Leadership Awards

What are the new Girl Scout Leadership Awards?

Girl Scouts is launching fresh Leadership Awards for Juniors through Ambassadors!

These awards celebrate all the ways you lead—yourself, your team, and your community. They're about building real skills that make a real impact and gaining the confidence to turn your ideas into action. Whether you're figuring out what leadership means to you, working with a team, leading a group, or stepping up to a challenge, these awards are designed to help you explore what leadership means to you—no pressure, just room to grow.

These awards include flexible options that let you explore and shape your own leadership style; you get to lead in a way that feels right for you. Because leadership isn't just about being in charge, it's about learning, growing, and making a difference.

Best of all, these awards serve as prerequisites for earning Girl Scouts' Highest Awards: the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Award!

Leadership Award Log

Tell us about a Leadership Award you've earned to move on to the next step of your Highest Award journey.

Ready to go for your Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award?

Choose a program on the prerequisite chart to get started—completing ONE fulfills the prerequisite for earning one of Girl Scouting's Highest Awards!

Download the PDF »

True North

What is the True North Award about?

The True North Award is about discovering what matters to you and staying true to yourself. It’s your chance to follow your values and take meaningful action, even when it feels hard or a little scary. Whether you’re finding the courage to speak up for what you believe in, taking on challenges, or advocating for positive change, this award helps you build the confidence and clarity to chart your own course and take courageous steps toward what truly matters to you.

Who can earn the True North Award?

The True North Award is available for Junior, Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Girl Scouts to earn.

How do I notify GSSEM that I earned the True North Award as my Highest Award prerequisite?

Submit the Leadership Award Log at www.gssem.org/log.

Can I use a True North Award I earned at a different level as a prerequisite for the Highest Award level I am currently on?

Girl Scouts should earn the Leadership Award at their current level prior to starting their Highest Award. The only exception to this is that the Bronze Award can be used as the Silver Award prerequisite, and the Silver Award can be used as the prerequisite for the Gold Award.

Example: I earned the True North award as a Junior; can I use it as my prerequisite for the Silver Award? No. You will need to earn the Cadette level True North Award if you want to use it as your prerequisite for the Silver Award.

Junior Aide

What is the Junior Aide Award about?

Discover your leadership style by planning and leading a fun, inclusive activity for younger kids. Build your confidence as you learn what it means to guide and inspire others.

Who can earn the Junior Aide Award?

The Junior Aide Award is available for Junior Girl Scouts to earn. The Junior Aide Award can only be used as a prerequisite for the Bronze Award.

How do I notify GSSEM that I earned the Junior Aide Award as my Bronze Award prerequisite?

Submit the Leadership Award Log at www.gssem.org/log.

Program Aide

What is the Program Aide Award about?

Grow your leadership skills by planning and leading multiple activities—including a full meeting—for younger Girl Scouts. You'll practice being a role model and engaging different age groups along the way.

Who can earn the Program Aide Award?

The Program Aide Award is available for Cadette Girl Scouts to earn. The Program Aide Award can only be used as a prerequisite for the Silver Award.

How do I notify GSSEM that I earned the Program Aide Award as my Silver Award prerequisite?

Submit the Leadership Award Log at www.gssem.org/log.

Counselor-in-Training I & II

What are the Counselor-in-Training (CIT) Awards about?

Get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to be a great camp counselor—from leading activities to supporting and caring for campers. You'll build leadership skills in all kinds of ways and discover what kind of leader you want to be. Along the way, you'll take on challenges, make new friends, and create unforgettable memories. Being a CIT is all about growing, learning, and having a blast while you're at it!

Counselor-in-Training I
Team up with other teens to learn how to connect with campers, shadow and support camp staff, and take the lead on songs, games, and group activities. You'll build real leadership skills, make a lasting impact, and become the role model younger campers look up to—all while having a blast at camp.
Counselor-in-Training II
Take your leadership to the next level by planning and leading fun, meaningful activities, including a hands-on service project, for younger campers. You'll also get to support camp staff by helping to manage schedules, keep groups on track, and handle real-life challenges like conflict resolution. You'll grow your skills, make a difference, and continue to be the role model others look up to.

