Dole Institute of Politics
The mission of the Dole Institute of Politics is to promote political
and civic participation as well as civil discourse in a bi-partisan,
balanced manner.
Address: 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS 66045
How To Register: Please review GSKSMO's registration requirements before registering. Contact public education coordinator, Julie Clover, for tour and program reservations and questions at jclover@ku.edu; (785) 864-1420.
Times/Dates: All programs listed below can be scheduled between 10am-6pm Monday–Friday preferred, evenings and weekends may be available. Programs run 30 minutes to 2 hours long. Museum open for self-guided in-person visits: Tuesday – Sunday 12pm – 4pm, closed Mondays.
Cost: Free
Please be a sister to our Girl Scout partners.
Our partners invest staff and financial resources to provide unique
Girl Scout programming at no cost to our girls and their
families/troops. This is one of those special opportunities. In order
for our partners to continue offering low-cost and free programming to
Girl Scouts, please notify them as soon as possible if you can no
longer attend.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Democracy for Daisies
Daisy
Democracy for Brownies
Brownie
Democracy for Juniors
Junior
Celebrating Community for Brownies
Brownie
Tues Mar 28 + Apr 4, 5:00 PM - 5:45 PM (Virtual)
Inside Government for Juniors
Junior
Tues Apr 20 + Apr 27, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM (Virtual)
YOU SCHEDULE IT! OPPORTUNITIES:
Democracy for Daisies*
Daisy
What is democracy and who represents me in government? Explore more about civics and government with the Dole Institute of Politics for a virtual program on the new Democracy badge. Learn how to write a letter to the governor or use your letter writing powers to write to Frances, the governor of Kansas’ cat!
Girls will complete steps 1-3 in the Democracy for Daisies badge. Virtual: 45 minute Zoom program. In-person: 1 hour program at the Dole Institute in Lawrence.
Badge Connections: Daisy Badge: Democracy for Daisies
Outcomes: Learns to identify and solve problems in her
community
Learn
more about the 5 Girl Scout Outcomes.
Democracy for Brownies*
Brownie
What is democracy and who represents me in government? Explore the new democracy badge in a program with the Dole Institute of Politics. Learn about presidential pets and vote in a virtual election of Socks the Cat vs. Leader the Dog. Use your letter writing powers to write to an elected official or even the Governor of Kansas’ cat!
Girls will complete steps 1-4 in the Democracy for Brownies badge. Virtual: 45 minute Zoom program. In-person: 1 hour program at the Dole Institute in Lawrence.
Badge Connections: Brownie Badge: Democracy for Daisies
Outcomes: Learns to identify and solve problems in her
community
Learn
more about the 5 Girl Scout Outcomes.
Democracy for Juniors*
Junior
What is democracy and who represents me in government? Explore the new democracy badge in a program with the Dole Institute of Politics. Learn about the three branches of government and the importance of local & state governments, test your knowledge of Presidential trivia, and find out about former Girl Scouts who have served on the Supreme Court. Girls will complete steps 1-5 in the Democracy for Juniors badge. Virtual: Two 45-minute programs. In-person: 1.5 hour program at the Dole Institute in Lawrence.
Badge Connections: Junior Badge: Democracy for Juniors
Outcomes: Learns to identify and solve problems in her
community
Learn
more about the 5 Girl Scout Outcomes.
Celebrating Community for Brownies*
Brownie
Be a landmark detective and celebrate your community! Virtually explore a museum dedicated to native Kansan and U.S. Senator Bob Dole and his legacy in public service and hear about the WWII memory wall in honor of veterans of the greatest generation. Discuss your community symbols such as Kansas state motto, animals, and observe the world’s largest stained glass American flag! Learn about the American flag and how to fold the flag honorably.
Please join us for both sessions of this two-part program. Girls who attend both sessions will complete all five steps of the Celebrating Community badge with in-between session homework. Virtual: Two 45-minute programs. In-person: 1.5 hour program at the Dole Institute in Lawrence.
Badge Connections: Brownie Badge: Celebrating Community
Outcomes: Displays positive values, Learns to identify and
solve problems in her community
Learn
more about the 5 Girl Scout Outcomes.
Inside Government for Juniors*
Junior
Inspired by historical examples from the Dole Institute and Archives, let’s go inside government, then plan your political campaign. Learn more about our national government and write a letter to your local, state, or federal representatives based on examples written by kids just like you! What does an active citizen mean to you and your community? Discuss the three branches of government and create a list of what laws affect you and how they impact your daily life.
Girls who attend both sessions will complete all five steps of the Inside Government badge with in-between session homework. Virtual: Two 60-minute sessions.
Badge Connections: Junior Badge: Inside Government
Outcomes: Displays positive values, Learns to identify and
solve problems in her community
Learn
more about the 5 Girl Scout Outcome
Finding Common Ground at the Dole Institute*
Cadette 
Senior 
Ambassador
Find common ground with others by discussing voting rights and other public policies. Troop leaders can choose from a selection of activities related to their scouts’ focus. Participate as senators in a mock debate and cast your ballot on the right to vote at age 18 by reading constituent letters from before the date of the 26th Amendment. Write your own letter to your representative on an issue that you think is important to you and your community. Understand how to compromise on public policies such as ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and how we as educated citizens can learn from history on past national compromises.
Virtual: 1 hour program. In-person: 1 – 2 hour program
Badge Connections: Cadette Badge: Finding Common Ground, Senior Badge: Behind the Ballot, Ambassador Badge: Public Policy
Outcomes: Displays positive values, Learns to identify and
solve problems in her community
Learn
more about the 5 Girl Scout Outcomes.
Discover the Dole Institute
All levels
Come explore the museum, archives, and educational programming relating to Senator Dole’s legacy in public service. The public education coordinator will take you on an interactive, in-depth look at the Dole Institute and Archives. The museum gallery highlights Senator Bob Dole’s legacy and career of over 35 years representing Kansas in Congress. The Dole Institute is also home to the world’s largest stained glass American flag, Veteran’s Memory Wall with over 1,000 pictures of Kansas WWII veterans, and two beams from the World Trade Center, a memorial to the victims of 9-11. Groups can also go behind the scenes in the archive to see where one of the country’s largest congressional collections is stored. Tours and interactive education activities can be planned depending on grade levels. Younger students learn about the American flag, while older students can delve into voting issues and other topics from the archives relating to civic engagement, legislation, elections, history, STEM, and more. Contact Julie to create an individualized program for your Girl Scouts!
In-person: 45 minute – 1.5 hour program
Badge Connections: Daisy Good Neighbor
Outcomes: Displays positive values. Learns
to identify and solve problems in her community.
Learn
more about the 5 Girl Scout Outcomes.
VIRTUAL OPPORTUNITIES:
You Schedule It opportunities listed above with an asterisk (*) can be offered virtually.
Virtual Field Trip of Museum and Archives
All Levels
Virtually visit for an interactive, in-depth look at the Dole Institute and Archives. The museum gallery highlights Senator Bob Dole’s legacy and career of over 35 years representing Kansas in Congress. The Dole Institute is also home to the world’s largest stained glass American flag, Veteran’s Memory Wall with over 1,000 pictures of Kansas WWII veterans, and two beams from the World Trade Center, a memorial to the victims of 9-11. Also, go behind the scenes in the archive to see where one of the country’s largest congressional collections is stored and learn what an archive is.
Badge Connections: Daisy Badge: Good Neighbor
Outcomes: Displays positive values, Learns to identify and
solve problems in her community
Learn
more about the 5 Girl Scout Outcomes.
