Girl Scout volunteers, we love you!
In honor of April being Volunteer Appreciation Month, Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state. Here are a few of the thousands of volunteers who go above and beyond to support the future of Girl Scouts!
Valerie P. from Centennial
Why did you become a Girl Scout volunteer?
I was a Girl Scout when I was little, and once my daughter became old enough to join Girl Scouts I wanted to share that experience with her. Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout.
I've been a Troop Leader and Troop Cookie Manager for three years since our troop started as Daises. This year I took on the role of Service Unit Cookie Manager as well.
What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer?
I've learned to be a more confident speaker and how to plan engaging activities based on what my troop enjoys. I've loved watching how the girls in our troop have grown and become more confident in themselves, and it shows me how even the smallest things can have a big impact. What do you hope girls have learned from you?
I hope the girls in our troop are learning how to use critical thinking to problem-solve and come up with solutions, whether they're big or small. I hope they learn that every one of them is amazing in their own way and they can do anything when we put our minds to it and work together.
Robyn G. from Bayfield
Why did you become a Girl Scout volunteer?
My daughter wanted to sign up for Girl Scouts, and in signing up, I was asked to volunteer. I am very social, so I figured, why not! Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout.
I started off by sitting in during meetings if a leader was out. Then, when cookie season came around, I discovered our troop did not plan on doing booths…that’s half the fun, right? So I volunteered to be the booth manager and loved it! Shortly after I became the Troop Cookie Manager and have been in this role for two years now! What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer?
Being a Girl Scout volunteer, I have learned so much about the company and what they teach. Previously I only knew about cookies! I also made many new Girl Scout mom friends! What do you hope girls have learned from you?
I am mostly active during cookie season. But during this time I have taught girls about customer service skills, cash handling, and marketing. I have a strong background in retail and working at banks, so it was easy to teach the girls the skills I have obtained. Plus, I love seeing customers being so impressed by the girls in our troop and how they can handle sales without any adult assistance.
Selena R. from Durango
Why did you become a Girl Scout volunteer?
To make space in my schedule to engage with my daughter. I fell right in after the first outing or two!
Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout.
I started as a co-leader, became troop leader after a few years. Took on TCM role this year.
What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer?
To be patient, flexible, and have FUN! This is a girl-led program and our troop really tries to let the girls do just that!
What do you hope girls have learned from you?
I hope my girls feel empowered to make good decisions, try new things, and to be kind to others!
Kirsten K. from Colorado Springs
Why did you become a Girl Scout volunteer?
I loved Girl Scouts when I was younger, and couldn’t wait to try to create a similar experience for my daughter.
Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout.
I’m a Daisy troop leader. With the help of my amazing co-leader and our supportive and enthusiastic Girl Scout families, I lead 8 girls in kindergarten and first grade.
What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer?
No matter how prepared I think I am from training, there is still a lot to be learned by doing.
What do you hope girls have learned from you?
I hope they are learning that even as Daisies, they are strong, capable, intelligent, and deserving of respect just by existing. I also want them to know that we do not jeopardize any of that by being a little silly.
Jennifer S. from Highlands Ranch
Why did you become a Girl Scout volunteer?
Shortly after my husband passed away, I was looking for an opportunity for our adopted daughter to spend time doing positive things with other girls who have developmental disabilities. We joined a multilevel troop for girls with disabilities when my daughter was in 4th grade. As my daughter progressed through Girl Scouts, she started hearing about opportunities and began dreaming big dreams. The troop had limitations that would not allow her to meet these goals. As a result, another parent and I decided to start a troop with some other Girl Sccouts who were looking for more opportunities to grow. In just a couple of months, we added an additional six girls to the original six, and in this second year as troop leaders, we now have 16 girls with two more planning to join soon. I want girls to have the opportunity to dream big and work hard to achieve their goals with the supports they need to be successful.
Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout.
I signed up as a troop support volunteer and worked as the Troop Cookie Manager. I moved up to co-leader where I am planning badges for multiple levels while serving as the Troop Fall Product Manager and Troop Cookie Manager for our very busy troop. I also have served as the Service Unit Fall Product Manager for the last two years and am now a bank account signer and by default Treasurer for our service unit.
What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer?
I have learned to listen to what the girls want and how to give them time to accomplish those things by themselves while gently encouraging them to stay on task. The leader trainings make it clear that girls should be leading with guidance from supportive adults. While in many ways it would be easier to follow a set pathway, it is important to do what the girls want. The challenge of working with girls at so many ages and stages is real, but I love that we are a troop with siblings who can be in Girl Scouts together. I have discovered that every troop is different and that it can be hard to make every scout and parent happy all the time, but I do my best to achieve a balance so all the scouts have a say and are a part of the decision making process. I have learned to handle roadblocks creatively and continually strive to make Girl Scouts fun instead of too much like school.
What do you hope girls have learned from you?
