Tag Archives: Grand Junction

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Volunteer Spotlight: Victoria Gigoux

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Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month. Victoria Gigoux of Grand Junction in the Western Colorado region is a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community.

GSCO asked Victoria to answer a few quick questions about her volunteer experience. We hope you find her as inspiring as we did.

Why did you become a Girl Scout volunteer?

I originally became a leader so I could spend time with my kids. I work fulltime, but I was able to leave a little early to take 90-minutes each week with my (at the time) Kindergarten and first grade daughters.  A year later, I had another little girl, so here I am 12 years later as a volunteer with three girls who are still active Girl Scouts. Those two little girls are in 11th and 12th grade this year, but with a fifth grader, I’m not going anywhere anytime soon!

Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout.

  • Troop Leadership
    • Leader in two troops, 12214 and 10065, covering Daisies through Ambassadors
    • Cookie Manager
  • Region One/Service Unit
    • Currently Service Unit Co-Manager for Western Slope, having been here once before
    • Service Unit Treasurer for several years
  • President’s Cabinet
  • Cookies and Cocktails Event Lead
  • Statewide Committees
    • Currently, at-Large member of Board Governance Committee
    • Previously, MCC, having also served as MCC rep to the Board of Directors for four years
  • Previously, Volunteer Awards review committee

What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer?

How much time do you have?  Kidding…

Truthfully, I’ve learned that I love doing this way more than I ever imagined I would. What started out as about two hours a week of spending quality time with my own kids has become such a huge part of who I am. I love volunteering with this organization at every level. I have formed my very best female friendships as a result of working with my truly amazing co-leaders. I have grown networks in my community as a result of my time on the service unit, on statewide committees, and working closely with GSCO staff. I have gained 120-ish (I lost count) new “daughters” over 12 years of being a leader, each I care for as much as my own children. I have learned I would be where I am in life or who I am as a person without each of these relationships. I feel, quite by accident, I am a mentor. I have learned my passion in life is relationship building and fostering girls and women as leaders.

What do you hope girls have learned from you?

When I talk about my Girl Scouts, I like to say, “if any one of *my* (because, of course, they are ALL mine!) girls come to a crossroads in life and hears my voice in their head, then I’ve done my job.” To me, this means I hope they’ve learned whatever is most valuable to them in life, whether it be self-confidence, making good choices, trying new things, being kind to others, never giving up….whatever!  If there is a choice and they don’t know where to go or what to do, I hope they always know they have someone in their life who always had their back, was always cheering for them and wishing for the very best life had to offer. I hope they know there is always time to do what you love, to spend with those you value, and give back. I also hope they realize I mean it when I call them “mine” because I am invested, long term, in each of them. If they ever need someone to turn to, I am always just a message away!

Want to nominate a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado to spotlight? Please email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org. 

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Listen now: Meet an Expert – Police Commander

Girl Scouts of Colorado thanks Commander Suzette Freidenberger of the Grand Junction Police Department for participating in our “Meet an Expert” program on April 8, 2021.

Missed the program? Listen or watch now on our Meet an Expert playlist on YouTube.

More than 25 Girl Scouts from across the country joined the program to lean about police operations and the roles and responsibilities of a commander. Commander Freidenberger started off the session with a tour of a police car and a show-and-tell of everything she wears on her when she is in uniform. She also told the girls all about her experience in training and rising through the ranks in the police department and becoming a commander in 2020. After her presentation, she answered questions from the girls such as, “What is your favorite case you’ve worked on?”, and, “In your opinion, what is the silliest law in Colorado?”. Commander Freidenberger even spoke to the girls about what it is like being a woman in a male-dominated career and what girls who are interested in law enforcement can do today.

Girl Scouts who participated in the live session or listen to the recording can purchase their “Meet an Expert” patch online: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/about-girl-scouts/gsco-shop.html. Don’t forget to check out upcoming “Meet an Expert” sessions on our events calendar!

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.

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Troop 16200: Silver Ticket Winner

Submitted by Jillian Thompson

Western Colorado

Grand Junction

Picking up cookies from the cupboard, I saw a ticket slide around in the box from the top. Sue witnessed this, we opened it together, cheered in excitement, and took a photo!

