Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Reaffirming our commitment to DEI

Girl Scouts of Colorado's commitment to our values of inclusivity and belonging remains unwavering. When Juliette Gordon Low founded Girl Scouts more than 100 years ago, she understood the importance of standing up for what is right and creating a space where all girls could thrive in a society that sought to limit them. We have since created a vibrant community of Girl Scouts from all backgrounds. Diversity comes in many forms, and every Girl Scout's unique background makes our community stronger.

Girl Scouts is strengthened by:

The diversity of perspectives we convene.
The ways we welcome and nurture belonging, while at the same time encourage individuality.
How we teach our Girl Scouts to use their voices in the pursuit of justice for causes they care about.
Our shared passion and determination to serve all girls.

Diversity, equity and inclusion are core values of Girl Scouts of Colorado. We aim to empower every Girl Scout to make the world a better place. Read more here.

GSCO and Girl Scouts of the USA value diversity in all its forms and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, gender, marital status, familial status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identification, genetic information, public assistance, local human rights commission activity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Girl Scouts of Colorado does not tolerate discrimination by its staff, volunteers, members, partners, or participants.

GSCO is committed to creating an environment where all girls have the opportunity to participate in a movement that encourages them to overcome barriers and become leaders in their community and world.

Standards

All GSCO staff, volunteers, and members are expected to think, speak, and act in ways that ensure all people feel they belong and can meaningfully participate in all aspects of Girl Scouting, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, gender, marital status, familial status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identification, genetic information, public assistance, local human rights commission activity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

GSCO is committed to inclusion and will make reasonable efforts to provide accessibility to Girl Scouts of all levels of ability.

Financial Assistance

From summer camps to STEM programs to journey work, GSCO is dedicated to offering a variety of consistent and quality programs to all our members. We strive to remove as many barriers as possible for families so their child may experience all that Girl Scouts has to offer. We know cost of programs can be a barrier to members attending events, whether it be brought on by an unforeseen emergency or the state of the current economy. To help ensure this is not the cause for our members GSCO offer grants as well as partnerships with donors to lower, and in some cases, remove this barrier. Please see below our list of grant offerings and current scholarship co-funded programs available to all of our members.

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Membership: Assistance for annual membership dues may be requested at the time of registration either by the registering member or the caregiver submitting the registration. Full cost of membership covered.

Uniforms and Books: Available for the purchase of official Girl Scout uniforms and Journey and badge books. One grant per year per member. Fill out a financial assistance request. Available for up to 100% of the total cost.

Troop Dues: One grant per year per girl. Fill out a financial assistance request. Available for up to 100% of the total cost..

Events and Training: Limited to events and trainings hosted by Girl Scouts of Colorado Girls can apply for multiple events and training grants. Fill out a financial assistance request. or request it during registration, depending on the event registration platform. Girls may request multiple grants for events throughout the membership year. Up to 100% of the cost may be covered.

Overnight Camp: Available for GSCO run camps. One grant per girl per year. Fill out the Camp Grant form. Up to 90% of the cost of camp may be covered. Discover additional ways to fund your camp experience here: Camp Grants and Discounts.

Family and Troop Camps: Available for GSCO run camps. One grant per girl per year. Fill out the Outdoor Program Grant form. Up to 90% of the cost of camp may be covered.

Outdoor Adventure Club: Fill out the Outdoor Program Grant form. Girls may request multiple grants for events throughout the membership year. Up to 90% of the cost may be covered.

Questions? Email inquiry@gscolorado.org or call 877-404-5708.

Accessibility and Disabilities

The Girl Scout Experience is for all girls. Every girl has something fabulous to bring to the table! Girl Scouts of Colorado welcomes girls and adults whose learning or physical disabilities and differing abilities may limit their activities but not their hopes and achievements. The Girl Scout Leadership Experience is flexible enough to bring out the best in girls and adults of any ability. Below we have listed a few resources to learn more about accessibility and disabilites.

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A Stanford University Disability Language Resource Guide
- Words matter! It is important to use respectful and inclusive language when communicating with or talking about people with disabilities. This is a starter guide (non-exhaustive, non-definitive) for learning about disability language equity.

