Girl Scouts Develop Solutions at GSGCNWI’s First-Ever Hackathon

Girl Scouts Develop Solutions at GSGCNWI’s First-Ever Hackathon

Girl Scouts of all ages met virtually last month to participate in Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana’s (GSGCNWI) first-ever Hackathon sponsored by Motorola and InventorCloud!

Girl Scouts of all ages rose to the occasion of different STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics) challenges, designed to spark their creativity and brilliance. Daisies were tasked with using recycled materials and their ingenuity to create works of art and accessories for their stuffed animals; one girl created a pool and hot tub out of egg cartons and plastic containers, another built a robot costume and a mini swing!

Brownies and Juniors were challenged to create prosthetics for dolphins or ducks, and spent the day sketching, testing, and improving their designs, eventually presenting their final designs and explaining their thought processes, all while engaging with a group of inspiring women in STEAM who provided feedback on each project.

Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors took on a UN Sustainable Development Goal, coming up with an original solution in the areas of Quality Education, Health and Wellbeing, and Gender Equality. Several girls worked on educational solutions to global issues, which included everything from crowdsourcing peer tutors from around the world to support learners during COVID-19 (“Pens to Hearts”) to the “Homework Helper” app.

Other girls focused on mental health and wellbeing: Girl Scout Ariella created a “Happy App,” which encourages users to take breaks during the day to do something that makes them happy, Rachel proposed an app for girls to share stories, struggles, and support through middle school, and Girl Scouts Sarah and Natalie created a snack organizer to make kids aware of healthy snacks in a fun way. And Girl Scout Mac created an app designed to raise awareness and share information about the LGBTQ+ community, so people could find support around gender identity and sexuality. The thought and creativity that went into each solution were truly astounding and uplifting to see!

GSGCNWI would like to give special thanks to Motorola, who supported our Hackathon with funding and volunteers, and InventorCloud, who provided funding and the challenges. 


Girl Scouts is an integral part of the mission to add 2.5 million girls to the STEAM pipeline in the next five years. At Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana, we are committed to motivating a new generation of young women and girls to explore future careers in STEAM.

Our unique programming in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics) helps girls turn their big ideas into real action and make an impact on their community.

Register for a STEAM program today!

Strength, resilience, togetherness, and the support of the community—that’s what Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana is all about. So in this uncertain world, you can count on one thing for sure: today, tomorrow, together, we are on your team. Join Girl Scouts or renew your membership today!

Congratulations to the Cookie CEOs of the 2021 Cookie Season!

What an amazing Girl Scout cookie season for all our Girl Scouts and our new Cookie CEOs!

Whether they were running a cookie business for the first time or already seasoned cookie entrepreneurs, Girl Scouts from Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GCNWI) did an awesome job! During this unprecedented year, GCNWI Girl Scouts worked hard to reach their cookie goals and gave more than ever to our Gift of Caring program.

The Girl Scout Cookie Program supports all girls in achieving their goals, big or small, that they set for themselves and with their troop, from community service projects to program activities. Girl Scouts in our council sold over 2.8 million packages of Girl Scout Cookies. Their efforts proved (like this year’s Cookie Program theme) that no matter what comes their way, “We’ve Got This!”

Meet the CEOs

We are shining a spotlight on the top Cookie CEOs in our council! Each of these Girl Scouts applies the “five Girl Scout skills” for a lifetime of leadership (Goal Setting, Decision Making, People Skills, Money Management and Business Ethics) when it comes to their cookie business. With the support of their parents, their troops, and all the Girl Scout cookie supporters, they each had personal goals, using different strategies to achieve them!

Their efforts not only enhanced skills that will last a lifetime, but helped their troops earn proceeds for activities like camp and GCNWI programs, and to fund community service projects!

And the Cookie CEOs are:

Giada G. – Troop 20073 – 7th grade – 22,006 packages
Bristol S. – Troop 75466 – 3rd grade – 21,557 packages
Giuliana G – Troop 25727 – 3rd grade – 11,000 packages
Anne N. – Troop 60303 – 7th grade – 6,838 packages
Bella C. – Troop 51414 – 8th grade – 6,462 packages

Check out last year’s Cookie CEOs as they share some of their cookie wisdom!

Want to Participate in Next Year’s Cookie Season? Renew or Join Girl Scouts today!

Finding your voice and becoming your best self? That’s what it means to be a Girl Scout! Renew your membership or join Girl Scouts GCNWI!

