WASHINGTON OTHER FIELD GUIDE
Mapping Family Roots: Brownies Earn the “My Family Story” Badge at the DAR Museum
A 2-hour, age‑7+ program at the DAR Museum where Brownies use museum collections, storytelling and hands‑on projects to document family history and earn the included badge.
Mapping Family Roots: Brownies Earn the “My Family Story” Badge at the DAR Museum.
At the DAR Museum in Washington, D.C., young scouts step into archives and artifacts to trace the contours of their own family stories. Over two focused hours they share memories with one another, play a game that reveals how stories shift in the telling, and record the day in a brand‑new diary before assembling a family tree to capture their heritage.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Hands‑on history inside the DAR Museum
The DAR Museum’s collections are the backdrop for an exploration of how family histories are collected and preserved, giving Brownies tangible context for their own stories.
Storytelling, a listening game, and group sharing
Participants share family memories with peers and play a game that demonstrates how stories change as they’re retold—an exercise in listening and perspective.
Diary, family tree and an earned badge
Each Brownie writes about the day in a new diary and assembles a family tree to tell their family story; completing the program results in the "My Family Story" badge, included in registration.
What the day feels like
What the program feels like
The program unfolds as a compact, social workshop: gather at the museum, move through short, guided interactions with the collections, take turns sharing and listening, play a structured game that highlights how narratives evolve, then settle into a creative session to write in a diary and build a family tree — all paced to fit a two‑hour block.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this program suits — and when to reconsider.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The program runs for approximately 2 hours, structured as a short museum workshop of guided activities.
Materials for the diary and family‑tree activity are part of the program (participants will write in a brand‑new diary during the session).
The program departs from/meets at the DAR Museum in Washington, D.C.; the “My Family Story” badge is included in registration. Note that sessions may be cancelled if minimum registration is not met.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
What age is this program intended for?
The program is for ages 7 and up.
How long does the program last?
The program lasts approximately 2 hours.
Where does the program meet?
Participants meet at the DAR Museum in Washington, D.C.
Is the badge included?
Yes—the program results in earning the "My Family Story" badge, which is included in the registration price.
What happens if too few scouts register?
If the minimum registration of eight scouts is not met, the program may be cancelled and payment refunded.
What activities are included in the session?
Activities include exploring the DAR Museum collections to learn how family histories are preserved, sharing family stories, playing a game that shows how stories change, writing in a new diary, and creating a family tree.