WTS Transportation YOU hosted a group of Girl Scouts on Saturday 9/10 in downtown Denver. We rode the light rail from Broadway Station to DUS.

A BIG thanks to Caitlin Arnold (RTD) who taught the girls about RTD/TOD, Jess Hastings and Travis Greiman (Benesch) for an interactive discussion on disability mobility, Nyssa Beach (CDOT) for bringing her entire troop and presenting fun facts about bridges and Emily Gloeckner (City and County of Denver) for the bike safety tips!

We were excited to be back in person after three years and we look forward to continuing the program next year.

Cadettes from Aurora’s troop 65346 collaborated to reimagine Liberty Middle School’s counseling office space into a warm and welcoming ‘Zen Den’, a place where students can visit when they need a mental health break.

Last Spring, the troop met with specialists from their school district’s Office of Student Health to discuss the mental health needs of middle school students and brainstorm what could be included in the space. Funded entirely through their cookies sales, the new, updated space features flexible and active seating options, fidget and stress toys, aromatherapy, adult coloring books, positivity posters, and calming activities.

The Global Action Team would like to be a guest at any of your Virtual or In-Person Service Unit meetings!

The members in your Service Unit can get an introduction to Global or a demonstration on how to use the 2023 World Thinking Day Activity packet.

Pick one theme for our visit to your SU Meeting and invite us back for more.

Email gscoglobal@gmail.com to request a date for your guest visitor for 15 – 20 minutes, from the Global Action Team.

Register early so you can get the book, write a letter to the author and attend the event!

Girl Scout Juniors can earn their Junior Scribe Badge and meet with a children’s author! Micheal Anderson is a writer, blogger, and author of Zoey Lyndon’s Big Move to the Lou – a book about a science-loving fourth grader that has just relocated from the East Coast to the Midwest and now must learn how to make new friends while learning how to navigate in a new school.

During this fabulous event, Micheal will meet with us virtually to talk about the writing process and to answer your letters!

To participate and earn your Junior Scribe Badge:

1) Register for the event.
2) READ “Zoey Lyndon’s Big Move to the Lou”. You can get the book at a library or you can purchase from a local bookstore. We would love for you to send Ms. Anderson a picture of you with your book! 3) Write a short letter to the author with questions about being an author and/or questions about the book and send it to Micheal Anderson, PO Box 185, Cottleville, MO 63338 to arrive by November 9, 2022. **This is required to receive the Zoom link. **
4) Attend the event on November 17 from 7 – 8 p.m. (Mountain Time)!

Girl Scout Juniors – Budget Maker Badge Workshop – Littleton

A budget involves keeping track of how to spend and save money to reach a goal. So, why do Girl Scout Juniors need to keep a budget? Maybe they want to purchase something, but it costs more money than they have. Or after their troop has an idea of where to spend money earned from Girl Scout fundraising, they then make a fundraising goal they aim to meet. Creating a budget helps them plan to meet those goals. As part of that plan, Girl Scout Juniors learn smart ways to spend, save, and share money.

At this Charles Schwab workshop, Girl Scout Juniors will:

1. Investigate why they want what they want
2. Practice spend-save-share
3. Learn how to decide what to buy
4. Find out how financial services help people save
5. Build a special save-share plan

Register here.

 Girl Scout Cadettes – Budget Manager Badge Workshop – Aurora

At this Charles Schwab workshop, Girl Scout Cadettes will have a chance to imagine their ideal life. Traveling, spending time with family, or able to splurge on things they want? The way people manage their money can help make their goals a reality. How they spend, save, and share money also impacts their well-being and long-term happiness. Now is a good time for Girl Scout Cadettes to look at their values, explore their money habits, and practice being a good budget manager.

Girl Scout Cadettes will:

1. Find out how their budget reflects their values
2. Learn how to track their spending
3. Find ways to earn money for themselves or their troop
4. Explore how to make money decisions ”
5. Set a goal for how they’ll give back

Register here.

Contact girlexperience@gscolorado.org with any questions.

I was recently very lucky to get the opportunity to spend two days at the 2022 Inclusive Global Leadership Institute (IGLI). Here, activists from around the world gather to share ideas and advice to re-energize and push their movements to the next level. While the movements and campaigns vary from each activist, I noticed some common themes that I believe are valuable lessons for everyone as they face new challenges, adversity, or want to stand up for what they truly believe in.

The first thing I learned is that imposter syndrome is very real, even among the most impressive and accomplished people. The activists who come to IGLI are some of the bravest and most inspired people I have met. Their accomplishments include TED Talks, op-eds in well known papers, and several even risk imprisonment, threats, and torture for standing up for what they believe in. During the introductions on the first day, I noticed that the participants often said that they couldn’t believe they were a part of this group and felt as if they didn’t fully belong or measure up to the rest of the group. As an observer, I felt amazed that this sentiment was shared and so ingrained within the group. What I got out of this, however, was that this feeling is completely normal and is actually common. I think this is vital because as we transition from high school to college or are in a newer environment, feeling like an imposter or feeling small is normal, and even if it seems like a big deal, it is not something that should hold you back or define you. Everyone experiences imposter syndrome.

