At Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital, we are honored to support the families who serve our country. Our service members, including but not limited to military, uniformed service, foreign service, and their families are an inspiration, exemplifying courage, confidence, and character in ways that truly make the world a better place.
Wherever a family’s service journey may lead them, Girl Scouts is there to offer trusted programming and a strong network that empowers members at every level to continue their leadership journeys, make new friends, and enjoy a welcoming, safe space. And when they arrive at the Nation’s Capital, we are committed to making their time with us unforgettable and providing them with the best possible Girl Scout experience.
On Veterans Day, November 11, 2024, we’re proud to launch our new Salute to Service initiative to help our Council support and uplift service families.
As part of this initiative, we will immediately begin recognizing Veterans Day as a Council holiday, celebrate the Month of the Military Child, and celebrate Military Appreciation Month. Additionally, we will acknowledge National Military Appreciation Day on August 31 and honor the birthdays of each service branch.
The Council also unveiled service-specific patches. Our first patch was designed in collaboration with Girl Scout Brownie Troop 10081, who identified a need to further support their fellow Girl Scouts whose families served or are actively serving.
We are also launching a Salute to Service Advisory Board to advise the Council on matters related to service families. This new Board, along with the Girl Scout Advisory Board and the Women's Advisory Board, will be a key partner in supporting our strategic direction, making recommendations for the future of the Council, and serving as a partner with the CEO and leadership team. If you are interested in joining this new Advisory Board, please share your contact information here and we will be in touch.
We know that service to our country impacts the entire family. Our recent Gold Award recipient, Mae O’Neill shared her experience as a member of a service family:
“As a military child I moved somewhere close to ten or eleven times, I was constantly adjusting to new schools, communities, and routines. But Girl Scouts was one of the very few things that stayed consistent, no matter where we went, as my family and I always made it a priority. It was something that I was really grateful that I had because I always knew that in Girl Scouts, I had a support system in my troop and mentors that I could go to.”
Through the Salute to Service initiative, we want to be there for all Girl Scouts, like Mae. You can read the rest of Mae’s words and learn about her Gold Award project to shine light on women veterans on our blog. There are ways you can get involved—from patches to donating cookies to seeking scholarships—below.
We look forward to sharing more about this work as it grows.
Council to Council Transfers
Girl Scouts of the Nation’s Capital wants to ensure that no matter where families move, they will have access to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
LEARN MORECouncil to Council Transfers - USAGSO
USA Girl Scouts Overseas (USAGSO) brings Girl Scouts to the daughters of military, foreign service, and American expat families around the world and to girls in American or International schools. An operating unit of Girl Scouts of the USA, USAGSO ensures that no matter where American families move, they will have access to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
