Submitted by Penny Roberts
Northern & Northeastern CO
Estes Park
On a perfect fall afternoon at Stanley Park with a backdrop of clouds, sun, and a herd of elk, family and friends gathered to help Troop 70264 celebrate the bridging of four Girl Scout Juniors to the next program level of Cadettes. Cadettes are in grades sixth through eighth and are very capably led by leaders Christine Guy and Amanda Hoskins.
This ceremony celebrated two whole years of activities, fun, and community service for a very committed group of girls who have their futures clearly in mind. The current world situation has done nothing to quench their accomplishments or douse their enthusiasm for Girl Scouts with a strong support of all their families. Yes, they sold cookies in the spring, getting that accomplishment just before schools closed and their summer was changed from in-person trips and activities to online and special group projects. Yes, they are selling Fall Products right now.
Help me recognize each girl individually for her accomplishments.
Angelina.: 18 badges, one Journey, and her Bronze Award. Angelina reports that First-Aid was her favorite badge and their visit to the Denver Zoo was her favorite activity.
Haven: 16 badges, one Journey, and her Bronze Award. Haven says that Playing the Past was her favorite badge because it let them visit the History Center in Loveland, dress up in period uniforms, and learn to relate to Girl Scouts from past years. Her favorite activity was the glassblowing workshop with local artists.
Sarah: 22 badges, two Journeys, and her Bronze Award. Sarah loves the out-of-doors and naturally, the Camping badge was her favorite. She loves Meadow Mountain Ranch and can have a good time “even if it’s snowing,” according to Sarah. Add sledding and sand surfing at the Great Sand Dunes and you can see where her optimistic outlook comes from. She also reports that horseback riding was another favorite activity.
Paige: 13 badges, one Journey, and her Bronze Award. She was not present at the ceremony to tell us about her favorite badges and activities, but she’s an active Cadette now by virtue of meeting requirements for advancement through program levels.
Other girls expressed their love for Girl Scouts with a long list of accomplishments even through the summer program restriction due to COVID. “Breathe” is a favorite Journey program, focusing on air pollution, environmental issues, and the relationship between trees and the air we breathe. “Animal Helpers” including therapy dogs, horses, dolphins and even rats spark inspiration in girls to learn more about how training and national programs match people with their creature friends.
A field trip to the Noosa Yogurt Factory allowed the girls to see the farm where the special organically-fed cows give their milk. They watched the very “happy cows” ride the “Cowasell,” the automated system that harvests the milk daily without ever being touched.
The Community Garden also allowed this troop to be involved this summer in planning, planting, cultivating, and harvesting Plot #66. Perennials included a large amount of mint, sage, chives, strawberries, and rhubarb. Deciding to specialize in plants to attract pollinators, the girl added blanket flowers, marigolds, sunflowers, a blueberry bush, and several other perennials. Even a little bee house was built.
The girls are very quick to relate their future plans to travel when the situation in the world allows it. The financial profits from the past two years of cookie and product sales are safely stored away in the bank to help support their travel plans. As Girl Scout Cadettes, the girls will make all the decisions and plans, including research of places to go, schedule for the trip and, of course, all financial and budgetary activities. They first would like to travel through Colorado by train, and ultimately set their sights on an international trip to Scotland.
Congratulations to all the girls who bridged as well as to those who will continue with the troop. THANKS to all the leaders and family support systems who make this group so special. To join Girl Scouts on any level or to become a new adult volunteer, please contact Recruitment Specialist for Girl Scouts of Colorado, Cherie Schonfeld, at cheri.schonfeld@gscolorado.org. Or contact me, Penny Roberts, Service Unit Manager, at probertscolo@gmail.com or by phone at (970) 586-1775.
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.