Join Now for $35 and She’ll be Set until 2022!

At Girl Scouts, she’ll practice making the world a better place by doing community service projects, coding, exploring the outdoors, and so much more. And when you sign up with her now, you’ll be covered for the rest of this membership year AND the next, plus she’ll get a free Kellogg’s Wellbeing Box! 

Guest Girl Blog: Girl Scout Robotics Team Changes the Game with Fitness Innovation!

Guest Girl Blog: Girl Scout Robotics Team Changes the Game with Fitness Innovation!

Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GSGCNWI), powered by Motorola Solutions Foundation, have sponsored LEGO Robotics teams to compete in competitions since 2008!

One of those teams, the Gnarly Llamas of Wonder (G.L.O.W.), decided to take their robotics knowledge and turn it into an application with a real purpose: providing fitness opportunities and long-term lifestyle benefits for teens (or incarcerated youth) in juvenile detention centers.

GCNWI Girl Scouts Sonora, June, Emie, Kate, and Luci, are one of three FIRST Lego League teams in Illinois to win the Global Innovation Award!

Hear from the girls in their own words on how their project is helping to change the game and power the future.

Written by Girl Scouts Sonora, June, Emie, Kate and Luci 

We became a Girl Scouts sponsored rookie team in 2019, and we are now an enthusiastic robot-loving herd! G.L.O.W. is a Girl Scout sponsored team in the FIRST Lego League (FLL). This year’s FLL theme is Game Changer.  Since we were from multiple schools, we decided to strengthen our bonds by doing team-building activities and creating our mission modules together. 

As the season progressed, we interviewed experts to help solve the problem we identified: youth in juvenile detention facilities are not getting their daily 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) as recommended by the CDC. Our solution is a portable pod that projects beams of light to create a fun and engaging workout for the juvenile detainees while collecting data via a wearable device.

While working on this project, something that motivated us was thinking of the actual kids in these facilities that we would impact. Hearing about the lifestyle of kids in juvenile detention facilities and learning about the negative impacts of being inactive definitely drives us to make a difference. Knowing that our idea could really improve the lives of incarcerated kids motivates us to keep going, and it’s really fun to work as a team and create something beneficial and impactful to others! We really want to change the lives of these youth and help them.

Having our solution be part of a competition also provided motivation to continue working on this project because we had a rubric to work off of and judges to give us feedback. We also tested and researched to improve our robot design, attachments, and programming. 

At the Qualifiers, we won the Rising Star Award and moved on to States, and now, we are one of the three FIRST Lego League teams in Illinois to win the Global Innovation Project! We are the Gnarly Llamas of Wonder and are proud of all the growing we have done.


Girl Scouting has many important values. It teaches us how to work with other girls our age, and to build a respectful community. It also teaches us how to do many different things, and exposes us to different cultures. And finally, it emphasizes giving back and making an impact all while having FUN.

We wish people knew that being a Girl Scout is more than just selling cookies and singing songs. We learn life skills all in a supportive and encouraging environment. Girl Scouts are capable and awesome.

Thank you so much to these awesome Girl Scouts for sharing their story with us!

Learn More about Robotics! 

Girl Scouts offers programs and badges designed to learn more about robotics! Plus, our unique programming in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics) helps girls turn their big ideas into real action and make an impact on their community.

You can attend a Design Your Own Robot Badge workshop to learn about what robots do and how they help people, then design your own!

Get involved in LEGO Robotics

As a part of a FIRST LEGO Robotics team within Girl Scouts GCNWI, teams will:

  • Design, build, test, and program robots using LEGO MINDSTORMS ® technology;
  • Apply real-world math and science concepts;
  • Research challenges facing today’s scientists;
  • Learn critical thinking, team-building, and presentation skills;
  • Participate in team meetings, tournaments, and celebrations.

If you are interested in participating and joining a formed team, please contact Corinna Christman.

Volunteer Spotlight: Jill Verde and Tisha Eisenmenger!

Volunteer Spotlight: Jill Verde and Tisha Eisenmenger!

All of our volunteers deserve a spotlight because they make sure our Girl Scouts thrive! This week we are recognizing two special volunteers from Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana from Troop 45856; Jill Verde and Tisha Eisenmenger!