Hopefully they are learning to be flexible and resilient as I try to model that whenever we are together. It is most important that they learn to be kind humans. We have a unique set of girls, some neurodiverse and others neurotypical, but every girl matters and has something to contribute. Each one has recognizable strengths and other areas where they may be more challenged. I accept each scout exactly where she is and want to help her reach her fullest potential.
Teresa B. from Louisville
Why did you become a Girl Scout volunteer?
I wanted to support my daughter and the troop when they started as Daisies. I thought it would be a good way to meet other girls in her class and the other leaders. We had a troop of 20 girls and 4 leaders at the time! As seventh graders, we now have 10 girls and 2 leaders.
Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout.
I have assisted our amazing main leader by being that second set of eyes and hands that keep girls moving in the right direction ... whether that's on the trail when hiking or in a journey workbook. This past fall when our primary leader was out of the country for several months, I allowed the girls to take charge of leading badges for the troop. And just like most parents, I have handled the cash at cookie booths. Although I am a signer on the Service Unit bank account, this hasn't come into play much yet.
What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer?
To breathe deeply and allow girls to discover the way forward as much as possible.
What do you hope girls have learned from you?
I hope that the girls have learned teamwork and leadership through support & service to others. Additionally, I hope that they have a broader view of the world from the experiences we have shared. Lastly, I think they have gained confidence and self-esteem by taking on projects and completing them.
Deveny O. from Highlands Ranch
Why did you become a Girl Scout volunteer?
I became a Girl Scout volunteer because I wanted to spend time with my daughter engaging in activities that were girl empowering, community based and aligned with our family values. Joining Girl Scouts was a natural fit for our family as we try to live by the Girl Scout law.
Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout.
My role as a volunteer means I get to know all of the kids, their families and happenings in the community. It is fun to learn about different badges, patches, and be exposed to different activities, learn new skills and meet new friends. Being a volunteer I get to spend quality time with daughter and we get to learn new things together.
What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer?
I learned to sew! In all seriousness, I am reminded how magical this age is and see how the girls learn, laugh, play and build friendship. Watching the girls interact together, and support each other is a gift I didn't know I would receive when I became a volunteer.
What do you hope girls have learned from you?
I hope the girls learn to try new things, see the magic in girl friendships and girl empowerment. Our troop is diverse in many aspects so I hope that are girls continue to embrace their community with open arms.
Georgina K. from Colorado Springs
Why did you become a Girl Scout volunteer?
I became a volunteer so I could spend time with my daughter, a just us activity. I continue to volunteer because Girl Scouts has become the place where we find community. No matter where we move there is troop we can join and meet the most amazing people.
Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout.
I first started as a daisy troop helper. In our second year I became a leader, which lead to me volunteering in the service units as well.
What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer?
I have learned that it is an amazing organization that really puts the girls first. Girl Scouts is adaptive to all kinds of girls and all shapes of learners. I have learned how to organize so many kinds of events. I have also gotten to try so many amazing new things, like dolphin training, kayaking, rock climbing, indoor skydiving and aerial silks just to name a few. I have learned to expand my knowledge so that I can better guide the girls.
What do you hope girls have learned from you?
I hope they learn something new! I hope that I can show the girls how to be accepting of others, and how to share small kindness that might someday change the world.
Heather P. from Grand Junction
Why did you become a Girl Scout volunteer?
I became a volunteer probably like most, to support my daughter and be able to help where I could.
Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout.
I became a tropp leader almost 4 years ago when our troop leader was planning to move. I took on fall sales and cookie sales right away. Recently I took on the training and passed as a Youth and young adult mental first aid. I am also on my second year with an amazing bunch of volunteers on the Service Unit.
What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer?
I have learned so much from the girls. How to connect to different levels can be a challenge, but the older girls in our multi-level help all the time bridge to those younger girls and I follow their lead. I have been learning how to let them run their own meetings with the whole girl scout rainbow there and letting them find the ups and downs themselves. I have really learned how to connect to my own Girl Scout, Kyren, more and we have more to talk about than just school.
What do you hope girls have learned from you?
I hope they have learned from me to see the impossible as possible. That to set small goals and see where it can take you. I hope they have learned how to be a sister to every Girl Scout and to be a friend to anyone who needs it.
Tammy K. from Fort Collins
Why did you become a Girl Scout volunteer?
I did not have the opportunity to be a Girl Scout when I was growing up, so when the opportunity presented itself to be part of my daughter's troop, I jumped at the chance.
Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout.
I am a Troop Leader for a Multi-Level troop, I am the Troop Fall Product Manager, I am the Safety Coordinator for our Service Unit Camp, and am the Service Unit Manager for 747.
What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer?
How to work with girls and how to let them lead. The importance of having a good support team. The importance of having a Plan B and C.
What do you hope girls have learned from you?
How to be confident. How to acknowledge mistakes and make them right. How to support each other.
Know a Girl Scout volunteer who goes above and beyond? To show your gratitude, nominate a volunteer for a Volunteer Recognition Award so we can recognize their greatness! Learn more here.