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Observe the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with Girl Scouts!
GSSNE Patch
As our nation prepares to honor 250 years of independence, Girl Scouts
of Southeastern New England is proud to partner with the Secretary of
State’s Office and RI 250 to celebrate this historic milestone!
Together, we’ll shine a spotlight on the history of our region. Girl
Scouts can earn a special commemorative patch by participating in our RI
250 Scavenger Hunt!
From July 1st, 2025, through July 31st, 2026, GSSNE will be offering an exclusive 250th Anniversary of the United States Patch as part of a year-long program to experience our collective histories and the land in which we all inhabit. Girl Scouts may choose to participate in council-wide programs, with their troop or on their own, to complete the patch program.
From July 1st, 2025, through July 31st, 2026, GSSNE will be offering an exclusive 250th Anniversary of the United States Patch as part of a year-long program to experience our collective histories and the land in which we all inhabit. Girl Scouts may choose to participate in council-wide programs, with their troop or on their own, to complete the patch program.
GSUSA and America250
On July 30, 2025, Girl Scouts of the USA and America250 announced their partnership to honor America's 250th anniversary. America250 is the official nonpartisan initiative of the United States tasked with planning and executing the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026.
This partnership gives every Girl Scout, no matter their age, a role in commemorating our nation’s 250th birthday through meaningful service and leadership activities and underscores our Movement’s role as a platform for girls to engage with civic life in ways that are relevant and meaningful. Together, we can help shape how America commemorates this milestone and inspire what comes next. You can learn more at America250.org.
Through this partnership, you can earn a special five-patch collection if you participate. You can join an event, take part in a national project, or create your own project. Explore history, discover diverse stories, and give back through service!
250 Coalition: MY AMERICA
In celebration of America's 250th, MY AMERICA, organized by The Rendon Group and Empower Peace and approved by the Rhode Island Department of Education, is a nationwide, youth-driven art and civic engagement campaign that will honor our past, reflect on our present, and inspire our future.
Through artistic expression, civic action, and public commemoration, MY AMERICA will empower young people across all 50 states to reflect on what unity, democracy, and being American means today by creating a large mosaic of an American flag made up of thousands of individual tiles with messages, drawings, and poems. Upon its completion, the flag mosaic will likely be 150 feet long x 80 feet wide, half the size of a football field.
This national movement will emanate from Massachusetts, the birthplace of the American Revolution and the ideas that gave rise to democracy itself. From here, it will call to youth across the nation to lead America forward, once again, in defining what our country stands for.
To get involved, visit myamerica2026.org, where troop leaders can sign up to receive their free kit of tiles and markers scheduled to be sent out at the end of January.
Parade Float
Bristol, RI, is home to America's oldest continuous Fourth of July celebration
. In 2026, Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England will have a float
in the parade to celebrate Girl Scouts' past, present, and future
alongside this historic anniversary of our nation's founding. Attend the
parade on July 4 to cheer on your fellow Girl Scouts!
French in Newport with the National Park Service & Newport Historical Society
Volunteers Needed: Help Honor America’s Oldest Ally!
Join the National Park Service and the Newport Historical Society as they prepare for the annual “French in Newport” living history event celebrating the Franco-American alliance of the American Revolution.
Friday, July 10th
10:00 am-12:00 pm
King Park
Newport, RI
This year’s event is particularly relevant as the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary. On Friday, July 10, 2026, volunteers will help place 6,000 French flags in King Park around the Rochambeau statue—creating a powerful tribute to the 6,000 French soldiers and sailors who arrived in Newport with General Rochambeau to fight for American independence.
Questions? Please reach out to jsullivan@newporthistory.org
Statehouse Recap
In October 2025, Girl Scouts had a day of activities at the Rhode Island State House in partnership with the RI250 Commission. They started the day by hearing from Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos, Senator Jessica de la Cruz, and Rhode Island National Guard member and former Miss Rhode Island Alexandra Curtis. They learned about leadership, service, and how women are shaping Rhode Island’s future. Girl Scouts were then given tours of the State House, followed by a mock legislative session with Representative Teresa Tanzi. They wrapped up the day by voting on mock ballots and learning about Rhode Island’s revolutionary past while viewing a copy of the Declaration of Independence.
