The New Girl Scout Leadership Awards Explained


Girl Scouts’ leadership pathway just got a major glow-up and a few things are changing:

  • Leadership Awards are now the official prerequisites for the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards.
  • One Leadership Award earned at your program level fulfills the prerequisite for each of the Highest Awards.
  • Additionally, the Bronze Award is now a prerequisite option for the Silver Award, and the Silver Award is a prerequisite option for the Gold Award.
  • One Journey may still be used to meet the Highest Award prerequisite requirements through October 1, 2026.


Why Were the Awards Refreshed?

Inspired by Juliette Gordon Low’s courage and character, the refreshed awards create a clearer, more modern path to leadership. They focus on long-lasting skills like communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and confidence.

What Are the New Leadership Awards?
The Leadership Awards are a new set of skill-building experiences for Girl Scouts in grades 4–12. They focus on four areas of leadership: personal, peer, teaching, and community advocacy, and they are designed to be flexible.

Each award is designed to help Girl Scouts explore their interests, build practical skills, and focus on things that matter to them. And the best part? Earning one Leadership Award at your program level now fulfills the prerequisite for the Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award. Girl Scouts can earn them during troop meetings, at camp, at events, or individually.


Which Awards Are Retired?

Leader in Action (LiA) are retired as of July 2025. Cadettes can still get hands-on experience with younger Girl Scouts through the refreshed Program Aide award.

The previous Silver and Gold Torch award (based on holding a leadership position for a term )is also retired. Updated Torch awards now focus on teamwork and leading peers in more flexible, accessible ways.

Journeys will officially be retired on October 1, 2026. In their place, Juniors through Ambassadors can now earn the Leadership Awards.

The current Global Action award will also retire in 2026. Juniors – Ambassadors can earn the new Global Action Award, and Daisies and Brownies will have other opportunities to explore global themes, like through World Thinking Day and the Democracy badges.



My Girl Scout already started on one of the Journeys and/or a Leadership Award using retired guidelines. Now What?

Starting in October 2026, Journeys will be retired. Until then, Girl Scouts may continue completing Journeys, and any finished Journey will remain valid and will continue to count toward the Highest Awards.

Girl Scouts can apply the Leadership Awards as a prerequisite regardless of whether they were earned using the retired or new guidelines.



A Closer Look at the New Leadership Awards

Below is a quick guide to each award category to help you understand what each award is all about!




Personal Leadership

True North Award

Available for Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors

This brand-new award helps Girl Scouts discover their values, build confidence, and understand what matters to them. It’s all about staying true to yourself and taking courageous steps to make a meaningful impact.

Prerequisite for the Highest Awards when earned at your level.






Peer Leadership

Silver Torch Award

Available for Cadettes
Learn how to shine as part of a team. Cadettes build teamwork skills, support group goals, and explore how to motivate and inspire others.


Gold Torch Award

Available for Senior/Ambassador
Grow into a leader who guides with purpose and heart. Girl Scouts practice bringing people together, collaborating, and turning ideas into real impact.

The Silver Torch counts as a prerequisite for the Silver Award—and the Gold Torch for the Gold Award.



Teaching Leadership Awards

Junior Aide

Available for Juniors

Plan and lead one fun, inclusive activity for younger kids. This award builds confidence and helps Girl Scouts discover their unique leadership style.


Program Aide

Available for Cadettes

Lead multiple activities—including a full meeting—for younger Girl Scouts. Cadettes practice being thoughtful role models while building real planning and leadership skills.


Volunteer in Training (VIT)

Available for Senior/Ambassador

Guide younger Girl Scouts by leading two full meetings. Teens learn how to create meaningful experiences, support growth, and make younger kids feel included.


Counselor in Training I (CITI)

Available for Senior/Ambassador

Learn the basics of camp leadership by supporting campers, assisting staff, and leading songs, games, and activities. It’s all about growing confidence and becoming a role model at camp. Contact your local council to locate CIT programs.


Counselor in Training II (CITII)

Available for Ambassador

Take leadership at camp to the next level by planning activities, supporting staff, and practicing real-world leadership skills like schedule management and conflict resolution.

Contact your local council to locate CIT programs.


