Educational Itinerary for Girl Scouts
Washington, DC
3-Day Immersive Leadership and Discovery Adventure
Day 1: Leadership & Girl Scout Values, Foundations of Democracy
- Breakfast: Gather for a group breakfast at the hotel, where Girl Scouts recite the Promise and Law and discuss the day’s focus on leadership, service, and citizenship.
- Morning: Embark on a guided United States Capitol tour with a leadership twist: the group votes on a mock bill about environmental stewardship. Scouts work in teams, practicing parliamentary procedure and public speaking. Special attention is given to women legislators and Girl Scout alumnae in government.
- Snack: Morning snack at the Capitol Visitor Center café.
- Midday: Hands-on history at the Library of Congress: participate in a workshop where scouts research influential women and Girl Scouts in history, then create short presentations or posters to share with the group. Complete a “Library Detective” scavenger hunt focused on the power of information and advocacy.
- Lunch: Lunch at a nearby restaurant featuring local, sustainable fare.
- Afternoon: At the National Archives, after exploring the nation’s founding documents, Girl Scouts join a hands-on “Right to Vote” badge clinic—designing pins and posters inspired by suffragists and participating in a debate about civic action. Conclude with a circle reflection on the Girl Scout mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character.
- Dinner: Group meal at Union Station. In the evening, host a “Leadership in Action” workshop at the hotel, where scouts role-play different leadership scenarios and learn conflict resolution skills. End the day journaling about what they learned and how they can lead in their communities.
Day 2: Women’s History, Service, and Community Leadership
- Breakfast: Hotel breakfast and a collaborative Girl Scout “knot-tying” or teamwork challenge.
- Morning: At the National Museum of American History, join a hands-on badge workshop highlighting women inventors and Girl Scouts’ legacy. Scouts create simple inventions from provided materials and collaborate to solve historical “service” challenges posed by museum educators.
- Snack: Snack break at the museum café.
- Midday: Walking tour of the National Mall, stopping at monuments honoring women leaders and trailblazers—including a group photo and a “Leadership Scavenger Hunt” with teams identifying qualities of famous women leaders. Optional time for Girl Scouts to lead short talks about their historical role models.
- Lunch: Picnic lunch and team-building games on the mall.
- Afternoon: Participate in a service project such as assembling hygiene kits for shelters or a mini park beautification project. Scouts reflect on the importance of service in the Girl Scout tradition and write thank-you cards to local community heroes.
- Dinner: Enjoy dinner at a Georgetown restaurant. Evening program includes a mini badge ceremony to celebrate the day’s accomplishments and a group discussion on setting and achieving goals as Girl Scout leaders.
Day 3: STEM, Art, & Taking the Lead
- Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel with team-led icebreakers and a review of the Girl Scout Law’s focus on using resources wisely and making the world a better place.
- Morning: Visit the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum for a STEM immersion experience. Scouts participate in a build-and-launch rocket challenge or a coding workshop and meet a woman scientist or engineer (when available) who shares insights about leadership in STEM. Scouts collect “Mission Patches” for each hands-on activity completed.
- Snack: Snack at the museum café.
- Midday: Creative session at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden: Scouts join an art-making workshop in which they design a mural or collaborative sculpture reflecting their vision of leadership and community. Each girl writes a statement about her contribution and what being a Girl Scout leader means to her.
- Lunch: Lunch at L’Enfant Plaza or a nearby eatery, with an informal leadership “shout-out” circle.
- Afternoon: Closing ceremony at a local park, featuring a Girl Scout friendship circle, group “timeline of learning” mural, and the awarding of participation certificates and new badges earned during the trip. Scouts share their favorite activities and ideas for leading service projects back home. Depart for home, concluding a hands-on, leadership-filled adventure in the nation’s capital.
National Educational Standards Addressed
Standard Organization | Standard Area | Specific Standards / Codes | How Addressed in Program |
National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) | Civic Ideals and Practices | NCSS Standard 10 | Service projects, thank-you cards, leadership discussions, reflection on community service |
National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) | Individuals, Groups, and Institutions | NCSS Standard 5 | Team-building games, group mural, leadership “shout-out” circle |
National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) | Power, Authority, and Governance | NCSS Standard 6 | Group discussions on goal-setting, understanding roles in leadership |
Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English Language Arts | Speaking & Listening | CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.1, SL.5.4 | Icebreakers, group discussions, sharing reflections and ideas |
Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English Language Arts | Writing | CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.2, W.5.7 | Thank-you cards, leadership statements, written reflections |
Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English Language Arts | Research to Build and Present Knowledge | CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.7, W.5.8 | Museum visits, project-based learning, sharing findings |
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) | Science and Engineering Practices | NGSS 3-5-ETS1-1, 3-5-ETS1-2 | STEM immersion, rocket challenge, coding workshop |
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) | Application of STEM Concepts | NGSS 3-5-ETS1-3 | Hands-on activities, mission patches earned for STEM challenges |
National Art Education Association (NAEA) | Creating | VA:Cr1.1.5a, VA:Cr2.1.5a | Art-making workshops, mural and sculpture design |
National Art Education Association (NAEA) | Presenting | VA:Pr4.1.5a | Sharing and celebrating art projects during closing ceremony |
National Art Education Association (NAEA) | Responding | VA:Re8.1.5a | Reflecting on art contributions, group mural timeline |
National Art Education Association (NAEA) | Connecting | VA:Cn10.1.5a | Collaborative art projects illustrating leadership and community |
Girl Scout Leadership Experience Outcomes | Discover, Connect, Take Action | GSLE Outcomes (no formal codes) | Leadership activities, teamwork, service projects, goal-setting |
Girl Scout Leadership Experience Outcomes | Building leadership, teamwork, and community service skills | GSLE Outcomes (no formal codes) | All program elements contribute to developing these skills |