Neurodivergent & Neurodiversity: Meanings & Examples (exceptionalindividuals.com)
- Exceptional Individual’s website provides comprehensive resources, descriptions, and definitions for learning about the different types of neurodivergence including Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, and more. Dive deeper into learning the challenges and strengths someone with neurodivergences holds!
Book recommendations
- Just Ask!: Be Brave, Be Different, Be You by Sonia Sotomayor - Using her own experience as a child who was diagnosed with diabetes, Justice Sotomayor writes about children with all sorts of challenges--and looks at the special powers those kids have as well.
- Demystifying Disability: What to know, what to say, how to be an ally by Emily Ladau - An approachable guide to being a thoughtful, informed ally to disabled people, with actionable steps for what to say and do (and what not to do) and how you can help make the world a more inclusive place.
- We Move Together by Kelly Fritsch, Anne Mcguire, Eduardo Trejos - A perfect tool for families, schools, and libraries to facilitate conversations about disability, accessibility, social justice and community building. Includes a kid-friendly glossary (for ages 6 - 9)
Volunteers, sign in to your myGS account to access and review these Girl Scout specific trainings.
- GSUSA gsLearn training – Delivering Inclusive Program
- GSCO gsLearn training – 512 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
Girl Scouts for All (provided by Girl Scouts of Ohio Heartland) - A Girl Scouts For All Guide to welcoming girls with disabilities into your troop, with suggestions and strategies for preparing and including girls in troop meetings. Includes Girl Scouts for All Patch Program with activities and guides for teaching your Girl Scout troop about diversity and inclusion.

Land Acknowledgement

We include a Land Acknowledgement at large meetings and events in order to acknowledge the colonial history of our region and our responsibility to respect and honor the relationship Indigenous peoples have to this land.

Further the Conversation

Being an advocate for social justice issues doesn't have to be an adults only role. Use our Engaging Your Family in Social Justice Advocacy guide to explore the topic of social justice advocacy with your family and learn how you can engage your family at home and in the community.

Black History, Cultures, and Identities

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Black Like Me- Dr. Alex Gee’s podcast invites you to experience the world through the perspective of one Black man, one conversation, one story, or even one rant at a time.

The Evolution of Black Beauty- Say It Loud’s discuss how haircare, skincare, and makeup with in the African American beauty standards have evolved.

Growing Up Black in America: here’s my story of everyday racism- Article by Brian Jones associate director of education at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

The Talk- Race in America- PBS two-hour documentary about the increasingly necessary conversations taking place in homes and communities across the country between parents of color and their children about how to behave if they are ever stopped by the police.

Race and Privilege

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Systemic Racism Explained - This four minute video that gives a closer look at what systemic racism is, and how we can solve it.

Children’s Books about Racism- Common Sense Media’s list of books that tell the stories of people’s experiences of racism and of those who put their bodies on the lines for the cause of equality under the law and social justice.

Antiracists young adult books- 18 young adult books to teach them to become better allies.

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How to Talk About Racism with Your Children- Children's Hospital of Colorado

In My Skin- a podcast about race and childhood

Let’s Talk! Discussing Whiteness- a four-part webinar series that covers a range of critical topics that can be difficult to discuss with students and colleagues.

How to build an antiracist world- TED talk by Ibram X Kendi. In this vital conversation, he defines the transformative concept of antiracism to help us more clearly recognize, take responsibility for and reject the prejudices in our public policies, workplaces, and personal beliefs.

LGBTQ+

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Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth in Girl Scouts

GSCO is currently working on adapting and creating more resources for LGBTQ+ Girl Scouts and their adults. In the meantime, check out some tools from other councils:

Girl Scouts of Northwestern Great Lakes Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth in Girl Scouts

Guide to being an ally to transgender and nonbinary youth

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ACLU resources

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The Trevor Project

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Red, A Crayon’s Story
By Michael Hall
This story follows Red, a crayon whose wrapper is bright red, but whose color is blue. Everyone tells Red what color to be, but deep down, Red has always painted blue!

And Tango Makes Three
This book is a loving story of two male penguins adopting Tango and their journey as a family.