The next takeaway that I got is that anger is powerful and can become a positive influence. Anger was definitely a common theme during my two days since a lot of activists start out because they are angry at the system they have experienced. So often, anger, especially in women, is classified as “hysteria” or emphasized as a negative aspect that could derail a movement. The women at IGLI taught me that anger is power because it can illustrate the injustices in a government or system. Anger can help drive the energy, but it is important to manage anger and have ways to cope to avoid burnout. I really believe this is important to mention because as we enter new phases of our lives, sometimes new experiences can bring out different emotions or reactions within ourselves that we may not have had before, and knowing that this energy can be used in a positive way can really help.

The final takeaway I learned and got to witness was that community is vital. Witnessing the activists interact and share their experiences and advice was inspiring. The energy in the room completely changed the second day compared to the first day as everyone got to know each other more. I realized that community, especially in the context of activism, is so important because it comes with an aspect of understanding. Although each activist had a different campaign that they were passionate about, a lot of their experiences and feelings were shared.

These commonalities allowed for compassion and empathy, and this created a space for the participants to re-energize in an environment where their sacrifices and efforts were acknowledged. I believe this is so critical because it can be applied to everyday life. Surrounding yourself with people who understand and believe in you but aren’t the exact same as you can help you to grow and expand your comfort zone.

Our Fall Product Program starts on Saturday, Sept. 10! There will be two contests during the program. Girl Scouts can enter a drawing to win the giant-sized, Hawaiian Monk seal, Kai, our program mascot -and- the first 50 girls to sell 15+ magazine subscriptions will win a super cool mystery prize!

Giant Hawaiian Monk Seal Drawing

There are four ways that girls can qualify to get multiple entries into the drawing for the giant seal and increase their chances to win the plush seal.

• Girls who renew their membership by Sept. 30, 2022, and who participate in the Fall Product Program can get one drawing entry.
• Girls who sell 15+ magazine subscriptions can get two drawing entries.
• Girls who reach the level of $650+ in combined sales can get three drawing entries.
• Girls who create a video or voice recording for their M2 online storefront can get four drawing entries. 

Form opens on Saturday, Sept. 10. Girls MUST complete the Seal Drawing form only once. Each criteria met could mean up to ten total entries to the drawing! Girls do not need to meet each criterion to enter the drawing. *Combined sales can be any combination of online and/or in-person sales. 

How to Enter:

Girls can check off the criteria they have met on the contest form. Criteria will be verified by GSCO staff. Each criterion that’s met could mean up to ten total entries in the drawing!

https://girlscoutsofcolorado.formstack.com/forms/2022_hawaiian_monk_seal_drawing_entry_form

Contest Entry Deadline and Drawing:

Girls must complete and submit form by the deadline: Friday, Dec. 9, 2022, 11:59pm. 

Contest drawing will be on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. 

Note: We cannot ship the giant seal. The winner will need to schedule to pick it up from the nearest GSCO office.

Magazine Contest:

*The first 50 girls who sell 15 or more magazine subscriptions and complete the magazine contest form, will receive a super cool mystery reward!

https://girlscoutsofcolorado.formstack.com/forms/2022_magazine_contest_entry_form

Magazine subscriptions are purchased through a Girl Scouts’ online storefront in M2. There are lots of popular titles to choose from for sports enthusiasts, foodies, fashionistas, green thumbs, crafters, news hounds and nature lovers!

Magazines make great gifts for family and friends to enjoy, plus there are no shipping fees. Troops also earn 13% of subscription costs as proceeds.

Bonus – Girls who sell 15+ magazine subscriptions will not only qualify to receive but they will also qualify for two entries into the drawing for the giant plush penguin contest too!

The contest form opens Saturday, Sept. 10. As soon as a girl has sold 15 or more magazine subscriptions, she should complete the form to qualify to receive the S’mores tote with a mystery reward inside.

*The first 50 girls to qualify will be based on the date that the contest form is submitted, and the verified number of magazine subscriptions sold.

Note: Mystery prizes will need to be picked up from the nearest GSCO office.

Four Brownies in Troop 65659 worked on the Hiker, First Aid, and Cabin Camper badges over the summer and three of them completed all three badges and went on to do a Take Action project for the Outdoor Journey. They chose to focus their project on campfires. Using information from the Leave No Trace website, the girls performed a skit about getting ready to make a campfire, then finding out there is a fire ban.

Two of the girls chose to play a Squirrel and a Panda Bear, and the third chose to play the part of Fairy. Each time Squirrel and Bear ran into a problem, the fire Fairy helped them learn the solution, including how to find appropriate firewood, trash in campfires, and alternatives to campfires including using a camp stove, sleeping bags for warmth, playing games and stargazing for fun, and headlamps and lanterns for light. They have shared the video of their skit with friends and family. At their celebration, they all created bookmarks by taping photos from their journey to cardstock.

On December 19, 2011, United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, to acknowledge girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls encounter around the world!

Join us at any of these events, where Girl Scouts will learn about and discuss some of the most critical issues affecting girls in the United States and around the world. We will also showcase the strength, ingenuity, and depth of girl leadership and social change.

View events here.

• October 8
  In-Person: Fort Collins, Parker, Colorado Springs and Grand Junction
• October 10
  Virtual: International Day of the Girl
• October 18
  Virtual: Daisy Flower Circle Club – International Day of the Girl
• October 19
  Virtual: Brownie and Junior Jam Club – International Day of the Girl
• October 19
  Virtual: Cadette Crew – International Day of the Girl
• October 20
  Virtual: Senior and Ambassador Society – International Day of the Girl