Tisha began her involvement with Girl Scouts five years ago as a Troop Support volunteer for her daughter’s troop: “I was a Girl Scout for three years when I was a child, and I have so many fun memories of those times. When my daughter joined Girl Scouts as a Daisy, Jill and I decided to take the leap and form our own troop that would focus on the girl’s interests and desire to help the community. Three years later, we have worked with an amazing group of girls and families who have already done so much. These girls are going to change the world!”

Jill has eight years of experience as a Girl Scout leader, and as a team, Tisha and Jill have a passion for helping their girls share their ideas. Just this past year, their troop invited the community to explore their very own fairy garden in the Chipmunk Woods for their service project “Fairies of Volo Bog.”

Their “Fairies of Volo Bog” project is among Tisha’s favorite memories as a Girl Scout leader: “The girls learned all about the Volo Bog and created an amazing project that has raised money and awareness of the importance of the bog has to our community. The troop has been asked to reinstall the project in August and have it as a yearly recurring display.”

Tisha and Jill are excellent facilitators of their girls’ love for community service, and they are currently participating in a painting service project for a non-profit children’s theater program in Crystal Lake. “We love to volunteer and help the community in any way we can.”

Their advice to other Girl Scout volunteers and leaders: “Get your families and friends to volunteer. It makes a difference when you let others help you.”

“We couldn’t do what we do without our Girl Scouts, their families, and our two amazing assistant leaders Sara Melzer and Aimee Briggs.”


All of us at Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana say a big thank you, to Jill and Tisha! We appreciate you, your dedication, work, and wonderful contributions!

Want to Learn More About Volunteering? Join us for a Virtual Open House!

Whether you can commit a few hours, a few weeks, or a few months, volunteering with GSGCNWI is both flexible and rewarding.

You are invited to join the Associate Board on Tuesday, May 18 at 6:00 pm for a virtual volunteer open house where we will showcase three different ways to support young women, including opportunities around the “Expert Connection” program, the “Becoming Me” program, and the Associate Board.

Register for this free event!

Lead Girls Through Our Becoming Me Program Series

Inspired by themes from Michelle Obama’s Becoming: Adapted for Young Readers, this new program series will guide girls of all ages to become their best selves. 

Volunteer to guide girls as they explore the truth in their own stories and the power of their voices! You will work with girls during 6-8 fun-filled and inspirational virtual sessions.

Sign-up to get started »

Learn more about volunteering with GSGCNWI today!

Michelle Obama Connects with Two GCNWI Girl Scouts in the Zoom of a Lifetime!

Michelle Obama Connects with Two GCNWI Girl Scouts in the Zoom of a Lifetime!

“I remember feeling nervous at first, then feeling like I could do anything,” Girl Scout Brownie Mali B. recalls after interviewing with Former First Lady Michelle Obama during the exclusive Girl Scout “Becoming Me” event held last Thursday.

The virtual event yielded over 2,000 GCNWI Girl Scouts as over 15,000 girls council-wide connected via Zoom to embark on the journey to becoming the best version of themselves, a concept taken from Mrs. Obama’s book Becoming: Adapted for Young Readers.

Mali got to share the spotlight with another council sister, Girl Scout Cadette Zoe H.

“As an African American, it was even more special to see someone who looks like me and all her of her accomplishments,” Zoe says. “Even at my age, she experienced some of the same things that I am going through now and how she continues to serve her community and not be afraid to dream big.”

Check out Zoe and Mali’s interview with Michelle Obama on ABC 7!

The Becoming Me event even prompted Girl Scouts across the council to gather their closest family to participate in this inspirational event:

Mrs. Obama shared her stories of triumph, citing the different journeys she took to get to where she is today. The Becoming Me event inspired Girl Scouts across the country to not be afraid to make mistakes and to use their voice to unlock the power of their unique story.

“When she reminded me that she used to be an eight year old just like me, it made me feel like I wasn’t alone and like I can grow up and become the successful baker I want to be,” Mali said.

“I learned the importance of using my voice and serving as a role model to my peers,” Zoe concluded.

Miss out on the event last week? Check out some highlights below!

Find the Becoming Me program series patches and badge on our shop site!

Join Us for the Becoming Me Program Series

The road to becoming your best self continues with a 6-8 week program series facilitated by Girl Scout GCNWI volunteers and troop leaders, coming this fall 2021 and open for registration on Tuesday, May 18!

Girls who join Girl Scouts or renew their membership for the new 2021-2022 membership year will be able to partake in the program based on the book’s themes, receive exclusive patches and participate in a national service project.