The Junior Aid counts as a prerequisite for the Bronze Award, the Program Aide as a prerequisite for the Silver Award, and the VIT, CIT, and CITII as prerequisite options for the Gold Award.

 

Community Advocacy Awards

Take Action Award

Available for Junior–Ambassador

Work as a team to identify a local issue, understand what’s behind it, and develop a long-lasting solution that creates real change.


Global Action Award

Available for Junior–Ambassador

Learn how different communities around the world experience similar issues. Then create a project that makes a meaningful, globally connected impact.

Either award fulfills the prerequisite for the Highest Awards when earned at your level.

The Leadership Awards help Girl Scouts grow into confident, capable leaders, whether they love creativity, teamwork, teaching younger kids, or making change in their community. Along the way, they build skills like communication, planning, collaboration, and decision-making that last far beyond Girl Scouts.

With these awards now serving as the official prerequisites for the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards, they create a clear, connected leadership pathway where earning the Bronze Award can count toward Silver, and Silver can count toward Gold. That means each step builds on the last as Girl Scouts earn each of Girl Scouting’s highest honors.


If you want to learn more or explore which award is right for your Girl Scout, you can find additional details on the Leadership Awards landing page and in the full FAQs. These resources offer clear guidance, step-by-step information, and support to help every Girl Scout get started with confidence. If you have more individualized questions, reach out to your council staff.
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The New Girl Scout Leadership Awards Explained

Girl Scout Cookies Are Here—Don’t Miss a Crumb! Here’s Everything You Need to Know


The Wait is Over—2025 Girl Scout Cookie Season is Here! 🍪

Cookie lovers, REJOICE! The most delicious time of the year has officially begun—the 2025 Girl Scout Cookie® season is in full swing, and it’s time to treat yourself while supporting this generation of girl leaders. As a reminder, these aren't just any cookies — they help unbox the future for Girl Scouts everywhere, one iconic cookie box at a time.

A Lineup Worth Craving

The 2025 cookie lineup is stacked with fan-favorite flavors you know and love. Thin Mints®, Samoas®/Caramel deLites®, and Peanut Butter Patties®/Tagalongs® are all back, ready to dazzle your taste buds. But, cookie lovers, we’ve got some bittersweet news. This is the LAST SEASON you’ll be able to get your hands on Toast-Yay!® and Girl Scout S’mores®. Yep, you heard that right—they’re going out with a bang, and you’ll want to stock up before they’re gone for good.

These sweet staples have been fan favorites for years, and now’s your chance to say goodbye in the most delicious way possible. Find a local cookie booth or connect with a Girl Scout you know to snag these soon-to-be-retired flavors before they’re gone forever.

Why Girl Scout Cookies Are More Than a Treat

Sure, they’re tasty—but Girl Scout Cookies are so much more than a sweet snack. Every purchase fuels the largest entrepreneurial program in the world for girls. When you buy cookies, you’re helping girls gain life-changing skills like goal-setting, decision-making, money management, people skills, and business ethics.

Each box sold is an opportunity for a Girl Scout to build her confidence, courage, and character. The funds raised help power incredible Girl Scout adventures—think summer camp, service projects, and amazing travel experiences—all while developing essential entrepreneurial skills that last a lifetime. When you bite into that Thin Mint, know that you’re helping girls achieve BIG things.


📸: Event-News Enterprise

How to Support Girl Scouts This Cookie Season

Ready to stock up and make a difference? Here’s how you can join the fun:
  • Know a Girl Scout? Order directly from her.
  • No Girl Scout nearby? Use the Cookie Finder at www.girlscoutcookies.org to find a booth near you.
  • Want cookies delivered? Starting February 21, have them shipped straight to your door via www.girlscoutcookies.org
  • Stay in the loop! Text “COOKIES” to 59618 for updates on availability and exciting cookie news.
Support your local troop, savor the lineup, and grab those Toast-Yay!® and S’mores® cookies before they’re gone forever. Let’s help Girl Scouts chase their big dreams—one cookie box at a time.

Want to share the cookie love? Make sure to tag @GirlScouts and use #GirlScoutCookieSeason in all your amazing stories on social media.

