As executive director of the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital, Jan Verhage oversees about 55,000 Girl Scouts, 22,000 adult volunteers and a staff of 100 spread across six offices. She has been involved with the Girl Scouts in many capacities since 1969.
Why have you decided to be a part of the Girl Scouts for almost four decades?
I benefited when I was growing up as a Girl Scout, and when I was looking for a career after college, the Girl Scouts came knocking at my door. I’ve since had multiple executive jobs with multiple opportunities in Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston and Washington. The experiences have helped me become a better person by helping communities become better.
How has the Girl Scouts program evolved over the years?
One of the tenets is leadership, so the girls plan the program and help make decisions. As the girls have changed, so have the programs. When I was a girl, I earned my homemaking badge. Now you can earn computer badges, and there is a lot of focus on math and science skills, too.
How do you keep the organization relevant for today’s young girls?
I think it’s more necessary today. A long time ago, it was more common to have stay-at-home moms. Now there are a lot of single-parent families and families with both parents working, and schools don’t provide as many after-school activities. It’s important for young people to know there are caring adults. It supplements what parents do.
What is unique about being a Girl Scout in the nation’s capital?
If there’s a reason to reach community-minded people on [Capitol] Hill or at the White House, we’re always on the list to be called. The council runs a congressional-aide program, a special experience that only comes to you as a Girl Scout in D.C.
What is your favorite Girl Scout cookie?
This year there is a new cookie, the lemon chalet cream, which is unbelievable. Everyone here loves cookies; there are more Girl Scout cookies consumed per person in the D.C. area than anywhere else.
