Information for New Parents

We believe in the power of every G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™ to change the world. As a Girl Scout parents, we understand there’s a lot to learn—but we’re here to support you. We will guide you through the Girl Scout year with timely topics, tips, and upcoming Girl Scout opportunities to help your daughter have the best year ever.

Exciting Program Opportunities: Just for Girl Scouts.

Read about all the awesome programs and events happening this year!

The Insider magazine includes many of the program opportunities offered to Girl Scouts. A copy of the fall issue is mailed to all registered members households at the start of the Girl Scout year. If you have not received your copy you can also read our magazine online HERE.

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Discover How Your Girl Scout Belongs at Camp: Summer 2023!

WHEN A GIRL SCOUT LEAVES HOME AND EMBRACES THE CAMP LIFE, SHE MEETS NEW FRIENDS AND PEERS ON EVEN GROUND.

Registration Dates

For this camp season we will be conducting registration through a lottery system. This system will allow for more campers to be placed in our programs while also allowing families to have the ease of registering as they are able, over time.

The Lottery system will be conducted through Jotform and will take place over the course of several weeks to allow everyone the opportunity to register their camper. When ready, the lottery survey link will be shared on this page. During the outlined time frame, you should complete the form sharing who your camper is, what programs they are most interested in and if they would like to attend camp at the same time as a buddy or sibling. Once the lottery has closed, we will ensure all pairings are accounted for and then will send out placements via email. That email will include an individualized link allowing you to register your camper for the program they have been placed in. Should your camper be placed with a buddy or sibling their personalized placement links will be sent at the same time.

ENTER THE LOTTERY

For assistance at any point in this process, please contact our Customer Care team by email: customercare@gscnc.org or phone: 202-237-1670.

Remember, campers must register for the program units based on the grade they are currently in for the 2022-2023 school year.

Registration Timeline for Sleep Away Camp

January 11: Lottery Opens for May Flather, Potomac Woods, and Winona

January 25: Sleep Away Camp Lottery Closes

February 13: General Registration Opens for any remaining Sleep Away Camp Spaces

Registration Timeline for Day/Evening Camp

To find out more about the 18 Day and Evening camps on offer this year click here !

Registration for Summer Day and Evening Camps 2023 opens at 10 AM

February 21st: Registration for Virginia based Day/Evening Camps begins

February 22nd: Registration for Camp Tag-a-Long begins

February 23rd: Maryland based Day/Evening Camps

Annual Report

Check out our 2022 Annual Report online. We are so proud of all that we accomplished together last year. With 4.1 million boxes of cookies sold, Girl Scouts Nation's Capital is the #1 cookie program in the country for FY'22.

Our 226 Gold Award Girl Scouts indeed demonstrated why they are Girls the World Needs, leading projects ranging from working on mental healng, protecting the environment, and many other projects that have changed their lives and their communities.

With your support, we remain the largest Girl Scout Council in the nation with a total membership of 74,740. Read more of our Annual Report online HERE.

Women's Suffrage Centennial Patch

Women's Suffrage Patch Feature Story Graphic

2020 marks the 100^th anniversary of the ratification of the 19^th Amendment, establishing women’s right to vote. To honor this historic occasion Girl Scouts wants to help you explore the story through exhibits, books and events in the Washington, D.C. metro area.

Go here for our Women Suffrage Patch Program book.

Go here to find ways to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Suffrage Movement.

Volunteer Essentials

This publication is a resource for our troop leaders to use when needed. Simply look up the topic in Volunteer Essentials and you will find your answer. You can find our online version here.

Are you using our online Volunteer Toolkit (VTK)?

Troop leaders have access to their entire troop roster. They can select their year plan and add and delete meetings. In addition to GSUSA program resources they will find our Council’s Volunteer Essentials, New Leader Passport and links to support material on our website.

Learn how this fully customizable digital planning tool can save you time and energy all year long, Learn more here.

What should the troop be doing?

Meet a minimum of twice a month.
Create a safe space where girls and adults work together!
Have at least 6 different families volunteer in roles.
Earn at least four skill-building badges or at least one leadership Journey or High Award.
Participate in an Entrepreneur Program (Fall Product, Cookie Program)
Complete at least one community service project
Take part in a minimum of one outdoor activity
Participate in Girl Scout traditions (Uniform, Promise & Law, Songs, Ceremonies)
Ensure that your meetings are girl-led

Does she need a uniform?

A photo of a green Girl Scout Junior uniform vest

Earned recognitions (BADGES) are an important part of Girl Scouts and your girl’s progress in what she is learning. New troops and parents should check out a Troop Starter Kit with all items a girl will need for the start of a new Girl Scout year! Your Girl Scout leader will help advise you on what the troop will need.

Do all Girl Scouts sell cookies?

The Girl Scout Cookie Program enhances five skills that girls gain when they participate. She will also learn the value of a dollar! Your girl will transform through participation in the Cookie Program designed to develop five critical skills:

Outdoors is in a Girl Scout's DNA!

Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital members have access to EIGHT Camp properties – maps and descriptions of each camp can be found on this website! Take advantage and get your Girl Scouts outdoors!

Summer Resident Camp

Registration for summer sleep-away camps will open in mid-January.

Summer Day/Evening Camp

Not ready to spend overnights away from home or parents looking for something close by can experience the adventure, fun and excitement of camp through our volunteer led summer Day/Evening Camps. Registration will open in February, you will find more information here.

What is SHARE?

Girl Scout Nation’s Capital family giving campaign provides families with an opportunity to share their love for Girl Scouting by donating to benefit those in needs. SHARE aims to support financial assistance in order to make Girl Scouts accessible and affordable for all girls. Learn more about how to give to girls, here.

Girl Scout News

Girl Scouts Going Back to School With Confidence

When Girl Scout Junior Alice T. noticed that boys were aggressively participating in activities at a school fair, she started to worry that girls were fading into the background. Now, Alice has a message for girls everywhere to help them have more confidence, step up and become leaders: Girl Scouts Raise Your Hand.

We teamed up with NBC Washington to kick-off the new school year with confidence. Watch the segment here.