Hometown Hero: VA Hospital

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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Meet an Expert: Police Operations Commander

Girl Scouts of all ages are invited to a “Meet an Expert” session with Commander Suzette Freidenberger with the Grand Junction Police Department on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. MST. Register now: https://gscolorado.formstack.com/forms/meet_an_expert_police_operations_commander_webinar_04_07_2021

Suzette will talk about how she got into law enforcement, started her career working in dispatch, and attended the Law Enforcement Academy. She worked her way from a patrol officer to a commander and will talk about what it’s like to work in a male-dominated career field. She will also talk about how women in this line of work bring a different and positive spin to law enforcement and how her job is challenging, rewarding, and exciting.

After the presentation, Girl Scouts will have an opportunity to ask questions live in the chat box.

When registering you are telling us you will be logging in LIVE! Our guest will prepare based on registration numbers, so please make sure you log in on time. The program will be recorded and posted to the GSCO YouTube channel. Do not register if you plan to watch the recording. We will use Zoom to host this program. All information on how to join online or via phone will be emailed out to registrants the day before the program.

Each individual participant should be registered so we can track participation. Please do not share the information on how to join with others who have not registered.

Registration will close Tuesday, April 6.

Questions? Email aimee.artzer@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.

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Stretching My Cookie Goal

Submitted by Cece V.

Western Colorado

Grand Junction

Last year, I sold more than 1,200 packages. This year, given the pandemic and safety provisions, I set my goal a little lower to 400 packages. But, after the first day of sales and I hit more than 120, we may have to rethink it. With masks and sanitizer, I went door-to-door selling cookies to those that may not want to go out to buy cookies. We got this!

This is my third year of Girl Scouts, with two older sisters that help show me the ropes. The minute I picked up my cookies I was making signs and hitting the pavement!

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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Listen now – Meet an Expert: 9-1-1 Center Manager

Girl Scouts of Colorado thanks Jennifer Kirkland, 9-1-1 Center Manager at the Grand Junction Regional Communications Center, for participating in our Meet an Expert program on January 28, 2021. More than 40 Girl Scouts from across the United States joined live. Jennifer told the girls about her career and previous experiences that led her to be a 9-1-1 center manager. She gave girls a live tour of the communications center and answered tons of awesome questions.

Missed the program? Listen or watch now on our Meet an Expert playlist on YouTube.

During this program girls learned how 9-1-1 calls are received, how emergency response teams are dispatched, and what the training program looks like to work in the emergency communications center. In addition to her presentation and live tour, Jennifer played a recording of a real 9-1-1 call for the girls, so they could hear an example of the kinds of calls the center receives. Girls were also able to ask Jennifer questions live and they asked questions about the training program, the most stressful and interesting calls Jennifer has received, and more details about the training program.

Girl Scouts who participated in the live session or listen to the recording can purchase their “Meet an Expert” patch online: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/about-girl-scouts/gsco-shop.html

Questions? Email aimee.artzer@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.

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Meet an Expert: 9-1-1 Center Manager

Girl Scouts of all ages are invited to meet Jennifer Kirkland, a 9-1-1 Center Manager at the Grand Junction Regional Communication Center, on Thursday, January 28, 2021 from 4 – 5 p.m. MST. Jennifer will take girls on a virtual tour of the Grand Junction 9-1-1 Center, and then talk about the job, how to get started, and how rewarding being a 9-1-1 professional can be. This will be a behind-the-scenes look at a job that happens 24-hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year!

Register now: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/events-repository/2021/jan28_meet_an_expert.html

After Jennifer’s presentation, Girl Scouts will have a chance to ask questions live through the chat box. By completing registration, you are telling us you will be joining the session LIVE on January 28. Please make sure to mark your calendar and join on time. We will be recording the session and posting to YouTube so you can watch in the future. Please do not complete registration if you are planning to watch the recording.

We will use Zoom to host this webinar. All information on how to join online or via phone will be emailed to registrants the day before the webinar. Each individual participant should be registered so we can track participation. Please do not share the information on how to join with others who have not registered.

Questions? Email aimee.artzer@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 was at the can send in her story here.

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You could be in the new Girl Scouts of Colorado TV commercial

Girl Scouts of Colorado is excited to partner with CBS4-KCNC TV to produce a GSCO commercial and YOU could be in it! Enter to win by submitting a short video using this form  of yourself answering the prompts “I love Girl Scouts because …” and “I’m a tough cookie because….” Please keep your answers for each prompt to no more than 10 seconds.

