Become a Girl Scout Ranger

Welcome to Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts' digital Girl Scout Ranger program!


In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution which granted women the right to vote, this three-part activity will introduce you and your troop to Wolf Trap founder Mrs. Catherine Filene Shouse, and highlight her commitment to women's rights. Get started by watching the video below!
 

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Transcript

Hello there! My name is Ranger Kendra and I’m speaking to you from Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts! 

Today you’re going to learn about a very important anniversary and an inspiring woman- but first, I have a question for you.

Raise your hand if you plan on voting when you turn 18?

If I were in the same room as you all, I am sure I would see every hand up in the air!  Voting is a very important way of participating in government.  But did you know that just over 100 years ago, you wouldn’t have been able to vote?  That’s right- women did not gain the right to vote until the 19th amendment was ratified in 1920.

And the amendment wasn’t an easy win, either- it took women and their allies decades of advocacy and campaigning to convince the United States that women should have the right to vote.  Even after the 19th amendment was ratified, many women were still unable to vote- like Black, Indigenous, and Immigrant women. It would take many more years of continued work to extend the vote and to make sure women had other important rights in society that we all have today.

For example, think about your dream job.  What do you want to do when you grow up?

If your answer isn’t being a teacher, a nurse, a stay-at-home mom, or a factory worker, then it’s likely you wouldn’t have been able to have that job until sometime in the last 50 years! 

Women had to work hard to gain access to education and wider career options, and the independence they afforded.  One woman who dedicated herself to this cause was Catherine Filene Shouse.

Catherine was born in 1896, which means that the 19th amendment was ratified when she was a young woman.  However, Catherine continued to advocate for women beyond the right to vote. She envisioned a world in which women could pursue career opportunities that gave them dignity and economic independence.  She held many important positions throughout her life and played a key role in the establishment of the national park I am standing in today!

You will learn more about Catherine Filene Shouse in your next activity- a digital scavenger hunt- and then you will get to create a short performance in which you teach your troop or your family about Catherine’s accomplishments. Once you complete these activities you will earn a special patch commemorating the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment – and perhaps you will even follow in Catherine’s footsteps!  

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Duration:
2 minutes, 35 seconds

Now that you have learned a little bit about the 19th Amendment, Catherine Filene Shouse, and Wolf Trap's place in women's history, you're ready for the next activity!

 

Part 2: Virtual Scavenger Hunt

Pull out your magnifying glass and put on your thinking cap - it's time for a scavenger hunt! Follow the links provided to find the answers to each question.
Girl Scout Ranger Scavenger Hunt
 
A portrait of Catherine Filene Shouse in 1913
A portrait of Catherine Filene Shouse taken in 1913.

NPS Photo

Part 3: Create your own performance

Congratulations! You’ve completed the digital scavenger hunt and you’ve learned so much about Catherine Filene Shouse! Now it’s time to share what you’ve learned with your friends, family, or troop.

Wolf Trap National Park is known for the performing arts. Catherine wanted to create a place where people could experience the arts in harmony with nature, and the Filene Center at Wolf Trap was built to fulfill that vision. At the Filene Center, people can see everything from operas and ballets to concerts and theatrical plays—all within view of the park’s natural landscape.

Imagine you are creating a performance to be put on in the Filene Center. Your goal is to teach people about Catherine’s legacy, her advocacy work, and her vision for the advancement of women’s career opportunities. You can create a play, a musical work, a dance—anything you would like!

Once you have decided what kind of performance you want to create, consider the main points you want your audience to take away from your work of art. Think about how you could convey those points, events, or ideas through your performance. You may want to write a script, create choreography, make props or costumes, or gather instruments. You can recruit other girls in your troop, family members, or even make it a one-person show!

You should practice your performance a few times before you show it to your audience. You can do a live show or, if you would like, record yourself! You can post your performance on social media and tag Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts if your parent or guardian says it is okay. Or, you can use an online platform like Google Drive or Vimeo to post your video, and e-mail us! If you’d rather not record your performance, it’s fine to take photographs instead and email them to us as well.

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NPS Girl Scout 19th Amendment Commemorative patch
The NPS has partnered with Girl Scouts to create a special patch to commemorate the centennial of the 19th Amendment.

NPS Image

Once you complete the entire Girl Scout Ranger Program and we receive a recording or photos from your performance, either via email or social media, we will mail a certificate of completion and a patch directly to your home!

Last updated: September 3, 2021

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

1551 Trap Road
Vienna, VA 22182-1643

Phone:

703 255-1800

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