What is the Girl Scout Gold Award?

The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest and most prestigious award that Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors can earn. Each Gold Award Project addresses a community issue and improves lives. The Gold Award process builds girls’ personal leadership skills. A Gold Award Project inspires others to take action within their communities.

Did You Know?

• Though it has changed names, since 1916 the Girl Scout Gold Award, the organization's highest award, has represented excellence and leadership for girls everywhere!

• The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest leadership award a Girl Scout can earn. Less than 6% of all Girl Scouts earn the Girl Scout Gold Award.

• A Girl Scout who has earned her Gold Award immediately rises one rank in any of the U.S. military branches.

• A growing number of colleges and universities across the country offer scholarships to girls achieving the Girl Scout Gold Award.

• Girls who have earned their Gold Award can apply for scholarship from GSOFCT or the Connecticut Elks Association.

What does the Gold Award Process Involve?

Prerequisites
Fulfilling the requirements for the Girl Scout Gold Award starts with completing two Girl Scout Senior or Ambassador Journeys or having earned the Silver Award and completing one Senior or Ambassador Journey. Each Journey you complete gives you the experiences and skills you need to plan and implement your Gold Award Take Action project.

Girl Scouts of Connecticut Gold Award Webinars and Workshops

Mandatory Gold Award Webinar (Coming in January 2012): This webinar will introduce girls to the Girl Scout Gold Award and help them determine their commitment to pursuing the Girl Scout Gold Award from Girl Scouts of Connecticut. This webinar is mandatory for all girls who are interested in achieving Gold. This webinar is also open to, parents, troop leaders, troop advisors, and project advisors. It will include the following:

• An overview
• Prerequisites
• Key elements o Girls and adult roles
• Processes for Girl Scouts of Connecticut
• Next steps

OR

Mandatory In-Person Workshop (3.5 hours): If you are fully committed and have completed all the prerequisites, then this workshop is for you. At the workshop you will:

• Learn the Gold Award Standards of Excellence
• Learn how to complete GSOFCT Gold paperwork & important dates
• Have time allotted for small group discussion of project ideas.

Seven Steps to Earning Your Gold Award

1. Choose an issue: Use your values and skills to identify a community issue you care about.
2. Investigate: Research everything you can about the issue.
3. Get help: Invite others to support and take action with you.
4. Create a plan: Create a project plan that achieves sustainable and measurable impact.*
5. Present your plan and get feedback: Sum up your project plan for your Girl Scout council.
6. Take action: Take the lead to carry out your plan.
7. Educate and inspire: Share what you have experienced with others.

*Once you have attended the Gold Award Webinar or Workshop and have a Gold Award Project idea email gold@gsofct.org for Gold Award Initial Project Plan Paperwork.

More Questions?

All questions about the Gold Award should to be directed to gold@gsofct.org or you can call Girl Scouts of Connecticut toll free (within CT only) at 1-800-922-2770 and ask to be connected with Virginia Wetzel at extension 3723. Once you have met with your assigned Gold Award Committee Mentor, your mentor can also answer any Gold questions you may have. 

Past Awardees