Gold Award

The Gold Award is the highest  and most prestigious award that Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors can earn. Since 1916, the Gold Award has stood for excellence and leadership for girls everywhere. The Gold Award project challenges girls to identify an unmet need or core issue  in the community, research and investigate it, recruit volunteers and build a team  to create a plan to address the issue/need. The plan (Gold Award Proposal) is submitted to council for approval by a committee of volunteers. Once approved, the project is carried out - exemplifying the courage, confidence and character of the individual.

• The Gold Award is earned individually and is independent of other awards.
• Registered Girl Scouts can "go for the Gold" whether they have been in scouting since early elementary or yesterday
• Girls must be in 9th through 12th grade to work toward the award and have completed any work done for the Cadette program level.
• All projects are approved by a committee of volunteers from across the state.
• It may take 6 to 8 weeks between initial submission of the proposal and the interview/approval process. Allow sufficient time before planning to begin.
• A volunteer liaison is assigned to each candidate for the project duration,
• All work associated with the Gold Award including the final presentation and paperwork must be completed by the September committee meeting of the graduation year.

The successful Gold Award is a significant challenge: your opportunity to make the world a better place in an area that is personally meaningful for you. You'll learn about project management from the inside and how you can definitely make a difference in the world.

If you have questions following this material, contact highest.awards@gscolorado.org

The prerequisite for the Gold Award is completion of two Senior or Ambassador level  Journeys. If the Silver Award has been earned, it reduces the requirement to one Journey. The guidelines are provided by GSUSA so that all girls across the nation are working to the same standard. 

Earned  Silver Award       Complete one Journey
No Silver Award                Complete two Journeys

Journeys can be chosen from either the Senior or Ambassador level.
Only work completed as a Senior or Ambassador applies to the award.

Celebrations and Recognition

Girl Scouts of Colorado public relations department sends press releases for each Gold Awardee to their local newspaper in recognition of the achievement.  Information for the press releases  as well as biographical material for the Celebration Book, is based on the completed bio and press release info form. This form is due at the time of final presentation.