Thank you to WCIA for allowing us to showcase our collaboration with Build-A-Bear™. Our partnership with Build-A-Bear™ and the Girl Scouts, where scouts get to design and create their own custom stuffed animals. The experience combines creativity, hands-on learning, and teamwork, while also teaching important lessons about confidence, community, and giving back. It’s a fun and memorable way for Girl Scouts to express themselves and make a positive impact.
What's New at GSCI
Build-A Bear™
Learn what's new at Girl Scouts of Central Illinois. Bookmark this page as your go-to to learn all about the new happenings at GSCI.
Girl Scouts Unite
The 58th National Council Session (NCS) will take place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, from July 20–22, 2026.
NCS is the business meeting where delegates from every council across the nation and from USA Girl Scouts Overseas meet to discuss, debate, and vote on issues important to the Girl Scout Movement and elect national leaders for the next triennium. It’s democracy in action, as girl delegates vote alongside adult delegates and have a direct voice in shaping the future of Girl Scouts.
Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital is our host council. We are grateful for their hospitality and support in preparing for and carrying out this important event for our Movement.
GSCI will be selecting a total of 4 Girl Scouts from our current Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Girl Scouts to attend the event (July 22-26, 2026) with our staff. Applicants must be currently registered members of GSCI for our 2025-2026 membership year and if selected renew their membership for 2026-2027. They should also have previous travel experience and not have an outstanding balance due to the council. GSCI will be covering expenses for the trip, but as a representative of GSCI, you will be expected to engage with council staff before, during, and after the trip to help plan for the event and help develop and implement new ideas for all GSCI members. This opportunity is just for the Girl Scouts Unite event and not the National Council Session.
Join us as we celebrate all the ways that Girls Make History at Girl Scouts Unite in Washington D.C.! Girl Scouts have transformed- and continue to transform- our country. We planted victory gardens during World War II and marched for civil rights. We launch new businesses and advocate for the issues we care about. We dream big. We spark change. We lead the way! There’s no better time and place to celebrate the incredible impact of Girl Scouts than on the 250th anniversary of the U.S. in our nation’s capital.
At the Girl Scouts Unite event, you’ll:
- Hear from inspiring speakers, like Space Gal Emily Calandrelli
- Meet Girl Scout book authors Sayantani DasGupta and Yamile Saied Méndez
- Experience interactive workshops and live performances
- Meet girls who are taking action in their communities
- Learn about trailblazers and barrier-breakers from past generations
- ·Venture around the city for events and exhibits commemorating the 250th anniversary of the U.S.
Trip includes:
- Two GSCI staff chaperones
- Flight
- Hotel
- Girls Scouts Unite registration
- Transportation to and from airport and while in Washington, D.C
- Meals
Trip does not included:
- Souvenirs
- Snacks
- Extra activities that may be planned by the group during downtime
Applications for 2026 Girl Scouts Unite are due January 12, 2026. Applications must be completed online using this form: https://forms.gle/YeJ7RAJNFKgSw2io6
Notification of acceptance will be sent by January 22, 2026.
For more information about the opportunity to be an attendee with council, please contact Sara Tate state@girlscouts-gsci.org.
2026 America's Field Trip Contest
America250 just launched the America’s Field Trip Contest for 2026 for grades 3-12. Students are asked to submit writing or original artwork in response to the contest’s prompt: “What does America mean to you?”
A total of 250 students will be awarded a special behind-the-scenes field trip experience this summer or a cash prize. Students can submit their entry at the America250 Field Trip Contest . The deadline for submissions is March 30, 2026. The prizes are 125 first-place awardees and their designated chaperone will receive travel and lodging for a three-day, two-night trip to a select historical or cultural site in July and August 2026. 125 second-place awardees will receive $500 cash awards and three educators will each earn $1,000. Award recipients will be notified in late April 2026.
Daisy and Brownie Experience Boxes
Girl Scout Experience Boxes for new Daisy and Brownie troops are here to support you every step of the way!
New Daisy (K–1) or Brownie (2–3) leaders in participating councils can receive monthly Girl Scout Experience Boxes—delivered to their door! Each box includes simple scripts, easy instructions, and ready-to-use supplies for fun, stress-free meetings. Start with a Welcome Box, followed by up to seven themed boxes, depending on when the troop begins.
- Form your troop by registering more adult volunteers and your Girl Scouts!
- Complete the council training required and your background check.
- Redeem your Girl Scout Experience Boxes and explore all Girl Scouts has to offer!
Click here for more information.
Let Us Know All the Wonderful Things Your Troop is Doing!
Girl Scouts around our council are always active – camping,
traveling, doing serviceprojects, and making the world a better place.
Girl Scouts of tCentral Illinois invitesall Girl Scouts in our council
to share photos of their adventures, achievements,projects, and
more.
Share your story by completing a short form and uploading your pictures. Be sureto complete all the questions with details so we can highlight your troop and theiradventures. We'd love to feature it on our GSCI social media platforms and our website