Clips from several Girl Scouts will be chosen for the final commercial that will air on CBS in Denver, Grand Junction, and Colorado Springs in late January through mid-March. The deadline to enter is 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, 2020.

Here’s an example video by Morgan at CBS4: https://youtu.be/z_JxHLaTnBg

Helpful tips:

  • Think about what you plan to say before shooting. No need to write a long script, just speak from your heart. And remember to try to keep each of your answers to just 10 seconds.
  • Remember this is for TV. Wear your sash or vest or other Girl Scout apparel.
  • Shoot horizontal, not vertical. Recording your video on a smart phone is totally fine. Just hold it (or have someone else hold it or set it in a phone stand) sideways.
  • Turn lights on, don’t shoot in a dark room. It helps to be facing a window (be sure you don’t have your back to the window).
  • Talk directly to the camera for good audio. Speak clearly and don’t forget to smile!
  • No music or background noise.
  • Make sure your message is clear.

Submitting your video clip:

Use this form to submit your video. You’ll fill in your name and contact information and a caregiver will need to sign off that it’s OK for you to enter the contest.

  • If you have a photo of yourself in your Girl Scout uniform or doing a Girl Scout activity, please upload that as well (there’s a spot on the form).
  • Depending on your internet connection, it might take a minute for the file to upload and the form to submit. Don’t navigate away from that page until you see ‘Success! We’ve received your video’ message.
  • If you have technical difficulties when submitting your video clip, reach out to annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org.

Note: This contest is open to girls in grades K-12 with a current Girl Scouts of Colorado membership (the Girl Scout membership year began Oct. 1, 2020). This contest is not open to Girl Scouts who are members in other councils, are non-renewed Girl Scouts of Colorado members, or adult Girl Scouts.

 

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Secrets to Success in Grand Junction: Connecting Girls to Professional Women

Update as of December 21, 2021: This event has been canceled.

What is your secret to success? Girls will have the unique opportunity to ask that question and many more of top local women leaders our fifth annual Secrets to Success event in Grand Junction on Saturday, January 16, 2021 from 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Register now: https://gscolorado.formstack.com/forms/secrets_to_success_connecting_girls_to_professional_women_ws_01_16_2021

** This event is open to all girls in grades 6-12. You do not need to be a Girl Scout to attend. **

Registration is FREE per girl and includes program materials and snacks.

Girl Scouts of Colorado believes every girl has the power to become what she dreams to be. We are helping today’s girls overcome the challenges they face, giving them the tools they need to become successful leaders.

At this event, girls will connect with professional women in a variety of career fields, giving them a unique opportunity to learn directly from incredible women in our community. Girls will personally engage with more than 20 women leaders in the fields of technology, law, healthcare, finance, skilled trades, entrepreneurship, and more, learning from role models who will help them become our future business and community leaders. This event joins today’s leaders with the next generation, to share their expertise and provide inspiration for success.

Registration starts at 9 a.m. and the program begins at 9:30 a.m. While parents/guardians/troop leaders are not invited into the event with the girls, they are welcome to participate in separate, concurring programming such as a campus tour and info session about how to help students find employment after college. Adults must register with girl participant(s).

All girls will need to submit a COVID-19 online waiver prior to January 16 and completed permission form upon check in or in advance via email.

COVID-19 Waiver: https://gscolorado.formstack.com/forms/covid19_waiver

Permission Form: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/content/dam/girlscoutsofcolorado/documents/STS_permission_form.pdf

Registration ends Tuesday, January 12.

Questions? Email cindi.graves@gscolorado.org.

Secrets to Success in Grand Junction

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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STREAM Girls: Grand Junction and Montrose

Register now for STREAM Girls programs and pick up your gear in Grand Junction or Montrose: https://gscolorado.formstack.com/forms/stream_girls_blended_ws_10_22_2020

Registration will close on Monday, October 19, 2020 OR when capacity has been reached.

Virtual kick off: Thursday, October 22 at 5 p.m. via Zoom

Virtual reflection: Sunday, November 1 at 3 p.m. via Zoom

Gear pick up at Canyon View Park, Grand Junction: Friday, October 23 at 4 – 6 p.m.

Gear drop off at Canyon View Park, Grand Junction: Sunday, November 1 at 5 p.m.

Gear pick up at Ross Reels, Montrose: Friday, October 23 at 4 – 6 p.m.