The program has been carefully crafted as a curated unit to help girls explore questions about personal strength and celebrate their own unique voice. A version of the series will be developed for each Girl Scout level, plus multilevel troops.

Register for a Becoming Me program today!

“The Becoming Me program is for every girl, whether you have been in Girl Scouts for years or just getting started. It is a great program that teaches girls to use their own voice, become their best selves, and inspire others to do the same”

– GSGCNWI Cadette, Zoe H.

Become a facilitator for the Becoming Me Program Series

Becoming Me is not just a program for girls, but a new opportunity for adults to lean in and support girls’ journeys to finding their path and reaching their full potential.

We are seeking volunteers to facilitate the Becoming Me program series and create a safe community space for girls to explore their own stories.

Volunteers can commit to just the 6-8 week virtual program series, can lead the series multiple times, or continue with a group of girls beyond the initial program to continue to explore all that Girl Scouts has to offer!

  • You can choose the dates and times that work for you.
  • Girl Scouts staff will provide training, a facilitator guide, and a Zoom license.
  • Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana will connect you with girls who wish to participate.

Girl Rep McKenzie inducted into Top Teens of America! 

Girl Rep McKenzie inducted into Top Teens of America! 

This week we’re giving a special shout-out to Girl Scout Cadette McKenzie, Girl Representative to the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GSGCNWI) Board and recent inductee into Top Teens of America Will County Black Diamond! The purpose of Top Teens of America is to “teach teens leadership skills, help develop caring characteristics, and to advance teens in life.”  

Read on to meet Girl Rep McKenzie and her vision of the future for girls! 

McKenzie’s Girl Scout story started at church. “This girl in front of me [in the pews] was in Girl Scouts, so I asked my mom about it. I haven’t stopped ever since.” 

McKenzie has participated in many Girl Scout events and activities over the years, including Summer Camp Revamp, STEMapalooza, and Project Law Track, all of which provided her “exposure to different career tracks, cultural awareness, and plain old fun.”  

These experiences lead McKenzie to become involved with the Girl Reps to the GCNWI Board. As a Girl Rep, McKenzie works with a group of Girl Scouts around the council, attends board meetings, and represents the Girl Scout movement as a spokesperson. 

“My term is almost up and the experience has impacted me in many ways. I’ve met new people, gained leadership experience and board meeting etiquette, and so much more!” McKenzie continued, “I’ve always wanted to be a leader. It’s been terrific to help Girl Scouts even if it’s been one term.” 

Now, as a member of the Top Teens of America-Will County Black Diamond Chapter, McKenzie will continue her growth as a leader for her community. She wants to continue to break the stereotype that Girl Scouts are “only suburban white girls,” and sees even more diversity and inclusion in the future for girls.  

For McKenzie, the value of Girl Scouts is in the experiences the program provides, stating, “You get to experience all of these things with girls who come from different backgrounds, ethnicities, places, and work on one common goal. Or support each other on our different journeys.”

“We do more than just sell cookies. We do great things and help the community, society, and the world become a better place, one girl at a time.”  

Don’t miss out on your chance to lend your voice to change! 

Calling older girls! Now’s your chance to lend your Girl Scout expertise and energy to our Board of Directors by applying to be a Girl Representative to the Board (Girl Rep). 
 
Applications open through May 31.

Girl Scouts Connect with Groupon for Spark Day!

Girl Scouts Connect with Groupon for Spark Day!

On April 27, Juniors and Cadettes joined Groupon’s incredible team to learn about careers, listen to dad jokes, participate in hands-on activities, and speak to women in STEAM.

Spark Day programs with Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GSGCNWI) are instrumental to getting Girl Scouts hands-on career experience in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (STEAM)! When girls participate in Spark Day programs, they connect with industry professionals, participate in creative activities, and gain skills and knowledge that last a lifetime!

The keynote speaker at Groupon Spark Day, Christine, shared her and her three daughter’s individual career journeys and spoke about the importance of being true to yourself and identifying your unique skills and interests as you consider careers. Girl Scouts had the opportunity to get a little on-the-job experience through debugging, developing the perfect pitch, or taking a scavenger hunt virtual tour of Groupon’s website.

The event ended with a panel of inspiring women, who shared their stories, talked about what they love about their jobs, and introduced their pets. Girls had the opportunity to share their favorite subjects in school and what careers they are interested in.

