Change the world, Girl Scout
Gold Award Girl Scouts are rock stars, role models, and real-life heroes. How do they do it? By using everything they’ve learned as a Girl Scout to solve a problem in their community or make a lasting change in their world.
Seniors and Ambassadors who want to go for the Gold Award build a team of trusted adults, peers, and leaders in their community to guide them through challenges and support their success.
Plus? Nothing beats that feeling of seeing real, lasting, and sustainable change and knowing it was you who made it happen. It changes the way you see your place in the world—and how the world sees you.
You can become a Gold Award Girl Scout if you:
- Are in ninth, tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grade
- Are a registered Girl Scout Senior or Ambassador
- Have completed the Silver Award, a Senior/Ambassador Leadership Award, or a Senior/Ambassador Journey
How to earn the Girl Scout Gold Award
Identify an Issue
Use your values and skills to choose a community issue that you care about.
Thoroughly Investigate Your Issue
Use your sleuthing skills to learn everything you can about the issue you've identified.
Have you set up your account in GoGold yet? It can help you investigate your issue and find resources. It’s also a great tool for keeping everything in one place!
Get Help and Build Your Team
Form a team to support your efforts and help you Take Action. Keep these tips in mind:
- Your Project Advisor should be a subject matter expert and can’t be a Troop Leader or parent.
- You should aim for at least 3-5 team members with skills and knowledge related to your issue, beyond your Girl Scout community and family.
Create a Plan
Identify the root cause of your issue, and then create a plan to tackle it.
Present Your Plan and Gather Feedback
Submit your Project Proposal Form to the Girl Scout Gold Award Committee for approval.
Proposals must be received by the first business day of the month in order to be reviewed at that month’s Gold Award Committee meeting. The committee meets on the third Thursday of each month, so plan accordingly. If you miss the deadline it could be up to six weeks before your proposal is reviewed – and before you can start implementing your project!
gsLearn Course | GSUSA How To Support a Gold Award Girl Scout
Calling all troop leaders, parents/caregivers, project advisors, and supportive adults! Get ready to support the Seniors and Ambassadors in your life pursuing the Gold Award, the highest Award in Girl Scouting. Unlock the benefits, basic project elements, the Gold Award process, real project examples and your role as a supportive adult. You'll leave inspired to encourage Girl Scouts to earn the Gold Award! Log into gsLearn and search for this course! Plan on it taking around 20 minutes.
Resources 
Highest Award Prerequisites
Hey, grownups!
When you support Girl Scouts earning their Gold Award, you’ll help them see their own power and be by their side as they make a lasting change in their community. Download a guide to get started today.
By the time you put the final touches on your project, you'll have solved a community problem—not only in the short term, but for years to come! And even more, you’ll be eligible for college scholarships.
Download the Gold Award Proposal Rubric
Download Girl Scout Gold Award Resources
Our local Gold Award Girl Scouts are changing the world! Take a look at our 2024 Gold Award Girl Scouts and be inspired to change your community today.
Our Gold Award Committee is accepting applications!
Leaders or Gold Award Girl Scouts: interested in mentoring and guiding an older girl as she pursues the highest award a Girl Scout can earn? Complete the Gold Award Committee Interest form here.
Parents, Troop Leaders and Project Advisors
There are resources available for adults and volunteers who want to help Girl Scouts pursue their Gold Award!
GSUSA Gold Award Guide for Adults
The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest award a Girl Scout can earn. Once achieved, it shows colleges, employers, and your community that you’re capable of changing the world.
Before You Start Your Gold Award Proposal
Start Your Gold Award Application
Gold Award Help
Forms
Benefits of Going Gold
Gold Award History
Going Above and Beyond
Gold Award Adult Resources
Our Gold Award Committee is accepting applications!
Leaders or Gold Award Girl Scouts: interested in mentoring and guiding an older girl as she pursues the highest award a Girl Scout can earn? Complete the Gold Award Committee Interest form here.
