.

Then, we made posters and wrote an email.

We dropped the collection tote off at the fire department. It is outside, so people can drop items off at any time and remain socially distanced.

Now, with our parents’ help we are sharing the posters and email!

The fire department has already had items dropped off and we hope to see it grow.

Here is the email I wrote! Don’t forget to wash your hands and stay safe.

Hi,

My Girl Scout troop and I are currently collecting masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer for the Lower Valley Fire Department. Lower Valley Firefighters and EMT use 30 boxes of gloves, 200 masks, and gallons of sanitizer each month. They especially need medium, large, and extra-large non-latex single use gloves, disposable single use masks (paper or something similar), and any type of hand sanitizer. COVID has made it hard to find this stuff. Let’s help them fight fire and mend broken bones by searching for the supplies they need.

Supplies can be dropped off in a tote outside the Lower Valley Fruita Fire Department.

We are looking for more drop-off locations. If you have a business that would let us place a donation tote out from, please call (970) 812-0154 or email anecookies@gmail.com.

Thank you,

Ada, Girl Scout Junior

Girl Scout Troop 17091

The girls were also interviewed about their project by KKCO-TV/NewsChannel 11.

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.