The panel emphasized that no matter what your favorite subject is, from math to art, there are careers for you in technology. Girl Scouts left the event full of energy and excitement, saying that they hope to visit Groupon in person sometime in the near future!

Thank you, Groupon, for encouraging and inspiring Girl Scouts to explore STEAM!


Summer (and STEAM) Programs Are Now Open!

Girl Scouts is an integral part of this mission and has pledged to add 2.5 million girls to the STEAM pipeline in the next five years. At Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana, we are committed to motivating a new generation of young women and girls to explore future careers in STEAM.

Register for a STEAM program today!

As part of Kellogg’s commitment to creating Better Days for 3 billion people by the end of 2030 and inspire healthier eating habits in children, the company is partnering with Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GCNWI) to create 5,000 specialty Wellbeing Boxes, filled with fun activities and information focused on educating and nurturing your physical, emotional, and societal wellbeing. 

You can get a FREE Wellbeing Box when you register for a GCNWI program!

Learn more on our blog.

Learn more about career exploration with GCNWI on our website!

Girl Scouts are Earning the Silver Award for Menstrual Justice!

Girl Scouts are Earning the Silver Award for Menstrual Justice!

Girl Scouts are known for their commitment to service and creativity: put them together and you can get amazing results! Girl Scout Cadettes Olivia, Abby, Lily, Violet, and Kara from Troop 40965 in Des Plaines, IL, did just that recently in the process to earn their Silver Award and assist their community in a very impactful, special way: through hand-sewn “Period Packs.” 

Read on to learn about this amazing community service project! 

Behind the “Pack”

Their motivation was simple: to help get menstrual products in the hands of people who need them. “After some deep discussion, we decided this would be the most beneficial to our community,” Olivia explained. “We wanted to help people less fortunate than us— pads and tampons can be really expensive, and we wanted to help to make sure it was available to people who can’t afford them,” Violet continued. 

The girls then set on a mission to make that happen! They learned how to create patterns and use a sewing machine to make the “Period Packs”, then emailed CEOs of menstrual product companies for donations and coordinated the donations with local shelters. Their efforts have been incredibly successful: now, over eight thousand tampons and sixteen thousand pads are ready to be stowed in the handmade packs and donated to those who need them. “When we donate the pouches, I know that many people will be grateful that they received them,” Kara shared. 

These girls are determined to make community service something everyone does, not just Girl Scouts: Olivia shared, “I have always loved helping people, especially people in need. Doing something like this makes me really hopeful that other people will get inspired and start doing more good things in the world.” Lily continued, “I see Girl Scouts affecting change by coming together. If we spread awareness about these issues, we can get other people to take a stance.” 

By the end of the summer, these “Period Packs” will be completed and distributed! 

Great job to everyone involved and thank you for sharing your story with us. 

Create Your Own Community Impact With Highest Awards

When Girl Scout Cadettes focus on an issue they care about, learn the facts, and take action to make a difference, they gain the confidence and skills that will catapult them to lifelong success. It all adds up to the Girl Scout Silver Award—the highest honor a Cadette can achieve. 

Learn more about earning a Highest Award!

Volunteer Appreciation Month In Review!

Volunteer Appreciation Month In Review!

From troop leaders to cookie captains, you are the heart of Girl Scouts, and in this past year, you’ve kept our pulse strong.

This year we’re commemorating National Volunteer Month by sending a shout out to all of our amazing council volunteers! Thank you for lending your energy and talent and for believing in the power of the girl. Thank you for giving girls the space to test their ideas and express their feelings about our ever-changing world.

We see the results. We see the confidence, the “we’ve got this” troop energy that only you can inspire. Because of you we have community. Because of you we have resilience. Because of you we have Girl Scouts. 

Additionally, every year on April 22—Girl Scout Leader’s Day—we give extra kudos to you. Troop leaders: we love you, and we’re forever grateful to you for being the role models girls look up to, especially in challenging times like these. 

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!

Judith Batty, Interim CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA, couldn’t let Volunteer Appreciation Month go by without giving thanks to our incredible volunteers. Hear how Girl Scout volunteers made a difference in her life, and see why volunteers are the backbone of this organization.

Read on to learn about some of our amazing volunteers and how we’ve been celebrating all April long.

Because Of You

Throughout the month, we featured the inspiring words and stories of volunteers from across our council, like Jakki and Bria:

Starr Power

We also celebrated volunteer Starr on our blog, whose 22-year-long service to Girl Scouts continues to make an impact on our girls! Read more about her and her leadership.