Gear drop at Ross Reels, Montrose: Sunday, November 1 at 5 p.m.

STREAM Girls gives Girl Scout Juniors and Cadettes the opportunity to earn a special patch as they serve as citizen scientists, anglers, and artists, in order to build an appreciation for watershed conservation and the environment. This outdoor watershed experience employs STEM-education (science, technology, engineering, math) plus recreation and arts to explore a local stream.

Every person is a citizen of her watershed, and Colorado Trout Unlimited (TU) has partnered with Girl Scouts of Colorado so that girls will get the complete picture of what their stream could mean to them.

In this hybrid take home/virtual program, TU will provide Girls Scouts with the necessary gear, a Stream Girls Field Notebook, and a resource list with videos guiding Girl Scouts through six activities that they will complete over 10 days. Additionally, girls are expected to join a virtual program kick off on Thursday and a reflection meeting the next Sunday to discuss what they have learned.

Activities include:

  • Stream Walk – Observing and documenting the stream/river and surrounding area
  • Go with the Flow – Calculating river flow rates using everyday tools and simple math
  • Macroinvertebrate Survey – Investigating the insect life that lives in the stream and support fish
  • Fly-Casting – Developing skills to fly fish and practicing in your own backyard/neighborhood park
  • Fly-Tying – Creating a “fly” to imitate one of the macroinvertebrates commonly found in Colorado
  • Scavenger Hunt/Bracelet Building – Testing your knowledge of healthy streams and creating a unique bracelet to represent your local watershed!

Activities are expected to take approximately six hours, in total, and can be broken up into several days. Colorado Trout Unlimited will provide the necessary gear and supplies associated with each activity. Gear will be picked-up and dropped off at Canyon View Park in Grand Junction OR Ross Reels in Montrose.

Please indicate your pick up/drop off location upon registration. Colorado Trout Unlimited has enough gear/supplies for 24 participants. Additional participants may be able to register, if using their own gear or sharing with another Girl Scout. Please acknowledge any shared gear in registration.

Adults picking up gear on behalf of Girl Scouts will be required to complete a gear agreement upon pick up. Certificates of completion and patches will be distributed upon gear drop off. If using your own gear, certificates of completion and patches will be mailed after the program is complete. Please indicate if you are picking up supplies or using your own supplies.

As a self-guided event, Colorado Trout Unlimited and GSCO encourages Girl Scouts to complete this activity with their families. Please be sure to follow all state, county, and local public health guidelines surrounding COVID-19.

Registration will close on Monday, October 19 OR when capacity has been reached. All waivers, pre-information, and log in information for virtual meetings will be provided for all participants via email after registration closes.

If picking up supplies and gear – all supplies will be packaged as a set and available during the gear pick-up; Certificates and patches will be presented upon gear return. Participants are welcome to use their own gear/equipment. Please use the list below when compiling your own gear/supplies. For participants not requiring a gear set, the Field Notebook and Macroinvertebrate Guide will be sent via email; Patches and certificates will be mailed to the address you provide upon registration.

Supply List:

  • Field Notebook and Macroinvertebrate Guide
  • Writing Utensil (Colored pencils are great to have, as well)
  • Wading Boots/Waders (If weather/water temperatures are warm enough, sturdy water shoes can be used)
  • Stopwatch (smart phones work great)
  • Something that floats (stick, ping pong ball, etc)
  • Calculator (phone works great)
  • Measuring Tape (at least 30’)
  • Bug net (Kitchen Strainer will work)
  • Collection Pan (Tupperware or small white buckets can be effective)
  • Magnifying glass
  • Small sorting tray (ice cube trays work well)
  • Fly rod, reel, and line
  • Fly tying vise
  • Fly tying tools
  • Fly tying materials for midge pattern including hook and thread.
  • Extra fly line for bracelet (Other material will work, as well)
  • Beads for bracelet activity
  • All girls must have current Girl Scout Membership

If you need to submit multiple registration forms, click the “back” button on your browser and make necessary edits and submit the form again for additional attendees.

There are no refunds for this event.

If you have any questions about this event or have trouble completing registration, please contact inquiry@gscolorado.org or 877-404-5708.

Two pick up/drop off locations available:

  • Canyon View Park (730 24 Rd, Grand Junction, CO 81505)
  • Ross Reels (1101 Mayfly Dr., Montrose, CO 81401)

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.