Girl Scout Council Of The Nation's Capital

The mission of Girl Scouting is to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. Founded in 1912 in Savannah, Georgia, Girl Scouts is the world's oldest and largest organization dedicated to the growth and development of girls. Through participation in Girl Scout troops, day camps, summer resident camps, travel opportunities and special events and programs, girls develop leadership skills, have fun and make lifelong friends. Girl Scout activities cover a wide range of topics that enrich school learning and enhance life skills including science, technology, financial literacy, environmental awareness, history, diversity appreciation, the arts, outdoor skills, high-adventure sports, community service and more.

In the Washington, DC metropolitan area, the first Girl Scout troops formed in 1913, and beginning in 1917, several local councils were established to support the burgeoning troops in the region. In 1963, these councils merged to create the present-day Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital (GSCNC), which operates as a local, independent, tax-exempt, nonprofit organization under a charter from the Girl Scouts of the USA. Today GSCNC is one of the largest Girl Scout councils in the country with 82,506 girl and adult members. GSCNC serves 57,745 girls, ages 5-17, and 24,761 adults living in Washington, DC; the Virginia counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun and Prince William; the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Manassas, Manassas Park and Falls Church; and the Maryland counties of Calvert, Charles, Frederick, Montgomery, Prince George's and St. Mary's. GSCNC employs a full-time staff of 110 and a part-time staff of 10 who work at our headquarters in the District of Columbia or at one of our five satellite offices in Frederick and Waldorf in Maryland and Leesburg, Manassas and Lorton in Virginia. We also operate seven camp properties located throughout the region.

Approximately 16,000 girls, ages 5-17, who live in the council's service area, have one or more disability. GSCNC currently serves an estimated 2,000 of these girls.