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.
Gold Award Project Proposals under the old (Studio 2B) guidelines MUST be submitted to Council by December 1, 2010.
Girls using the old method must complete their award by 9/ 30/11.
Any girl who has not begun work on the awards should be using the new "journey method". See links below for Bronze, Silver and Gold.
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 as a volunteer at an already-established program/organization
- Projects that raise money for other organizations
- Projects that do not go beyond the Girl Scout community
Get the current Gold Award Guidelines
2010 Gold Award Recipients
The 67 young women honored by GSNC at our 2010 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 2010 Gold Award Recipients page.
