Welcome to the Gift of Trees

In celebration of the 100^th anniversary of Girl Scouts and the gift of the flowering cherry trees from Tokyo, Japan to Washington, D.C., Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital (GSCNC) and the National Cherry Blossom Festival have developed The Gift of Trees Patch Program. This program commemorates the gift of 3,020 cherry blossom trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to the city of Washington, D.C. in 1912 – the same year Juliette Gordon Low founded the Girl Scout movement in Savannah, Georgia.

The Gift of Trees Patch Program focuses on three key themes—international friendship, arts and culture and the environment. Girl Scouting’s Three Keys to Leadership—Discover, Connect and Take Action—are incorporated through program activities.

Discover: Girls will discover the history and significance of the gift of the Japanese cherry trees and how this gift has become the focal point of the nation’s greatest springtime celebration.

Connect: Girls will connect with others locally and globally, engaging in international friendship through cultural activities.

Take Action: Girls will take action by serving their community through various projects which focus on protecting and beautifying the environment and understanding the importance of diplomacy.

By completing the required activities found in the patch program booklet, Girl Scouts of all levels are eligible to receive the Gift of Trees participation patch. The booklet can be found online here. Hard copies of the booklet can be picked up at the GSCNC Gift Shop located at:

4301 Connecticut Ave NW, Ste M-2
Washington DC 20008

If you have further questions please contact Dara Cummings, Program Specialist, at 202-237-1670 or 800-523-7898 ext. 238 or dcummings@gscnc.org.

The Gift of Trees patch program is generously funded by the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Inc. The Festival organization is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to promoting the beauty of nature and international friendship through year-round programs, events, and educational initiatives that enhance our environment, showcase arts and culture, and build community spirit.

Listed below are a variety of ways you can purchase the patch. When contacting us, the patch is not listed in our online catalog, but can still be purchased under the name “Gift of Trees- National Cherry Blossom Festival”.

Gift of Trees Patch Cost- $1.50 plus shipping

DC Office Shop- http://www.gscnc.org/shop.html

E-mail- http://www.gscnc.org/Email_Orders.html

Mail- http://www.gscnc.org/Mail%20Orders.html

Phone- http://www.gscnc.org/Phone_Orders.html

Fax- http://www.gscnc.org/FAX_Orders.html

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