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Additional Awards

Girl Scouts has many ways to recognize your leadership, community service, and other accomplishments. Check out these other options below to see if you're eligible – or begin working to become eligible now!

Community Service Bars

As a Cadette, Senior, or Ambassador, you are eligible to earn a total of three Community Service bars. When you volunteer at least 20 hours to a community organization, you can earn the Community Service Bar.

Congressional Award

Young people may register when they turn 13 1/2 years old and must complete their activities by their 24th birthday. Participants earn Bronze, Silver, and Gold Congressional Award Certificates and Bronze, Silver, and Gold Congressional Award Medals. Each level involves setting goals in four program areas: Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition/Exploration. These areas align perfectly with the amazing things you are doing with GSCTX!

Earning The Congressional Award is a fun and interesting way to get more involved in something you already enjoy or something you’d like to try for the first time. You move at your own pace – on your own or with your friends. This is not an award for past accomplishments. Instead, you are honored for achieving your own challenging goals after registering for the program. Get started today: http://www.congressionalaward.org/

How to Go Above and Beyond

Once a girl becomes a Gold Award Girl Scout, she can take additional steps to amplify the power of her project:

Junior Aide Award

Juniors can earn this award by making and completing a plan to guide Girl Scout Daisies, Brownies, or bridging Brownies on one of their journeys. Requirements for earning this award can be found in the Junior Handbook.

Leader in Action Award

Cadettes can earn a Leader in Action (LiA) award by assisting a Brownie group on any of their National Leadership Journeys.

National Gold Award Girl Scout

The National Gold Award Girl Scout is an honor given yearly to ten Senior and Ambassador Girl Scout Gold Award recipients nationally whose final projects demonstrated extraordinary leadership, had a measurable and sustainable impact, and addressed a local challenge that related to a national and/or global issue.

Girl Scouts who would like their councils to consider nominating them as a National Gold Award Girl Scout must submit an application using Go Gold Online. Councils then select their top three Gold Award recipients. GSUSA then ensures a rigorous review process, during which each application is reviewed at least three to five times: first by GSUSA staff, then by an external panel of trusted partners, and finally through an intense, in-house staff review of the top candidates. Once the list is narrowed down through this review process, GSUSA's internal NGAGS team selects the top ten.

Presidential Volunteer Service Award

This award recognizes Girl Scouts for their community service efforts over a 12-month period. It is a Presidential honor, initiated by President Bush in 2003, to recognize the valuable contributions of volunteers across the nation that serve others through their volunteer activities. To have GSCTX order your award, please fill out the Volunteer Service Award Log form and return to GSCTX. Troops and Service Units are welcome to also order awards directly from the Presidential Volunteer Service Award website.

Service to Girl Scouting Bars

As a Cadette, Senior, or Ambassador, you are eligible to earn a total of three Service to Girl Scouting bars. If you choose to volunteer at least 20 hours to Girl Scouts, you can earn the Service to Girl Scouting bar.

Silver, Silver and Gold, & Gold Torch Awards

As a Cadette, Senior, or Ambassador, you are eligible to earn a total of three Torch awards, which recognize Girl Scouts who act as leaders in their communities. 

Teen Mentor Awards

All materials for Program Aide Training for Program Aides (PAs) and Volunteer-in-Training (VIT) are now available online (links below)! We know our older Girl Scouts have full schedules and we’re thrilled to offer girls the opportunity to pursue these leadership opportunities at their own pace.

Cadette Program Aide Award
As a program aide, you will have the opportunity to work directly with younger girls. An adult volunteer or staff member will supervise you as you share your experience and develop your leadership skills.

PA Trainer Manual
 PA Completion Sheet

Volunteer-in-Training (VIT) Award
This award is for girls who would like to mentor a Girl Scout Daisy, Brownie, Junior or Cadette group outside of the camp experience.

VIT Trainer Manual
 VIT Leadership Journal
VIT Completion Sheet