It’s Never Too Late to Be a Girl Scout

You can also listen to troop leader Natalie, who shares her story of her first-year of leading during a pandemic, above, or to Girl Scout alum Anusha and GCNWI Board Member Monica in conversation about their life-changing moment during Camp CEO, below!

More Girl Scout Shout Outs

The celebration does not have to stop when April ends! There are so many ways to thank the volunteers in your life (or give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back): visit our website to learn more.

Make a Difference with GCNWI

It’s not too late to embark on an incredible adventure with Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana! If you’re looking for ways to have a powerful, lasting influence on girls in your community, we’d love to chat.

Visit our website to learn more about volunteer opportunities.

Join us for Becoming Me with former First Lady Michelle Obama

Girl Scouts is launching a new “Becoming Me” program series in collaboration with former First Lady Michelle Obama and Penguin Random House!

Inspired by themes from Mrs. Obama’s Becoming: Adapted for Young Readers, Girl Scouts’ new Becoming Me program aims to help girls become their best selves. Check out our blog to learn more!

Volunteer to guide girls as they explore the truth in their own stories and the power of their voices! You will work with girls during 6-8 fun-filled and inspirational virtual sessions.

Sign-up to get started »

How GCNWI Celebrated Earth Day, All Month Long!

How GCNWI Celebrated Earth Day, All Month Long!

Every year many people celebrate Earth Day on April 22 by taking impactful action to help to stop climate change. But for us Girl Scouts, we took it to the next level and celebrated all of April! All Girl Scouts are stewards of the environment: it’s in the Girl Scout promise! That’s why Earth Day is so important to us at Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GSGCNWI): we make a commitment to making the world a better place, one tree at a time.

Keep reading to find out how staff and Girl Scouts from GCNWI made the most of Earth Month!

Planet Protectors in Action

Girl Scouts got together virtually and in-person to celebrate the completion of the It’s Your Planet, Love It Journeys over the weekend. Daisies made seed bombs with native plants, Brownies enjoyed a Cadette troop’s water presentation and worked on the challenge of removing oil from water, Juniors channeled solar energy, and Cadettes constructed windmills (pictured above)!

Thanks to our Save Our Energy patch volunteer, Ivy, who met with each group to talk about how they can save energy at home.  And thanks to Exelon, who provided the funding to fuel these Journeys for the planet earth!

Troop 45420 decided to dedicate their Take Action project to a community cleanup!

Girl Scouts from Troop 46004 spent the whole month learning about Earth Day in multiple ways: virtual meetings about how to protect the planet from home, planting their own seeds to help air purification in their homes, and then, they decided to use some of the money from their cookie sales to plant a tree in their local park!

Planting flowers, pulling weeds, making space to welcome new plants in the fresh air and sun: that’s how Girl Scout Troop 55532 celebrated Earth Day!

Troop 75111 celebrated Earth Day with a guided hike along the Illinois and Michigan Canal. The weather held up perfectly for them to learn the history of Earth Day while being out in nature!


Girl Scout Troop 55355 completed their Bronze Award by installing bee hotels around their neighborhood! These bee hotels will serve as a home for different species of bees, bugs, and butterflies while helping to build the pollinator population.

Staff Day at Englewood Heritage Station

Girl Scouts weren’t the only ones celebrating Earth Day— our staff joined in on the action for a community service day at Englewood Heritage Station. They spent the day beautifying and rejuvenating this space together, and we have Laureen, Jakki, and Latoya, our planning committee, to thank for this awesome day out!

Take Earth Day to the Next Level

Today, millions of people around the world celebrate Earth Day by taking action, advocating, and learning how to help the Earth! We invite you to join in with the millions of other people and join in on the celebration–– and we have plenty for you to do. 

Catch up on some activities we had to celebrate the day’s 50th Anniversary last year (and some new activities too) on our blog.

For additional resources on planet protecting and eco-advocacy, visit our website.

Plant, Protect, and Honor 5 Million Trees by 2026

With support from the Elliott Wildlife Values ProjectAmerican Forests, and SciStarter, GSUSA is launching the Girl Scout Tree Promise, a national protection initiative to plant 5 million trees across the United States by 2026. Fueled by their passion for protecting and preserving our planet, Girl Scouts throughout the country will lead these efforts as well as educate the public about why trees are such an imperative piece of the climate change solution.

Learn more on the GSUSA blog.