Colorado Girl Scouts open 'DreamLab,' a national model for the organization

DENVER -- There’s a lot more to Girl Scouts than cookies. There’s outdoor adventure, STEM projects, robotics, producing podcasts and building lasting friendships.

And now there’s also DreamLab. Girl Scouts of Colorado held a grand opening this month for a first-of-its-kind concept that will be a model for Girl Scouts across the country. The 4,000-square-foot center in Denver’s Lowry neighborhood is a showcase for the organization’s programs and a gathering place for Scout troops, employees and families and girls who want to learn more about Scouts.

About 1,000 people turned out for the opening March 12, which coincided with the 111th anniversary of Girl Scouts. The location in the growing residential and shopping area along Quebec Street was picked because of its high visibility and diverse population, said Girl Scouts of Colorado CEO Leanna Clark.

“About 17% of our membership is within 10 miles of DreamLab and we have access to 80,000 girls who are Girl Scouts age who are not Girl Scouts,” Clark said. “So, it lets us serve our current membership as well as have access to potential members.”

In addition, the diversity index in the neighborhood is higher than the national average, Clark said. “That gives us more access to building our membership with communities of color, which is important to us.”

Enhancing current members’ experience as well as boosting the organization’s visibility are drivers behind the DreamLab concept, said Anne Smith, Girl Scouts USA’s senior vice president of property strategy.

The DreamLab has a bouldering wall, a podcast production booth, a boutique, a big lab space, a faux fire pit encircled by logs to sit on and a tent to practice camping skills. There are workstations, a conference room...