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 and the interview/approval process. Allow sufficient time before planning to begin.
• A volunteer liason 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

General information on the Girl Scouts Gold Award is avaialble in the Overview for girls and the Overview for adults Gold Award Journey Guidelines.

The prereqisite for the Gold Award is completion of two Senior or Ambassador level  Journeys. If the Silver Award has been earned, it reduces the requirment 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.

Detailed information for girls          Journey Guidelines for Seniors and Ambassadors
Detailed information for adults       Journey Guidelines for Adults
Project Proposal

The STUDIO2B Guidelines expired in September 2011. Girls using the STUDIO2B Guidelines should have submitted their proposals and have approval for their projects by September 2011. Projects should be completed by March 2012. Use the  Planning Workbook and proposal form for these guidelines.
  
Project proposal and interview

Approval is required for Gold Award proposals. When you have completed your proposal, please submit it via email to highest.awards@gscolorado.org six to eight weeks before you plan to start your project. An interview may be arranged in less time.  The Gold Award Committee is statewide with regional working groups. Interviews are in person where possible or by phone.  Communication is electronic. If you do not have access to the Internet, making arrangements for limited access would be helpful. Proposals can be mailed to GSCO 400 S Broadway Denver CO 80209.

Gold Award Committee meetings

Some areas have set meeting dates, others arrange meetings as needed. You may attend a meeting in the area most convenient for you: it does not have to be the region in which you are registered. Confirmation of interview date and time will be sent on receipt and review of the proposal.

For planning purposes only: meetings may be cancelled if there is no business.

Meeting Dates for  Metro Denver - generally the 3rd Thursday - other dates underlined:

Aug 11th
September 15th - last interview opportunity for Studio 2B guidelines
October 20th
November 17th
December 15th
January  19th
February 16th
MARCH 1st  DEADLINE FOR 2012 CELEBRATION
April  5th
May  17th

• Pikes Peak/Southeastern Colorado/San Luis Valley meets the 1st Thursday of the month in Colorado Springs.
• Denver Metro meets at the program center, 400 S Broadway, Denver, 80209 at 7 p.m.- usually on the 2nd Thursday of the month.
• Northern Colorado  meets as needed at the International House of Pancakes, exit 57B off I-25 in Loveland.
• Northeastern Colorado/Central Mountains/Western Slope /Southwestern Colorado meets as needed.

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 presention. Regional celebrations are anticipated for the summer of 2012. More information will be posted as it becomes available.