Earning a Bronze, Silver, and/or Gold Award, is a remarkable accomplishment for any Girl Scout. But, does your older girl troop know about all of the other Older Girl Leadership Opportunities and Awards available as they progress on their individual paths through the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE)?
Of course, there are badges and Journeys at every Girl Scout level, allowing for leadership skills through badge programs and Take Action Projects at the troop level, but there is so much more available beyond the troop depending on a girl’s interests and goals!
From expanding her experience in mentoring younger Girl Scouts and reaching out to her community, to moving up to leadership roles in our Council and exploring her own interests, older Girl Scouts have a wide variety of options to explore. And the variety that is available may be just the thing that keeps them interested in Girl Scouts throughout their high school years.
So, share this list with your troop today and help guide them down their own leadership path.
Save it for later!
Lead as Mentors, Planners, and Organizers
Cadette Level
As she mentors younger Girl Scouts, she’ll share her skills, test her knowledge, and try out new leadership roles. For the girls being mentored, it means a chance to learn from their cool older sister Girl Scouts!
Cadette Level
Earn by first earning a Leader in Action Award (LiA) and then assisting younger girls by sharing skills, passion, and experience over the course of six activity sessions.
Summer Camp C.I.T. & C.I.T. II
Senior and Ambassador Levels
Has she dreamed about becoming a camp leader? The Counselor in Training programs are earned by experienced campers by combining their love for the outdoors with their leadership skills and goals.
Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Levels
As a part of Teens Take Over, you’ll direct a huge program for hundreds of girls, such as Craftapalooza, Golden Gate Park Secret Adventure, or Mall Madness, that will dazzle your fellow Girl Scouts. There are monthly meetings where you’ll strategize, organize, and coordinate with others to bring your program to life. Learn more about how to register, dates, and locations.
Senior and Ambassador Levels
Become a Volunteer in Training by mentoring younger Girl Scouts outside of camp. Your VIT project should span a three-to-six-month period.
Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Levels
This award is earned by volunteering at least 20 hours for the Girl Scouts. You might volunteer for a special event for younger girls, be an office assistant for your council or service unit, or help with special projects.
Service Units & GSNorCal Council Leadership
Senior and Ambassador Levels
GSNorCal appoints two Girl Board Participants to serve on our Board of Directors. For girls currently in grades 9–11, this is an excellent opportunity to take part in council governance, advocate for their peers, and see first-hand how our organization is run. Learn more about the roles and responsibilities of being a Girl Board Participant.
Service Unit Delegates, Delegates-at-Large, and National Delegates
Delegate governance is a key part of GSNorCal’s strategy as we strive to honor the voice of our membership. Girls age 14 and older have the opportunity to represent their Council regionally and nationally!
Leadership in the Community
Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Levels
This award is given to a Girl Scout who is a leader in her community. To earn the Torch Award, a Girl Scout must complete one Journey at her current level, and serve a full term in a leadership position at her school, place of worship, library, community center, or other organization that is important to her.
Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Levels
The Community Service Bar is earned by making a difference in the community and practicing the values of the Girl Scout Law. It is also a way for girls to get involved with a cause they care about.
Leadership in Special Interests
Senior and Ambassador Levels
A girl-planned weekend leadership conference, Lead the Way lets your Girl Scout have face-to-face networking with inspirational adults and learn practical skills for navigating life outside of high school. Working alongside her fellow girl change-makers, she’ll grow in her critical-thinking and focus on where she wants to take her future. This conference happens every year in January/February.
Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Levels
These amazing robotics teams include girls from across the Bay Area in partnership with the NASA Ames Research Center and GSNorCal. Design, build, and program innovative robots and compete in a variety of events.
Travel with Council Trips and GSUSA Destinations
Cadette, Senior and Ambassador Levels
From local sights and landmarks to those around the world, Girl Scouts has an adventure opportunity for every type of traveler. Our Council Trips allow your girl to travel with a group from our Council and provide special money-earning opportunities, scholarships, and financial aid to help pay for travel. GSUSA Destinations are for girls looking for more adventure who are interested in meeting Girl Scouts from around the USA. Destinations are by application only.
Interest Groups provide volunteer-run program opportunities for older girls. All Girl Scouts in grades 5–12 are welcome to join, whether they are independent Girl Scouts or members of a traditional troop. Visit the following groups to learn more:
What’s next:
- Explore opportunities older girl opportunities in The Guide. Each year there is a new guide with many events at your Girl Scout level that may interest you.
- Encourage her to share her Girl Scout experience and expertise on the Trailhead. She has a story to tell, whether it’s about exploring Iceland or discovering a passion for STEM, with the greater Girl Scout community.
Shannon McMath—Shannon McMath is the Leader of Troop 10280 in Santa Rosa – a WONDERFUL group of Cadettes who have been together since kindergarten! In addition to volunteering at the troop level she has worn many Girl Scout hats… Leader Support Manager, Program Support Manager, Program Team, Learning Facilitator, Regional Delegate, National Delegate, and more. Her passion is traveling to new and interesting places and she shared that passion with Girl Scouts by hosting a trip to Costa Rica in 2017 and Ecuador/Galapagos.
Great article!
Thanks Shannon! Our older girls are so lucky to have all of these amazing opportunities with the great support from GSNORCAL!
Let’s not overlook religious awards. My good ol’ Cadette teoop, usually 60-65 strong, was very outdoors-oriented…to the point these scalers of Mt.Whitney and weeklong biking, canoeing and backpacking Scouts were sometimes called “hyperactive” by other leaders. But many of them also earned religious awards according to their religious group Catholic, Quaker, other protestant, Jewish.
Hi Dean, great suggestion and reminder about the faith-based awards! And thank you, also, for supporting your Girl Scouts in all their different pursuits. Championing the interests of 60+ Girl Scout members in one troop is an accomplishment in of itself 🙂