|
Since 1916, Girl Scout’s highest awards, the Gold, Silver and Bronze, have stood for excellence and leadership for girls everywhere. Generations of the young women who have earned this recognition have made a positive difference in their communities and beyond.
GOLD AWARD
The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest award in Girl Scouting. Earned by Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors, these girls have devoted themselves to learning leadership skills and developing character. They have met the challenge of knowing themselves, identifying their interests and expanding their abilities to work with others. They have actively practiced leadership and effected positive change in the world around them.
To earn the award, the Girl Scout has created and carried out a Gold Award leadership project, completed applications and interviews, and presented her work to advisors and peers. She has worked in excess of 80 hours to complete all the requirements to earn the Gold Award. Each accomplished young woman has set her foundation for a lifetime of active citizenship.
SILVER AWARD
The Girl Scout Silver Award is the highest honor for girls ages 11-14 or in grades 6-9. It recognizes their outstanding efforts to improve their own lives and the lives of others. Involving a six-step process, a girl must be 11 years old, or going into sixth grade, to begin work on STEPS 1-4. During the completion of these first four requirements she strengthens her leadership skills, explores career opportunities and makes a commitment to self-improvement. She must be 12 years old, or going into seventh grade, to begin work on STEPS 5 & 6 which is the Girl Scout Silver Award community project. STEPS 5 & 6 must be completed by age 14, or before the start of 10th grade.
BRONZE AWARD
The Girl Scout Bronze Award is the highest honor a Junior Girl Scout can earn. In grades four and five, girls may work individually or in a group for the award and, among other requirements, they must demonstrate leadership skills and a commitment to helping others and improving their communities. In addition to completing a Bronze Award community project that generally takes about 15 hours, girls must also earn two badges related to the project, complete one of the Girl Scout Signs and earn the Junior Aid Award, the Junior Girl Scout Leadership Award or two other badges.
Bronze, Silver and Gold Award Requirement Update
The steps to achieving these highest awards have been undergoing an update to reflect the benefits girls receive through the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE). These were recently released by GSUSA with a two-year transition timeline. The goal is to have all girls using the new guidelines by October 1, 2011 (the beginning of the 2012 membership year). In order to transition to these new guidelines as smoothly as possible, please be aware of the following:
- If your girls will be completing the majority of the work on their projects before Oct. 1, 2011, then you may use the current guidelines.
- If your girls will be completing the majority of the work on their projects after Oct. 1, 2011, you must use the new guidelines.
- The trainings for these awards that are being offered in your 2009/2010 FOCALPOINT through December 31, 2009 will reflect the current requirements to earn these awards. Copies of these guidelines will be available from our Service Centers through Spring 2010. (Remember the Bronze Award is offered through a correspondence course only.)
- The training for these awards that are being offered in your 2009/2010 FOCALPOINT starting January 1, 2010, will reflect the new requirements to earn these awards. Although no longer a part of the training, copies of the old guidelines will be available from our Service Centers through Spring 2010.
More information about these awards can be found on page 16 of the 2009-2010 Volunteer Essentials.
Girl Scout Cadettes – Ambassadors who have decided to “Go for the Silver and Gold Awards” need to attend the Gold/Silver Award Training listed in the Adult Learning section of FOCALPoint along with their leader or prospective adult advisor.
DATES TO REMEMBER TO BE HONORED AT THE MAY CEREMONY:
- Silver Award Final Reports need to be submitted by April 1.
- Gold Award Final Reports need to be typed and received 30 days before the presentation
date you wish to attend. Every effort will be made to meet your first choice. Presentations
need to be completed by March 15.
GOLD AWARD PRESENTATION MEETING DATES FOR 2009-2010
The following list indicates the place and time of Gold Award Presentation meetings available by area.
COLUMBIA SERVICE CENTER
Every other third Sunday at 3:00 pm
- August 16
- October 18
- December 13 ** Christmas Holiday
- February 21
- April 18
- June 13 ** Father’s Day
GREENVILLE SERVICE CENTER
Every other third Sunday at 2:00 pm
- September 20
- November 15
- January 17
- March 14 ** Last meeting before 3/15/10 deadline
- May 16
- July 18
SPARTANBURG SERVICE CENTER
Every second Tuesday at 6:00 pm
- August 11
- September 8
- October 13
- November 10
- December 8
- January 12
- February 9
- March 9
- April 13
- May 11
- June 8
- July 13
GIRL SCOUT SILVER AND GOLD AWARD RECEPTION
May 2010 date and location TBA
|