Girl Scout Awards FAQ's
The Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards remain the highest awards in Girl Scouting. GSUSA has just revised the guidelines to align with the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. For more information on the guidelines and transition period, please refer to the questions and answers below.
What is the future of the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards?
The Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards will remain the highest awards in Girl Scouting.
What is happening to the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards?
Each of the award guidelines have been revised to align with the Girl Scout Leadership Experience and to reflect the desired leadership outcomes.
Why are the guidelines being revised?
The guidelines have been revised to align with the Girl Scout Leadership Experience and to include the most up-to-date materials with the journeys. Completion of a journey is now a prerequisite for each of the awards.
What are the new grade levels for earning the awards?
Bronze Earned by Juniors 4th-5th grade
Silver Earned by Cadettes 6th-8th grade
Gold Earned by Seniors or Ambassadors 9th-12th grade
Will printed guidelines be available?
There are currently no plans to sell printed copies of the guidelines. Information is available to download from the GSUSA web site at www.girlscouts.org. Information includes separate guidelines for both girls and adults, along with sample award projects.
How will Girl Scouts Heart of Central California provide opportunities for volunteers and girls to learn about these new guidelines?
Our web site will provide a link to the information on GSUSA’s web site. Information will also be distributed through Service Unit meetings and via email to volunteers. Girls who take Girl Scout Silver or Gold Award training classes in the current membership year (2009-2010) will be made aware of the new materials as an option, but training will continue for this year on the previous process. Adult Award Advisor classes, starting in January 2010, will start to offer information on both options for obtaining the awards.
What happens to girls who are using the old guidelines?
Nothing at all. Girls currently working on a Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award can complete their projects using the current guidelines.
When will the new guidelines officially take effect?
The new guidelines take effect October 1, 2011. Girls will have from 2009, when the new guidelines are released, through September 30, 2011, to transition to the new guidelines. In the meantime girls will have the option of either process in earning their awards.
What if girls who are using the current guidelines cannot finish their projects by the time the new guidelines take effect?
Because of the lengthy transition period, it is unlikely a project will not be finished before October 1, 2011.
Can girls work on two awards at the same time?
No. One award must be completed before work begins on a new one.
Who do I contact if I have questions?
If you have questions you can email us at program@girlscoutshcc.org.
Questions?
For more information please call the council office at (800) 322-4475 or (916) 452-9181 or e-mail us at info@girlscoutshcc.org
