Congressional Aide fact sheet History For the past 40 years, Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital has partnered with Congressional offices to provide a week-long shadow program to Girl Scouts in 11th-12th grades who expressed an interest in government. Congressional Aide is a truly unique program offering girls in the Greater Washington Region a closer look into government. During the 2014 program, 72 Girl Scouts and 39 Congressional offices participated. Mission The Congressional Aide program builds girls’ civic knowledge and professional skills and inspires a lifetime commitment to public service. We work with participating offices each year to give as many girls as possible the opportunity to work with and learn from Members of Congress and their staff.
Program Goals/Leadership Outcomes Girl Scouts of the USA has identified leadership outcomes achievable through Girl Scouts. The Congressional Aide program: • Encourages civic engagement • Inspires a commitment to public service • Facilitates interaction and learning between Girl Scouts and elected officials • Develops girls’ professional skills Why It Matters Participation in Girl Scouts instills leadership in young women like no other program in the country. The core principles of Girl Scouts have an enormous impact and lead girls to do great things. Your participation in the Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital Congressional Aide program will expose young women to the political process at a critical time in their lives. Ways to Involve Your Congressional Office The Congressional Aide program offers a great opportunity for
Congressional leadership to mentor girls interested in civic engagement. The girls are selected through a highly competitive process. They can competently shadow staff members, greet visitors & give tours, assist with research, attend hearings, answer phones, learn about the Federal government, and assist with other office needs. More about the Girls Participating girls are from the Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital, which includes 25 counties in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Girls will be entering 11th grade, 12th grade, or their first year of college and have expressed an interest in government. Contact Us If your office is interested in hosting a girl for a week during this summer or you have more questions, please contact Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital at 202-274-2170 or complete the interest form at www.surveymonkey. com/s/65PYT6N.
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“I was so happy to host two young women as part of the Girl Scout Congressional Aide Program this year in my office. They represented the honor and commitment of this important program, which has helped educate young women from all over the country about our political system, with the utmost respect, hard work, and courtesy.” -Representative Renee Ellmers, Second District of North Carolina
Civic Engagement is central to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE): When Girl Scout Ambassadors complete the Public Policy badge, they will have a better understanding of public policies and how to influence legislation that is important to them. The badge involves the following steps: 1. Find out how activists advocate for change 2. Engage as a global citizen 3. Dig into national or state public policy 4. Explore local or community policy 5. See public policy creation in action Similarly, Girl Scout Seniors can earn the Behind the Ballot badge. Once completed, they will know the importance of voting and how people get elected to office. The badge involves the following steps: 1. Find out more about elections 2. Investigate the ins and outs of voting 3. Get out the vote 4. Plan a campaign 5. Explore voting in other countries In addition to badges, Girl Scouts can complete a leadership Journey and even earn the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest earned award, to round out their Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
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This program is amazing, and I am eternally grateful for all I got the opportunity to learn. Next time I am in Washington, DC, looking at the monuments and at all of the museums, when I see a sliver of the US Capitol Building in the distance, I will stand a bit taller and prouder knowing that I was part of such an incredible process. -Komal S., Congressional Aide
About Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital Girl Scouts provides girls in grades K-12 with great opportunities to learn new skills, make friends, and discover the power of girls together. Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital serves 89,181 members—63,243 girls and 25,938 adult volunteers and lifetime members in the Greater Washington Region. Together, with the support of our dedicated adult volunteers and parents, the generosity of donors and our popular Girl Scout Cookie program, Girl Scouting helps build girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. To join, volunteer or donate, visit www.gscnc.org.