Happy Girl Scout Cookie Season! 🍪
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Girl Scout Cookies Are Here—Don’t Miss a Crumb! Here’s Everything You Need to K…

Girl Scout Cookie™ Inspired Cold-Brew Coffee

Girl Scout Cookie™ Inspired Cold-Brew Coffee Flavors Coming Soon Beloved Girl Scout Cookie™ Flavors Combined with Chameleon Cold-Brew in 3 New Delicious Flavors Chameleon Organic Coffee® just announced it has entered into a licensing agreement with Girl Scouts of the USA®, to introduce delicious variations [...]

The post Girl Scout Cookie™ Inspired Cold-Brew Coffee appeared first on Troop Leader Central.

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Girl Scout Cookie™ Inspired Cold-Brew Coffee

Girl Scout Daisy Certificates for Troops Who Are Not Bridging

 

In a few short weeks, it will be the end of scouting season for many Girl Scout Daisy leaders. For those who are completing year one, here is a first year Daisy certificate that you can hand out at your end of the year celebration.


*This post contains affiliate links.

Congratulations on completing your first year as a Daisy leader! And what a time to start your leadership role-during a world-wide pandemic!

You made it and so did your troop. While some of you are deciding to meet over the summer, I chose not to do that. I carried the load by myself all year, and my teacher brain and school calendar dictated that summer time is my time to rejuvenate. The only time my troop ever met in the summer was when they were Girl Scout Seniors who needed to complete a journey.

First Year Girl Scout Daisy Certificate



This is a non-bridging year for your troop. If you are planning a last Court of Awards or a simple fun last meeting of the year (that is what I did-a field trip or an easy craft and food), you can give your girls a certificate that shows they complete their first year of Girl Scout Daisies.

The certificate can be put in their Girl Scout scrapbook or hung in their room.

I created a simple and inexpensive First Year Daisy Certificate on Teachers Pay Teachers.

Please be sure to check it out and rate it. You get points that convert into cash when you buy products and rate them.

Are you having an end of the year celebration?

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Girl Scout Daisy Certificates for Troops Who Are Not Bridging

Girl Scout Law Games for Daisies and Brownies 5 Print and Go Activities & Games

*This post contains affiliate links.

The foundation of the Girl Scouts is the Girl Scout Law. These 10 building blocks are the basis for everything your troop does. These Girl Scout Law Games for Daisies and Brownies contain 5 Print and Go Activities and Games that you can do over and over again. They are perfect for sponge activities before your meeting starts, time fillers for the end of meetings, and something engaging to do for early finishers in your troop.

5 Print and Go Girl Scout Law Games


The Girl Scout Law Review Games includes:

  • Matching/Memory Game for readers (two different ways to use them)
  • Matching/Memory Game for non-readers (the matching symbol is on the card with the words)
  • Girl Scout Law strips that can be used multiple ways
  • Girl Scout Law Dominoes Game (broken down into two separate games)

Girl Scout Law Games for Daisies and Brownies 5 Print and Go Activities & Games

Available on Teachers Pay Teachers

How do you teach your girls the Girl Scout Law?


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Girl Scout Law Games for Daisies and Brownies 5 Print and Go Activities & Games

10 Virtual Girl Scout Daisy Petal Meetings

With the rise in Covid cases across the country, many Councils are requiring leaders to have virtual meetings. Here are 10 virtual Girl Scout Daisy meetings to help with the planning.

*This post contains affiliate links.

As a nation, we have had a challenging two years. Girl Scout troops across the nation, like most schools, went to virtual learning last year. During last spring, we were finally permitted to have in person meetings.

And now, as the Covid-19 numbers rise again, many Councils are telling leaders to return to the virtual format if they want to be with their troop.

10 Virtual Girl Scout Daisy Petal Meetings


For first year Daisy leaders, this can be daunting, as they do not have the experience from last year to rely on. Add on the challenge of cookie sales, if they chose to do them, and planning virtual meetings is an added stressor.

Since we do not know how long we will be unable to meet in person, I have put together a product that has 10 Virtual Girl Scout Daisy meetings.

With the exception of the orange Daisy petal, which is new, the others are a part of the other Daisy petal products that I have created. Everything you need is included, just let the girls know what they need and your planning is done.

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10 Virtual Girl Scout Daisy Petal Meetings