The group from the Gulf Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida council on their recent trip to Europe. PROVIDED

A group of Girl Scouts from the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida council embarked on an extraordinary journey to London and Paris in June.

Girl Scout Destinations are transformative travel opportunities offered by local Girl Scout councils in collaboration with partners like EF Tours. These experiences go beyond typical troop activities, empowering girls to explore the world, develop essential skills and foster meaningful connections with peers from diverse backgrounds.

This trip, organized by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, served as an incentive for Girl Scouts who demonstrated exceptional goal-setting and entrepreneurship during the Girl Scout Cookie season. By distributing 5,000+ cookies, these young entrepreneurs earned half of their trip expenses. Those who distributed 10,000+ cookies over two years had their entire trip fully funded.

Highlights of the journey

The Girl Scouts who embarked on this unforgettable journey included Izy S. from Cape Coral, Melissa G. and Payson G. from Parrish, Teresa S. and Chloe S. from Bradenton, Brooke H. and Ava G. from Fort Myers, Tabitha G. and Bailey G. from Fort Myers, as well as Aimee F. and Madison K. from Venice.

These young women explored London and Paris from June 19-27, immersing themselves in rich cultural experiences and forging lifelong memories.

In London, the girls savored the elegance of afternoon tea, witnessed the iconic Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace and explored historic landmarks such as Big Ben and the Globe Theater. They delved into British culture through visits to Camden Market and sampling traditional snacks, creating memories that celebrated both adventure and cultural exchange.

They also had the unique opportunity to gather with sister scouts at Pax Lodge in London, one of the five World Centres of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. During their time at Pax Lodge, the girls took part in a pinning ceremony where they received the Pax Lodge pin. This pin can only be acquired by attending a pinning ceremony at Pax Lodge. Each of the WAGGGS World Centres have their own pin.

Their journey continued in Paris, where the girls visited the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower at day and night, and The Louvre. They immersed themselves in French culture with visits to Disneyland Paris, the Palace and Gardens of Versailles and even participated in an art class inspired by Monet near the Seine, showcasing their creativity and appreciation for the arts.

“We are immensely proud of our Girl Scouts who embarked on this unforgettable European adventure to London and Paris,” said Mary Anne Servian, CEO of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida. “Through initiatives like these, we empower our girls to become leaders of tomorrow, fostering global citizenship and personal growth that extends far beyond their local communities. This remarkable journey was made possible by the girls’ hard work and dedication during the 2023 and 2024 Girl Scout Cookie seasons, where they set ambitious goals and met them through their cookie sales efforts.”

By setting and achieving their goals through the Cookie program, the girls demonstrated determination and teamwork. Their success not only funded their trip but also reinforced essential skills like goal-setting, money management and entrepreneurship. This European adventure is a testament to their achievements and the transformative power of the Girl Scout experience.

Beyond sightseeing, the trip was a catalyst for personal growth and leadership development. According to her mother, one girl, Madison K. demonstrated remarkable social — emotional growth during the trip and truly came out of her shell by trying new things she normally would shy away from — a testament to the values of empathy and support fostered by Girl Scouts.

“Participating in a pinning ceremony, taking a tour, and playing games with volunteers from around the world at the Pax Lodge in London, was one of my favorite parts of the whole trip,” Girl Scout Izy S. said.

Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida council has a membership of nearly 3,500 girls in grades K-12, and more than 1,500 adult members. GSGCF is chartered by Girl Scouts of the USA and serves girls in 10 counties, including Manatee, Hardee, Highlands, Sarasota, DeSoto, Charlotte, Glades, Lee, Hendry and Collier. The council is governed by a volunteer board of directors who represent the geographic, ethnic and social demographics of the council’s jurisdiction. For more information about Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida visit gsgcf.org.