Spark your sense of wonder. And change the world along the way.
What will you do next? Sleep under the stars? Design your own app? Plant a community garden? Start up a new business? As a Girl Scout, there are hundreds of ways for you to have fun, discover something new, or take your current passion to the next level. Explore the world of possibilities!
Badges
Earning badges are great ways to explore your interests and learn new skills. Badge requirements can be found on the Badge Explorer or the Volunteer Toolkit.
Journeys
Journeys, unlike badge experiences, are extended engagements that foster leadership skills. Girl Scouts of all ages are challenged to think critically, boost their problem-solving skills, and make an impact in their communities through participating in a Take Action project.
There’s a Journey award for every Girl Scout, no matter their interest. Journey award information can be found in the Volunteer Toolkit.
Leadership Journeys
It’s Your World, Change It!
Girl Scouts are encouraged to make the world a better place by discovering and practicing their unique leadership style.
It’s Your Planet, Love It!
Girl Scouts explore environmental topics such as clean water and air, noise pollution, climate change, and more.
It’s Your Story, Tell it!
Girl Scouts develop a strong sense of self and discover how to navigate healthy relationships.
STEM Journeys
Think Like a Citizen Scientist
Girl Scouts practice the scientific method—making observations, collecting data, and analyzing results by undertaking a citizen science project.
Think like a Programmer
Girl Scouts explore technology and discover how computer programmers use “computational thinking” to solve problems.
Think like an Engineer
Girl Scouts become an engineer by participating in hands-on design challenges.
Outdoor Journeys
The Outdoor Journey is comprised of 2-3 badges plus a Take Action project. Girl Scouts explore the outdoors, gain new skills, and ignite an interest in environmental stewardship.
Patches
Whatever your adventure may be, there’s a patch for that. Patches are perfect for commemorating unique experiences, special achievements, and fun troop activities.
This award is given to a Girl Scout who has shown extraordinary
heroism or risked their life to save another's.
Contact
us with questions or to nominate a Girl Scout for this award.
Community Service Bar
For: Cadette–Ambassador
Community Service Bars are earned by making a difference in the
community and practicing Girl Scout values.
Requirements:
Your service hours must be separate from those hours
you use for other awards.
Each bar represents a new
project, and can only be earned once per program level.
It is your responsibility to log your own hours and turn
them into your leader or mentor upon completion.
Once you have completed your hours, you may purchase the
Community Service Bar for your program level from Girl
Scouts River Valleys council shops.
Thank you for your service to the community!
Contact
us with questions or
to nominate a Girl Scout for this award.
International Friendship Recognition Pin
For: All Grade Levels
Girl Scouts who live overseas can earn this award by doing
activities that encourage international friendships with girls in
their host country.
Contact
us with questions or
to nominate a Girl Scout for this award.
Medal of Honor
For: All Grade Levels
This award is given to a Girl Scout who has shown presence of
mind and true Girl Scout spirit in an emergency.
Contact
us with questions or
to nominate a Girl Scout for this award.
My Promise, My Faith Pins
For: All Grade Levels
Girl Scouts can earn this award once each year by learning more
about what their faith and Girl Scouting have in common, using the
Girl Scout Law as a guide. Girl Scouts are encouraged to serve those
in need, to help their communities, and grow in their faith.
Cadettes receive their Program Aide Award by earning one Leadership in Action (LiA) Award, completing a Program Aide training at a council-led event or as a troop using the Program Aide Plus Activity Plan (PDF) and working directly with younger Girl Scouts at least six times.
The Program Aide Plus Activity Plan is designed for Cadettes to work on their own with an adult available for support, for a troop to work on together, or for a community/area to offer the training. The first section of the activity plan is the basic Program Aide Activity Plan. The second section covers the role of a community/area event assistant, day camp junior caddie, facilitating flag ceremonies and leading songs and games. Activity resources for many of the sessions can be found in the second part of the plan.
Volunteers leading the activities may customize them to best suit the needs of the Girl Scouts and the types of activities they are being prepared to lead for troop, community/area events, or day camp activities.
Safety Award
For: All Grade Levels
Safety Awards are earned by following a five-step process for being
safe, tailored for each grade level.
Hey there Girl Scout go-getter! We know when girls participate in the full scope of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience – they can take on anything! Show the world that you are an expert Girl Scout by completing the 10 key experiences to have a well-rounded Girl Scout year and earn The Ultimate Girl Scout Year Award. To earn The Ultimate Girl Scout Year Award troops/Girl Scouts will:
Meet an average of twice per month* during the school year (during the months the troop meets)
Hold a family meeting (troops)/meet with your Juliette Mentor (individually registered Girl Scouts)
Keep it Girl Scout-led
Complete a Leadership Journey
Complete at least one activity or badge from each of the skill-building areas; STEM, Outdoors, Life Skills, Entrepreneurship
Explore the outdoors and/or go camping
Attend a council event, community/area event, or plan a field trip—virtual or in person!
Participate in the Girl Scout Cookie Program
Attend or hold an end-of-year celebration or event
Participate in at least one summer activity (examples: troop camp, troop meeting, field trip)
*Note For the 2020-2021 year, troops could meet once per month and meet the Ultimate Girl Scout Award requirements.
Volunteer in Training
For: Senior–Ambassador (must be currently enrolled in grade 10)
This award is for Girl Scouts who mentor a Girl Scout Daisy,
Brownie, or Junior group outside of the camp experience. Projects
should span 3–6 months.
Find a mentor volunteer who is currently the
adult volunteer for a group of Girl Scouts at the level
you’d like to work with. This volunteer will help you
through your training and internship, and you’ll help the
volunteer with her group of Girl Scouts for the 3-6 month
period.
Determine 2-3 goals for this training
and what you would like to learn and practice.
Completed Program Aide training. (This may have occurred
during your Cadette years.)
Create and
implement a thoughtful program based on a Journey or badge
that lasts over four or more sessions. Be responsible for
designing, planning, and evaluating the activities. If you’re
passionate about a topic like art or technology, you could design
the activities around the area you love or in which you have
expertise.
World Thinking Day Award
For: All Grade Levels
Girl Scouts earn this award by participating in globally themed activities and projects to honor Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in other countries.