Diverse. Inclusive. Together. patch

Being an ally is a verb not a noun. It is the commitment to a lifelong journey of learning about and recognizing your privilege. Completing Girl Scouts of Colorado’s Diverse. Inclusive. Together. patch program is a great first step in this journey. Below you will find additional resources* for caregivers and children to continue your exploration of topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

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The program is designed to help participants start the conversation about race and racism by learning to appreciate diversity and honor and celebrate differences. Grant funding will provide FREE patches to the first 750 Girl Scouts of Colorado girl members who complete all activity and reporting requirements. Use this online form to request your patch.

K-3 Diverse. Inclusive. Together. patch program

en Espanol

4-5 Diverse. Inclusvie. Together. patch program

En Espanol

6-8 Diverse. Inclusive. Together. patch program

En Espanol

9-12 Diverse. Inclusive, Together. patch program

En Espanol

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Suggested Books

This is How We do It
Author Matt Lamothe
One day in the lives of seven children from around the world. Follow the lives of children from Peru, Iran, Uganda, Italy and Russia, this book explores the games played like freeze tag, or jump rope. The games may sound familiar, but this book provides a view into traditions that may differ but also reflect common experiences that unites all children.

Let’s Eat! Mealtime Around the World
Author Lynne Marie
Thirteen countries, including Sweden Pakistan Nigeria and tells what children in these countries eat, breakfast, lunch and dinner. This book also gives facts about the countries, not all food related features recipes that encourages children to try different food.

Every Month is a New Year
Author Marilyn Singer
New Year occurs at different times around the world. in America the new year is January 1st, but not everyone celebrates the New Year on the same day. The Chinese New Year is celebrated In January or February. Nowruz, the Iranian New Year is in March and Rosh Hashanah the Jewish New Year is in September or October. This book highlights the diversity of celebrations of the new year around the world.

My Bed: Enchanting Ways to Fall Asleep Around the World
Author Rebecca Bond
This book offers enchanting ways to fall asleep. Children may think everybody sleeps on the same kinds of bed, this book explores different types beds used around the world. Lovely rhymes and hand stitched illustrations lulls the reader into the ways children in Japan or Canada nestle down to sleep whether on mattresses or hammocks.

Me Llamo Gabito-Life of Gabriel Garcia
Author Monica Brown
Nobel Prize in Literature. Book tells the life of Gabriel García Márquez, (born March 6, 1927, Colombia—died April 17, 2014, Mexico), Colombian novelist and one of the greatest writers of the 20th century, he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1982.

Me Llamo Celia- Life of Celia Cruz
Author Monica Brown
Book tells the life of Úrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso (October 21, 1925 –July 16, 2003), known as Celia Cruz, was a naturalized Cuban American singer and one of the most popular Latin artists of the 20th century.

Drum Dream Girl
Author Margarita Engle
A true story about the childhood of Millo Castro Zaldarreago, a Chinese African-Cuban girl that broke the traditional taboo against female drummers. Girls cannot be drummers, so she practiced in secret.

Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl
Author Harriet Jacobs
Harriet Jacobs was born into slavery in Edenton, North Carolina in 1813. When she was a child, her mistress taught her to read and write. Her owner, like most would threaten to sell the children of female slaves to coerce them into obedience. Harriet refused to obey and hid in a tiny crawlspace under the roof of her grandmother's house, pretending to have run away. After staying there for seven years she was finally able to escape.

Dear America Series, is a series of historical fiction novels for children and teens Many stories would be appropriate for older girls as some subject matter is mature. Books cover what life for girls and young women were like, the struggles they endured. These books capture life from a different time and illustrates the challenges of children growing up in a new nation. The stories are told as diaries in more than 34 books including:

Voyage on the Great Titanic: The Diary of Margaret Ann Brady, R.M.S. Titanic, 1912
Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie: The Diary of Hattie Campbell, The Oregon Trail, 1847
A Coal Miner's Bride: the Diary of Anetka Kaminska
The Winter of Red Snow: The Revolutionary War Diary of Abigail Jane Stewart, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, 1777