LISBON — Recently 18 members of Girl Scout Troop #314 of Dirigo Service Unit spent eight days on a trip to Washington, D.C. Prior to the trip, the troop spent nearly two years preparing for the excursion with skill building and travel progression activities, as well as numerous money earning events. En route to D.C., the troop visited the Edith Macy National Girl Scout Headquarters. While in the Washington, Troop #314 stayed at Rockwood, a previous GS National Headquarters, in Potomac, Md.

Using a patch program developed by the Girl Scouts of the Nation’s Capitol that facilitates exploring the D.C. area, Troop #314 planned a jam packed itinerary.

Outside the Spy Museum, the girls held an impromptu flag ceremony when museum staff came out to take down the American flag for the evening.At the National Portrait Gallery, the troop found a portrait of Juliette Low, founder of Girl Scouts of the USA.

At the Vietnam Memorial Wall, the Girl Scouts did a closing ceremony in the subdued walkway lights, as hushed onlookers stopped, with hands to their hearts, as the girls sang “Taps” in their closing circle.

On Earth Day Troop #314 visited the National Zoo. A local group was there doing a community service cleanup on the zoo grounds, so the troop pitched in. Later, after visiting the animals at the zoo, the Girl Scouts toured the Council headquarters of the Girl Scouts of the Nation’s Capitol.

Senator Collins’ office arranged for Troop #314 to have a private tour of the Capitol with two of her D.C. office staff. On the Troop’s last day in D.C., the girls visited the White House. Due to rerouting, the troop circuited the entire White House complex and learned why demonstrators are often gathered at Lafayette Park. Both tours were unexpected highlights for the Troop.

Troop #314 is based out of Lisbon Falls and has girls from Lisbon, Lisbon Falls, Durham and Lewiston.

Scouts participating in this travel experience were Roxanne Bineau, Alyssa Caouette, Kaitlin Johnson, Sabrina Kunc, Caitlyn Milliken, Brianna Miquelon, Charlotte Mooney, Emily Moran, Ashley Ridley, Kayla Thatcher and Madeleine Walker-Elders. Adult facilitators attending were Dawn Walker-Elders, Janis Batron, Cathy Hunter, Denise Kunc-Morrin, Catie Moran, Heather Perry and Debbie Williams.

For more information about Girl Scouts, go to girlscoutsofmaine.org.