Girl Scouts must apply and be accepted into the Counselor-in-Training I or II programs.

CIT application »

Who can earn the CIT I & CIT II Awards?

The CIT I Award is available for Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts who apply and are accepted into the CIT I program. The CIT II Award is available for Ambassador Girl Scouts who apply and are accepted into the CIT II program. The CIT I & CIT II Awards can only be used as a prerequisite for the Gold Award.

CIT application »

How do I notify GSSEM that I earned the CIT I or CIT II Award as my prerequisite to the Gold Award?

The Camp team will notify the Highest Awards team of Girl Scouts who successfully complete the CIT I and/or CIT II programs.

Volunteer-in-Training

What is the Volunteer-in-Training Award about?

Take charge by leading two full meetings. Create meaningful experiences that help younger Girl Scouts learn, grow, and feel included while making a lasting impact as a mentor and leader.

Who can earn the Volunteer-in-Training Award?

The Volunteer-in-Training Award is available for Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts to earn. The Volunteer-in-Training Award can only be used as a prerequisite for the Gold Award.

How do I notify GSSEM that I earned the Volunteer-in-Training Award as my Gold Award Prerequisite?

Submit the Leadership Award Log at www.gssem.org/log.

Silver Torch

What is the Silver Torch Award about?

Learn how to shine on a team at school or within a place of worship, Girl Scouts, or a community organization. Work toward a shared goal, support your teammates, and build confidence as you find out what motivates people and inspires positive change.

Who can earn the Silver Torch Award?

The Silver Torch Award is available for Cadette Girl Scouts to earn.

How do I notify GSSEM that I earned the Silver Torch Award as a prerequisite to a Highest Award?

Submit the Leadership Award Log at www.gssem.org/log.

Gold Torch

What is the Gold Torch Award about?

Get the know-how and skills to lead with purpose and heart, not just be in charge. Whether you're a team captain, club officer, advisory board member, or a leader at a community organization, you'll learn how to bring people together, turn ideas into impact, and inspire others.

Who can earn the Gold Torch Award?

The Gold Torch Award is available for Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts to earn.

How do I notify GSSEM that I earned the Gold Torch Award as a prerequisite to a Highest Award?

Submit the Leadership Award Log at www.gssem.org/log.

Take Action

What is the Take Action Award about?

Team up to turn your passion into action! Pick your favorite badge and use it as inspiration to create a meaningful impact in your community. Identify a local issue, understand what's behind it and who's already working on it, and create a lasting solution.

Who can earn the Take Action Award?

The Take Action Award is available for Junior, Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Girl Scouts to earn.

How do I notify GSSEM that I earned the Take Action Award as the prerequisite to a Highest Award?

Submit the Leadership Award Log at www.gssem.org/log.

Can I use a Take Action Award I earned at a different program level as a prerequisite for the Highest Award level I am currently on?

Example: I earned a Take Action Award as a Junior; can I use it as my prerequisite for the Silver Award? No. You will need to earn the Cadette-level Take Action Award if you want to use it as your prerequisite for the Silver Award.

Global Action

What is the Global Action Award about?

Team up to turn your passion into action! Pick your favorite badge and use it as inspiration to create a meaningful impact in your community. Many issues affect your world, both close to home and far away—it's up to you to choose what to focus on. Explore how communities worldwide experience similar issues, and then make a global connection by applying what you learn to your project.

Who can earn the Global Action Award?

The Global Action Award is available for Junior, Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Girl Scouts to earn.

How do I notify GSSEM that I earned the Global Action Award as a prerequisite to a Highest Award?

Submit the Leadership Award Log at www.gssem.org/log.

Can I use a Global Action Award I earned at a different program level as a prerequisite for the Highest Award level I am currently on?

Example: I earned a Global Action Award as a Junior; can I use it as my prerequisite for the Silver Award? No. You will need to earn the Global-level Take Action Award if you want to use it as your prerequisite for the Silver Award.

If you have any questions about the Leadership Awards, please email highestawards@gssem.org.