Girls: Become a Girl Scouts of Colorado Media Star

Do you dream of being a star? If you are in 4th grade and above, then we have the opportunity for you! Get trained to become a Girl Scouts of Colorado Media Star.

Before the Cookie Activity each January, Girl Scouts of Colorado trains girls from all areas of the state to be Media Stars and help deliver the excitement about this anticipated time of the year to area TV and radio stations, as well as newspapers. These spokesgirls will help with other Girl Scouts of Colorado media interviews throughout the year.

If the media isn't your thing, but you are still interested in being a star in other capacities with Girl Scouts of Colorado, such as helping out at community events or doing flag ceremonies, please send an email to Amanda Kalina. 

How to get involved

1. Get a jump start on creating your very own cookie business for the 2011 Cookie Activity! Develop your very own cookie business complete with a name, logo, business cards, posters and a 30-second jingle song or chant. For resources and tips on developing your cookie business, visit the Little Brownie Bakers website. There are resource books for Daisies, Brownies and Juniors as well as Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors.  

2. Then record the 30-second jingle song or chant. This can be done on any video recording device such as a cell phone, digital camera, Flip camera or camcorder. (Check with your local Service Center or staff member to see if there is equipment you could borrow.) Videos can be done individually or as a group.

3. Post the video to YouTube (or if you have a Flip camera, to your Flip camera site). Don't worry if the video isn't perfect! We aren't looking for professionally edited videos. This exercise is to help us get to know you better and see what you have to say.

4. Send a link to the video, as well as your contact information, to Amanda Kalina by Nov. 1. We need the following contact information on all the girls in the video:

• first and last name
• troop number (if applicable)
• towns they reside in
• email address
• phone number
• if they speak another language, such as Spanish

If you don't receive a confirmation that your email was received within 48 hours, please call Amanda at 303-607-4844 or 1-866-827-7033.

5. The information you have prepared for your cookie business, including the chant or jingle, can then be saved and submitted to the Sensational Sellers Contest that will be announced as part of the 2011 Cookie Activity. Look for more information in the Cookie section of the website by the start of the Cookie Activity in January on how to apply. Winners of the Sensational Sellers Contest will earn a pizza party.

6. Questions? Review the FAQs below or contact Amanda Kalina at 303-607-4844 or 1-866-827-7033, ext. 244.

If I've already been trained as a Media Star, do I have to apply again? If you were part of the 2009/2010 Media Star program, you don't need to apply again. Instead, just email your interest in being part of the 2010/2011 Media Star program to Amanda Kalina by Nov. 1. We will send you more information about the retraining you need to complete to participate in this year's program.

Can I email you my video file? Yes, however, keep in mind that video files are large and there is a limit to the size of files that can be emailed to Girl Scouts of Colorado.

What file format should I use? As long as it works on your end, it should work on ours as well as on YouTube.   

Do I have to send the file to you electronically? No. You can also send or drop off a video tape or a CD, DVD or USB flash drive with your video file on it to Amanda Kalina, Girl Scouts of Colorado, Denver Service Center, 400 S. Broadway, P.O. Box 9407, Denver, 80209. (Items will not be returned unless requested.) Please note that Service Centers and staff outside of Denver can help deliver packages to the Denver Service Center.

Can I still participate if you don't have video equipment? Yes! Simply follow the directions above, but instead of sending in a video, send an email or letter with your 30-second jingle song or chant, along with a photo of yourself/your group, to Amanda Kalina by Nov. 1. Please don't forget to include your contact information.

Next steps

All entries will be reviewed by staff and Girl Scout members, and selections will be made for the Media Star program by the middle of November. Girls selected for the program will need to complete a webinar training for this program in December. The training will be available live or through self-study. 

If you aren’t in 4th grade yet, but are interested in this program, keep it in mind as a great incentive for advancing to the next Girl Scout level. In fact, all members are invited to check back on our website in November to review the videos of this year's candidates for the Media Star program.

Thank you for your interest in Girl Scouts of Colorado's Media Star program!