Girl Scouting's Highest Awards

The Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards are the highest awards a
Girl Scout can earn.

As girls go through the process of earning awards, they discover themselves and their values, explore the world, connect with others locally and globally and take action to make the world a better place. They gain confidence, meet new people and have fun while putting the Girl Scout Promise and Law into action. The process culminates with a girl-led Take Action project inspired by an issue that matters to them.

Girl Scout Juniors can receive the Bronze Award, Girl Scout Cadettes can receive the Silver Award, and Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors can receive the Gold Award.

Awards requirements

A note about the requirements update and transition
Girl Scouts highest awards requirements were updated in August 2009 to:

• Include the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, its three keys to leadership (discover, connect, take action) and the Girl Scout processes (girl-led, learning by doing, cooperative learning).
• Form the framework for an outcomes-based program that gives girls tools that will make them leaders in their own lives and in their communities.
• Be consistent across the nation, making sure all girls have the complete leadership development experience.

Interested girls who have not yet started on their award requirements should follow the guidelines released in summer 2009. In addition to requirements that are specific to each award, girls must also:

• Complete a journey including earning the journey awards.
• Plan, develop and implement a Take Action project focusing on an issue they care about.
• Submit a final report on their award by September 30 of the year they bridge to the next age level.

Pre-summer 2009 requirements
Girls who have already started working on their award requirements using the pre-summer 2009 guidelines, Junior Girl Scout Handbook or GO FOR IT! method may continue to do so to earn their awards. More information about the pre-summer 2009 guidelines is found here.

There is a two-year transition period, ending September 30, 2011, during which girls who have already started the prerequisites may earn their award using the pre-summer 2009 requirements.

Helpful links
Girl Scout Awards at a Glance
Awards Training Opportunities
Girl Scouts of the USA Awards Site