Girl scouting's highest awards

In summer 2009, GSUSA introduced new guidelines to earning the highest awards. There will be a transition period between the old and the new methods.

See the new guidelines at a glance.  

Girls using the old method must complete their award by 9/ 30/11. 

Not sure what method you should be using?  Download our transition guide.

 

BRONZE AWARD

 

As a Girl Scout Junior, a girl may earn that level's highest award, the Bronze Award. This award is designed to be accomplished during 4th and 5th grades, and must be completed before the girl enters 6th grade, when she will become a Girl Scout Cadette.

The Bronze Award is meant to be achieved by a Troop, or other team of girls.  Prerequisite to the Bronze Award Project is the completion of one Junior Journey Book, which includes the earning of the Journey Awards, along with the completion of the Take Action Project. 

The Bronze Award Take Action Project should be a minimum of 20 hours.

Bronze Award projects do not require pre-approval.

Get the current Bronze Award guidelines

 

SILVER AWARD

As a Girl Scout Cadette, a girl may choose to earn the Silver Award, the highest achievement for a Cadette.  This award is designed to be accomplished during 6th, 7th, and 8th grades and must be completed before the girl enters 9th grade, when she will become a Girl Scout Senior. 

Prerequisite to the Silver Award Project is the completion of one Cadette Journey Book, which includes the earning of the Journey Awards, along with the completion of the Take Action Project. 

The Silver Award Take Action Project should be a minimum of 50 hours, and should reach beyond the Girl Scout community.  The project should be done by an individual girl, or a small group (no more than 4 girls).  EACH girl in the group should put in at least 50 hours on the project. 

Silver Award projects do not require pre-approval.

Get the current Silver Award guidelines

GOLD AWARD

As a Girl Scout Senior or Ambassador, a girl may earn the Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting, and a nationally recognized achievement. This award is designed to be accomplished during the high school years, and must be completed by the Sept. 30 following high school graduation.

Prerequisite to the Gold Award Project is the completion of one Senior or Ambassador Journey Book, which includes the earning of the Journey Awards, along with the completion of the Take Action Project. 

NOTE:  Girls who have not earned the Silver Award are required to complete TWO Journeys as their prerequisite to the Gold Award project.

The Gold Award Project should be a minimum of 80 hours, should include a plan to make it sustainable, and should be shared beyond the local community.  A Gold Award Project should be an individual project.  Gold Award projects must be approved by the Council's Gold Award Committee before the girl can begin.  To obtain approval, the girl must submit a Girl Scout Gold Award Project Proposal to:

Girl Scouts of Nassau County

110 Ring Road West

Garden City, NY 11530

ATTN:  Gold Award Committee

The Proposal should be received at least 8 weeks prior to her planned Project start date.

Projects that are NOT suitable for Gold Award include: 

• Collections of items (books, toys, clothing, food)
• Blood Drives
• Creation of items to be donated (knit or crocheted caps, blankets, etc.)
• Working with an already-established program/organization
• Projects that raise money for other organizations

Get the current Gold Award Guidelines

 

2009 Gold Award Recipients

The 74 young women honored by GSNC at our 2009 Gold Award Ceremony are among the most accomplished in Nassau County. As a Council, we are proud of what they have achieved as Girl Scouts, have become as young women, and will be, as leaders in the 21st century. For more information on the award winners, their photos and bios, please check out our 2009 Gold Award Recipient page.